Overview
For one week, 12- to 16-year-olds live aboard a 50-foot yacht and sail the Mediterranean as a crew. Three yachts set out together from the marina at Nettuno, an hour south of Rome, each with up to 8 campers, a British RYA sailing instructor and a counselor. Beginners are welcome: every day starts with a sailing lesson and briefing, and by the end of the week they're competent crew members.
The campers do the sailing themselves — setting the course, tacking, jibing, dropping anchor and mooring in harbour. The route: the Pontine Islands on day one, snorkelling and marine-life spotting around Palmarola and Zannone; Ponza and its incredibly blue water; Ventotene and its ancient Roman port; across to Ischia to visit the Aragonese Castle and eat in a real pizzeria; back to Santo Stefano to see the old Bourbon prison up close; and round Ventotene to Nettuno. Most nights are spent at anchor in a quiet bay, two in harbour.
There's no classroom grammar, but everything — sailing instruction, team projects, marine-life workshops — happens in English, which makes life on board a real immersion. Afternoons leave time to swim, read and relax, campers take turns cooking for the crew, and everyone goes home with a sailing certificate of achievement.
What's included
A day at camp
- Sunday Board at Nettuno, check-in and orientation, then set sail for the Pontine Islands; snorkelling around Palmarola and Zannone, anchor in a bay
- Every day Breakfast, a sailing lesson and briefing, sailing in the morning, lunch on board, free time to swim, read and relax, more sailing in the afternoon, dinner and a night aboard
- Monday Sail to Ponza and swim in its blue water; anchor in a bay
- Tuesday Sail to Ventotene and go ashore to see the ancient Roman port; night in harbour
- Wednesday Set course for Ischia, visit the Aragonese Castle and have dinner in a real pizzeria; anchor in a bay
- Thursday Sail back to Santo Stefano to see the Bourbon prison up close; anchor in a bay
- Friday Sail around Ventotene and back to Nettuno; night in harbour
- Saturday Pack, unload and disembark. Those staying two weeks have lunch together and time ashore — a walk around town, laundry and the beach
Where campers stay
Campers live on board for the whole week. Each Sun Odyssey 449 yacht (about 50 ft) takes up to 8 campers in its 4 cabins — a mix of double beds and twin bunks, boys and girls in separate cabins — plus 2 bathrooms with showers. Below deck there's a roomy saloon and a full kitchen; on deck, a cockpit table for meals outdoors, a bimini sunshade and a platform with a freshwater shower for rinsing off after a swim. Friends of the same gender can ask to share a cabin.
Meals
The yachts are stocked before they leave Nettuno and topped up at local markets on the islands. Campers take turns as the crew's cooks, making simple Mediterranean meals from menus planned with a nutritionist — lunch and dinner are eaten on board, except for a pizzeria night on Ischia. Special diets can be catered for if you tell us when booking.
Excursions
More photos
Frequently asked questions
My child has never sailed — is that OK?
Yes — the program is designed for beginners and is a perfect first step into sailing. By the end of the week campers have a solid grasp of life on a yacht and are well on the way to being competent crew. They need to be able to swim, and some basic fitness helps.
How good does their English need to be?
Because of the safety instructions, campers should have at least a basic (A2) level of English. There are no classroom lessons — instead, everything on board happens in English, so it's a great immersion. Native speakers fit in perfectly and often take on extra responsibility in the crew.
Who's in charge on board?
Every yacht has a British Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructor and a counselor, all native English speakers. Each week three yachts sail together — usually around 24 campers with 6 staff. Instructors are trained in first aid and CPR, there are first-aid kits on board, and hospitals are close by on the islands along the route.
What are the cabins like?
Each Sun Odyssey 449 yacht has 4 cabins with a mix of double beds and twin bunks, and 2 bathrooms with showers. Boys and girls sleep in separate cabins, and friends of the same gender can ask to share.
What about seasickness?
Campers who are prone to it may feel a bit off on the first day, but almost everyone finds their sea legs quickly. The waters on this route are generally calm, and medication to prevent seasickness is available if needed.
Can they use their phones?
Phones stay in the cabins while the yacht is sailing, and campers can use them when the boat is at anchor or ashore.
What should they pack?
A soft duffel bag, not a suitcase — it's the only kind allowed on board. Inside: light, comfortable clothes, soft white-soled deck shoes, shoes or sandals for walking ashore, swimsuits, a light weatherproof jacket, a sleeping bag, quick-dry towels, eco-friendly sun cream (SPF 50, no spray), sunglasses with a strap and a cap. Snorkel gear is on board, but their own is better if they have it.
Can my child stay two weeks?
Yes — either two Sailing Camp weeks in a row, or (more popular) a week of sailing combined with the Adventure Camp or the Culture Camp; see below. Campers sailing a second week spend the Saturday in between ashore: lunch together, a walk around town, laundry and some beach time.
How does my child get to Nettuno?
The camp's transfer runs from Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) — €95 each way in 2027 — or from Roma Termini train station (€70). Because the yachts leave in the morning, flights need to land on Sunday between 6:00 and 9:00 (trains 9:30–10:30); on Saturday, flights can leave between 18:00 and 20:00 (trains 16:30–18:30). Other times are quoted separately, and an extra night at the operator's supervised residence in Rome costs €370. Bringing your child yourself? Drop-off at the marina is on Sunday between 10:00 and 12:00, pick-up on Saturday between 10:00 and 12:00. Flights aren't included.
Can it be combined with the other teen camps?
Yes — many teens from abroad stay two weeks and combine two of the operator's camps for 12–16-year-olds: the Adventure Camp and the Culture Camp start from the same villa in Umbria, and the Sailing Camp sets off from the coast south of Rome. 2027 combinations: Sailing + Adventure Camp (2 weeks, €3,340) · Sailing + Culture Camp (2 weeks, €3,780) — both on Jun 20–Jul 3, Jun 27–Jul 10, Jul 4–17 or Jul 11–24. All three together make a 3-week package for €5,230 — places are limited and the dates are still to be confirmed, so ask us. The early-booking discount applies to these too.
Is there a discount for booking early?
Yes: 12% off for bookings made by 31 December 2026 — a week then costs €1,660 instead of €1,890 — and 10% off by 31 March 2027. The price on this page is the full price.
Does my child need a visa?
Not with an EU passport — Italy is in the EU and the Schengen area. Your child needs their own valid passport or national identity card. Some countries also ask for a signed parental consent letter when a child travels without their parents, so check what yours requires. For any other passport, ask us and we'll find out what applies.
What if we need to change dates or cancel?
Changing to other weeks is usually possible if there's space. If you cancel, the camp's terms are: 30 days or more before camp starts — full refund; 30 to 15 days before — 50% back; less than 15 days before — no refund. There's no refund for days missed if a camper leaves early. Ask us about travel insurance that covers cancellation.