Job Introduction
YACHT INSTRUCTOR
Location: Vounaki Beachclub Sailing Centre, Paleros, Greece
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Minimum RYA Cruising Instructor or recognised equivalent
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £2,050 PCM gross
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
In a Nutshell
Spend your season teaching sailing from our Yacht Centre at Vounaki Beachclub in Greece.
You’ll deliver recognised RYA training, helping guests build their sailing skills, confidence and independence while gaining plenty of professional instructional experience of your own.
Whether you’re newly qualified and looking to turn your qualification into real-world experience or you already have substantial instructional experience behind you, you’ll join a specialist Yacht Team doing what you love in a pretty spectacular place to call home.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson Active Holidays has been creating holidays where people can relax, get active, try something new and have a seriously good time doing it.
Our award-winning Beach Clubs combine fantastic locations with an incredible choice of activities, delivered by people who genuinely love what they do.
Vounaki Beachclub in Paleros is home to our Yacht Centre and provides an incredible base for our sailing operation, with our Yacht Team delivering professional training and unforgettable experiences on the water.
About You
You’re a qualified sailing professional who gets genuine satisfaction from helping other people become more confident and capable on the water.
You know your sailing, but you also understand that great instruction is about much more than technical knowledge.
You’re patient, engaging and able to explain things clearly, adapting your approach to different personalities, abilities and levels of experience.
You’re mature, organised and comfortable taking responsibility. When conditions change or something unexpected happens, you think clearly, remain calm and find practical solutions.
You could already have substantial instructional experience or be newly qualified and ready to build it. Either way, you’ll bring strong safety awareness, a great attitude, a willingness to learn and genuine enthusiasm for creating brilliant experiences for our guests.
Role Overview
As a Yacht Instructor, you’ll deliver safe, engaging and professional RYA training programmes from our Vounaki Beachclub Sailing Centre.
You’ll work with guests across different experience levels, helping them develop practical sailing skills, build confidence and achieve their individual training goals.
You’ll take responsibility for the safe and professional delivery of your courses, as well as the care, presentation and day-to-day housekeeping of the training yachts you use.
Working closely with the Chief Instructor and wider Yacht Team, you’ll help maintain the professional standards expected within both Neilson and an RYA training environment.
For newly qualified instructors, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to turn your qualification into substantial professional experience while learning from experienced colleagues in a supportive environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Deliver RYA training programmes in line with RYA standards, Neilson operating procedures and relevant local requirements.
- Plan and deliver safe, enjoyable and informative sailing instruction.
- Support the Day Sail programme and skipper full and half-day Day Sail trips as required.
- Adapt your training to different abilities, experience levels and learning styles.
- Help guests develop their confidence, practical sailing skills and knowledge.
- Create a positive learning environment where guests feel supported and encouraged to progress.
- Maintain effective communication with the Chief Instructor and wider Yacht Team.
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day care, housekeeping and presentation of training yachts.
- Help maintain marina, yacht and operational areas to consistently high standards.
- Advise guests on the safe and practical use of yachts, equipment and facilities.
- Maintain excellent standards of health, safety and professional practice.
- Take appropriate responsibility for the maintenance, repair, security and care of Neilson equipment.
- Respond calmly and professionally to challenges both at sea and ashore.
- Build positive relationships with guests and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Support guest briefings, social events and wider resort activities when required.
- Assist with airport transfers, arrivals and departures when required, giving guests a warm and professional Neilson welcome.
- Support the wider resort team when operationally required.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Have strong sailing knowledge and a sound understanding of associated safety procedures.
- Genuinely enjoy teaching and helping other people develop their confidence and ability.
- Can deliver fun, engaging, safe and informative tuition.
- Communicate clearly and confidently with different personalities and experience levels.
- Have strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Can think clearly and solve problems when conditions or circumstances change.
- Have good awareness of on-water safety and rescue procedures.
- Are mature, professional and comfortable taking responsibility.
- Have a strong work ethic and are willing to do what’s needed to support the operation.
- Are adaptable, resilient and able to remain calm under pressure.
- Work well independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Are considerate, approachable and committed to creating an excellent guest experience.
- Can confidently communicate and instruct in English.
You don’t necessarily need years of professional instructional experience behind you.
If you have the required qualifications, strong practical sailing foundations, the right attitude and the maturity to take responsibility for your guests and yacht, we want to hear from you.
You’ll work alongside experienced sailing professionals in a supportive environment where you can build confidence, gain substantial instructional experience and continue developing throughout the season.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- RYA First Aid Trainer qualification.
- Previous experience working within an RYA training environment.
- Previous sailing instruction or coaching experience.
- Broader knowledge of the sailing and watersports industry.
- Previous guest-facing, hospitality, resort or seasonal experience.
- Additional relevant sailing qualifications.
- Additional European language skills.
Qualifications
To be considered for the Yacht Instructor role, you must hold, or be working towards:
- Minimum RYA Cruising Instructor qualification or recognised equivalent.
- Valid First Aid certificate meeting the requirements of your relevant sailing qualification.
- Active RYA membership if your qualifications are issued by the RYA.
- VHF Licence.
- Valid International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
We welcome applications from candidates holding recognised equivalent sailing qualifications where these are appropriate for the role.
If you’re unsure whether your existing qualification is suitable, please provide full details within your application so we can review it.
For further guidance, please click here: Yacht Qualification Guidance
You do not need to have completed every required qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete one of the required qualifications before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
If you’re looking to gain the qualifications required for this role, further training information is available through: UKSA
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate meeting the requirements of your relevant sailing qualification is mandatory for the Yacht Instructor role and must remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If you hold an RYA qualification, your First Aid certification must meet the relevant RYA requirements.
The First Aid certification associated with an RYA yacht qualification is normally valid for three years. Please check that yours will remain current throughout the season.
If you need to renew or obtain your First Aid qualification before joining us, it must meet the requirements of your relevant sailing qualification and include practical, in-person training.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
