Suffolk Coast Sailing

Suffolk Coast Sailing offers both day sailing trips and longer passages aboard a modern Beneteau yacht, skippered by an experienced RYA Yachtmaster. From our base at Shotley Marina, near Ipswich, you can explore the uncrowded waters of the East Anglia Coast, taking in the Rivers Deben, Stour, Ore/Alde, Backwater, Blackwater and Crouch, or go further afield to London, Kent and France.

This is your opportunity to explore the peaceful rivers and coastlines which inspired Arthur Ransome’s novels ‘Secret Water’ and ‘We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea’. There are numerous harbours, marinas and more remote anchorages to visit, and many villages, waterside pubs, restaurants and shops a short walk or dinghy ride away.

Whether you want to just treat yourself, celebrate a special occasion with your partner, or take your family or some friends on a fabulous boating experience, Suffolk Coast Sailing can put together a charter which will give you what you’re looking for at a price you can afford.

Business customers are equally welcome. Companies can entertain clients aboard our yacht, or take advantage of our corporate teambuilding programmes.

Packages start from £95, with exclusive charters from less than £300 per day. Family discounts and corporate packages are available.

– Day Sailing

Day Sail

Share the cost of sailing with others, and meet new friends with a common interest by joining one of our Day Sails. Enquire about our schedule.
We group together up to 6 people who want to share the cost of sailing with others. Your day will start at Shotley Marina where your skipper will give you a safety briefing over a cup of coffee on board. You’ll help prepare the boat for departure, exit the lock gates, hoist the sails and head out for an adventure on the local rivers and coastlines. You will get the chance to participate fully in the running of the ship – hoisting, helming, trimming – hey, you can even put the kettle on if you like! After a morning sail we will drop anchor for lunch on board, maybe at Hamford Water (Secret Water), Wrabness (beach huts on stilts), or somewhere on the very beautiful River Orwell. After lunch, more sailing, more fun, and more tea (and perhaps a cheeky biscuit) before heading for home.

– Exclusive Skippered Charters

‘Own The Boat’ (Exclusive Skippered Charters)

You and your family, or maybe a group of friends or colleagues, are keen to become sailing explorers for the day (or half-day). You get to choose the date, the itinerary and, of course, the company!
Your skipper gives you the options for the day (weather and tide dependent) and you decide the agenda. A river sail, a short coastal cruise, a bit of both – whatever ‘floats your boat’. Your day starts with a coffee and the essential safety brief on board, and then you head out on your sailing adventure. Maybe you’ll choose to explore the rivers in the morning, or head round to Hamford Water if the tides are right. After anchoring for lunch on board (full day trips only) – typically a sumptuous spread of cold meats and cheeses from Suffolk Food Hall – you might decide on an afternoon at sea. Maybe checking out Rough’s Tower (the ‘Principality of Sealand’), or a round trip past Felixstowe to the Deben entrance, before returning through the lock to Shotley Marina.

Why not extend to a Sleepover Sail? Stay on board the night before, maybe have dinner aboard, and enjoy a bacon roll breakfast before sailing the next day.

Up to four children (aged 16 or under) go free when accompanied by two adults.

– Sailing Holidays

Take a Sailing Break

An even bigger adventure! You stay and live on board for a couple of days or more, making coastal passages to some of the fabulous and fascinating destinations the East Coast has to offer.

Our skipper will work with you before your trip to create a passage plan to suit your requirements and the experience of your party. This will obviously depend on tide predictions and the number of days you choose to book for. There are many fantastic destinations to the North or South to choose from, and a variety of ‘challenges’ ranging from passages which are – relatively speaking – ‘just around the corner’ to Channel crossings. Possible destinations include Aldeburgh, Southwold, the Blackwater, Burnham and, further afield, the Thames Estuary, London and the Continent.

– Day Sailing

Price £95 per person (offered on a ‘bring your own picnic’ basis)

Up to six people.

– Exclusive Skippered Charters

Base Price: from £200* (half-day) or from £380* (full day)

* These are our base prices which cover two adults. There is a supplementary charge of £15 per additional adult (half-day trips) and £20 per additional adult (day trips).

– Sailing Holidays

Price & Availability: Please contact us