An Adventure at Sea for Kids!
Sailing vacations are a dream come true for both adults and children. Every year, our charters attract a diverse clientele: from groups of friends seeking unique fun to families with kids looking for a relaxing and educational experience on the water.
Living on a boat is the most exciting (and safe!) way to connect with nature and explore an extraordinary world where the wind decides the course, the waves guide the journey, and everything is experienced with respect for the elements.
If you have children and are considering a sailing trip for your next vacation, this guide is for you!
Traveling by boat with kids is an unforgettable experience, but it’s essential to follow the right advice. And at ItalyCharter, we know how to help you make the most of it!
What you will find in this guide:
- At what age can children go on a boat?
- Children on a boat and safety
- What do children do on the boat during the day?
- Reaching the beach from the boat
- Children on a boat sleep better!
- What to pack in a backpack for a sailing vacation?
- The most suitable vessel: sailing boat or catamaran?
- Children on a boat: myths to debunk
- The organization of the trip starts with the estimate!
At what age can children go on a boat?
Let’s start with the most common question among customers who choose ItalyCharter: Is there an age limit for sailing vacations with children?
The truth is, no, there is no minimum age limit. Many “veteran” families—with extensive sailing experience—take their children on boats from just a few months old.
Of course, much depends on the parents’ confidence with the boat and the sea. Knowing how to move around safely is a significant help when managing a very young child on board.
In fact, if you’re less experienced, the advice is to take your children with you once they can walk, so they can explore the boat and have fun with you!
Children on a boat and safety
How safe is the boat for children? Very safe!
Charters that host children are equipped to provide maximum safety at all times. Starting with the safety net that runs along the entire perimeter of the boat.
The safety net—also used in the presence of pets—is an extra feature that should be requested at the time of booking, but all charters offer this option.
Additionally, there’s another aspect to consider: life on board primarily takes place in the cockpit. Therefore, there’s no risk of your children being in danger while sailing. On the contrary, you will always have them under control.
Of course, it’s advisable to take some precautions.
An example? Non-slip shoes. This type of footwear enhances grip when walking on deck or below deck, eliminates the risk in case of a fall, and prevents issues if children trip over equipment and lines on the boat.
Another tip is to specify—at the time of booking—the age and weight of your children, so that you can find life jackets of the right size on board.
It will then be the skipper’s responsibility to explain how they work and suggest when and if to wear them.
Some precautions should also concern the travel itinerary.
If you’re with children, it’s best to choose one that includes many stops and ports, and especially little wind. This will reduce the length of the sailing segments.
In Italy, there are numerous itineraries structured in this way. For example, the island of Elba and the Tuscan archipelago, as well as the north and south of Sardinia or the Aeolian Islands in Sicily.
On our website, you’ll find a complete catalog of itineraries that we encourage you to browse for a comprehensive and accurate idea of how to get around.
In any case, even regarding this point, the advice of the skippers is essential. As navigation experts, skippers can provide you with the right indications on how to organize the daily itinerary, where and when to anchor, and whether to stay in port.
All of this, of course, aims to enhance the enjoyment and safety of your sailing vacation with children.
What do children do on the boat during the day?
If your only holiday experience with your children has been the traditional, static type, know that life on a boat is a whole different world.
Children on a boat experience an adventure, just like the pirates and sailors in children’s adventure novels.
Sailing offers a new discovery every day; it’s a dream come true and an exhilarating game. Younger children will be enchanted by the sea and the wind, and the excitement of the vacation combined with the gentle rocking of the waves will help them sleep better and more often than usual.
Older children, on the other hand, will be fascinated by navigation and will eagerly follow all the captain’s directions.
For them, it will be an opportunity to learn everything there is to know about the helm, mooring, and how to sail a boat. The skipper will teach them some basics, and who knows, he might even let them take the helm for unmatched fun!
A sailing trip also stimulates imagination and creativity. Just think of all the stories they will invent at each stop and every little island: pirates, treasure, mermaids, sea monsters! They won’t stop sharing them!
Reaching the beach from the boat
Once you are anchored in the bay, you will probably want to reach the mainland and visit the beach, the rocks, or any equipped area.
This is one of the main concerns for those embarking on a sailing vacation with children. However, the solution is very simple.
There are indeed many possibilities; it all depends on the age of the children. For example, you can:
- reach the shore by swimming.
After all, swimming is the main attraction on a beach vacation. Older kids won’t be afraid to jump in, and they will handle the effort just fine. - use the charter’s tender.
The tender is a small inflatable boat that’s already included in the charter’s equipment. It can be used with a motor or oars, and you can use it independently or with the help of the skipper. It’s a very convenient alternative, as it allows you to bring along a bag with everything you need (towel, change of clothes, snacks!). - move with inflatable loungers or SUP boards.
This might seem like a reckless option, but in reality, it’s a very safe method: if the shore isn’t far away, you can carry your children and swim (or paddle) to the beach. This way, you will have complete control over the kids during the trip. And for them, it’s a fun adventure!
Children on a boat sleep better!
First, let’s clarify: on the boat, there are double berths, so little ones will sleep with their parents if they are very small, or in their own berth.
This is one of the main concerns for families with children who contact us to rent a charter. And, of course, the boats are organized internally in a way that doesn’t separate parents and children, except when they are older.
Children on a boat, however, sleep better. Exhausted from a day full of adventure, by evening they will collapse and sleep peacefully through the night.
ItalyCharter’s advice, for families with younger children, is to bring a small item from home that reminds them of their bedroom: for example, a small poster or a stuffed animal. This way, it will be easier for them to feel at home.
Of course, they won’t take long to adapt. Children adjust easily, and soon they will begin to love their new space, which may be spartan, but just like in the best adventures.
You should also consider that at night, the boat is either docked in port or anchored in the bay.
Stopping in a port allows you to visit the nearby village or town and maybe have dinner at a restaurant. This solution is generally recommended by the skipper for reasons related to the weather or because it is included in the itinerary.
Additionally, it’s a convenient option, as you can take advantage of some services such as laundry, which is very useful after spending several days out.
Alternatively, you can spend the night at anchor, which is also one of the most beautiful experiences of the vacation: once you choose a cove and drop anchor, you will enjoy a wonderful day at sea surrounded by pristine scenery and prepare for twilight.
Watching other boats set sail and gradually finding yourselves alone has a certain magic to it. And then there’s the sunset, dinner on board, and preparations for the night…
The gentle rocking of the boat, combined with the sea air, is the most powerful natural sleeping pill: you and your children will sleep soundly and restoratively!
What to pack in a backpack for a sailing vacation?
Our charters are always equipped with everything you need, especially if arrangements have been made as carefully as possible before departure.
The technical and safety equipment—such as life jackets—is already on the boat. You will also find blankets, as well as sheets and towels if your quote includes them. These are optional services that, in certain cases, need to be specifically requested.
Additionally, there is a first aid kit on board, which is already stocked with various medicines and bandages, so you won’t have to worry about that either.
As for food, please note that shopping needs to be done on the day of departure. Generally, it is your responsibility, but you can assign the onboard hostess to take care of everything related to food.
We have already discussed this in our guide to your first sailing vacation. If you would like to learn more, you can find everything in the section dedicated to shopping
In any case, it’s clear that a backpack is always useful. With a backpack, you will have essential personal items on hand and, most importantly, useful things if you are traveling with children.
So grab a pen and paper, and jot down the following items:
- Sunscreen, essential especially for young children;
- A sun hat or cap, useful because the boat’s canopy doesn’t provide shade all day;
- T-shirts, sweatshirts, and windbreakers. Even in summer in the Mediterranean, it can get a bit chilly in the evenings;
- Shovels, buckets, and beach toys;
- Inflatable items for the sea;
- Fins and snorkel for snorkeling;
- Board games to pass the time during quiet moments.
And of course—for older kids—books, cameras, and everything that can make your vacation unforgettable.
The most suitable vessel: sailing boat or catamaran?
The crucial phase in organizing the trip is choosing the vessel.
Boat or catamaran? That is the biggest dilemma.
Whether you decide to go with your children or alone, the choice of the vessel is up to you. This greatly impacts the type of trip, and not all families have the same needs.
These simple guidelines below will help you navigate better. You can always contact us through the Contact section to get all the answers you are looking for.
Why choose a sailing boat
A sailing boat is certainly the classic choice but also the most exciting. The rolling, pitching, and heeling are all fundamental parts of sailing, and they are also the aspects that fill you with enthusiasm the most.
At first, it may feel strange, especially if it’s your first experience on a boat: when sailing close-hauled and the boat is heeling, the navigation can be a bit anxiety-inducing. But fortunately, you get used to it quickly. The movement—and the splashes of the waves!—will be a lot of fun for both you and your children.
Why choose a catamaran
For the same size, a catamaran is more spacious: it usually accommodates at least four cabins with private bathrooms, while the dining area and cockpit are larger.
Additionally, the layout of the net connecting the two hulls provides more space to lounge in the sun or store toys and personal items. However, having more space is not necessarily an advantage. Children often feel more comfortable in the cozier dimensions of a boat.
Much also depends on the size of the group—how many adults and children are present—which could influence whether to lean towards one type of vessel or the other.
Another aspect not to be overlooked is navigation. The catamaran has a more balanced movement compared to a boat: it doesn’t heel, doesn’t roll, and is more stable on the water.
Ultimately, it is a personal choice based on your travel preferences, the type of sailing you prefer, and—unfortunately—your available budget.
You can choose your preferred catamaran on ItalyCharter, or you can get advice from our specialized operators.
The ItalyCharter catalog includes sailing boats, catamarans, and even motorboats. Before making a choice, it’s best to take a look at the entire offering on Boat Rentals. This way, you will find the perfect solution tailored to your needs.
Children on a boat: myths to debunk
As always, even when it comes to sailing trips with children, there are countless myths and prejudices.
In this case, ItalyCharter is here to help. Below is a list of key truths that dispel all misconceptions about family sailing vacations.
Seasickness is not a problem for children.
In fact, the younger they are, the less they suffer from it. From infancy, children manage the rocking motions—whether in their cribs, in carriers, or on swings. Older kids might experience it a bit, but as those with boating experience know, seasickness has a psychosomatic origin. So it’s best not to mention its existence to avoid it manifesting through suggestion.
For safety, especially during the first experience, it’s advisable to purchase a seasickness bracelet, which should only be used if symptoms present themselves, not before.
Children do not mind the limited space on the boat.
On the contrary, children are used to smaller spaces. They play in their little houses, tents, and secret hideouts. Hence, they will quickly adopt the cabin as their favorite place, and the boat will soon become the best adventure park they’ve ever visited.
There’s no danger of boredom or tantrums; both little ones and older kids will be thrilled by new discoveries and sailing experiences. It will be almost difficult on the last day to convince them to part with their new seaside home.
There’s no risk of falling into the water.
The boat is indeed a safe environment for little ones. As mentioned earlier, boats are equipped with safety devices that allow children to move around freely without getting hurt.
One example is the safety net along the perimeter of the boat, which can be installed on any type of vessel but should always be arranged beforehand.
Furthermore, we assure you that your children will be fascinated by the figure of the captain, so much so that they will be loyal and obedient to every suggestion and prohibition. The skipper knows how to prevent any danger, and children will listen attentively.
The organization of the trip starts with the estimate!
If the idea of a family sailing vacation excites you, a quote will further clarify your thoughts.
ItalyCharter is at your disposal to answer your questions, suggest travel ideas, and provide you with a detailed quote based on your needs. All you need to do is send us a message!
Fill out the form below or visit our catalog at www.italycharter.it.