Sailing to France and the Channel Islands

These trips are designed to be a cruise, not a course, however you will still have the opportunity to gain fantastic experience and cover a lot of miles in a safe and enjoyable way. The areas visited provide challenging and exciting navigation due to famously powerful tidal streams and tidal ranges. The area is also steeped in history and while only a short distance away from the UK the culture of island life and typical French ambience is apparent as soon as you make port.

These trips are perfect for a couples, family's/friends, or individual travellers. We have options to book individually, a double cabin for a couple or the whole yacht for a larger group. Our Skipper will welcome you aboard, discuss what you would like to achieve out of the trip and the you will set sail to some beautiful locations where you can unwind and have fun!

We hope you find all the information you need below but please do not hesitate to get in touch with the office if you have any questions.

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What to expect

• A 'hands-on' sailing holiday with the opportunity to enhance your sailing skills
• An experienced and friendly Skipper
• The opportunity to build miles, obtain open sea experience & gain night sailing experience
• Gain confidence without any pressure of a formal course syllabus
• Experience crossing the shipping lanes and learn how to properly navigate in heavy shipping areas
• Opportunity to skipper a passage over 60nm should you wish and have appropriate experience
• Opportunity to practice taking sights with a sextant

We use a variety of boats for these sailing trips. Our modern yachts are all spacious cruising yachts with the accommodation arranged into double cabins and single berths in the saloon. They are capable of taking 8-10 crew however there would only ever be a maximum of 5 plus the instructor on board (normally 5 total).

The crossing is dependent on the weather and the final decision will be made by the Skipper. Occasionally the forecast would prevent a crossing but it is rare that over a 7 day trip you will not get a weather window to make it across to France or the Channel Islands, especially at the time of year most of our holidays are run. We will offer an alternative program should this happen with every effort to sail a decent length passage and explore exciting destinations. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a refund or transfer to a later date if the itinerary changes due to the weather conditions.

Itinerary's

Our trips to France and the Channel Islands can range in duration to suit your needs however most trips are 7 or 9 days in duration.

7-day trips often make it as far south as Jersey, occasionally St Malo. You will likely make your first destination, commonly Cherbourg, Alderney or Gurnsey late on the first evening or in the early hours of the 2^nd day if you venture a little further. Days 2-5/6 will then be a mix of exploring the various ports combined with shorter passages between French & Channel Island ports. Then on Day 6 you will set sail back to UK shores either straight back to Southampton or often with a stop in Yarmouth, Lymington or Cowes to enjoy a final crew meal with your newfound friends.

9-Day trips offer the opportunity to head further south into Brittany. Ports such as St Malo, St Quay Portrieux, Paimpol & Lezardrieux become very achievable options on your itinerary on these longer trips.

*This is an example itinerary based on the expected seasonal weather. Actual destination or timings may vary.

*If you are looking for a trip of shorter duration or has a greater focus on achieving milage for your logbook then check out our Mile Builders, Channel Hops or Chanel Triangles. 

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The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are a sailor’s dream – a wild, beautiful playground where Britain meets France and every horizon promises adventure.

Just a day’s sail from the South Coast, you arrive somewhere that feels worlds away. Think dramatic cliffs rising from turquoise water, secret anchorages tucked beneath rugged headlands, and picture-perfect harbours buzzing with life. The tides here are powerful and exhilarating, creating some of the most exciting sailing waters in Europe – a place where skill meets spectacle.

Drop anchor in Sark and step into a car-free world of winding lanes and breathtaking views. Cruise into St Peter Port in Guernsey, where pastel-coloured houses climb the hillside and waterfront cafés welcome you ashore. Explore Jersey’s golden beaches, historic castles, and long summer evenings that stretch late into the glow of sunset.

Wildlife thrives here – dolphins often play in the bow wave, seabirds wheel overhead, and crystal-clear water invites you to swim straight from the boat. The light has a special quality too, shifting from soft morning haze to fiery sunsets that paint the sea in gold and crimson.

Whether you’re navigating the famous Race of Alderney, hopping between charming island ports, or enjoying a quiet dinner in a sheltered bay as the tide gently turns, the Channel Islands offer sailing that is both thrilling and deeply rewarding.

It’s not just a trip. It’s proper seamanship, stunning scenery, and unforgettable moments – all wrapped into one extraordinary sailing adventure.

Normandy

Normandy is where serious sailing meets rich history, spectacular coastline, and some of the best food you’ll ever step ashore for.

A short Channel crossing delivers you to a coastline that feels instantly different — wide horizons, dramatic tidal streams, working harbours, and proud maritime towns shaped by centuries of seafaring.

Cherbourg welcomes you first with its vast, protective breakwaters — an impressive landfall after an offshore passage. Inside, Port Chantereyne is modern, lively and right in the heart of town. Step ashore and you’ll find bustling markets, waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood, and that unmistakable French café culture. It’s the perfect mix of safe haven and continental charm — a sailor’s reward after a proper crossing.

Sail east with the tide and you reach St Vaast-la-Hougue, a true gem. Approaching through shifting sands and tidal gates sharpens your pilotage skills — but the reward is immense. This picturesque harbour, with its Vauban towers and oyster beds stretching into the bay, feels wonderfully authentic. Lock into the marina, wander along the quay, and settle in for oysters and crisp white wine as the sun sets over the masts. It’s intimate, atmospheric, and utterly memorable.

Then there’s Dielette, tucked into the rugged west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula. Surrounded by sweeping beaches and open skies, it offers a more remote, adventurous feel. The approach along this coastline is exhilarating, with strong tides and dramatic scenery. Ashore, it’s peaceful and understated — long walks, quiet cafés, and the sense that you’ve discovered somewhere slightly off the beaten track.

Brittany

Brittany is bold, untamed and utterly magnetic — a coastline carved by tides, crowned with granite, and stitched together by some of the most characterful harbours in France. For sailors, it’s not just beautiful — it’s exhilarating.

St Malo makes a dramatic landfall. The walled corsair city rises from the sea like something from a storybook, its granite ramparts glowing in the evening light. The approach through reefs and tidal gates keeps you alert, but once inside the marina you’re right at the heart of it all. Wander the cobbled streets, climb the ramparts at sunset, and dine on fresh seafood while the tide surges in and out beyond the harbour walls. It’s history, atmosphere and serious sailing all in one stop.

Sailing west along the Côte d’Armor brings you to St Quay Portrieux — a lively, welcoming harbour framed by sweeping beaches and rugged headlands. Timing your arrival with the tide adds to the sense of achievement, and the marina feels vibrant yet relaxed. Ashore, colourful houses overlook the bay and local markets brim with Breton produce. It’s the perfect blend of energy and easy charm.

Then there’s Paimpol, a true Breton favourite. Tucked up a sheltered inlet, the approach is scenic and satisfying, winding past buoys into a snug marina surrounded by cafés and traditional stone buildings. This was once a departure point for Icelandic fishing fleets, and you can still feel that proud maritime heritage. It’s the sort of place where you intend to stop for one night… and stay for three.

A little further upriver lies Lézardrieux, peaceful and beautifully situated on the Trieux River. The sail in feels like entering another world — wooded riverbanks, calm waters, and the sense of discovery that makes cruising so special. It’s tranquil, authentic and wonderfully Breton. Perfect for a quiet evening aboard with a glass of wine as the river gently shifts with the tide.

You may reach Brittany on the longer trips and it doesn’t disappoint — it offers adventure, heritage and unforgettable landfalls. It’s a cruising ground that challenges, inspires and stays with you long after you’ve sailed home.

Price & What's Included

Prices

• 7 Day Trip: £1497
• 9 Day Trip: £1997

This can be paid in full or in two instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office

• Deposit of 25% at time of booking
• Balance: due 10 weeks before sailing

Included within the price...

• Experienced qualified Skipper
• All food on board
• Foul weather gear

Not included

• Travel to and from the yacht
• Travel insurance
• Mooring Fees

*For further detail please see our T&Cs

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