Client Comments

 

Henry

Gareth and his team are fanatastic. Second week sailing with Gareth very knowledgeable and skilled but great fun. Just had a sailing skills week so was able to go at our pace with what we wanted to. Would sail with Salana every day if I could.
Nov 2018

 

Peter

All went like a breeze 🙂
We arranged all via email. No probs, no weird requirements or rules.
Upon arrival, the boat was ready, so we simply entered, like in a hotel. It was a simple course for six days with a very relaxed, knowledgeable trainer and fully flexible schedule. I felt like I was on a cruise ship, but indeed learned a lot ranging from navigation and wind directions to safety on while sailing. All structured and well organized. I am planning to return.
May 2018

 

Yannick

If you are novice, be sure that you will come back home with knowledge you would not have expect to gain within one week.
They are definitely patient to give you time to process everything and then they will test the knowledge over and over 😀

You feel safe and secure on their boat so the perfect surrounding to be learning how to sail.
I am glad we landed with Salana and having in my mind to follow a next course one day maybe also with them.
Feb 2018

 

Paula

Gareth will be wincing with that butchering of nautical sayings (his own mastermind subject), but I have to say that after spending a full week doing my Day Skipper course with Salana Sailing, I couldn’t have asked for a better combination of top quality patient instruction in such a lovely relaxed social sailing environment. It was my first time doing such a course and I had an absolute ball. The mornings were spent topping up on theory, followed by practical boat manoeuvres and then finishing the day off with lively evenings in local restaurants with excellent company all around. No eye cream will get rid of those laughter lines and I now know the meaning of the saying ‘Three sheets to the wind’! Anna and Gareth are a super couple that work really well together and create a lovely atmosphere on their boats. They go out of their way to make sure you enjoy the sailing experience as much as they do and have words of encouragement for everyone, regardless of their sailing level. It was no surprise to hear that the majority of their clients are repeat business and I for one will be happy to join that crew. Thanks a million to you both xx plus one for Quirky x
Feb 2018

 

Marlena

I just returned from my Day Skipper Practical course in Malta with Salana Sailing and couldn’t be more pleased with my experience. Gareth is a patient and thorough instructor, who instills his passion for, and knowledge of, sailing with each exercise. He encourages questions and takes ample time to make sure his students are not only capable of completing the syllabus, but also acquire additional practical knowledge that extends beyond the skills outlined for successful course completion. Anna Maria was extremely helpful in helping me make arrangements for the course and was willing to provide many suggestions for activities I might participate in during my post-course stay in Malta. Lastly, the onboard lunches that Gareth made and the evening restaurant choices were great!
Sept 2017

 

Mia

So I’ve just completed my ‘Competent Crew’ with Salana Sailing, and I heartily recommend it! This was the first time I’d been sailing, and my word, Salana Sailing was totally the right choice in choosing to take those first steps with, because I’m hooked! Run by a wonderful couple, and experiencing this week with one half of this engaging duo, I was totally put at ease straight away.

Gareth provided such a wide breadth of knowledge of sailing that was comforting, without being overwhelming. From those first steps of safety instructions, and motoring out of the marina, to really getting into the nitty gritty physical side of sailing, I really felt it was within my grasp.

Malta is such a beautiful country to run this course in! To see it from the water really brought that beauty to another dimension! Gareth’s vast local knowledge meant that we could anchor up in the stunning Mgarr ix-Xini for example. The setting of the Bradgelina movie ‘By The Sea,’ (terrible movie but picturesque setting) Gareth was exceptional in explaining everything in detail so that we easily understood what was required of us, and how to sail safely.

Thank you Salana Sailing for an amazing week, and I can’t wait for the next step, day skipper!
Sept 2017

 

Frank-Waret

We sailed with Anna and Gareth for 6 days/5 nights in Malta this last August. It was our first sailing experience ever and feared a bit how it would go with our family of 4 kids.

It turned out to be a great experience, the kids never got bored and I liked it so much that I want to go back on my own and take the skipper course. My wife also loved it, which is quite an achievement to have hyper active me and super relaxed her both love it.

Noticeable items include:

1. Gareth and Anna being super nice, dedicated, they spent so much time with the kids to make them also enjoy their experience: knot making competition, dinky tours, dyi boat construction, skip the boat yourself,… all great for our seven years old twins boys.

2. The boat is very comfortable: beds are all comfortables and large, two showers, two bathrooms, fridge, freezer,… Everything you need is there. A tip anyway: fight the get to sleep in front cabin, which is by far the largest one!

3. Anna does the cooking as well, some of the dishes she made are just delicious, like the maltese rabbit for example. And she also spots really well when to pull out the fresh bottle of white wine and start the short drinks moment.

4. Anna was also veru helpful when we planned the trip, she took her time to answer our questions and made it really clear what to expect and what not to expect on the boat.
Aug 2017

 

Masha

Salana Sailing is by far the best way to complete your Day Skipper theory and practical course. If you want to immerse yourself in sun, sea and great company, look no further! I’ve just returned from Malta, where my theory and practical training was all done on the boat over a period of two weeks. This is definitely the best way to learn, understand, and enjoy sailing. Gareth and Anna are fantastic instructors, whose love of sailing is the most beautiful gift you will take away with you when you return home. I look forward to my next trip on Salana in the Canary Islands!
Aug 2017

 

Rasmus

⭐Superb sailing ⭐Beautiful Boats ⭐Skilled skippers ⭐Great company ⭐Delicious food
Very well maintained and well equipped boats skippered by EXCELLENT people!
Anna made my trip with Salana Sailing happen with the best and friendliest of helpfulness – and Gareth made sure the trip had everything it needed in fun, adventurous and educational experiences.
Don’t hesitate – GO GO GO!
Jun 2017

 

Janet

Just back from our second fabulous trip with Salana Sailing – this time Tenerife and La Gomera over Christmas and New Year. Brilliant holiday, lovely boat and, as usual, Gareth and Anna were terrific hosts/skippers/instructors. I would totally recommend sailing with Salana Sail – whether you’re a newby or an experienced sailor – you’ll have great time!
Jan 2017

 

Maria & Manuel

It was a fantastic week despite the south easterlies! Anna Maria makes everything so easy! We had a lot of fun! Thank you very much for these fantastic days sailing in Tenerife and La Gomera! We would like to do it again!!!
Jan 2017

 

Kathy

What can I say about Salana Sail? I booked a trip with them for my husband’s 60th birthday with our two teenage girls. The girls and I wanted to do our competent crew and my husband wanted to do his coastal skipper so we were looking someone who could do both. We found Salana through the RYA over the internet and I am always a bit nervous when booking anything over the internet as you never know what you are going to get. I needn’t have worried. Anna was so helpful and reassuring throughout the arrangements and when we met Anna and Gareth at the marina we knew we had made the right choice.

Nothing was too much trouble for Salana Sail. We had a fabulous experience. The highlights for me apart from the excellent tuition were the night sailing and the snorkelling. I also really appreciated Anna and Gareth’s patient but no-nonsense approach to my stroppy 12 year-old daughter who learned loads inspite of herself! My 16 year-old found sailing with the Genoa the best part of the trip and of course my husband was relieved to have passed his Coastal Skipper assessment. The catering was excellent despite the demands of my teenage pescitareans; we particularly enjoyed Anna’s morning smoothies and the first coffee of the morning. We really wished we had booked two weeks as it was by far the best part of our three weeks in Malta. If you are considering booking with them, do it, you won’t be disappointed.
Aug 2015

 

Jo

“… Just back from Lanzarote.  Great trip.  No wind but learnt a lot about sailing longer distances & loved the Moroccan ports”
Oct 2016

 

 Howard

“An interesting journey of 2000 miles on Felicity, from Sicily to Sardinia, Corsica, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco and the Canarys. Thanks to Anna and Gareth for preparing the boat so well, and to Gareth for skippering the fleet with his usual good judgement. Felicity was good to sail, and we had everything from mirror calm to strong winds and big seas. All of which was made even better by a seemingly endless supply of fresh tuna form the master fisherman!”
September/October/November 2016

 

Annette

“Gareth, Anna & Qwerky thank you for your friendship, instruction, cooking, hospitality, Nespresso machine, local knowledge, sense of humour, patience and of coarse the boat”
Sept 2016

 

 
Silvia & Pierre

“Dear Gareth, thank you for the fantastic week and for being such a good instructor and cook for us. We really enjoyed sailing Salana and never imagined our RYA day skipper course could be so cool. ”
July 2016

 

Graham

“Gareth, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for an amazing cruise around Malta. Your care of us, in all aspects, was absolutely fantastic.  You made us feel so very welcome and your relaxed nature was a delight. We’ve some great memories of a beautiful Island. Sam has asked if we can come back again next year.

All the very best, Graham, Gill, Emily, James and Sam the fisherman.”

Aug 2015

 

 
Trudy

“Huge credit to Gareth and Anna Maria who were able to astutely assess levels of experience, and interest, to tailor every individual’s requirements. Taking helm on this beautiful yacht was a dream, she is fast as well as forgiving… even when I stalled the sails! A truly special day, and one to remember…”
July 2014

 

Neil

“I have been sailing with Gareth (and more recently, Anna) for over 7 years. There’s a reason I keep going back – experience – both in terms of their ability, and the experience one gets from sailing with them. The local knowledge of the Maltese islands means you’ll drop the pin in some of the most beautiful of bays and when required, will always get a table at the best restaurants available. Go enjoy!”
July 2014

 

Josef

“Salana offered tremendous thrills to seasoned sailors whilst never embarrassing a cumbersome, clumsy rookie like myself. Indeed, she made us all feel graceful as she tacked, trimmed and pointed with ease and limitless charm!”
July 2014

 

Annabelle

“We had an absolute great day out! Gareth and Anna were amazing, and I was particularly impressed in how they handled Jay and Zak, despite their young age involving them in the sailing and making them feel part of it all. I was impressed the boys did not need their iPad all day! Great hospitality, great sailing boat, lovely people”
July 2014

 

Clive

“Thank you for a great week … I am struggling to think how it could have been better.”
June 2014

 

Anita

“What a fantastic week with Emma on Felicity. You understood our request for a holiday with variety and relaxation. We had a great combination of learning new things, having new experiences and relaxing when we wanted to. Every day was different from the gentle sail to Gozo, the ‘epic’ 16 hour return from Syracuse to Grand Harbour arriving at night to fireworks and the anchorage at ‘big hole’. Emma was the perfect hostess and instructor. Highly recommended!”
June 2014

 

Annalise

“A day on Salana proved to be fun, a learning experience and kept me with the urge to leave the shore and sail once again.”
September 2013

 

Angel

“We organised an office event on Salana and where truly enchanted by the personalised service we have been given. It was a worthwhile event where we had the opportunity to experience some sailing and bond further amongst ourselves. A must repeat activity.”
July 2013

 

Simon

“Fantastic trip yesterday! Thank you Anna and Gareth for having us on board. And lots of laughs about which I will leave others to describe :)”
August 2013

 

Jackson

“We had an absolutely incredible time on the Yacht. Gareth was so very friendly and made us feel as if the yacht really was “ours” for the day. From the champagne to the fresh cooked lunch, everything was perfect. After sailing the Mediterranean for the past two months all of us in our party agreed this was by far our favourite day of our trip so far. The Sailboat was perfectly maintained and Gareth made us feel incredibly special. We never felt rushed nor as if we were on any schedule but our own. Anna Maria has been so helpful with the booking from start to finish and accommodated our every request. Thank you for giving us a day we will never forget!”
August 2013

 

Colin

“I would like to report what a fantastic experience I and a group of friends had on Salana last Saturday. She’s a lovely yacht and the crew are very hospitable and great company. Highly recommended.”
August 2013

 

Francina

“I spent a fantastic week on Salana, sailing from Malta to Pantelleria. It was just the right mixture of fun and learning, and allowed me to brush up on my sailing whilst having a great holiday. Gareth was a top skipper, and made everyone feel at ease. I would recommend sailing with them, whatever your skill level.”
June 2013