Sailing experience on a 4-hour sailboat in Girona

The best part of this Costa Brava outing is the chance to leave Platja d’Aro by sailboat and spend four unhurried hours on the water. Skipper and owner Santi takes up to nine people aboard Havana, a 10.5-meter boat, then chooses a sheltered cove north or south of the port according to the day’s wind and sea conditions.

I like the private format, which gives your group the boat rather than seating you with strangers. I also like the mix of sailing and swimming: you can help with basic maneuvers, then use the snorkeling gear or paddle surfboard once the boat reaches its swimming stop. The main consideration is that this is a weather-dependent outing, and lunch, snacks, and bottled water are not included.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine: Your group has Havana and the skipper to itself.
• Platja d’Aro departure: You meet at the sailing school beside the beach and port, then walk together to the boat.
• A flexible coastal route: Santi heads north or south to find a cove protected from wind and waves.
• More than a boat ride: The four-hour trip includes sailing instruction, snorkeling gear, a paddle surfboard, and a swim stop.
• Useful onboard comforts: A fridge, music, and fresh water shower make the time on board easier.
• Good value for a full group: The price is $541.32 for up to nine people, or about $60 per person if the boat is full.

A private way to see the Costa Brava from Platja d’Aro

Platja d’Aro is a practical starting point for a short sailing trip. You meet at Avinguda de Verona Terol, 25, at the facilities of the sailing school located on the beach beside the port. From there, Santi walks with your group to Havana and handles the boat while explaining what comes next.

The setting gives you an immediate change of pace. You begin near a developed beach and port, then move away from shore under sail. The outing is not built around a long list of scheduled sights. Instead, it gives you time to enjoy the coast from the water and stop at a suitable cove for swimming and water activities.

That flexible approach matters on the Costa Brava. The sea and wind can change the feel of a small boat quickly, so choosing a protected area is more useful than following a fixed route at all costs. Santi may head north or south, depending on conditions, with the goal of finding a comfortable place for the group to spend time in the water.

The trip ends back at the same meeting point. You do not need to arrange a second pickup at another port.

Four hours aboard Havana

Havana is 10.5 meters long and holds up to nine participants plus the skipper. That capacity makes this a good choice for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration that needs a private setting.

A boat with room for nine is not the same as having unlimited space. If your group reaches the maximum, expect to share the deck and cabin areas with everyone in your party. The private setup removes strangers, but it does not turn the boat into a large yacht. If you want the most open feel, a smaller group will naturally give everyone more room to move around.

The four-hour duration is long enough to make the sailing feel like the main event rather than a quick harbor trip. You have time to get out from the port, learn a few sailing basics, reach a cove, swim, and return without squeezing each activity into a short stop.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. A morning sailing may suit you if you want to make it the first major activity of the day. An afternoon schedule may work better if you prefer a slower start or want to use the trip as a relaxed break from the beach.

Sailing lessons without a formal classroom

You are not simply a passenger on Havana. During the navigation, Santi introduces you to basic sailing concepts and lets you collaborate in the maneuvers. The level of participation will depend on the conditions and on how involved your group wants to be, but the opportunity is there.

I like this part because it gives the ride a purpose. You can sit back and watch the coast, or take a more active role by learning how the boat works. You do not need to arrive as a sailor. The experience is designed to explain the fundamentals as you go.

The skipper remains responsible for the boat. That is important for anyone who likes the idea of helping but does not want an intense lesson. You can try a task, ask questions, and then return to simply enjoying the view.

Music is also available on board, so you can listen to your own favorite songs during the trip. This adds a casual, personal feel, though you should remember that the outing is still shaped by the sea, the wind, and the skipper’s decisions.

The cove stop: swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The most active part of the day takes place at a cove chosen for its protection from the sea and wind. Once Havana is anchored or positioned for the stop, you can take a bath in the water, use the snorkeling equipment, or try the paddle surfboard.

The snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from having to bring or rent a basic set for this outing. The same applies to the paddle surfboard. These are simple but valuable inclusions because they turn the stop into more than a quick swim beside the boat.

The cove is not specified in advance. That is both an advantage and a limitation. You get a route shaped by real conditions rather than a promise of one exact beach, but you cannot choose the name of the stop before departure. If a particular cove is your main reason for booking, this trip may feel too flexible.

The water stop also depends on the weather. In calm conditions, you can make full use of the equipment. In rougher conditions, the skipper may favor a more sheltered location or adjust how much time you spend in the water. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What makes the private format worth the price

The total price is $541.32 for a group of up to nine people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $60 per person for four hours, including the skipper, private boat, snorkeling equipment, paddle surfboard, fridge, music, and fresh water shower.

That is a different value calculation from a cheap shared boat ride. You are paying for privacy and flexibility, not just a seat on the water. A group of friends or a family that would otherwise book several activities may find the cost reasonable, especially because the boat can serve as both a sailing trip and a swimming outing.

For two or three people, the per-person cost is much higher. In that case, you should decide how important it is to have the boat to yourselves. The private arrangement is most attractive when the group can share the fixed price.

The high satisfaction level attached to the experience also fits the strongest parts of the offer: Santi’s personal role as captain and owner, the condition of Havana, and the combination of scenery, hospitality, and time in a quiet cove. The praise is especially strong for the private family experience and for the boat being kept in excellent condition.

Small comforts that matter at sea

Havana has a fridge where you can place your own drinks. That is useful in the Spanish sun, but bottled water is not included, so bring or buy what you want before departure. Lunch and snacks are also your responsibility.

This is worth planning around. Four hours can cover a large part of the morning or afternoon, and swimming can make you hungry. Pack simple food if you need it, but keep it practical for a boat. The supplied details do not specify a meal service, so do not count on lunch being provided.

A fresh water shower is available on board. After swimming in the sea, this lets you rinse off salt before the return to port. Music provides another bit of comfort, especially during the quieter stretches between the port and the swimming stop.

These features do not change the basic nature of the outing. Havana is still a sailboat, not a floating restaurant or resort. But the fridge, shower, and music make four hours on board easier and more pleasant.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would choose this experience for a group that wants private time together and likes the idea of mixing relaxation with a little activity. Families can swim and use the paddleboard, while adults who are curious about sailing can take part in the maneuvers.

It also suits people who prefer a smaller, personal outing to a large organized cruise. Santi is both skipper and owner, and that gives the experience a direct human connection. The strongest feedback centers on his communication, hospitality, and care for the boat.

This is a particularly good fit for:

• Families wanting a private half-day on the Costa Brava
• Friends who can share the price across a larger group
• First-time sailors who want a gentle introduction to basic maneuvers
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want a boat-based water stop
• Couples or small groups who value privacy over a lower shared-boat fare

You should think twice if you need a fixed sightseeing route, a guaranteed named cove, or included food and drinks. You should also keep a little flexibility in your schedule because the route and water stop are shaped by the weather.

Practical planning before you go

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. The experience is often reserved about 20 days before departure, and confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The meeting point is Avinguda de Verona Terol, 25, 17250 Platja d’Aro, Girona, Spain. You meet at the sailing school facilities on the beach next to the port, then walk to Havana with the skipper. The activity returns to this same point.

The tour is offered in English. A mobile ticket is accepted, which makes it easy to keep the booking on your phone.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the available information does not give detailed restrictions for mobility, swimming ability, or specific medical conditions. If those details matter for your group, ask before booking.

The best preparation is simple: bring water, any lunch or snacks you want, swimwear, and whatever sun protection you normally use. The boat supplies a fridge, snorkeling equipment, a paddle surfboard, music, and a fresh water shower, but not bottled water or food.

Cancellation and weather flexibility

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Weather is handled separately. Because the experience requires good conditions, a cancellation caused by poor weather gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. This policy is sensible for a four-hour trip on a relatively small sailboat, but you should avoid scheduling it as the only possible activity during a short visit.

The best plan is to leave some room in your itinerary. If the sea looks unsuitable, the operator can change the date rather than send you out in conditions that make the trip uncomfortable.

Should you book the Havana sailing experience?

Book it if you want a private Costa Brava outing built around time on the water rather than a fixed list of sights. The strongest reasons are the personal attention from Santi, the private boat, the option to learn basic sailing, and the generous four-hour format with swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

The value is good for a full group of up to nine, where the cost comes to about $60 per person. For a small party, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is a top priority.

Bring your own drinks and food, accept that the route will change with the weather, and expect the cove rather than a specific named beach to be the focus. If those terms suit you, Havana offers a relaxed and active way to experience the Costa Brava from Platja d’Aro.

FAQ

Where does the sailing experience begin?

It begins at Avinguda de Verona Terol, 25, 17250 Platja d’Aro, Girona, Spain, at the sailing school facilities on the beach next to the port.

Where does the activity end?

The sailing trip ends back at the same meeting point in Platja d’Aro.

How long does the sailing trip last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can carry up to nine participants plus the skipper.

Who is the skipper?

The skipper is Santi, who is also the owner of the sailboat Havana.

Is the trip offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. You can choose between a morning schedule and an afternoon schedule.

What water activities are included?

Snorkeling equipment and a paddle surfboard are included. The trip also includes a stop for swimming.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Bottled water, lunch, and snacks are not included. A fridge is available on board for your drinks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.