Sailing voyage Z14-27: Sailtraining celestial navigation

Learn Celestial Navigation with a Sextant

This unique offshore sailing training is fully focused on traditional celestial navigation. Over six days, we sail from Rotterdam via Maassluis to Scheveningen and back, while you learn how to navigate using a sextant, the sun, and a clock. There is plenty of theory, but above all a lot of hands-on practice — because, after all, you only really learn to swim in the water. By applying everything directly at sea, you will truly understand how celestial navigation works in real life.

This celestial navigation course is specifically designed for sailors who want to learn how to navigate with a sextant. With the increasing number of GPS disruptions and jamming incidents, traditional navigation has once again become highly relevant. And what could be more satisfying than being able to determine your own position independently using the sun and stars?

Step by step, we cover the theory behind celestial navigation, so you understand how to take a sun sight and how to calculate your position using nautical tables and our own pro-forma worksheets.

This is not a “fast-track” RYA course aimed at quickly obtaining a certificate. Instead, it is a thorough and practical celestial navigation training designed to help you genuinely understand what you are doing. The goal is that, even long after the course, you will still be able to determine your position independently using celestial bodies.

We begin in Rotterdam’s historic Old Harbour, where everyone comes aboard in the morning. After introductions and coffee, we immediately start with the first theory sessions on sextant navigation. In the afternoon, we determine the index error of the sextants together and get familiar with the instrument itself.

The next day, we depart from the heart of Rotterdam towards Maassluis. We sail underneath Rotterdam’s iconic bridges, including the famous Erasmus Bridge, while enjoying coffee, something sweet, and the views of the city and river. In the afternoon, we continue with theory and the first calculations. Maassluis is a charming historic harbour town, and we berth close to the impressive Groote Kerk church.

The following day, we head out onto the North Sea, weather permitting towards Scheveningen. During this passage, we take our first real sun sight at sea and later work out the first calculations together in the harbour.

In Scheveningen, we stay an extra day for further theory and practical exercises. From the pier, we take another sun sight and, depending on the conditions, perhaps even a moon sight.

The final leg takes us back to Rotterdam. Along the way, we once again take a sun sight and possibly a lighthouse bearing, which we work out during the return passage along the Nieuwe Waterweg. Approaching Rotterdam in the evening is an impressive experience, and sailing among the large commercial traffic on the waterway is always memorable. This final passage brings everything together in one complete practical exercise: from theory to position fixing. In the evening, we go out for dinner together to celebrate the end of the sailing training.

This voyage is perfect for sailors interested in traditional navigation and learning how to determine their position without relying on electronics. No previous sextant experience is required — we guide you step by step in a relaxed and practical atmosphere.

On board, we have six sextants available, including Freiberger and Observator sextants. If you already own a sextant, feel free to bring it along.

Daily distances during this offshore sailing training range between 15 and 45 nautical miles. The itinerary above depends on weather, wind, and tides. If necessary, we may adjust the route or schedule accordingly.

Information about this sailing holiday

Participants of this sailing holiday

(Minimal 2, max 6 participants)

Sailing holidays Prices 

The price is the rental cost for the ship with crew, including food and drinks on board, hence full board. The price mentioned is per person.

Included in the price:

– Food and drinks on board.
– Fuel, water, shore power, harbour fees and tourist tax.
– 1 towel set and bedding incl. duvet and, of course, a life jacket.
– For after sailing there is also wine and beer on board, based on average use. Should we run out, then you can purchase more yourself.

Not included:

– Your transfer, meaning your journey to and from the ship
– Sailing clothes and boots, you can rent these from us if you would like.
– Possible shore excursions such as renting a van, or visiting a museum etc.
– Food and drinks ashore, the last evening we will go out for dinner and this will be at your own expense. ( Should you wish to treat the crew as a thank you for a lovely sailing holiday, it would of course be greatly appreciated!)
– Optional tips. These are, of course, entirely voluntary, but always appreciated. Any tips are shared between the skipper and crew, as some guests assume that a tip is primarily intended for the Bosun, while the skipper is just as much a part of the team that makes the voyage possible. Contrary to what many guests assume, the skipper on board the Cherokee does not receive the highest salary.

Duration & Time on Board

The listed trip duration refers to full calendar days. Since you embark on the first evening and disembark on the final morning, your actual time on board is on average about 1.5 days shorter. We use this format to keep our trips comparable with other providers – but we like to be transparent about the real time you’ll spend on board.

Sailing holidays discount

Customer Discount:
If you book a second sailing holiday with us within a year, you’ll get 2.5% off the ‘board price’.

Sailing holidays group discount:
If you book a sailing holiday as a group (more than 3 passengers), you will receive 2.5% discount per person on the ‘board price’.

Sailing holidays youth Discount:
If you are under 29 years old, you will get 5% discount on the ‘board price’.

Sailing holidays discounts can not be combined with each other.

Bonus Discount:
€25 extra discount when you choose a vegetarian menu on board.

Private charter

You can also rent the ship and crew for a privat charter. Then multiply the price with 7. For a private charter, you can choose one of the offered sailing holidays, provided there are no other bookings for that sailing journey. If you would like more information on private charter, please contact us.

Sailing holidays with your own private cabin

If you are a solo traveler and would like the comfort of a private cabin (room), you can reserve it for 1.6 times the price (for crossings, it will be 1.9x).

Extend your sailing holidays with an extra day B&B

On some of our sailing holidays, it is possible to book an extra overnight stay on board based on Bed & Breakfast (B&B, so without dinner) for € 125 per person. This automatically applies when booking multiple trips in a row.

Sailing holiday categories

Category A:
Offshore crossings, includes also sailing throughout the nights. Passengers will also be grouped in the watch system.

Category B:
Offshore sailing holidays, there will be no sailing throughout the nights, but occasionally a late arrival at the harbour (or an early departure), depending on the weather.

Category C:
Relaxed sailing holidays with shorter sailing distances, including more time for sightseeing and sometimes a nice land excursion.

Category D:
Sailing holiday specials, from ‘Sailing holidays with Yoga’ up to expedition sailing. Not every season available.

Category E:
Sailing holiday’s with extra sailtraining.

Category F:
Sailing holidays with also small children on board.