Small ship sailing cruises
The first time the captain cuts the engine is always a magical moment. You can feel under your feet when the sails of your boat begin to fill. Soon, you’re leaning on the breeze, and the wires holding the mast begin to hum.
With the sails up, everything feels different. Your boat has undertaken a beautiful metamorphosis. It is a new creature – a quiet one, that can approach wildlife with suitable stealth. You can hear the seabirds; you can hear a whale blow.
With the sails up, everything feels different. Your boat has undertaken a beautiful metamorphosis. It is a new creature – a quiet one, that can approach wildlife with suitable stealth. You can hear the seabirds; you can hear a whale blow.

With the sails up, everything feels different.![]()

The best part is that you don’t need to know how to sail to be on board. That’s what the crew are for. Small ship sailing cruises are all about sharing the joy of being under sail without needing to know the ropes. If you like the sound of silence and seabirds when you’re underway, or cosy chatter around the dinner table, then these kinds of trips might just be for you.
Sailing vs motoring – which cruise to choose
In a motorised world, a sailing vessel is not the default. But there are lots of advantages to going on a small ship cruise under sail.There are disadvantages to consider too. Makes sure these aren’t dealbreakers before you book.
Best places to go on a small ship sailing cruise

The only sadness about sailing vacations is that when you’re on board you can’t fully see how magnificent your boat looks with all her sails up.![]()

There are places in the world where sailing vessels come into their own. Where there are short distances, reliable winds, and flat seas, you can get some great cruising, and maximum time with the sails up. For this reason, vacations spent roaming among islands groups are where sailing vessels really shine. That’s why there are lots of these trips dotted around Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands, and the Greek islands.
Arctic
Leave the lightest of touches on the Arctic when you visit under sail, keeping engine noise and fumes to a minimum. It might be icy out there, but below deck everything is cosy and quiet, and you might see a whale out of the porthole.
Croatia
One of the most popular sail cruising destinations thanks to the Dalmatian Islands, which are a perfect playground for boats. Pinball between pretty ports. The Adriatic water has a special, mesmerising clarity – you’ll want to jump in at every stop.
Greece
Sailors love Greece: lots of gorgeous islands, calm seas and reliable winds, plus fantastic food and a thriving harbourside taverna culture. The Cyclades, the Ionians: the island groups are full of tourist hotspots, but by small boat you can sneak out of the spotlight and find its hidden coves, too.
Turkey
You’ll be the envy of everyone on the Turquoise Coast if you’re sailing in a romantic gulet (pronounced ‘goo-let’) – a traditional wooden converted fishing vessel that’s commonly seen swaying at anchor off the Turkish coast.
Seychelles
There are short, leisurely sailing distances between most of the islands in this Indian Ocean archipelago, making it a relaxing cruising destination. That means plenty of time for swimming – essential when the water is this inviting.
Scotland
Slip across the sounds and around the mulls in search of dolphins and golden eagles. You won’t be sunbathing on deck, you’ll be standing on watch, looking out for more wonderful wildlife in the water.
Our Small ship cruising vacation Vacations
Scotland private charter sailing vacations
Private Charter a small ship around the Scottish Islands
From
£7188 to £16410
7 days
ex flights
Sailing in Croatia
A multi-activity adventure sailing cruise in Croatia
From
€580 to €790
4 days
ex flights
Seychelles 7 day sailing cruise
Cruise the Seychelles on a beautiful wooden sailing ship
From
£952 to £1348
7 days
ex flights
Skye and the Small Isles sailing vacation
Sail Scotland's Small Isles and visit spectacular Skye
From
£1520 to £2480
9 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, North Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen tall-ship wildlife and natural history sailing
From
€3980 to €4290
8 days
ex flights
Sailing vacation in Scotland, Greater Clyde
Sailing and outdoor activities with local seafood in Argyll
From
£600 to £660
6 days
ex flights
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What do small ship sailing cruises entail?
These boats are small – if you’re on board with strangers, then be relaxed and respectful about sharing each other’s space, as you’ll be in close quarters. You may be sharing bathroom facilities with other guests and crew. Conditions below deck are cheerful, but cosy, and you’ll be getting to know each other well.
On small ship sailing cruises there’s lots of time spent on deck, as well as plenty of stops on land, opportunities to go out in the tender (smaller accompanying motorised boat) and in warm climes, swim stops, so you won’t be cooped up.
Your captain and crew are there to sail the boat and keep you safe. These are sailing cruises, so you won’t have to do any of the sailing for yourself – just sit back and relax.
You may go into harbours for dinner in the evenings, or, in remoter regions, make use of an on-board chef.
You won’t always have the sails up. You’ll stick the motor on to manoeuvre in and out of moorings and harbours, and you may go under power if the weather is not in your favour. You may motor sail, too – that is, have your motor on whilst the sails are up, to travel faster.
On small ship sailing cruises there’s lots of time spent on deck, as well as plenty of stops on land, opportunities to go out in the tender (smaller accompanying motorised boat) and in warm climes, swim stops, so you won’t be cooped up.
Your captain and crew are there to sail the boat and keep you safe. These are sailing cruises, so you won’t have to do any of the sailing for yourself – just sit back and relax.
You may go into harbours for dinner in the evenings, or, in remoter regions, make use of an on-board chef.
You won’t always have the sails up. You’ll stick the motor on to manoeuvre in and out of moorings and harbours, and you may go under power if the weather is not in your favour. You may motor sail, too – that is, have your motor on whilst the sails are up, to travel faster.
Sailing cruise vacation tips
More about Small ship cruising vacation

They take you to another world. To little bits of littoral loveliness you hardly knew existed. Places with names like the Mergui Archipelago, the Kyles of Bute, Wrangel Island or an island called Wolf. They take you on vessels that are the beloved babies of craftsmen and women. They take you to see whales and turtles and sea lions. They combine life on land and on sea.