South Coast Cruising

Loved your first sailing adventure on the Isle of Wight or never experienced sailing on the South Coast before? Come and explore the sensational Solent as you take on new challenges.

These trips are for under 18 and 18+ year olds.

Longer cruising on the Solent

Stretch your sea legs further afield. Starting from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, enjoy a more hands-on sailing experience, taking more responsibility onboard, and mucking in with all duties while visiting new places around the Solent.

You might sail for longer, and experience new and different challenges, but all the essence of an Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust sailing adventure is retained. Water fights? Crabbing? Games? Yep, you have still got the lot!

2026 trip dates

Under 18s trips

Saturday 23 May - Wednesday 27 May (half term) (24 spaces)
Monday 27 July - Friday 31 July (18 spaces)
Wednesday 12 August - Sunday 16 August (24 spaces)

18+ years trips

Monday 29 June - Friday 3 July (24 spaces)
Monday 24 August - Friday 28 August (18 spaces)

Return to all sailing trips Contact us at [email protected]

"The Trust helps me to gain perspective, appreciate what I've achieved and move forward with my life without fear and stigma." - Jess

5 things you will want to know

1. Pick up points

There are pick up points from Birmingham south, including the South West, London and South Coast. Sheffield is also an option for the Under 18 trip from 27 July. Or you can arrange your own travel. Check your return trip invite for details.

2. Where to sleep

Everybody sleeps on their allocated boat and you will be sharing a cabin with another young person. The cabins are cosy, but they are private and just for sleeping in.

3. New friends

The yachts sail independently in the day but moor up together at night. You can see how many young people there could be on each trip next to the Trip Dates.

4. Good for a CV

Hone the skills you picked up on your first time trip or build on what you've learned on other return to sail adventures. Learn more about ropes and how sails work and practice helming and navigation. It will make you stand out.

5. Medics onboard

On all our trips there are at least two qualified medics (nurses, doctors or paramedics) to help cover any necessary medical needs of the young people.

Where do we go?

Cowes

You set sail from Trust HQ in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, on England’s South Coast. From here you venture out into the Solent, one of the most world’s most famous sailing areas.

How will I get to Cowes?

Pick up locations will be offered throughout the country. All travel from the pick up points is free as part of the trip.

Tadiwa's Story

It's like I have freedom. You don't see that every day in your life, a boat with other people who get you on it.

Being diagnosed with a brain tumour made Tadiwa feel different. A sailing trip helped him feel free, independent, and most importantly, make friends with people who understood him.

Find out more about Tadiwa's Story

Find out more about the trips Support the Trust