So you go on a boating vacation, learn sailing and have fun without breaking the bank

There is a different way to experience a sailing vacation and one that is having good success in Italy as well. Renting online at the cabin and “at the square” not only for cruising, but also for enjoying experiences such as sailing courses, diving, mini-vacations, excursions, and yoga retreats.

The success (also Italian) of Sailwiz

This is evidenced by the growth of Sailwiz, the collaborative platform for boating vacations born in Spain that connects demand (people eager to experience the sea) with supply (skippers, boat owners, nautical schools, entrepreneurs): after a period of consolidation in 2022-2023, 2024 closed with +20% and a tripled presence in the Italian market. As in other sectors, the collaborative model has taken hold in nautical tourism. Sailwiz, a Spanish platform founded in 2017 that pioneered this field, is witnessing how this transformation is making boating an opportunity within everyone’s reach. Not only has it “democratized” boating vacations, but it has expanded accessibility to this type of experience, allowing anyone to embark on a boating adventure. Based in Madrid, the platform now boasts users from all over the world, including Italy, which as anticipated in 2024 saw a threefold growth in Italian users using its platform to organize boating vacations and experiences both in Italy and abroad.

“Most people do not possess the title to sail or, if they do, they do not have a boat. In addition, not everyone can afford to rent an entire boat. For this reason, we have devised the possibility of finding a “crew” to share the expenses with “, explains Álvaro García de Polavieja, CEO and founder of Sailwiz. “The key to our success is to offer not only complete boat rentals but also the booking of individual cabins and/or squares. With the ‘square for square’ concept, anyone can enjoy a boating vacation without having to be an expert, without looking for other people, and without spending too much “.

How Sailwiz works

Sailwiz’s mission is to make boating a form of tourism accessible to anyone attracted to the sea, including enthusiasts who want to gain experience by sharing crossings with other boaters. Users can search for one or more places on boats. In fact, the platform makes it possible to book places on luxury boats, catamarans, and shared sailboats, allowing tourists to experience affordable nautical vacations with the security of being supervised by professional skippers. It is possible to book a berth (for vacations or educational experiences) in Italy, Spain, the Caribbean, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Thailand, North and South Atlantic, French Polynesia, Pacific Islands, Portugal and Islands, France, Morocco, Seychelles, Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, Montenegro, UK, Turkey, South America, Tanzania and even Antarctica. You can use the Sailwiz platform in two ways:
– If you are a “crew member” who wants to participate in sailing or get nautical training, you can search through the thousands of proposals to find the one that interests you the most and book your place.
– If you are a skipper or boat owner, or have a nautical school, you can go to the “Skipper Area” of your Sailwiz account and post sailing plans or nautical courses you want to offer.

Sustainable nautical tourism

This model also stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability. “Sailing is one of the most environmentally friendly options for doing tourism. There is nothing more sustainable than moving around thanks to the wind,” stresses Alvaro, who is also one of the three founders of Sailwiz. According to the founders (Alvaro Garcia de Polavieja, Emilia del Carmen Marina Sieira, Luis Enrique Linares Soto), Sailwiz is now a cheap and competitive alternative to traditional vacations, such as hotels, apartments or large cruises. It is also an ideal solution to escape mass tourism on land. In addition, sailing is one of the most sustainable options for doing tourism-there is nothing more environmentally friendly than getting around on the wind. Anyone who has sailed will understand how important it is to reduce waste and save fresh water and energy on board.

• Learn more about Sailwiz