As we said in a previous article about phone&tablet applications for sailing (find it here), the bandwidth and the battery of devices is limited on board. This will make your kids  a little bored initially, and more active next, in the real world. Leaving the ipads they would be able to interact with the environment and your own activities at the sea. Sailing for families offers more than you can imagine (and you can  find all info inside this article) and most unique: Brings families closer in a "natural" way.

You should, however, be very careful during the sailing journey with your family and keep in mind some of our suggestions for a) safety an b)better entertainment of the little ones. Think of the suggestions you will find below and check the most important reason why you should make family sailing holidays happen, at the end of this article.

1. Shorten the sailing distances

You have to design routes that will be short. Therefore GREECE offers that option as it has constantly calm sea and good weather and small islands all over, so you can create a route to be short and safe. The routes each time should be in safer places. Most summer days, Greece has amazing weather and offered to be safe for sailing with kids. Also there is no fear of sharks in the Greek seas. Try to design a plan B route, because kids might get bored occasionally and you have to do something immediately.

2. Focus on “unplugged” 

Have in mind that the children nowadays are always in front of electronic or digital devices. That makes their minds on alert. We suggest you focus on "unplugged" activities. In Greek area you can find thousand of them, like swimming at any kind of seas, trekking, fishing, visit archaeological museums during your islands hopping, helping the captain of the boat and many more.

3. Get a safety net

Unfortunately for small kids it is almost essential to have a safety net, because children run faster than you and can easily be found in the sea during the trip if they are not careful. We can provide you a safety net, you can see here all the extras available.

4. A yacht with some more space please

You should have planned to book a more spacious boat than the old days. Although children have small bodies, they need much more space so that they can fulfill  all their entertainment needs. You can have in mind for a catamaran like this: Lagoon catamaran. But surely you can also find more large vessels in our fleet here : Our Fleet .

5. Medical provision 

Just like the older ones, seasickness affects many children. It might be very helpful for children to sit on the deck, outside in the fresh air and not spend all their time inside the boat. Additionally you have to carry with you, medicines for all common illnesses. The boat is small and there is an attainable danger for everyone to get sick.

6. Sun and water dangers

You should know that someone easily dehydrate in sailing, so to prevent this, we suggest you to make bottles with the names of you children and inform them to have always near so that constantly replenish the body with water. In that way they can play with no fear in the sun and the sea. Also they must always  wear sunglasses and hats as they are constantly exposed to the sun. You have to protect your children also with sunscreens or a thin white t-shirt.

7. Life Jackets

Kids under 12 years old, must wear life jackets when they are playing at the deck or swimming by. You should explain to them why they have to wear it and how to use it.You have also to explain how to react to potential accidents and how operate all parts of the vessel.

8. Let the captain out of them

Many children want constantly to check the steering wheel of the ship. This can be good as they learn how to sail, but always must be someone of the adults there in order to prevent something bad happen. Make them part of your crew: The best way to have fun and enjoy themselves in a family sailing trip, your children is to engage with all the sailing procedures. Regardless if it is bareboat sailing or skippered sailing  try to give them work to do, so as to actively join the crew of the vessel. Simultaneously to hear but will be pleased to participate and have fun. They love to hear from your lips : “all right, from now on you’ll be in charge of…” instead “you must do this…”. And the game is on.

9. A bit of fear may be present as well  

You as an adult,  might enjoy when the waves smashing down the hull of your sailing yacht, but your little ones could be a bit scared on this - and that's the last thing you want. A slight fear of heeling is a common problem; if you ever see this, tell them to help with the inclinometer, see at what point they get nervous, and gradually build their confidence by explaining them that it's safe.

10. Water Sports

In Greece in every single beach all over the country you can find numerous kinds of water sports. Just loosen them.

11. Seabed in Greece

Underwater view of Greece,  can make your kids to enjoy much more the sailing  trip, as offers pure nature to explore but also undersea caves, impressive reefs and famous shipwrecks that will make your children to fold stories and extend their imagination. It is something that should definitely do. Discover greek sea bottom in a daily basis.

12. Friend's kids

Bring A Friend with you at the board, this will help your child not heavy but also have more ways to have fun with company.

13. Always an adult present with the kids

Don’t leave the boat without permission from an adult. Don’t let them swimming alone. Running around is strictly forbidden. Don’t go to the front of the boat alone.

14. The best feeling

The most important of all though, is that you are going to spend valuable time with your children in the context of tight boat. There is no room. We can say  this is an opportunity to get to know your kids better. If you have never rent a boat before, this will be an even more beautiful experience as you will learn along with your children the secrets of sailing.

In Yachtsailing.gr we can help you design a dream trip to the Greek seas, with safety and the best team to support your journey.

Do not waste time! Book online your own dream sailing trip.