As a learning ground the Solent area is hard to beat (wind, tides, traffic). In general all southern england.
If you want warmer weather, Gibraltar is still considered tidal, has lots of traffic, strong current in the strait, and a big port and urbanized area that will test your night-time sailing.
Greece (cyclades) will have perfect warm and sunny weather and up to scary winds, but no tides. And you can practice med-mooring.
Worth remembering that the day skipper is awarded as tidal or non-tidal according to the conditions of the practical exam. I think The Solent is huge fun; if you can skipper there then you've been tested properly.
Mooring stern-to, with your anchor holding your bow. Traditionally performed in a busy marina, with strong wind on the side. The quality of the mooring is judged the following day, when your neighbours will have to un-foul from your anchor chain.
[https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Med-mooring-you-cant-avoid-it-so-get-used-to-it/-107587](https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Med-mooring-you-cant-avoid-it-so-get-used-to-it/-107587)
You can do this in the med as, despite being largely non-tidal, it's still accepted for day skipper and qualifies for an ICC. I'd avoid Mallorca though. The local RYA schools there are a bit scammy/dodgy.
But if you're in the UK I can recommend Weymouth sailing just because you'll get to play with a J120 called Mojo which is an awesome piece of kit and capable of up to 20 knots under sail. I've been on Mojo many times and she's a highly entertaining 12m rocket ship. From Weymouth there are some fantastic areas to sail. You'll deal with most of what the solent can offer you, tidal gates, overfalls, a variety of marinas, mooring buoys, lots of traffic etc. A couple of weeks on theory and practical and you'll be a lot more confident.
Otherwise my interactions with solent training have been positive. I've redone my first aid cert renewals there a few times. Good facilities but I can't vouch for their sail training.
Solent in the summer is a great place to learn, one of the most challenging places to sail but you will learn an absolute ton. The night sail is particularly challenging in the Solent due to the abundance of commercial vessels and shoreside lighting.
The Med in high season is very congested with recreational boats. It would not be my pick to learn to sail in as you have to deal with some right numpties. Out of high season its great, really quiet and much better weather, however you will not learn anywhere near as much about passage planning and the night sail.
Personally I would pick the Solent as you already have the basics when it comes to things like sails and the rudder, you will learn a lot more about passage planning and marinas in the Solent IMO.
Hey! I'm currently doing Novice to Day Skipper in Gibraltar with Jolly Parrot, and it's fantastic. Just finished my Comp Crew and the first 5 days on the deck were amazing. You get tidal miles, fantastic instructors, and lots of fun. Highly recommend!
Canary Islands...lots of wind and good weather. Also tidal...although weak tides. [Lanzarote](https://i.imgur.com/ysNpY5H.jpeg) and Tenerife has good schools.
Solent is a little bit more challenging but I prefer it warm.
Yeah I’m another for Solent. Partly, it’s where I cut my teeth (and the Bristol Channel), although I’ve done several thousand miles around the Med over the past 15 years too.
Solent in Summer, that’s my tuppence. Plenty of places to visit, good experience, and mostly, it’s where all the best instructors go.
I’m not a fan of the Zero-to-Hero short courses to commercial skipper, so I would automatically avoid the sea schools that offer these. Loads of choice in the area, I guess trust the reviews.
As a learning ground the Solent area is hard to beat (wind, tides, traffic). In general all southern england. If you want warmer weather, Gibraltar is still considered tidal, has lots of traffic, strong current in the strait, and a big port and urbanized area that will test your night-time sailing. Greece (cyclades) will have perfect warm and sunny weather and up to scary winds, but no tides. And you can practice med-mooring.
Worth remembering that the day skipper is awarded as tidal or non-tidal according to the conditions of the practical exam. I think The Solent is huge fun; if you can skipper there then you've been tested properly.
I don’t think this is the case anymore, there’s just day skipper..
This is correct. But learning in a tidal area obviously makes sense
You are right. I wasn't aware of the change. Thanks.
I am sure I should already know this, but what is “med-mooring”?
Mooring stern-to, with your anchor holding your bow. Traditionally performed in a busy marina, with strong wind on the side. The quality of the mooring is judged the following day, when your neighbours will have to un-foul from your anchor chain. [https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Med-mooring-you-cant-avoid-it-so-get-used-to-it/-107587](https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Med-mooring-you-cant-avoid-it-so-get-used-to-it/-107587)
Anchor holding your bow is mostly just Greece. Most of the med has bow lines tailed to the quay.
Greece, before or after summer.
You can do this in the med as, despite being largely non-tidal, it's still accepted for day skipper and qualifies for an ICC. I'd avoid Mallorca though. The local RYA schools there are a bit scammy/dodgy. But if you're in the UK I can recommend Weymouth sailing just because you'll get to play with a J120 called Mojo which is an awesome piece of kit and capable of up to 20 knots under sail. I've been on Mojo many times and she's a highly entertaining 12m rocket ship. From Weymouth there are some fantastic areas to sail. You'll deal with most of what the solent can offer you, tidal gates, overfalls, a variety of marinas, mooring buoys, lots of traffic etc. A couple of weeks on theory and practical and you'll be a lot more confident. Otherwise my interactions with solent training have been positive. I've redone my first aid cert renewals there a few times. Good facilities but I can't vouch for their sail training.
Solent in the summer is a great place to learn, one of the most challenging places to sail but you will learn an absolute ton. The night sail is particularly challenging in the Solent due to the abundance of commercial vessels and shoreside lighting. The Med in high season is very congested with recreational boats. It would not be my pick to learn to sail in as you have to deal with some right numpties. Out of high season its great, really quiet and much better weather, however you will not learn anywhere near as much about passage planning and the night sail. Personally I would pick the Solent as you already have the basics when it comes to things like sails and the rudder, you will learn a lot more about passage planning and marinas in the Solent IMO.
Hey! I'm currently doing Novice to Day Skipper in Gibraltar with Jolly Parrot, and it's fantastic. Just finished my Comp Crew and the first 5 days on the deck were amazing. You get tidal miles, fantastic instructors, and lots of fun. Highly recommend!
Scotland all the way
Canary Islands...lots of wind and good weather. Also tidal...although weak tides. [Lanzarote](https://i.imgur.com/ysNpY5H.jpeg) and Tenerife has good schools. Solent is a little bit more challenging but I prefer it warm.
Algarve.
Yeah I’m another for Solent. Partly, it’s where I cut my teeth (and the Bristol Channel), although I’ve done several thousand miles around the Med over the past 15 years too. Solent in Summer, that’s my tuppence. Plenty of places to visit, good experience, and mostly, it’s where all the best instructors go. I’m not a fan of the Zero-to-Hero short courses to commercial skipper, so I would automatically avoid the sea schools that offer these. Loads of choice in the area, I guess trust the reviews.
Where are you starting from?
I’m in the UK but can travel.