Sailing through bright blue water and enjoying the salty sea air and the wind blowing in your hair along the picturesque European coastline sounds like a fantasy. Learning to sail certainly takes some serious study and practice. Still, it’s much more accessible than you may have initially thought. Around the world, many companies offer sailing lessons for beginners on small catamaran sailboats that make it easy to learn the basics in just a few days.
If learning to sail is one of your goals, consider booking a trip to France immediately. Amiets Beach is located on the northern end of Brittany, France’s largest peninsula along the coast of the Celtic Sea. The underrated destination has unique ancient archeological sites, beautiful coastlines, and a lovely mild climate.
Amiets Beach is the perfect destination for all kinds of water sports — especially sailing. Each year, sailing enthusiasts worldwide are drawn to the turquoise waters. During your visit, the whole family can partake in beginner lessons on a catamaran and other water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing.
Sailing Amiets Beach
Plage des Amiets, or Amiets Beach, in English, has sandy beaches scattered with rugged rock formations that offer hopeful sailors stunning views as they attempt to gain their sea legs. It is one of the best under-the-radar beaches in Europe. If you want to become a confident sailor, you’ll definitely need to spend some time learning the ropes. But if you simply wish to test the waters for the first time to explore a potential new hobby, you can easily book a day-long excursion with instructions on a small catamaran sailboat.
Clederois Nautical Club offers sailing lessons for all ages, so it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy — even if you’re traveling with younger children. You can book private lessons with qualified instructors starting at about $55 per hour. A course with five half-day lessons for beginners costs about $192. If you’ve sailed before or feel comfortable after your course and ready to take to the sea on your own, the club also offers rentals — an hour catamaran rental costs about $44, and a three-hour rental costs about $76. In addition to sailing, you can try out plenty of other fun marine sports like bodyboarding, sailboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Planning your trip
Plage des Amiets is near the town of Cléder, known for its proximity to historical sites and beautiful coastline. When you’ve had your fill of sailing, you can explore the quaint village, admire the architecture, or plan day trips to famous sites nearby. A few highlights for history buffs include the epic Gothic-style Saint-Pol-de-Leon Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th Century, and the iconic Cairn of Barnenez ruins, which are around 7,000 years old.
Accommodations near Amiets Beach range from luxurious private villas to cozy bed and breakfasts. Villas Ouest is an excellent place for families looking to stay steps from the beach. The rental company has five private villas with indoor swimming pools, four beautiful apartment rentals with every possible amenity, and ocean views. La Canopee des Pins is an excellent budget-friendly option with beautiful gardens onsite and complimentary breakfast. You can find double rooms there for around $100 per night.
Plan your trip between May and September for the best sailing Brittany has to offer. The busiest months of the sailing season are July and August when the weather and water are at their warmest. Temperatures in the summer average in the mid-60s, and highs can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, consider visiting in the shoulder season from April through May and September through October when the temperatures are still mild.
