Istanbul (Princes' Islands) Sailing Academy Camp

Organized around Büyükada and Heybeliada, the islands of Istanbul opening into the Sea of Marmara, this residential sailing academy camp offers a unique maritime experience in the calm and nostalgic atmosphere of these car-free historic islands. Famous for their wooden mansions and horse-drawn carriages, the islands carry the traces of a centuries-old sailing club culture; within this historic fabric, participants are introduced to sailing amidst the shifting northerly (poyraz) and southerly (lodos) winds of the Marmara. The five-to-seven-day camp offers progressive training for children and young athletes using Optimist boats, and for adults using Laser and adult-class vessels.

Program and Training Flow

Days begin with morning theoretical lessons, covering wind and current reading, boat balance, and basic maritime rules. Initial maneuvers and balance exercises are conducted in the relatively calm morning waters of the island bays, and as the wind picks up throughout the day, more experienced participants head to open water to practice route tracking and sailing against the wind. In the late afternoon, the day is evaluated under the guidance of coaches. The short distances between the islands also provide advanced participants the opportunity to attempt routes extending as far as the open waters of Heybeliada.

Accommodation and Scope

The camp fee includes island accommodation, three meals a day, boat and sailing equipment, life jackets, training materials, and a level certificate provided at the end of the program. Escaping the noise of the city via ferry and sea transport, participants combine the tranquility of island life with the disciplined program of the camp. Accommodation is provided in facilities close to the coastline where the historic island clubs are located.

Safety and Support Boat

Due to the occasionally variable wind and wave conditions of the Marmara, a motorized support boat is present on-site during every training session; the use of life jackets is mandatory, and weather conditions are constantly monitored by coaches. The sheltered bays of the islands allow for boats to be quickly moved to safe zones when necessary. On days when the northerly wind strengthens, the program is shifted to the calm, leeward bays of the island to ensure training continues safely. In this way, the camp offers a unique and secure learning opportunity for children trying sailing for the first time, as well as for youth and adults looking to gain experience among the historic islands.