XVI Educational Flotilla – Platania, Pelion to Keramoti, Kavala
About This Flotilla
Educational Flotilla XVI
Autumn ’26 | 25 October–1 November 2026 | Platania, Pelion to Keramoti, Greece
A Unique Educational Sailing Experience in Greece
The Educational Flotilla returns for its 16th edition, introducing a multidimensional training model that extends far beyond the boundaries of a classroom, a single harbour or a predetermined scenario.
From 25 October to 1 November 2026, the flotilla will sail from Platania, Pelion to Keramoti, transforming the sea into a real training environment throughout the journey.
Participants book an individual place onboard a designated training yacht or catamaran. They live, sail and train as active members of an organised educational crew under the guidance of a professional instructor and skipper.
They do not simply attend lessons or travel as passengers. They assume onboard roles, handle the yacht, work with the crew, evaluate changing conditions and participate in real decisions at sea according to their experience and selected training programme.
The Sea Becomes the Classroom:In a conventional sailing school, many situations are described or simulated. During the Educational Flotilla, the situations are real.
Every day creates a different training environment:
- A different harbour and a new approach
- New anchorages and changing mooring conditions
- Different wind directions and intensities
- Changes in weather and sea state
- New geographical areas and navigational demands
- Real marine traffic
- Different requirements for the yacht and its crew
- Unexpected situations requiring composure and sound judgement
Participants do not repeat the same exercises inside a familiar harbour. They learn to adapt, observe, assess and apply their knowledge in every new environment.This continuous change transforms the voyage into a dynamic and complete training programme.
A Multidimensional School at Sea:The Educational Flotilla brings every aspect of modern sailing education together within one real voyage.
Navigation connects with meteorology. Yacht handling connects with the operation of onboard systems. Safety connects with preparation. Technical knowledge connects with problem-solving. Individual competence connects with communication and teamwork.
Training includes:
- Planning and completing real passages
- Yacht handling under sail and power
- Approaching, mooring and departing from different harbours
- Anchoring under varying conditions
- Navigation and assessment of meteorological information
- Daily technical inspections and equipment management
- Safety procedures and emergency response
- Crew organisation, communication and leadership
- Decision-making under real operating conditions
- These skills are not taught in isolation. They work together, just as they do when commanding a yacht during an actual voyage.
Three Levels Within One Training Mission:The flotilla operates as one integrated school with three distinct levels: Beginners, Advanced and Expert.
Beginners establish strong foundations and build confidence. Advanced participants develop greater independence, technical competence and offshore experience. Experienced skippers train in command, crew leadership and the management of complex operational situations.Each participant trains according to their level while also operating as part of a larger, organised fleet. Individual development is therefore combined with the experience of a real flotilla operation.
Choose Your Training Pathway:Each participant selects the programme that matches their existing knowledge, previous experience and personal or professional objectives.
- Beginners
NASC Open Sea Sailing Diploma
A complete programme for those beginning their sailing journey and seeking the essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for safe and independent sailing.
Explore the NASC programme
Designed for participants who want to develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to command a sailing yacht in coastal waters.
Explore the official ISSA Inshore Skipper programme
- Advanced
An advanced programme for experienced skippers seeking to develop their competence during offshore passages, longer distances and more demanding sailing conditions.
Explore the official ISSA Offshore Skipper programme
Specialised training in catamaran operation, focusing on twin-engine manoeuvring, stability, sailing performance, docking, anchoring and multihull-specific systems.
Explore the official ISSA Catamaran Skipper programme
- Expert
The highest level within the ISSA sailing training pathway, designed for experienced skippers preparing for advanced yacht command, offshore voyages, crew leadership and positions of greater professional responsibility.
Explore the official ISSA Master of Yacht programme
Participation in each programme and the award of the corresponding qualification are subject to the official entry requirements, required previous experience and successful completion of the relevant assessment.
We Do Not Simulate the Experience — We Live It
The real value of the programme is not measured only in nautical miles or in the qualification a participant may obtain.It lies in experiences that cannot be fully recreated inside a classroom: approaching an unfamiliar harbour for the first time, responding to changing weather, adapting the passage plan, working effectively with the crew and accepting responsibility for a decision that must be made at the right moment.The Educational Flotilla XVI does not simply prepare participants for an examination. It trains them to think, operate and accept responsibility like real skippers.
It is a complete school at sea and an educational experience unique in its structure, scope and practical dimension in Greece.
By the End, You Have Not Simply Completed a Course
You have planned and completed a real voyage. You have sailed in open waters, approached different harbours, responded to changing weather and operated as an active member of a real crew.
You have gained experience that cannot be taught through books alone or fully reproduced inside a classroom.
The Educational Flotilla XVI is a complete offshore sailing school and a training experience unlike any other in Greece.
Day by Day
Platania to Skopelos | 20–22 NM
Following yacht handover, provisioning, crew familiarisation and the opening flotilla briefing, the fleet departs from Platania and sails towards Skopelos. Depending on conditions and harbour availability, the overnight stop may be in Skopelos Town, Agnontas or Neo Klima.
Flotilla Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Platania, Pelion — The Journey Begins
Platania is a peaceful fishing village at the southern tip of the Pelion peninsula, overlooking the Aegean and the island of Skiathos. Its waterfront tavernas, colourful fishing boats, olive-covered hills and nearby beaches preserve the authentic character of South Pelion.
Skopelos — The Green Island
Alonnisos and Kyra Panagia — Nature at Its Purest
Agios Efstratios — An Authentic Remote Island
Lemnos — History and Volcanic Landscapes
Thassos — The Emerald Island
Keramoti — Where the Nestos Meets the Aegean
Location
Address
47QF+HW Platania, Greece
Coordinates
39.1389° N, 23.2749° E
Flotilla Information
Price starting from
€450Similar Flotillas
Flotilla FAQs
Everything you need to know about this flotilla
The Educational Flotilla XVI is a seven-day liveaboard training programme in which participants sail, train and operate as active members of a real yacht crew. It combines hands-on training, real passages and professional instruction under changing weather and sea conditions.
The Educational Flotilla XVI takes place from 25 October to 1 November 2026. It departs from Platania, Pelion and concludes in Keramoti.
Yes. Participants follow Beginner, Advanced or Expert training pathways according to their previous experience, existing knowledge and training objectives.