Our History
Sunsail Heritage
For over 50 years, Sunsail has been creating unforgettable sailing holidays since our inception in 1974. As the world’s leading sailing holiday company, we have established ourselves by offering unparalleled sailing adventures in some of the most stunning cruising locations worldwide.
Our journey began in 1974 when we set sail from Aegina, nestled in Greece’s beautiful Saronic Gulf, with a fleet of just seven 25ft Snapdragon yachts. Under the leadership of Skipper Janet Green, alongside Australian hostie Megan and English engineer David Archer, our inaugural sailing holiday proved immensely successful. This prompted the expansion of our fleet with seven more Snapdragons, marking the birth of our first flotilla fleet.
Even after all these years, our passion for sailing remains as strong as it was at the beginning. Today, we offer bareboat charters in over 20 stunning sailing destinations and organise flotilla sailing holidays in four countries. Our fleet has expanded significantly from its humble beginnings, now boasting 538 yachts. Additionally, we’ve established sailing schools worldwide to impart our knowledge and enthusiasm, aiming to inspire the same excitement we felt half a century ago.
Our Journey
Founded in Greece (1974):
Launched in Greece’s Saronic Gulf. Founder Janet Green started operations on the island of Aegina with seven 25ft Snapdragons.
Sunsail invents the Flotilla, the first one to set sail in the Saronic Gulf.
1978
The first fleet sails the Turkish coast, via Rhodes
1984
Yacht school launches first courses in the UK
1986
First Beach Club opens in Punta Zeza in Greece
1988
Yacht Cruising Association was purchased by Island Sailing to form the Sunsail Group.
The Sunsail Group purchases Alcor Yachting in Switzerland and Stevens Yachts in the Caribbean.
120 new yachts bought for the Mediterranean.
1990
Bahamas Yachting Services purchased.
Sunsail sales office established in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1991
A new base in Thailand was established, the first charter company to operate in this exotic location, with 7 yachts
1993
390 yachts operating in the Med.
100 yachts operating in the Caribbean.
19 yachts operating in Thailand.
6 Beach Clubs now in operation
1994
Australia and New Zealand operations were established.
Take over of Greek Island Sailing beachfront operation.
Open 2 new Sunsail Clubs.
New cruising area in the Peloponnese, Greece
1995
Seychelles operations start.
Sunmarina in Turkey and Club Vounaki in Greece open
1995
Balearics and Tonga bases open
1997
3 new Clubs in the Med (Leda, Galini & Yedi Tepe)
1998
A new base in Croatia & the first Club in the Caribbean, Club Colonna, Antigua
1999
Acquired by First Choice Holidays PLC, a major UK travel company.
2001
Sunsail opens in Langkawi, Malaysia
Sunsail and Stardust Yacht Charters merge making Sunsail the world’s largest charter company offering 1200 yachts in 23 countries with 39 bases.
2002
Sunsail orders 180 yachts from French builders Jeanneau, Beneteau, Fountaine Pajot, and Lagoon.
2004
Expanded Croatia bases adding Kornati.
2005
Sunsail offers a wider range of courses and shore activities at all Clubs.
First Choice Holidays PLC, acquires Boca Raton, Fla.-based Grand Expeditions Inc., bringing yacht charter companies Sunsail and The Moorings together under the same ownership.
2006
Sunsail announces purchase of new Jeanneau i-range yachts from 32′ to 39′
Awarded Best Asia-based Charter Company – Sunsail
Sunsail continued to expand its operations in Asia with the introduction of two new bases in Koh Samui (Thailand) and Phang Nga Bay (Vietnam), complementing their existing Asia Pacific bases of the Whitsundays, Phuket (Thailand), Tahiti and Lankgawi (Malaysia).
2007
Sunsail UK office moves into its’ New Green Headquarters in Clearwater, Florida.
Sunsail’s BVI base moves into a new location in Wickham’s Cay II marina,
TUI AG and First Choice Holidays merge to become TUI Travel PLC
2008
Sunsail Launch New Charter Yacht Sunsail 44i.
2009
Sunsail announces a new base in Pula.
The new 384 catamaran and 42i monohull join the fleet.
2010
Sunsail 384 was Awarded SAIL Magazine’s Best Boat and Cruising World Magazines Best Multihull Cruiser and Import Boat of the Year.
Sunsail announces three new charter destinations in Belize, Granada and Athens; all offering bareboat and skippered charter holidays.
Sunsail announces the launch of ‘Sunsail Racing’ with a brand new fleet of Sunsail F40s in the UK.
Sunsail launches UK Flotilla, Club Daidalos.
Sunsail 33i launched.
New Sailing School Centre at Vounaki.
New charter base in Procida, Italy.
New green initiative with Ecover.
2011
Sunsail launched a new catamaran, the Sunsail 444 and the sport Sunsail 38 monohull.
Launch of the Sunsail Racing new Winter racing programme in the Canary Islands, which also is a new school destination.
Launched match Racing Academy in Lymington.
2012
Sunsail 444 was awarded Boat of the Year by Cruising World Magazine.
Sunsail launched a new Medal Racing programme in Weymouth.
New Olympic and Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations at Club Vounaki.
New Grenada and Kalamos Flotilla routes.
2013
Sunsail 484 wins Cruising World’s “Best Multihull” award.
Sunsail introduces Sunsail 51, Sunsail 47 and Sunsail 444.
New charter bases in Mallorca, San Francisco and Vancouver Island.
New Whitsundays and Seychelles Flotilla Routes.
2014
TUI Group created Travelopia, a multilevel travel and tourism company, which includes Sunsail and The Moorings.
2015
US Sailing, the national governing body of the sport, and Sunsail have agreed on a multi-year sponsorship deal to continue to be an official sponsor of US Sailing
2017
Sunsail 454 wins “Best Charter Boat 2017”
Sunsail celebrates its 43rd anniversary and continues to operate as a prominent global yacht charter company.
TUI Group sold Travelopia to KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.), a global investment firm.
2021
Awarded Best Travel Company for Sailing / Flotilla Holidays and Best Travel Company for Adventure Holidays
2022
Sunsail 424 wins the Boat of the Year award
2023
Awarded Gold Trusted Service Award (FEEFO)
2024
Sunsail celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary
New partnership with Dufour Yachts as exclusive monohull yacht builder. Launches the Sunsail 37.3, Sunsail 41.3, Sunsail 44.3, and Sunsail 53.5.
Sunsail partners with Blue Marine Foundation as part of the new OCEAN promise sustainability initiative.