With SailGP’s global race calendar drawing record crowds and inspiring a wave of new interest in sailing, there’s never been a better time to swap watching from the shore for taking the helm yourself.
The 2024/25 SailGP season generated global viewership of 215 million people, up from 193 million for the 2023/24 season, and with the first race of the 2026/27 season breaking viewership records (23.6 million in Perth) and the most recent event in Portsmouth attracting over 20,000 in-person fans, SailGP is continuing to introduce new audiences to the world of sailing.
However, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide where to go on your first sailing holiday, especially if you’re a complete beginner.
To help simplify planning your first yacht charter, Sunsail has put together a ‘bucket list sailing index’ to reveal the world’s best sailing experiences for beginners in 2026/27, by analysing a combination of online search data, Tripadvisor reviews, information from official tourism boards, and geological data and ranking them on factors including popularity, accessibility/infrastructure, sailing grounds, water quality, diversity of activities, cultural significance, and natural beauty.
Based on these factors, each sailing ground has been given a score out of 35 – the higher the score, the more suitable it is for beginners. Destinations with the same score were then ranked by online popularity.
From swimming through hidden sea caves to watching wild Komodo dragons roam around and tracing the route of Homer’s The Odyssey, the list showcases destinations around the world that prove the very best sailing experiences aren’t just about the water; they’re about the memories you’ll carry home.
It comes as online searches for ‘get into sailing’ and ‘learn to sail’ have both increased by over 62% since SailGP’s Portsmouth event at the end of July, while ‘sailing holidays’ have risen by 57% in that same time.
In light of the above, Sunsail has found the British Virgin Islands, Ionian Islands in Greece, and Croatia’s Elaphiti Islands to be the top three sailing grounds for beginners in 2026/27.
With brilliant year-round weather conditions, line-of-sight navigation, easy hops between islands, and turquoise waters that need to be seen to be believed, it’s no wonder the BVI, nicknamed the sailing capital of the Caribbean, has taken the top spot with a score of 34 out of 35. It’s a true paradise for beginner sailors looking to set sail on their first bareboat charter, as you’re rarely far from your next anchorage, since the islands sit close together.
It’s not just the sailing that makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience; it’s also the treasures you’ll uncover when you moor up at each island. The Baths on Virgin Gorda, a maze of giant granite boulders you swim and scramble through to reach a hidden beach, are unlike anything else in the Caribbean. According to travellers, “walking through the rocks feels like discovering a secret world shaped by time and tide”.
The Bubbly Pool on Jost Van Dyke offers a unique experience unlike any other. An exceptional geological phenomenon, this is a true hidden gem of the BVI. When waves from the bay crash through a series of rocks, a jacuzzi-like effect is created, so it’s like sitting in your own personal hot tub. There’s no feeling like relaxing in nature’s jacuzzi, having a spa day from nature itself.
Scoring 33 out of 35, Greece’s Ionian Islands will transport you back through history, literature and mythology. Retrace the route of Homer’s The Odyssey through sheltered, beginner-friendly waters, as you explore secluded islands and hidden coves. Setting sail from Lefkas, you’ll discover Ithaca, the island said to be the home of Odysseus. With stunning Blue Flag beaches, short sailing distances, calm waters, and a tranquil atmosphere, Ithaca is a dream for beginner sailors embarking on a bareboat charter.
Rounding out the top three on our list of the top 15 must-visit sailing grounds for first-time sailors are the sensational Elaphiti Islands in Croatia, with a score of 32 out of 35.
Croatia is a very popular sailing destination for beginners, with ‘Croatia sailing’ receiving around 2,900 online searches every month. In particular, Dubrovnik offers calm waters, sheltered anchorages, short passages between islands, and access to the Elaphiti Islands for those looking for seclusion and privacy.
The Elaphiti Islands are perfectly spaced for a sailing holiday, allowing you to move between secluded bays and local tavernas without spending your whole day at the helm. Šipan is an Eden-like island where olives, figs, grapes, almonds and citrus fruits spring up from the soil. Koločep is a quiet, car-free island with fewer crowds than popular Croatian hotspots. Lopud is home to beautiful Sunj Beach, described as having “laid-back vibes with beautiful sand and clear tropical waters” by travellers.
Other notable destinations making the list include:
-
Amalfi Coast, Italy (7th) – One of the most recognisable and distinguished coastlines in the Mediterranean and close to the Pontine Islands, home to the striking rock formations on Palmarola, a natural reserve with no permanent inhabitants.
-
Komodo National Park, Indonesia (9th) – Explore Komodo Island, home to the world’s largest lizard, the wild Komodo dragon, before relaxing on Pink Beach, with sand tinted rose by crushed coral.
-
Yasawa Islands, Fiji (12th) – Renowned for dramatic mountain peaks, white sand beaches, and the sacred Sawa-i-Lau caves, two ancient caverns described as being ‘similar to a high medieval Catholic Cathedral, but not made by people’ by travellers.
With more people looking to get into sailing, Sunsail is encouraging beginners to set sail around the stunning destinations on this list and discover their calm waters, extraordinary landmarks, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Becky Hutton, Holiday Planner at Sunsail, said: “As sailors start to plan their 2027 Mediterranean holidays and winter sun getaways, we are delighted to reveal the top bucket list sailing experiences for first-time sailors in 2026/27.
“Each destination on this list is unique in its offering, from ancient limestone caverns and pink beaches to wild Komodo dragons and natural jacuzzis, but what they have in common is their popularity, ease of sailing, natural beauty, water quality, iconic landmarks and diversity of activities.
“Whether you’re planning your first skippered yacht charter and looking for beginner-friendly bareboat sailing destinations, or wanting inspiration for a flotilla holiday, we hope our list of the most unforgettable sailing experiences helps you plan your ideal sailing holiday in 2026/27.”
Information about the individual destinations, along with an explanation as to why each one has made the list, can be found here.
