Solo Female Sailing & Boat Travel Guide

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

The first time I stepped onto a sailboat, I threw up within 20 minutes. The second time, I held the tiller while the wind caught the mainsail and the boat surged forward, and I understood immediately why people dedicate their entire lives to this. Sailing is unlike any other form of travel: you are not moving through a landscape — you are partnering with the wind and the water, and the result is a kind of freedom that I have never found on land.

I learned to sail at 32 with zero prior boating experience. Three years later, I have completed my ASA 101 and 103 certifications, sailed in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Northwest, and spent a total of 47 days on the water. I have done this as a solo female traveler, sometimes as the only woman on board, sometimes with all-women crews, and once entirely alone on a 22-foot daysailer. This guide covers every way a woman can get on the water, from zero experience to blue-water ambitions.

According to the American Sailing Association, women represented 38% of new sailing students in 2025, up from 24% in 2019. The gender gap in sailing is closing rapidly, and the sailing community has responded with women-only courses, women-led charters, and a growing culture of inclusion.

Getting Started: Learning to Sail

Certification Pathways

If you have never sailed, start with a structured course. Self-teaching on YouTube is fine for understanding theory, but sailing requires hands-on skills that can only be learned on the water.

American Sailing Association (ASA) Pathway:

Level	Course	Duration	Cost	What You Can Do After
ASA 101	Basic Keelboat Sailing	2-3 days	$400-$700	Sail a small keelboat in light conditions
ASA 103	Basic Coastal Cruising	3-5 days	$600-$1,000	Charter and sail a 25-35 ft boat in coastal waters
ASA 104	Bareboat Cruising	5-7 days	$800-$1,500	Charter bareboat anywhere (standard charter requirement)
ASA 105	Coastal Navigation	2-3 days (classroom)	$300-$500	Navigate with charts and instruments
ASA 106	Advanced Coastal Cruising	5-7 days	$1,000-$2,000	Night sailing, heavy weather, advanced seamanship

Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Pathway (UK-based, internationally recognized):

Level	Course	Duration	Cost
Competent Crew	Intro to sailing	5 days	$700-$1,200
Day Skipper	Skipper a yacht by day	5 days	$1,000-$1,800
Yachtmaster Coastal	Advanced skipper	Experience-based + exam	$1,500-$3,000

My recommendation: Start with ASA 101 + 103 combined (many schools offer this as a week-long package for $900-$1,400). This gives you enough skill to join charters, participate meaningfully in flotillas, and understand whether sailing is something you want to pursue seriously.

Women-Only Sailing Courses

Several sailing schools offer women-only courses, and I strongly recommend these for your first experience. The learning environment is different when you are not competing for helm time with assertive male students, and instructors at women-only courses are specifically trained to teach in a way that builds confidence progressively.

Top women-only sailing programs:

• Women for Sailing (Offshore Sailing School, Florida): 3-7 day programs, all-female crews and instructors
• UKSA Women’s Sailing (UK): RYA-accredited, women instructors, beginner to advanced
• Sail Like a Girl (Pacific Northwest): Women-led sailing events and training, community-focused
• Women Who Sail (various locations): Network of women sailors who organize meetups and joint courses worldwide

Types of Sailing and Boat Travel

Flotilla Holidays

A flotilla is a group of chartered yachts that sail together along a planned route, with a lead boat crewed by professional sailors. This is the ideal entry point for solo female travelers who want to sail without being solely responsible for the boat.

How flotillas work:

• You charter a boat (alone or splitting with others) and sail alongside 5-15 other boats
• A lead boat provides navigation guidance, assistance, and evening social events
• You sail 3-5 hours per day between harbors, with afternoons free for swimming, exploring, or relaxing
• Dinner is typically a group affair at a harbor taverna

Best flotilla destinations:

Destination	Season	Wind Conditions	Best For
Greek Islands (Ionian)	May-October	Light to moderate	Beginners, scenic harbors
Croatia (Dalmatian Coast)	May-September	Moderate	History lovers, clear water
Turkey (Turquoise Coast)	April-October	Light to moderate	Budget-friendly, stunning scenery
Caribbean (BVI)	November-May	Steady trades	Warm-weather sailing, reliable wind
Thailand (Phuket/Langkawi)	November-April	Light	Warm water, exotic scenery

Solo-friendly flotilla companies:

• Sunsail: Offers “Match” program pairing solo travelers with boats needing crew
• The Moorings: Premium flotillas with crew options for non-sailors
• MedSailors: Budget-friendly, specifically markets to younger travelers and solo travelers
• Sailing Holidays: Classic Greek flotillas with a strong community atmosphere

Bareboat Charter

Once you have your ASA 104 or RYA Day Skipper certification, you can charter a yacht yourself — no captain, no guide, just you and whoever you invite aboard.

I chartered a 32-foot monohull in the British Virgin Islands with two friends (both non-sailors) and skippered it for a week through the islands. It was one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I was responsible for navigation, sail trim, anchoring, weather routing, and the safety of everyone aboard. And I did it well.

Solo chartering considerations:

• Some charter companies require two qualified sailors aboard for insurance purposes — check policies
• If you are the only sailor, choose a catamaran (more stable, more forgiving) over a monohull
• Start with familiar waters in moderate conditions before advancing to more challenging destinations
• Always file a float plan with someone onshore

Cabin Charter

If you do not want to be responsible for the boat, a cabin charter lets you book a single cabin on a crewed yacht. A professional skipper handles the sailing, and you share the boat with 4-8 other guests.

This is excellent for solo female travelers because:

• No sailing experience required
• Cost is shared (typically $800-$2,500 per person per week)
• Social atmosphere with other travelers
• A professional skipper ensures safety

Cabin charter platforms:

• Sailo: Marketplace for crewed and bareboat charters
• Samboat: European-focused charter platform with cabin options
• Incrediblue: Curated charter experiences
• The Yacht Week: Party-focused, young crowd, multiple destinations

Canal Boats

Canal boating in Europe is a completely different experience from open-water sailing — slower, calmer, and deeply immersive. You navigate narrow canals through countryside, villages, and vineyards at walking pace, stopping whenever you want.

Best canal boat destinations:

Country	Canal System	Character	Best Season
France	Canal du Midi, Burgundy	Vineyards, medieval villages, gourmet food	April-October
UK	Narrowboats on the English canals	Pub stops, countryside, locks	May-September
Netherlands	Friesland waterways	Flat, windmill-lined, incredibly peaceful	May-September
Ireland	Shannon-Erne waterway	Lakes, green hills, remote pubs	May-September
Germany	Mecklenburg Lake District	Forests, lakes, former East German wilderness	May-September

Canal boats require no license in France and the UK (for standard hire boats). A 30-minute briefing from the rental company teaches you everything you need: starting the engine, steering, operating locks, and mooring. I completed my first solo canal trip — four days on the Burgundy Canal in France — with no prior boating experience beyond my sailing courses, and it was utterly magical.

Ferries and Passenger Ships

Sometimes the boat is not the destination — it is the transport. Some of the world’s most beautiful ferry routes offer a form of boat travel that requires no skill, no chartering, and no anxiety.

Exceptional ferry routes for solo women:

• Norway Coastal Express (Hurtigruten): 7-day voyage along the Norwegian coast, stunning fjords
• Greek island ferries: Island-hopping by Blue Star or Hellenic Seaways
• Washington State ferries: Puget Sound scenery, easy day trips
• Scottish CalMac ferries: Hebrides island hopping
• Japan’s Inland Sea ferries: Art islands, temples, quiet beauty
• Croatia coastal ferries: Jadrolinija connecting Dalmatian islands

Safety on the Water

Seasickness Prevention

Seasickness is the most common concern for first-time sailors, and it is a legitimate one. I was severely seasick on my first outing, and I now manage it successfully with a combination of strategies.

What works (in order of effectiveness for me):

1. Scopolamine patch: Prescription medication, applied behind the ear 4-8 hours before sailing. The most effective option for moderate to severe seasickness.
2. Stugeron (cinnarizine): Over-the-counter in Europe, not available in the US without prescription. Highly effective with fewer side effects than Dramamine.
3. Bonine (meclizine): Over-the-counter in the US. Less drowsy than Dramamine.
4. Ginger: Real ginger capsules, not ginger ale. Some evidence of effectiveness for mild cases.
5. Acupressure wristbands (Sea-Bands): Mixed evidence, but no side effects. Worth trying.
6. Behavioral: Stay on deck, look at the horizon, stay near the center of the boat, avoid reading or screen time, stay hydrated.

Man Overboard (MOB) Protocol

If you are sailing solo or with non-sailing companions, knowing the MOB protocol is essential:

1. Shout “MAN OVERBOARD” and point at the person in the water
2. Press the MOB button on the GPS (marks the position)
3. Throw a life ring or cushion toward the person
4. Keep eyes on the person at all times
5. Tack or jibe back to the person’s position
6. Approach from downwind, stop the boat alongside, and assist them aboard

Practice this in calm conditions before you need it in an emergency.

Weather Reading

The ocean does not care about your schedule. Knowing how to read weather is a fundamental safety skill for any form of boat travel.

Before departure: Check marine weather forecasts (NOAA in the US, Met Office in the UK, or Windy.com globally). If the forecast shows winds above your comfort level, stay in port. There is no shame in waiting — experienced sailors wait out weather regularly.

On the water: Watch for darkening skies, increasing wind, sudden temperature drops, or a shift in wind direction. If conditions deteriorate, reduce sail early (reefing is much easier done before you need it than during the storm).

Cost of Sailing Travel

Budget Breakdown

Sailing Experience	Cost Range (per person)	Duration	What Is Included
ASA 101 + 103 course	$900-$1,400	5-7 days	Instruction, boat, certification
Flotilla (cabin in shared boat)	$600-$1,500	7 days	Boat, skipper support, itinerary
Cabin charter (crewed yacht)	$800-$2,500	7 days	Boat, skipper, your cabin, some meals
Bareboat charter (split with friends)	$300-$800 per person	7 days	Boat only — you provision and sail
Canal boat (solo or duo)	$1,000-$2,500 total	7 days	Boat with fuel and basic equipment
Crew position (work exchange)	Free-$50/day	Varies	Passage in exchange for crew duties

Sailing for Free: Crew Positions

If you have basic sailing skills (ASA 101 is usually sufficient), you can find crew positions on boats that need extra hands. Websites like Crewseekers, FindACrew, and CrewBay connect skippers with available crew.

What to know about crew positions:

• Most are unpaid — you contribute to food/fuel costs ($20-$50/day)
• Some are fully free, especially for ocean crossings where boats need watch-standing crew
• Vet the skipper carefully: video call, check references, review their sailing CV
• As a solo woman, only accept positions where you have met the skipper (at minimum via video), reviewed their references, and feel completely comfortable
• Start with short coastal passages (2-3 days) before committing to ocean crossings

The Solo Sailing Dream

Can You Sail Alone?

Solo sailing is the ultimate expression of self-reliance on the water. Women like Jessica Watson (who sailed solo around the world at 16), Laura Dekker, and Kirsten Neuschafer (first woman to win the Golden Globe Race in 2023) have proven that solo ocean sailing is absolutely within women’s capability.

You do not need to circumnavigate. Solo daysailing — spending an afternoon alone on a small sailboat — is accessible once you have your ASA 101 certification and some practice time. I sail a 22-foot daysailer alone on Puget Sound, and those afternoons are among the most peaceful hours in my life. Just me, the wind, the water, and the absolute necessity of being present.

To sail solo, you need:

• Solid foundational skills (ASA 103 minimum for coastal, ASA 106 for extended passages)
• A boat appropriate for your skill level and conditions
• All required safety equipment (life jacket, VHF radio, flares, EPIRB for offshore)
• A float plan filed with someone onshore
• The humility to stay in port when conditions exceed your ability

The water is patient. It will be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. The only urgency in sailing is the urgency you create by ignoring your own limits.

Sailing gave me something that no other form of travel has: the understanding that I can partner with forces far more powerful than myself — wind, current, tide — and navigate them successfully. That metaphor extends well beyond the boat.

You Might Also Like

• Solo Female Cruise: First Timer Guide
• Women’s Adventure Travel Groups
• Budget Solo Travel Guide for Women