Sailing Schools in South Devon

Sailors travel from far and wide to trim the stunning South Devon coastal waters.

From the sparkling harbours of Salcombe and Dartmouth, to the tranquil backwaters of Dittisham and Newton Ferrers, there’s no better place to learn the ropes. If you’re planning a South Devon sailing holiday for family and friends, this list of local sailing schools might be a useful place to start.

Island Cruising Club, Island Street, Salcombe

Located in Salcombe’s famous artisan quarter, the Island Cruising Club describes itself as a “unique gateway to Salcombe Harbour”. Established in 1951, membership swelled during the 1980s to more than 1500 sailors, helping hundreds of youngsters to find their sea legs.

As a Royal Yacht Association (RYA) approved training centre, sailors can embark on a number of practical and theoretical courses, from day skippering to ocean yachtmaster. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your navigational skills or add some polish to your seamanship, this longstanding club is very popular among visiting mariners.

Salcombe Yacht Club, Cliff House, Cliff Road, Salcombe

Salcombe Yacht Club has been a hub for sailors for generations. Aside from its busy annual racing schedule, the club runs a series of RYA training courses taking full advantage of the magnificent local waters. Cliff House, the club’s HQ, is one of Salcombe’s most iconic buildings, boasting unrivalled views of the estuary from its south facing terraces – a great place to unwind after your adventures on the water.

Salcombe Dinghy Sailing, Whitestrand Pontoon, Salcombe

Another of Salcombe’s RYA approved sailing centres, Salcombe Dinghy Sailing offers training and tuition to both adults and children. Basic level courses are ideal for beginners and will get you on the water under supervision. Start off by learning how to steer and handle the boat, and as your confidence builds, get to grips with the rigours of more advanced sailing skills, from ropework and collision avoidance to rigging and launching. You can also sign up for some private one-to-one tuition. Salcombe Dinghy Sailing’s fleet includes the Lasa Pico, popular for all ages and abilities, the RS QUBA, a compact family all-rounder, and the Wayfarer, a top-flight racer adept at longer distances.

Yacht Charters & Boat Hire, Salcombe

At Yacht Charters & Boat Hire you’ll have the opportunity to sail a classic Salcombe Yawl, an oceangoing icon of the South Devon coast with a history dating back 200 years. And who better to offer up his guidance and tuition then one of Salcombe’s seafaring luminaries, Fred ‘Scratch’ Hitchen, who likes nothing better than introducing people to the waters around his hometown.

Sailfunk Yachting, Salcombe

If you’re in the mood for lounging on deck, admiring coastal views while soaking up the sunshine, a Sailfunk Yachting experience could be just the ticket. From dolphin spotting charters to sunset cruises, if your visit to Salcombe coincides with a special occasion, a luxury trip on the ocean wave could make your big day even more memorable.

Dartmouth Yacht Club, 22 South Embankment, Dartmouth

The gleaming waters of Dartmouth Harbour have attracted sailors for centuries and remain a popular yachtsman’s haunt. Members of Dartmouth Yacht Club enjoy a host of benefits, from courses and company cruising to social events both afloat and ashore. The club has a thriving junior section and dinghy fleet, many of whom compete in local regattas. It also boasts a long and proud association with The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, helping to organise the event’s packed sailing schedule as part of the Joint Regatta Sailing Committee.

Royal Dart Yacht Club, Priory Street, Kingswear

The picturesque village of Kingswear, on the banks of the River Dart, provides the location for the Royal Dart Yacht Club. With its long and illustrious history, this friendly boating association offers a variety of training courses and racing opportunities, while also hosting international sailing events. Members and guests can enjoy a year-round social scene with access to the club’s bar, reception rooms and riverside terraces. All ages and abilities are welcome from yacht masters to would-be sailors.

Dart Sailability Group, Noss Marina, Bridge Road, Kingswear

Dart Sailability provides sailing and boating opportunities on the River Dart for people with disabilities. The group has a fleet of specially adapted vessels which includes ‘The Farries Flyer’, a powerboat built to accommodate severely disabled sailors, a Nab Dory, three keel boats with adapted seating, and six Hansa sailing dinghies. It joins the region’s long list of Royal Yachting Association approved training centres and is also recognised as a South West Centre of Excellence.

Stoke Gabriel Boating Association, Mill Point, Stoke Gabriel

Members of the Stoke Gabriel Boating Association enjoy unlimited access to the club’s fleet of dinghies, canoes, kayaks and rowing boats, the use of a trio of powerboats, the opportunity to enrol on RYA training courses, plus invitations to social events and sailing trips. The pretty hillside village of Stoke Gabriel on the River Dart provides the idyllic setting for this popular mariner’s hub.

Dittisham Sailing Club, Ham Lane, Dittisham

A chance to set sail on one of the most picturesque waterways in the South West…Dittisham Sailing Club is a small but spirited sailing affiliation offering a variety of boating activities and courses for all ages and abilities. Its position on a wide sweep of the River Dart allows for mile-long sailing legs where you can expect to encounter tidal streams, counter-currents and veering winds, all of which make for some exciting sailing.

Bantham Sailing Club, Bantham near Kingsbridge

Founded on the Avon Estuary in 1933, Bantham Sailing Club is a family orientated association that puts together sailing and social events during the summer season. The club also runs a popular sailing school throughout the month of May, offering children free tuition and use of its fleet of dinghies. Club racing season takes place during July and August, the climax of which is the August Bank Holiday Regatta.

Yealm Yacht Club, Riverside Road East, Newton Ferrers

Yealm Yacht Club’s active programme sees members enjoying day and weekend racing onboard yachts, day boats and various dinghies. The club also runs a popular cadets schedule available for children above the age of eight. The enchanting River Yealm provides the setting for events on the water while the club’s shoreside social diary is always crammed with get-togethers.

Brixham Yacht Club, Overgang, Brixham

Brixham Yacht Club was founded in 1937 from a sail loft overlooking the town’s bustling harbour and has since flourished into one of the South West’s premier sailing associations attracting members from far and wide. The club runs an exciting racing schedule and social scene, sailors young and old trimming the sparkling waters off Torbay. It also hosts Open Weekend, National, European and World Championship events for dinghies and keelboats.

Brixham Junior Sailing Club, Oxen Cove, Blackball Lane, Brixham

An accredited RYA training centre, Brixham Junior Sailing Club is a charity offering sailing and basic nautical skills to children between the ages of 10 to 16 during its regular weekday evening sessions. The club has a sizeable fleet which includes 6 wayfarer dinghies, 10 Laser Picos and 3 outboard safety ribs, it also has direct access to a public slipway on Oxen Cove. All instructors are fully qualified and seek to create a safe and fun environment.

Set sail to sunny South Devon when you book a stay with Toad Hall Cottages.