Why do you wake up and go to work each day? Is it to support your family? Is it because someone told you it’s what you have to do? Is it because you love your job? For me, one of the main reasons that I wake up and go to work each day is, partly because I love my job, but working is also a means to my favorite end: traveling. Whether it’s a long road trip with friends or getting back to nature with an international trip with my wife, I just can’t get enough of it.

enjoying the view

Sailing is one of the most unique activities that you can try while traveling. Whether you’re a retired couple or a family of four looking for an adventure, it’s an incredible sport to get into.  It’s easy to get started, and it lends itself well to many fun activities at the ocean.

How to get started

Sailing into the blue

Even if you’ve never been on a boat before, there are many ways that you can get started with sailing. These aren’t the only option, but are the typical first steps for many people who are new to the sport.

• Go through an online course. There are a lot of these, and it’s a good first step before signing up for any official experience.
• Attend a boat show. They take place frequently, and you’re able to tour many of these boats. It’s a good way to become familiar with the different terms and parts of the boats.
• Contact a local sailing school and take an official class to start learning the basics.

Important safety precautions

Though gaining experience with a qualified captain will get you started with the various sailing precautions, it’s always good to get a head start on understanding some of the more basic safety precautions that you’ll need to take  on this nautical adventure—safety is everything when it comes to adventure sports.

Before you even step onto a boat, it’s good to have an idea of what kind of attire you’ll need to ensure that you have a positive experience. You don’t need to worry about purchasing any specialized clothing, but you should wear comfortable clothes like t-shirts, shorts, and non-slip shoes so you don’t fall on the wet surface. You should also make sure that you have a life jacket.

Once you’re on board and have gone through all of your equipment to ensure that it’s ready to go, you need to be constantly aware of your boat in space and where all other boats are in relation to yours. As long as you’re attentive of all of the boats around you, you shouldn’t have any problems with collisions.

One way to make sure that you’ve taken care of everything you need for a safe journey is to print out a checklist before setting off on your journey. This ensures that you’re methodical with your preparation.

Activities to pair with sailing

While sailing is an incredible journey in and of itself, you don’t have to stop with this sport during your holiday. There are a ton of different sports activities that are easily paired with sailing while you’re out on the water.

If you’re looking for a safe and easy sport, snorkeling is the way to go. It’s inexpensive, requires little equipment, and it is very safe. For those who are a bit more adventurous, scuba diving is the next step up from snorkeling. This requires specific certification, but it’s worth every penny that you spend. There’s nothing quite like breathing underwater and being part of the sea life.

Another adrenaline-fueled activity for you to try is jet skiing. You don’t need a license to do this, and there are always multiple vendors set up along the shore. Stop by a shop to discuss the price, and you can be on the water within an hour.

A more relaxing activity is fishing. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, there’s a type of fishing for everyone at sea. It’s a great way to begin and end a day.

Sailing is a great choice for a vacation, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never set foot on a boat before, either—everyone has to be a beginner at some point. With plenty of options to guide you on the right track, you’ll discover how easy it is to get started and plan your next vacation at sea.