Brittany Cruise

12-Day Brittany Sailing Cruise

Set sail from Hamble on an extended voyage to the spectacular cruising grounds of north-west Brittany. This rewarding offshore sailing cruise is ideal for anyone who wants to build sea miles, develop their passage-making skills and gain experience of sailing beyond familiar UK waters.

An Extended Offshore Sailing Adventure

Leaving the Solent behind, you will sail across the English Channel towards Ushant and the rugged Breton coastline. The precise route will depend on weather, tides and sea conditions, but possible destinations include Tréguier, Lézardrieux, Morlaix and L’Aber-Wrac’h.

The cruise may also take you through the renowned Chenal du Four towards Brest or Camaret-sur-Mer, with the possibility of visiting the atmospheric island of Ouessant.

Rather than following a fixed itinerary, each passage is planned around the conditions and the opportunities presented by the voyage. This makes every Brittany cruise different and gives the crew valuable experience of real-world passage planning and decision-making.

Challenging and Rewarding Navigation

North-west Brittany offers some of the most interesting and demanding coastal navigation in Europe. Strong tides, offshore islands, rocky approaches and intricate harbour entrances provide an excellent environment in which to develop your pilotage skills.

Under the guidance of an experienced BOSS instructor, you will have opportunities to take part in:

• Passage planning and preparation
• Offshore sailing and watchkeeping
• Tidal calculations and route planning
• Coastal navigation and pilotage
• Harbour and river approaches
• Night sailing, where conditions allow
• Anchoring and mooring
• Crew organisation and onboard routines

Many of the stopovers may be spent at anchor in sheltered rivers, historic harbours and remote bays along the Breton coast. This adds to the sense of adventure while providing practical experience of anchoring, living aboard and operating a yacht away from its home marina.

Build Valuable Sea Miles

The Brittany cruise is particularly suitable for sailors who want to increase their experience before progressing towards advanced RYA qualifications such as Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster.

You will take an active role in sailing the yacht, navigating, keeping watch and contributing to the running of the vessel. The extended duration of the cruise allows you to settle into the rhythm of life at sea and develop greater confidence as both a crew member and an aspiring skipper.

Who Is This Cruise For?

This cruise is designed for sailors who already have some practical experience and are comfortable taking an active role aboard a cruising yacht. It is well suited to those who want to:

• Build qualifying sea miles
• Gain experience of longer offshore passages
• Improve their navigation and pilotage
• Practise tidal passage planning
• Develop confidence sailing outside UK waters
• Prepare for Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster training
• Enjoy an adventurous sailing holiday along the Brittany coast

The cruise is practical, varied and demanding, but also offers time to enjoy the remarkable harbours, rivers, islands and anchorages of north-west Brittany.

A True Cruising Experience

This is not simply a mile-building exercise. It is an opportunity to experience genuine extended cruising, explore an exceptional sailing area and improve your skills under expert guidance.

From offshore passages and challenging tidal navigation to quiet Breton anchorages and historic coastal ports, the BOSS Brittany cruise offers an unforgettable combination of adventure, practical training and valuable sailing experience.

Routes and destinations are subject to weather, tidal conditions and the judgement of the skipper. Safety and the development of the crew will always remain the priorities throughout the voyage.