Sailing to France and the Channel Islands
Starting from: £799
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Sail across the Channel and explore France and Channel Islands. The intention is to get lots of sailing in and see a bit of the Channel Islands and France.*New for 2025* Now offering a 5-day adventure to the Channel Islands on a Challenger 72!
- Build some great miles on the open sea
- Cross shipping lanes during the day and night
- Cruise and explore
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Lots of sailing but still time to explore ashore
A truly fantastic trip. We managed to get lots of sailing and still managed to find time to explore ashore. Highlights included hitting 9.5 knots across the Channel, cycling around Sark and a BBQ on the beach in Herm. The instructor was great, gently pushing myself and one other on board who wanted 60nm passages whilst allowing for other crew members who wanted more of a jolly.
Jo T
Verified Customer
Build miles, practice what you already know, improve your navigation, increase your experience or just kick back and watch the world go by as we explore the French coast and the Channel Islands.
The intention will be to get lots of sailing in as well as stopping at places like Braye Harbour in Alderney, St Peter’s Port in Guernsey, anchorages of the Islands of Herm and Sark and St Helier in Jersey. You may get down to St Malo in France and quite possibly Cherbourg and maybe St Vaast.
Perhaps we will BBQ on the beach, drop a mackerel line over the side, eat Moules Marinère in a French Bistro.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
5.0 based on 220 Happy Customers on Google Reviews
More Info on Sailing to France and the Channel Islands
- Low crew to instructor ratios: Our low crew to instructor ratios mean that each crew member receives ample guidance and support during their sailing experience.
- All meals included on-board: Enjoy hassle-free trips with all meals provided on-board. From hearty breakfasts to satisfying dinners. Crew can focus on the experience without worrying about extra expenses.
- Wet weather gear included: Be prepared for any conditions with the use of our wet weather gear. Whether it’s rain or wind, stay comfortable and protected during your outdoor activities with quality gear provided at no additional cost.
- Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for crew of all skill levels.
Key Trip Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Sailing to France and the Channel Islands Trip:
Required Experience
- You will be sailing across the Channel so you need to have done a bit of sailing before.
- Enough to know that you like it, ideally Competent Crew as a minimum.
Course Duration
- 5 or occasionally 7 days trips sailing from Shamrock Quay and back
Experience Gained
- You will get some good sailing with the experience of crossing the English Channel
- Plus days of short sails between the Channel Islands and France
Why This Holiday?
- This trip is a blend of exploring, sailing and relaxing. A perfect combination for a real break from normal life.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make going on the Sailing to France and the Channel Islands Trip easy.
Select A Date
Choose the dates we have available that suit you best.
Join the boat in Southampton
Escape from the hustle and bustle and take in the beautiful scenery.
Return to Southampton
Refreshed and relaxed.
Sailing to France and the Channel Islands Trip -
Complete Breakdown
Sailing to France and the Channel Islands
These trips are more of a cruise, not a course, but you will gain fantastic experience and cover a lot of miles. This area provides challenging navigation, with its famously powerful tides. This trip is perfect for a couple, a family of four, or four friends/two couples. Our Skipper will take you to some beautiful locations to help you unwind and have fun!
Each trip would obviously be weather dependent. If conditions prevented a trip across the Channel then Poole, Weymouth and the West Country could be an option and in the unlikely situation where the conditions don’t allow us to leave the Solent or West country we would look to ensure you get plenty of sailing in the testing conditions that prevent the passage but in safer more sheltered local waters.
Unfortunately we are not able to offer a refund or transfer to a later date if the itinerary changes due to the weather conditions.
What to expect
- Build Miles
- Get open sea experience
- Sail through the night
- Experience crossing the shipping lanes at night and during the day
- Opportunity to skipper a passage over 60nm.
- Opportunity to practice taking sights with a sextant
We use a variety of boats for these sailing trips.
Our modern yachts are all spacious cruising yachts with the accommodation arranged into double cabins and single berths in the saloon. They are capable of taking 8 and on some boats 10 crew but there would only ever be a maximum of 5 plus the instructor on board.
We have a number of 5 day and sometimes 7 day trips sailing to France and the Channel Islands across the English Channel, on a variety of yachts.
You will get at least two 60nm passages in and one or both of these may be overnight and so include some good night sailing. There will be the opportunity for 2 people to have a go at skippering a 60nm passage which will be of interest to anyone working up to do the Yachtmaster exam.
You should sail between 180nm to 220nm. If you are looking for a shorter mile building weekend sailing to France and back have a look here.
The Price
The price includes all food on board, apart from 1 evening meal if on a 5 day trip and 2 evening meals if on a 7 day trip as we think you might like to sample the local cuisine, fuel, gas, all safety equipment, instructor and accommodation on board. The only ‘hidden’ cost are mooring fees. It depends on where you end up at night. Anchorages are free, buoys are usually very cheap and marinas cost. If you budgeted on around £50 for the trip you should be fine.
We are fully insured but we would advise that you get your own travel insurance from a company such as TopSail Insurance.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Fully involved in planning and sailing the boat
I went on the Channel Islands trip with First Class Sailing, and it was just that, absolutely first class from start to finish.
Shamrock Quay is a great place to start your trip with good facilities and plenty of parking.
The boat was immaculate. When we got there, it was provisioned fuelled up and ready to go. I don't think I have ever been on a boat with such a neat and well laid out storage locker in the cockpit. It filled us with confidence from the start.
The skipper, Paul, was brilliant for the entire week. He was so knowledgeable, and throughout the week, we were fully involved in planning and sailing the boat, with him sharing his considerable knowledge along the way. We visited 4 of the Channel Islands and, having been there many times before the skipper, was able to show us all the best bits. Just a great weeks sailing and I will definitely be back.
Roy J
Verified Customer
Good communication
First Class sailing deliver a brilliant all round experience.
The website and booking system is intuitive and simple to use. Communication from the team was prompt and the instructions and kit list meant I had everything I could possibly need. The boats are modern and clean and the food is great.
Gavin W
Verified Customer
Excellent Skipper
First Class Sailing - First Class Experience. We had a really excellent skipper: Oli was highly knowledgeable and calm. Very comprehensive briefings and with a refreshing accommodation of the crew's feelings as well as technical and safety information. I wanted experience of UK coastal waters and challenging tides and currents and we certainly got exactly that. Highly recommended.
Ben T
Verified Customer
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Ready to go on a Sailing to France and the Channel Islands Trip
Get some great experience on this sailing trip
- Develop skills and confidence
- Do some exploring on land
- Gain some nautical miles
Helpful instructor
Fantastic week, would highly recommend this school and the Solent. Very knowledgeable and friendly instructor who was able to tailor learning to suit each person (challenging you when you could do the basic skills). Boat was in good condition, food provisioning was excellent and visited lots of fantastic marinas. Wish I could do it again this week!
Eleanor P
Verified Customer
Ready to go on a Sailing to France and the Channel Islands Trip
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