Atlantic Explorers offers courses for first time, beginner level sailors that aim to learn the fundamentals in boat handling, gain experience and confidence while enjoying memorable holidays. We invite students to gather a group of friends and relatives or to join solo, our tailored “from zero to hero” ten days course, learning the fundamentals in the sunny Algarve and become later immersed in live-aboard sailing expedition to the neighbor country Spain.
All courses include dinghy and vessel training, and group classes accommodate up to a max of 4 students (up to 5 allowed, if in a private group) to guarantee that all students learn and (foremost) train their cruising skills.

Who we are
Our school has over 15 years of sailing experience, working with American Sailing Association (ASA), International Yacht and Maritime Training (IYT), Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and nationally certified instructors.
Our main instructor and School Principal is Captain Ricardo Barradas – Yachtmaster Ocean commercially endorsed and Yachtmaster Instructor Sail and Power.

We take special attention on our vessels, keeping a regular exhaustive maintenance made by professionals to make sure that they are in condition to go out in the sea and that they won’t give us any surprises while you are on a course.The star of our company is a Swan 411. An absolute classic, beautifully designed by Sparkman & Stephens and strongly built by Nautor’s Swan between 1977 and 1979. Only 42 hulls were built during this period and we happen to be lucky enough to own one of them: the Blue Swan (1977, hull #14).

Our sailing ground
Algarve – Portugal
Ria Formosa, in all of its diversity presents the ideal ground for sailing, diving, surfing or simply rest. From the warmer and calmer seas if you head East, to the adrenaline wealthier seas to the west we can tailor an adventure that meets each groups’ ability and comfort level.
Just about a two-and-a-half-hour flight away from London, Paris and Amsterdam, Algarves’ charms are no secret: 200 kilometres of coastline, great weather, calm waters and a friendly social scenario. The 364 sunny days light up a shoreline carpeted with beach towels and bathers in some areas and absolute silent and empty white sands in others. Algarves’ idyllic scenes grew so significant that the region has become popular among worldwide as a tourist destination. But surprisingly while in some areas you can only beat the crowds with an early morning horse ride along the sands, fascinated with an upbeat mix of shiny yachts and gourmet restaurants, in others you can seat on an empty beach where no bells and whistles resort is there to be found or simply grab a cold beer in any vibrant 16th-century market with lively inhabitants and welcoming coffee shops.
Closest Airport: Faro International Airport – 10 minutes away from the boat!