Sailing in Breton Waters
Setting sail from Douarnenez: Breton waters, the wind and seamanship.
Duration
6 days
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Navigation & Cruises
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
Embark on 6 days of sailing in a small group departing from Douarnenez, in the heart of one of Brittany's most beautiful sailing areas.
The Iroise Sea offers an exceptional playground for learning to sail in the Atlantic. Tides, currents, rocks, coastal navigation, wild anchorages and stunning landscapes make this zone both protected and technical, ideal for getting started with confidence or progressing on solid foundations.
The itinerary may take you towards the Crozon peninsula, Ouessant, Brest roadstead, the abers, the Raz de Sein, Audierne or even the Glénan archipelago.
A complete immersion in the life of a sailor, in a very small group (4 participants max) for a privileged and sporty discovery of the beauty of Breton coastlines with Captains Sarah and Andrea.
🌱 This trip has a reduced carbon footprint. By choosing it, you support sustainable tourism, respectful of nature, territories and the local economy — a simple and committed approach, carried out by our agency's human and professional approach.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
The adventure region
Brittany
Cap sur la Bretagne : là où l’air sent l’iode… et où l’intérieur des terres cache un autre monde. Bienvenue en forêt de Brocéliande , aussi appelée forêt de Paimpont : un grand massif boisé, vivant, mystérieux, où l’on marche entre landes , étangs , chênes anciens et chemins moussus. Ici, la nature
Discover Brocéliande →Day-by-day itinerary
Set sail, mateys!
Welcome aboard from 9am at the Douarnenez port, with an initial briefing before organizing departure: provisioning, settling everyone on board, a brief safety overview and discussion of everyone's expectations and the weather forecast to plan together the program for the first few days.
We take time to review the chart, and learning begins right away! A light lunch before departure, and off we go: we set sail!
The first sailing sessions will be an opportunity to get your bearings, discover the basics of sailing for beginners, or assess areas for improvement for those with experience!
At the end of the day, we stop at a port or anchorage for a well-deserved break after a busy day.
Navigate with the Wind
The days follow one after another but they are never the same!
On a boat, we adapt each day to the weather, the energy and the desires of the crew, and to the possibilities that arise along our route. It is impossible to define an itinerary because that is the magic of sailing: going where the wind takes us!
Day after day, sailing will be an opportunity to refine your understanding of the wind, master the different maneuvers, adjust the sails and handle the sailboat. But also to learn how to read charts, choose your route, read and analyze marine weather forecasts, and build a navigation plan.
You will also need to learn signaling and the right-of-way rules between vessels, because the sea has its own codes... Not to mention managing life on board: crew cohesion, resource management, meal preparation, minor repairs and vessel monitoring. Finally, you will need to learn to communicate by radio to request a mooring place at port, understand important information being broadcast... no chance of getting bored!
Good wind, young sailor!
For the last day, we take time for a peaceful wake-up before it's time to leave for one final sail to the port of Douarnenez.
Once we're back, we'll need to put the boat away together, then take time for a small collective debriefing.
For those who have caught the sailing bug, your captain will take time to advise you on the next steps of your learning...
End of day at 5pm after a small shared snack! It goes by quickly, 6 days at sea!
Hover over a destination or activity to learn more
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Transport to the meeting point
- Sleeping bag/sheets
- Food and onboard expenses (gas, diesel, port calls) - approximately €20 per day per person
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Everything that is not explicitly mentioned as included
Included
- The service and supervision of captains
- Accommodation on board the sailboat
- Safety equipment on board the sailboat
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Nos aventures ont lieu en France : une simple carte nationale d'identité (ou un passeport) en cours de validité suffit. Aucun visa ni formalité d'entrée, aucun vaccin obligatoire.
Gardez une pièce d'identité sur vous pendant le séjour. Les voyageurs venant de l'étranger vérifient leurs conditions d'entrée en France auprès des autorités de leur pays de résidence.
Nos micro-aventures se déroulent en France. Une assurance responsabilité civile et une couverture assistance / secours en montagne sont vivement conseillées — elles sont souvent déjà incluses avec une carte bancaire, une licence FFME / FFCAM ou votre assurance habitation.
Pour les départs à date fixe en petit groupe, pensez à une assurance annulation. En cas de doute, votre Captain vous oriente vers la couverture adaptée à l'activité (randonnée, bivouac, escalade, ski de randonnée…).
Required level
- Physical effort: accessible to all
- Technical requirements: None / beginner to advanced
- Accessibility: From 16 years old if accompanied by an adult
Accommodation
- sailboat
- Night in cabin or main cabin on sailboat
- Meals prepared together on board
Boat kitty
- On a sailboat there is a common fund that allows you to share port call expenses, diesel, gas and food costs. Budget 20€ per day per person.
How to get there
- Douarnenez is easily accessible by train via Quimper, then by direct shuttle bus from the SNCF station (40 minutes travel time)
- It is possible to sleep on board the boat free of charge the night before the course and on the last evening, upon request.
Personal equipment to bring
- waterproof clothing/ windproof jacket, closed-toe shoes with non-slip and light-colored soles, fleece, sunglasses, cap, neck gaiter, sun protection. Sleeping bag, towel and pillow. Sailing mittens, personal first aid kit
- Departure confirmation : at the latest 7 days before the stay date
- Departure confirmed : as soon as 4 registered
- Sales closure : up to 3 days before departure, subject to availability
Meeting at 9:00 AM at Douarnenez port
Return 5:00 PM
TGV or TER to Quimper Station then bus shuttle to Douarnenez (just at the station exit, 30 minutes journey)
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Rendez-vous dans la section Mes Voyages pour retrouver tous vos projets.
Vous pouvez envoyer un message à votre hôte directement depuis le Salon de Thé.
Vos documents sont accessibles dans l'onglet Documents de votre voyage.
En cas d'urgence, contactez immédiatement votre agence locale.
Le paiement s'effectue généralement en deux fois.
Let's talk about your adventure — Brittany
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.
