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Sailweek Academy is practical training in Croatia for aspiring skippers and hosts. Courses build hands-on skills, professional habits and confidence for life on board.

Training takes place on yachts in the Split region of Croatia. Your confirmation email will include the meeting point and arrival instructions.

Beginner Programme A: 3–10 April AND 17–24 April 2027.
Beginner Programme B: 10–17 April AND 24 April–1 May 2027.
Catamaran Academy and Host Academy: 1–8 May 2027.
Each training week runs Saturday to Saturday.

Choose Beginner Academy to build a sailing foundation, Catamaran Academy if you already have a recognised skipper licence and relevant sailing experience, or Host Academy to develop culinary, guest-care and yacht-support skills.

Explore Skipper Academy →
Explore Host Academy →

Training is delivered in English. You need to understand instruction, communicate with the team and follow safety briefings confidently.

Yes. You can attend to develop your skills and confidence, even if you are not looking for future work with Sailweek.

Beginner Academy includes two separate one-week training blocks, with a week off between them. Both training weeks form one programme. Accommodation during the break week is not included.

Yes. No prior sailing experience or recognised skipper licence is required to attend. Beginner Academy is also the recommended starting point if your experience is limited to motorboats.

Catamaran Academy is a one-week course for sailors who already hold a recognised skipper licence and have relevant monohull sailing experience. It is not a beginner course.

Check accepted licences →

Training covers sailing fundamentals, seamanship and knots, docking, anchoring, navigation, weather, safety, VHF communication, basic first aid, teamwork and crew leadership.

Training covers catamaran systems, twin-engine manoeuvring, docking and anchoring in wind, advanced navigation and weather, safety and rescue exercises, crew handling and guest management.

Instructors evaluate practical boat handling, knowledge, progress, teamwork, work ethic, safety and professional conduct.

You need previous professional skipper experience on a monohull or catamaran, alongside the required recognised licence. Previous work on a Sailweek monohull is not a requirement. Future opportunities also depend on performance, availability and market demand.

Applicants should be aged 18–36, speak fluent English and bring practical culinary skills, a strong attitude and a team mindset. Previous sailing experience is not required.

Practical culinary confidence is required. A formal chef qualification is not listed as an entry requirement. You should be comfortable preparing and presenting food before attending.

Host Academy is one intensive seven-day training week in the Split region of Croatia.

Training covers meal planning and shopping, breakfast and lunch preparation, food presentation, galley organisation and hygiene, guest communication, safety and first aid, basic sailing, rope work, and assisting with docking and anchoring.

Explore Host Academy →

Food is an important part of the role, alongside guest care, keeping the yacht clean and organised, teamwork and supporting the skipper with practical tasks on board.

Academy instructors assess participants throughout the week. They consider food quality, timing, cleanliness, guest care, teamwork, safety and professional conduct.

Yes. Applications for the 2027 Academy programmes are open. Visit the Skipper Academy or Host Academy course page and use Apply to start your application. For questions, contact info@sailweekacademy.com.

Email the Academy team →

Choose your programme on the Skipper Academy or Host Academy page, then select Apply and complete the application form. Include your CV or LinkedIn profile, relevant experience and, if required for your course, a copy of your skipper licence. The Academy team will review your application and contact you about the next steps.

If your application is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with availability, the course fee, deposit deadline and payment schedule. The booking contract is formed when we accept your application in writing and receive your booking deposit.

Beginner Academy: €1,700 (€100 + €800 + €800).
Catamaran Academy: €1,200 (€100 + €550 + €550).
Host Academy: €1,000 (€100 + €450 + €450).
These amounts show the normal instalment schedule. The late-application exception below may require one full payment. Your booking confirmation and invoice will state the applicable payment dates.

The €100 first instalment is the booking deposit, forms part of the total course price and is due within 48 hours of receiving your booking confirmation and invoice. Under the normal schedule, half of the remaining course price is due 35 days after the first instalment, and the other half is due 30 days before the course starts. See the late-application exception below.

Read Terms & Conditions →

If the normal instalment schedule would make the second instalment fall after the final payment deadline, the full course price is due in one payment within 48 hours of receiving your booking confirmation and invoice, and before the course starts. Applications accepted within 30 days before the course starts also require full payment in one payment. Your booking confirmation and invoice will state the payment method, amount and exact deadline that apply to your booking.

Send your cancellation in writing. The cancellation fee is the total value of all instalments due at the time we receive your written cancellation. Any charge will not exceed our reasonable net loss caused by your cancellation, taking account of costs saved and any resale. We will explain the calculation and refund any excess already paid.

Read cancellation terms →

Accommodation is on board the training yacht, in a shared cabin, during your training weeks. Bed sheets, blankets and towels are included.

No. Beginner Academy follows a training week, a break week and a second training week. You need to arrange and pay for your own accommodation during the break.

The fee includes on-board accommodation during training weeks, bed linen and towels, course materials and the relevant Sailweek handbook, boat fuel, marina fees, Croatia tourist tax, final boat cleaning and a Sailweek jacket. Food details are explained below.

For Beginner Academy, a food package is included. Participants prepare meals together on board and may need to top it up during the week. Check the relevant course page for Catamaran and Host food arrangements.

Explore Host course costs →

Budget for travel to Split, transfers to the marina, personal travel and health insurance, licensing or certification where needed, optional meals ashore and any additional food. Beginner participants also need to budget for accommodation during the break week.

Bring practical clothing for variable spring weather, suitable boat shoes, sun protection and your personal essentials. Your joining information will include the final packing list.

You need suitable travel insurance and health cover valid abroad and for sailing. Sailweek does not provide this cover. Cancellation cover is also recommended; check your insurer’s policy before travelling.

Successful skipper participants receive the Sailweek Academy Flotilla Certificate. Successful Host Academy participants receive an internal Academy certificate. These certificates recognise Academy training and do not replace a commercial skipper licence or a separate professional qualification.

You can attend Beginner Academy without a recognised skipper licence and obtain an accepted qualification separately afterwards. Catamaran Academy applicants must already hold a recognised skipper licence. Valid licensing is required before skipper work.

View accepted licences →

Use our accepted licences page to check your qualification and any conditions that apply. Certification is arranged separately through an appropriate external provider.

View the accepted licences list →

Email a clear photo of your licence to info@sailweekacademy.com so the team can check it before you apply. Please do not assume an unlisted qualification will be accepted.

Ask about your licence →

A sailing licence and STCW are not required to attend Host Academy. STCW is not a current requirement for Sailweek host work. Requirements for external partners or other operators may differ.

Neither is required to attend Academy. Both are required before accepting an engagement and starting work as a Sailweek skipper.

Successful Academy graduates may be offered work opportunities with Sailweek or selected external partners, depending on performance, suitability, availability and market demand. Any work engagement is arranged separately.

Academy prepares you to be considered for available opportunities. Completing the course does not guarantee an assignment or a set number of working weeks.

Skippers and hosts work as independent contractors / freelancers. Available assignments are offered separately, and you may accept or decline them.

The number of available assignments varies with seasonal demand, your availability, suitability and performance. A fixed number of working weeks cannot be promised.

The current Sailweek Pay Scheme sets out assignment fees and applicable bonuses for both roles. Check it for the full details rather than relying on an earnings example.

View the Sailweek Pay Scheme →