Our Mile Building Adventures are designed primarily for the aspiring RYA yachtmasters and those wishing to experience longer passages at sea. However, it's also the perfect trip for newly qualified RYA Day Skipper's to consolidate their knowledge of passage planning and navigation to increase their skill base in preparation for a yacht charter or sailing holiday!
You'll be expected to operate as a valuable crew member and participate in a watch system. So, if you're not a team player, our Milebuilders aren't for you!
Dependent on the duration of the milebuilder you choose - 6, 7 or more days, we aim to include at least 2 overnight passages in excess of 60 miles for the budding yachtmasters and thrill seekers! During the week you will gain invaluable experience of night sailing, navigation, watch systems, crew management, customs formalities, mooring procedures typical to the Mediterranean and southern Europe and really experiencing life at sea so you'll get a true feel of being on passage.
Where we sail is obviously weather dependent. Mediterranean bound, there will be several passages in and around Gibraltar’s tidal waters or even further afield, including a distance voyage to the Costa del Sol and cross-tidal challenges of sailing across the Gibraltar Straits to the African continent.
Atlantic bound, and you'll be sailing westwards through the infamous Straits of Gibraltar and along the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal. Along the way you'll pass the haunting scene of the infamous Battle of Trafalgar where Nelson met his Nemesis!
Whatever direction the trip takes you, there is no doubt that after completing this adventure, you will be able to hold your head up high and claim to be a really useful person on board a yacht delivery or on passage. You will also be well on your way to becoming a Skipper in your own right!
If the thought of extended periods of time at sea aren't for you, and you'd prefer to be in a marina each night and build on your sailing skills, then our Sailing Refresher would be the better option for you.
What's included:
- Professional Skipper / Instructor
- Accommodation on board
- A generous budget to cover the food provisioning of the yacht
- Bedding and towels
- Waterproof clothing
- Mooring fees and fuel
- Safety equipment
- All charts and publications
- 300-700 Nautical miles, depending on the adventure you choose.
Experience required:
RYA Competent Crew or equivalent experience on board a yacht or power vessel.
Starts: 18:00 onwards
Ends: 16:30
All dates and availability below
What's next?:
Why not try your hand at racing on our Round The Island or Gibraltar Regatta event.
We also offer RYA theory courses online, so if you like the idea of doing your theory in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace, take a look at our online theory courses.
How to book
It's easy! Just select the adventure date you want below. Click on book, confirm that this is the adventure and date that you want and then complete your details on our secure online booking system. A 25% deposit is all that's needed, with the balance payable 45 days before your adventure starts.
SELECT YOUR ADVENTURE DATE BELOW
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Prices from:
£899
Own cabin option from:
£1349
Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth.
If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.
Have a question?
If you have any questions please email us or call on +44 7925 784407 or see our Frequently Asked Questions.
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See what our clients say
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Great week with Jolly Parrot our instructors Ian and Lissie were excellent and prepared us above and beyond for our Yachtmaster assessment at the end of the week. Would definitely recommend for any of your training.
Ben
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Amazing 10 days with my instructor Ian working on my yacht master coastal prep course, which I successfully passed the day after the course. Great company couldn’t recommend them enough booking was easy and very well informed thanks to Rachel working behind the scenes.
Greg
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Absolutely incredible! Recently, I completed Jolly Parrot’s ‘Novice to Day Skipper’ course, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Not only did I learn to sail, but the course also improved my confidence massively. The instructors were all so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable. Greg was my instructor for the Day Skipper portion and I couldn’t imagine anyone better suited for the job - An excellent instructor with impeccable humour. I met some amazing people during this course (namely my crew mates Bene, Doug and Flo), and overall had a wonderful time :)
Georgia
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Novice to Day Skipper course with Alex & Jason I was eager to learn to sail and at the same time to have relaxing time (holiday-like). It worked well for me, the instructors were cool and I was lucky to meet good colleagues sailors and have good time on the way. Keep rocking Jolly.
Nikola
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16-week Fast-Track I completed the 16-week Fast-Track program with Jolly Parrot, starting as a complete beginner with no prior sailing experience. From the moment I stepped aboard, the instructors—Ian, Greg, Rob, and Jason—became my guides, transforming my raw inexperience into something far more seasoned and confident. With their patience, skill, and unshakable belief in every student, they taught me far more than I could have imagined. If you’re considering joining, I can wholeheartedly recommend Jolly Parrot. The program is well-structured, and the instructors are highly knowledgeable, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop their sailing skills.
Tobias
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We spent a wonderful 11 days in November 2021 with Jolly Parrot. I completed the Coastal Skipper Combined course and my wife the Comp Crew. Instructors Flipper, IanG, Hailey, and Tom were all exceptional in their own unique way and we came away with more rounded skills and knowledge as a result of their patient teaching methods. Clive and Rachel did a fabulous job of shuffling schedules and boats to accommodate our different experience levels. Expect to be challenged on the Coastal Skipper course! We made some abiding memories, some long-term connections and friends, and hope to return soon for the next challenge maybe a mile-builder.
James
