Course summary
The beginner sailing course begins on Friday morning in Pula, where you meet your experienced instructor who will guide you to the marina and the start of the three-day program.
After boarding the sailboat, you will be introduced to the boat, the equipment, and a short introductory briefing that will cover the basic sailing concepts, the course structure, and the key techniques that will be used during the training.
Each day combines practice at sea and active learning: steering, sail work, anchoring, docking, sail trimming, and maneuvers such as flying and circling. The route covers the most beautiful parts of Istria, including Medulin, Rovinj, and the Brijuni National Park area, with an organized and comfortable stay on land in apartment accommodation.
By the end of the course, you will have gained a solid foundation for independent sailing, along with the experience of real sailing along the Istrian coast and a series of unforgettable moments at sea.
Meeting point – Pula
On Friday morning, you meet your instructor in front of Konzum in Pula, where you have the opportunity to shop for all the necessary groceries, drinks and basic necessities for the next three days at sea.
After that, you head to the marina together, where your sailboat is waiting for you. Your first real sailing experience begins when you board.
On board, you will be given a detailed introduction to the vessel, its layout and safety equipment. The instructor will introduce you to the course, learning objectives and basic sailing terms and communication, so that you are prepared for everything that follows.
This introductory part lays a solid foundation for the three-day program, after which you will head to your first destination and begin the practical part of your training at sea.
Day 1 – Medulin
The first day of the course begins with a departure from Pula and a sailing trip to Medulin, with continuous practical training at sea. From the very beginning, you actively participate in the basics of sailing, including steering and working with sails, under the expert guidance of a qualified kinesiologist. This introductory part is focused on building safety and the first real skills of sailing.
During the sailing, you pass by the area of Cape Kamenjak, where you practice basic anchoring in real sea conditions in one of the protected bays, while enjoying the natural surroundings.
In Medulin, there is a break for lunch and refreshments (optional), after which the return voyage to Pula continues, with additional practice of previously acquired techniques and maneuvers.
Upon arrival in Pula, a transfer is organized to your apartment accommodation, where you have time to rest or explore the city. The first day thus combines intensive practical learning and an authentic experience of the Istrian coast.
Day 2 – Rovinj
The second day begins with a return from the apartment to the marina, where the intensive practical part of the training begins. The focus is on perfecting docking and mooring maneuvers, with the continuous guidance of the instructor, in order to gradually develop safety and precision in these key elements of sailing.
After a morning practice in the harbor, you set sail for Rovinj. During the sailing on the open sea, you work on adjusting the sails to the wind conditions, while practicing basic maneuvers such as flying and circling, which allows for a better understanding of sailing in changing conditions.
Upon arrival in Rovinj, you will again go through docking maneuvers in a real harbor, with the aim of further strengthening your self-confidence and safety in different harbor situations.
After completing the daily program, you will be accommodated in an apartment in Rovinj, where you will have free time to relax or explore the city and its old town.
Day 3 – Brijuni Islands
The third day begins with check-out from your accommodation in Rovinj and sailing towards the Brijuni National Park, where the entire three-day program is rounded off.
On the voyage to the Brijuni Islands, all the skills learned so far are applied – from steering and trimming sails to maneuvers such as flying and circling. The instructor monitors and guides every step, with the aim of further consolidating knowledge through real-life conditions at sea.
Upon arrival in the Brijuni Islands, the pace slows down, and the focus shifts to exploration and experience. You have time to enjoy nature, walk and relax by the sea, while getting to know the special features of the National Park, which is one of the highlights of the Istrian coast.
After your stay on the Brijuni Islands, you sail back to Pula, where the course comes to an end. The final stage provides an opportunity to summarize what you have learned and round off the three-day sailing experience through a complete and rounded story at sea.
Course completion – Pula
The sailing course for beginners ends with a return to Pula, which rounds off an active and eventful weekend spent at sea in Istria.
Upon arrival at the marina, there is a final joint briefing with the instructor, during which each participant’s progress, key learning moments and acquired skills are reviewed.
This is followed by a short socializing and farewell to the group, with a review of the experiences and impressions from the three-day program.
You finish the course with concrete practical knowledge, greater confidence in sailing and memories that remain, with the option of further training or renting a sailboat independently in the future.
