Price
£670
Nights
Four
Age range
18-65
Start port
Belfast
End port
Belfast
Passport
Yes
DofE
Yes
RYA
Start Yachting
Voyage code
CF857
Bursary
Available for under 25's
Voyage highlights
Ever fancied sailing in the Irish Sea? This five-day adventure departs from Belfast aboard one of our iconic 72ft Challenger yachts, offering a hands-on sailing experience that will stay with you for life.
Our Challengers are 72ft ocean-going steel yachts, constructed to withstand the Southern Ocean. This means that our Challengers are perfect for this type of voyage and will make it an exhilarating and safe offshore experience!
From the moment you step on board, you’ll become part of a crew of like-minded individuals aged between 18 and 65. Strangers quickly become teammates as you work together to hoist sails, steer through changing conditions, and face the physical and mental demands of life at sea.
Along the way, you’ll develop new skills, build miles, experience shared achievements with your crew, and live out memories that will stay with you long after the voyage ends.
Prior sailing experience is advantageous, but not essential. If you have a thirst for adventure and a can-do attitude, this voyage will give you the opportunity to rise to challenges and grow your confidence at sea.
During the voyage, participants can achieve their RYA Start Yachting certificate, and younger sailors under 25 can complete the residential section of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, if applicable.
This voyage departs from Belfast, with a variety of potential stops depending on weather and sea conditions.
You may begin by exploring the sheltered anchorages of Strangford Lough or visiting Bangor before heading out into the Irish Sea toward the Scottish Islands and mainland.
Along the way, there are opportunities to anchor or visit Campbeltown, the Isle of Arran, Bute, or Tarbert Harbour.
If conditions allow, the voyage may extend further north to the Isles of Jura and Islay, and potentially as far as Oban.
New skills. Sense of achievement. Contribution to a greater cause.
Throughout the week, you’ll learn and experience: Passage sailing, steering a yacht, night sailing, sail handling, ropework, how to keep safe onboard and much more.
Each crew member will be assigned to a watch, and the two watches will alternate responsibility for deck and domestic duties; keeping the yacht sailing efficiently, the crew fed and the boat clean.
This voyage is a great opportunity to build your confidence in more challenging waters and widen your sailing experience.
And if all this isn’t enough… For our adult voyagers, we want you to know that by joining this voyage, you are also making a difference in young lives. Every booking helps support our charity’s work, giving young people aged 12–25 the chance to experience life-changing experiences at sea.
You’ll get the chance to complete the RYA Start Yachting course while you’re on board.
The RYA Start Yachting syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard recovery
- Clothing and emergency equipment
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
The cost of your RYA Start Yachting certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase on board at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
For under-25’s working towards their DofE Gold Award, all our voyages of four nights or more qualify for the Residential section of your award.
Please let our Reservations Team know before sailing if you want to use the voyage for this.
You’ll be asked to enter your passport details as part of the booking process.
If you don’t have these to hand, please contact us as soon as possible after submitting your booking form to let us know your details, as we cannot accept your booking without this information.
You must present your valid passport to the Skipper at the start of the voyage.
We believe every young person should have the chance to experience a life-changing voyage and realise their potential.
Bursaries Available: We have funding available to support a young person who has faced, or is facing, personal challenges (For example: this could be a learning barrier, caring responsibilities or a young person currently not in education etc.). Check out our bursary guidance and apply if you need to!
Flexible Booking Options:
- Book your place with just a 30% deposit
- The remaining balance is due 8 weeks before your voyage
- Need more flexibility? We can set up a payment plan to suit your needs—just contact us for details.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
If you share our values and are keen to do more, you may be able to support our vital work further by joining the TSYT Volunteer Crew. Your Skipper can recommend you for our Watch Leader training programme if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for.
All meals on board are included.
