Beginner
Start Sailing - no previous experience required.
From 780 / student
- 5 days on a sailing yacht
- Sailing fundamentals & knots
- Boat handling under sail & power
- Introduction to navigation
- Safety, rules of the road
- Course completion certificate
Beginner Day Skipper Coastal Yachtmaster
Learn to Sail in Greece.
Internationally recognised sailing courses from Alimos Marina - first lesson to Yachtmaster, on the Greek seas, with instructors who teach all year.
Sailing Lessons Greece
The Aegean Is the Classroom.
The Vlamis Sailing School runs from Alimos Marina, Athens - the largest sailing base in the Eastern Mediterranean and an ideal training ground. Reliable winds, sheltered coves, busy approach channels and dozens of well-marked anchorages: every kind of sailing situation a student needs to meet, all within a few hours of the marina.
Our instructors are full-time professionals - RYA and ISSA certified, English-speaking, and most have been teaching with us for over a decade. Whether you have never set foot on a yacht or you are preparing for your Yachtmaster examination, you'll be sailing for real, on a yacht of your own, from day one.
Group Sailing
Flotilla Sailing in Greece
A flotilla is the ideal way for sailors and non-sailors alike to discover new Greek cruising waters in a fun, affordable and social way, while gaining real sailing experience.
Vlamis organises flotilla sailings from our Athens and Lefkada bases. A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing together along a planned route, with a lead boat providing navigation guidance, local knowledge and support throughout. You have the independence of your own yacht with the security and social atmosphere of a group.
Flotillas are particularly popular with: sailing school graduates completing their first independent passage, groups of friends who want to sail together on separate boats, and corporate events where multiple crews compete or collaborate over a multi-day route.
Contact us to discuss flotilla dates, routes and pricing for your group.
Course Levels
Four Steps, From First Helm to Yachtmaster
Indicative pricing for a 5-day course, per student, with materials and certification fees where applicable.
Day Skipper
RYA-recognised intermediate practical course.
From 950 / student
- 5 days on a sailing yacht
- Pilotage & coastal passage planning
- Anchoring & mooring under pressure
- Skipper duties & crew management
- Engine checks & basic troubleshooting
- RYA Day Skipper certification
Coastal Skipper
Advanced practical course with night passages.
From 1,150 / student
- 5 days on a sailing yacht
- Night sailing & passage making
- Advanced pilotage in tide & wind
- Yacht management at sea
- Crew leadership in heavy weather
- RYA Coastal Skipper certification
Yachtmaster
Preparation & examination support.
From 1,450 / student
- 5 days intensive preparation
- Mock examinations on board
- Theory revision & chartwork
- Examiner-led practical assessment
- One-to-one debrief
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification
All courses run April through October. Maximum 4 students per yacht for practical courses. Examination fees included where applicable.
What's Included
A Course That's Genuinely Complete.
Our quoted course fee is exactly what you pay - no surprise extras at the dock. Everything you need to learn, sit your assessment, and leave with your certificate is included.
- Certified RYA / ISSA sailing instructor
- Sailing yacht and full equipment
- Course materials and printed booklet
- Personal log book
- Marina fees in Alimos for the course
- Examination & certification fees (where applicable)
- End-of-course debrief and skill recommendations
- VAT and all taxes
Optional Add-Ons
- Accommodation packages in Athens or on board
- Airport transfers and hotel pickup
- Pre-course online theory modules
- Private one-to-one tuition
Meet the Instructors
Taught by Sailors Who Live and Work the Aegean
Every Vlamis instructor is a working professional - RYA or ISSA certified, fluent in English, and on the water with students every season.
Captain Dimitris V.
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor
25 years on the Greek seas
Captain Maria K.
RYA Cruising Instructor
Beginner & Day Skipper specialist
Captain Nikos P.
ISSA Master Instructor
Coastal & Yachtmaster prep
Captain Eleni A.
RYA Coastal Skipper Instructor
Family & private tuition
Why Train Here
Three Reasons Students Choose Vlamis.
Internationally Recognised
RYA and ISSA certified - qualifications recognised by charter companies worldwide.
Small Class Sizes
Maximum four students per yacht on practical courses - proper time at the helm for every student.
Sail Onwards With Us
Graduate to bareboat charter with us at preferential rates - your training fleet is also your charter fleet.
Enrol Now
Find Your Course Date
Tell us your experience level, your preferred dates and your goals - we'll come back with a course recommendation and the next available slot in our calendar.
Good to Know
Sailing School Athens FAQs
What sailing courses do you offer in Athens?
Vlamis offers RYA-certified courses from beginner level through to Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster. We also run ASA courses and provide vessels for local racing clubs. All courses are taught on the Greek seas from Alimos Marina, Athens, giving students genuine open-water experience from the first day.
Do I need any experience to join a sailing course?
No prior experience is needed for our beginner and introductory courses. For Day Skipper and above, some basic sailing familiarity is helpful but not required. We assess each student at the start of the course and adjust accordingly. Contact us to discuss which course is right for your current level.
What licence will I hold after completing the RYA Day Skipper course?
The RYA Day Skipper certificate is recognised internationally and qualifies you to skipper a yacht bareboat in Greece and most other charter destinations worldwide. It satisfies the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) requirement and is accepted by all major charter operators including Vlamis Yachts.
Do you offer flotilla sailing?
Yes. Vlamis organises flotilla sailings from our Athens and Lefkada bases: a group of yachts sailing together along a planned route, with a lead boat providing guidance and support. Flotillas are ideal for sailing school graduates completing their first independent passage, groups of friends wanting to sail on separate boats, and corporate events.