Foundation Centro Velico Caprera

Since 1967, people and the environment have been the focus of our activities.
Choose your sailing course
Choose according to your availability

Foundation
Sailing Center
Caprera

Since 1967, people and the environment have been the focus of our activities.
Choose your sailing course
Choose your sailing course

History,
origins and roots

The Centro Velico Caprera was founded in 1967 by Vittorio di Sambuy, Marco Notarbartolo di Sciara e Guido Colnaghi, who had an idea, or rather a dream: to create a sailing school based on the values and traditions of the Italian Navy. It was realised thanks to the Italian Touring Club and the Lega Navale of Milan.

learn more

A future made of people

With more than 2,000 volunteers, CVC has become Italy's largest sailing institution and a true international role model.
It is thanks to the Caprerini generations that have succeeded each other over more than 50 years that tradition and innovation have been able to unite under the school's founding values.

learn more

Protecting the sea and the land

Respect for the sea and the surrounding environment have been beacons of CVC from the very beginning.

Over the years, the focus has further increased with the installation of solar thermal, the elimination of all single-use plastics, environmentally friendly commandos, and the commitment of Project M.A.R.E.

learn more
0
VOLUNTEERS
0
STUDENTS
0
MILES TRAVELED ABOARD THE PROJECT M.A.R.E.
0
PATIENTS/STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LIFE PROJECT

Mission

The Centro Velico Caprera ETS Foundation, with its 150,000 students since 1967, is one of the best-known sailing schools in the Mediterranean. It pursues objectives related to the preservation of the marine environment and personal well-being through contact with the sea and the practice of sailing.

Choose your sailing course

Weekends and long weekends

Dinghy

Under 14

Cruising Yacht

Special

First time sailing?

We guide you to choose the course that's right for you

Click here

Have you been sailing before?

Fill out the questionnaire for direct admission to courses

Click here

Our blog

all articles

Ocean Film Festival World Tour Italia 2025: il mare protagonista sul grande schermo

Prende il via il 14 ottobre 2025 a Milano la nona edizione dell’Ocean Film Festival World Tour Italia, rassegna itinerante che porta nelle sale italiane i migliori film internazionali dedicati al mare e alle sue sfide. Un viaggio che attraversa sport acquatici, avventura, scienza, ecosistemi da proteggere e storie di uomini e donne legati all’oceano. …

Ocean Film Festival World Tour Italia 2025: il mare protagonista sul grande schermo Leggi altro »

M.A.R.E., il Mediterraneo come non si era mai visto

Un’impressa di cui tutti noi caprerini dobbiamo andare fieri, un progetto che fotografa lo stato di salute del Mediterraneo con una precisione e accuratezza senza precedenti. La missione 2025 di M.A.R.E., da poco completata in perfetto orario rispetto alla ambiziosa tabella di marcia, segna la fine del primo ciclo quadriennale e la completa mappatura del …

M.A.R.E., il Mediterraneo come non si era mai visto Leggi altro »

MARE Project in its third week of navigation

The catamaran One, the laboratory vessel of the MARE project, has recently concluded its third week of navigation.

The CVC on board the Vespucci

Dear Caprerine and Caprerini, the tour of our instructors on the Navy's glorious Ship Amerigo Vespucci has just concluded. The shifts began with the Reggio Calabria - Palermo leg in the first week of May, then Naples -Cagliari and finally Cagliari - Gaeta and saw as many as 13 young instructors from our School take turns on board. I would like to share with you ...

The CVC on board the Vespucci Read more "

CVC Foundation - Centro Velico Caprera ETS
Sea and sailing school since 1967. Courses on Dinghies and Cabin Cruisers with a unique teaching method, a continuously updated fleet and wind conditions among the best in the Mediterranean. The CVC Foundation - Centro Velico Caprera ETS pursues objectives related to the preservation of the marine environment and personal well-being through contact with the sea. Its activities are governed by a Statute and accounted for in a Social Report.
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube
Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates about events, initiatives and exclusive offers.

SUBSCRIBE
Back to top

Below you will find useful information for attending our courses. If you have any questions, please call us on +39.02.86452191.

Within one month (30 days) before the start of the course it is necessary that:

  • Upload to your CVC account a medical certificate (for at least non-competitive activity) in pdf format (you can use our form found here
    Without a certificate you are not admitted to the courses (we remind Milanese that we have an agreement with Medici In Famiglia on non-competitive medical certificates, all details here.
  • Upload the duly signed "release" form to your account. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility for courses:
    - form for minors;
    - form for adults;
  • Upload double-sided copy in single file of one of your ID documents
  • If this is your first course at CVC, or if you have not yet taken it, you must also upload a passport-size photograph of yourself.
  • Fill in your master data in your account: "account details" menu and "master data" menu.
    For luggage, use soft bags that take up little space when folded (no hard suitcases). Remember that at the base not cigarettes and tobacco are on sale. For all courses:
    • if you have already been to the CVC, bring your SAILING BOOKLET, it will be filled in by your shift manager.
    • sleeping bag (or sheet + blanket)
    • sailor's knife (*) needed on the boat for safety and on land as a cutlery (see photo on our website under "Recommended equipment" or "Frequently asked questions")
    • boat shoes and also boat boots for cabin cruiser courses
    • 2-3 linen changes
    • 2-3 changes of sports socks
    • casual short and long trousers
    • light, long-sleeved shirts and hats to avoid sunburn (light colours recommended)
    • woolen sweaters/fleece (at least 2) to cope with the cold at sea even in the summer months
    • personal hygiene items* and towels
    • battery-powered torch*
    • sunglasses
    • sailing gloves*
    • pillowcase (travelling courses only)
    • sunscreens
    • water bottle or thermal bottle

      Especially for courses on dinghies:
        • lightweight long or short-sleeved T-shirts made of lycra
        • spry top jacket
        • neoprene wetsuit*, essential in spring and autumn, also recommended in summer
        • high sailing shoes with socks (to protect your feet from the straps) or, better still, neoprene socks*. For D3, D4 and D5 courses knee pads may be useful.
      Specifically for courses on cabin cruisers:
        • light or heavy sailing oilskin (*) depending on the season
        • Boat shoes with suitable soles (no Superga or similar, they slip), boots in cooler months
        * items that can be purchased at the Caprera commissary
From the mainland > Olbia
By ship (arrival in Olbia or Golfo Aranci)
  • with TIRRENIA, MOBYLINES or GRIMALDI, departing from Genoa, Livorno (the night before) or other ports and arriving in Olbia. For information on current Conventions send an email to the secretary's office.
  • with SARDINIA FERRIES with departure from Livorno (the evening before) and arrival in Golfo Aranci.
By air (arrival in Olbia)
  • AEROITALIA, EASYJET, VOLOTEA or other airlines, with departures from major Italian cities
Olbia > Palau
Palau is 50 km from Olbia, these are the means of transport (journey time about 1 hour):
  • from Olbia port (maritime station), regular ARST bus service. Price about 3 Euro
  • from Olbia centre (bus station), ARST bus service with departures every hour
  • from Olbia airport: - hourly bus services to downtown Olbia - TURMOTRAVEL (0789/21487) runs a direct service from Olbia airport to Palau in the summer months-see schedule: https://gruppoturmotravel.com/linee-extraurbane - Aisoni cab service, with which the CVC has an agreement (70 Euro for cab up to 4 people, 90 Euro for minibus from 5 to 8 seats, 15 Euro per person per bus for groups of more than 8 people). Reservations at #0789/709309 or online www.sardegnatours.it . Mr. Aisoni will send the most suitable means (cab, minibus) according to the number of reservations.

Palau > La Maddalena From Palau to La Maddalena regular ferry (about 15 minutes).
La Maddalena > Caprera Base Every Saturday in La Maddalena 1:45 p.m., on the Waterfront via Amendola, motorboat Apollo II departure with a CVC sign will transport students to Caprera (meet 10/15 minutes before). Before May 1 and after Oct. 31, the motorboat will be replaced by bus, same time and meeting point. Phone to be used only on Saturday of arrival in case of emergency: 347/6749599. If you arrive late, you can call a cab from La Maddalena (see contact details among Useful Phones - average price 23/30 Euro or more). The Centro Velico Caprera does not organize collective trips but reports the existence of a Facebook page dedicated to arrivals and departures so that participants can make the best travel arrangements. It is not recommended to arrive at the base bycar . Access is allowed only as far as the gate to the Precruise dock, from there you wait for other students to arrive by ferry from La Maddalena. For the duration of the course you will have no opportunity to use it. For those arriving by car it is recommended to leave it in Palau.
    The base has three settlements on the south coast of the island:
    • Punta Coda where initiation courses are usually held.
    • Refinement, where other dInghy courses or cabin cruisers usually stay
    • Pre-cruise, where the cabin courses usually stay.
    There is a CVC infirmary at Punta Coda.

When disembarking from the ferry, the students of each course are assembled and assigned a place in the dormitories. You will take possession of your sleeping place, dressed appropriately for the swimming and scuba diving test (dInghy initiation courses) or for the activity on the boats. You will then be assembled in the classroom to receive instructions from the Chief of Instructors (Shift Leader) and base staff.
There are individual safety boxes in the Punta Coda Initiation settlement. You will be given the key against a deposit of 50 Euro. In the other settlements there are collective safes. The school is not liable for the theft of items left unattended. Avoid bringing valuables or excessive amounts of money.

Timetable
Life on Caprera is regulated by the following timetable:
06.30 wake up
07.00 breakfast
07.45 lesson
09.00 boarding
12.30 disembarkation
13.00 lunch
13.45 lesson
14.30 boarding
18.30 disembarkation
20.00 dinner
21.00 comments on the day
22.30 silence

Particular attention is paid to resting during the night: very intense sporting activity does not allow hours of rest to be lost.

  1. Centro Velico Caprera is a sailing and sea school, not a holiday resort: attending courses requires commitment, discipline, a spirit of adaptation and acceptance of rules of behaviour. Access to the Bases is reserved only for those who are teachers or students on an ongoing course. Cars (which must remain outside the gate) or motorbikes, dogs or other animals are not allowed. Acceptance to courses is at the sole discretion of the School.
  2. Arrivals and departures must take place strictly in accordance with the scheduled dates and times. No responsibility is assumed by the Centre with regard to journeys to and from the Caprera base.
  3. You may not leave the base, even temporarily, except for justified reasons and with the authorisation of the base chief. Visits from relatives or friends are not allowed, without special permission from the base chief.
  4. Tidiness and cleanliness, which are essential in a community life, concern not only one's own person and personal belongings, but also the dormitories, the common rooms and services, the surroundings, as well as the equipment and facilities of the Base.
    Vital to the School is the care of the boats and materials.
  5. Sleeping after a busy and tiring day is a sacred right, so all noise in the vicinity of dormitories must stop at the hour of silence. Small radios, cassette players and the like are not welcome and their use is forbidden in the common areas. Mobile phones are also to be used discreetly, but must be switched off during communal activities.
  6. On courses with dormitory accommodation, pupils are not permitted to attend the female students' dormitories and vice versa.
  7. Safety is a dominant theme in education both at sea and on land: from the obligation to wear a life jacket to rescue and fire-fighting equipment. Everyone contributes to the work of prevention, to avoid damage to people and equipment.
  8. The Head of the base has the right to remove from the base any student who proves to be unfit for community life at the school or who is guilty of serious misconduct.
  9. The use of boats is permitted for the School's institutional activities. Any other use must be authorised by the Base Head.
  10. The CVC reserves the right to take any measures, including sanitary measures, that it deems appropriate or necessary, in compliance with or as a result of legislative and/or regulatory provisions to gain access to the base and to attend courses.
  11. The rules reported above are subject to national and regional regulations for the measures, including behavioural and individual protection ones, aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19, as well as those set out in the document "Behavioural rules for COVID-19 emergency" available for consultation. AT THIS LINKwhich is to be considered a substantial part of the present Code of Conduct.

In addition to personal telephones, to get in touch with students, from May to October, one can call the Secretariat in La Maddalena (0789/738529).

Cell phones are not allowed to be used on the boat or during lessons ashore.
Their use is allowed only during free time.

All trainees participate in communal activities (distributing meals, cleaning the mess, dormitories and facilities, helping in the sail room and on the dinghies). This will help to acquire the mindset of living together on a boat where the whole crew contributes to the activities on board.

For one day, in the weekly courses, or two days, in the fortnightly courses, each pupil is employed in the "commando."

    1. The CVC commissary is at Punta Coda and Precruise and is open daily (including Sundays). Hours: Punta Coda 12:30-1 p.m. 6:45-8 p.m. (Saturday 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.). Pre-cruise: 6:45-8 p.m. (Saturday 9:30-11 a.m.). At the commissary you can pay with cash, ATM or credit cards.
 
    1. At the commissary you can find:
 
    1. - technical garments for sailing:
 
    1. - windbreakers;
 
    1. - sailing gloves;
 
    1. - wetsuit boots;
 
    1. - neoprene wetsuits;
 
    1. - sailing pants;
 
    1. - boots (on request).
 
    1. - clothing for sailing:
 
    1. - polo shirts, sweaters;
 
    1. - shoes (on request).
 
    1. - Miscellaneous accessories: blankets, sleeping bags, knives. Cigarettes are not for sale
 
    1. You can also find:
 
    1. - drinks, cookies, snacks, etc;
 
    1. - personal hygiene items.
 
    1. If there are special needs (medicines, etc.), the commissary clerk can purchase the necessities from time to time in La Maddalena.
From week 23 to week 31 no alcohol will be sold at the Punta Coda commissary.

Coke, beer, wine and other beverages can be purchased through the staff at the commissary.
Water at the table and in the boat is provided free of charge, For personal use you can always refill your own water bottles from the dispensers provided at the bases.

    The CVC is organized to follow the diet of people with celiac disease or severe food allergies (notified to the Secretariat before the start of the course).
    In the case of food preferences, on the other hand, there may not be a dedicated meal, but one may choose the food genre, from those available, that is compatible with the intolerance as long as it is promptly reported and documented at the time of registration.

It is recommended that you bring your personal ASL card. There is an infirmary on Caprera.
If a transfer to a hospital in La Maddalena or Olbia is necessary, the student will have to pay for the transport back to the base.

    1. The last morning of your stay in Caprera is dedicated to tidying up the boats, the sails, the dormitories and the last bureaucratic formalities, including filling in the QUESTIONNAIRE (which you will have received by email in the early hours of the morning), where you can express your satisfaction with the school's activities and suggestions for improvement: we value your opinion! After filling in the questionnaire, you will have to prepare your luggage.
 
    1. Students are brought back to La Maddalena around 12.00 noon by motorboat (before 1 May and after 31 October the motorboat will be replaced by a coach). From La Maddalena you can take a ferry to Palau and from Palau the regular bus to Olbia. We recommend booking a flight or ferry departing from Olbia from 18.00 onwards.
 
    1. ARST and TURMOTRAVEL - Olbia-Palau-Olbia regular bus schedules:
 
    1. ARST: see http://arst.sardegna.it/orari_e_autolinee.html or call toll-free 800 865 042
 
    TURMOTRAVEL: see http://www.gruppoturmotravel.com/trasportopubblico.php or call 0789/21487
    1. Milan Secretariat 02/86452191
      La Maddalena Secretariat 0789/738529
      La Maddalena Hospital 0789/737732
      Cab Aisoni (Olbia/Palau) (also for minibuses) 0789/709309 - 336/814055
      Cab Todde 330/649933
      Cab Acciaro (also for minibuses of 6) 340/1554000 328/800335
      Cab Musa Roberto (also for minibuses) 347/3706074

      Phone to call only on Saturday of arrival in case of emergency: 347/6749599
1 Step 1
Can you swim?

1. Have you already attended sailing courses?

2. Have you already had experience of sailing, regattas or cruises?

3. Assess your ability to perform these manoeuvres in a white-sailed boat, either at the helm or as a crew member. (These are the manoeuvres you learn in the C2 course)

Manoeuvre
Manoeuvre never performedWith uncertaintyDiscreetlyWell
a. Setting sail from a buoy
b. Taking a buoy under sail
c. Keeping a tight bowline
d. Ruddering on slack
e. Turning to the bow
f. Stopping the boat by heaving-to
g. Gybing
h. Carrying out a sailing anchorage
i. Pulling up to a sailing dock
l. Take a hand of reefing on the mainsail when sailing
m. Changing a headsail with garrocci, while sailing, even in a strong wind
n. Recovering a man overboard

4. Can you tie these nautical knots?

Node
NoWith uncertaintyDiscreetlyWith ease
a. Savoy
b. Clove Hitch
c. Square knot
d. Sheet bend
e. Bowline
f. Taut-line hitch
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you have a licence?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. At this address you can view the full privacy policy: Privacy Policy

keyboard_arrow_leftPrevious
Nextkeyboard_arrow_right
FormCraft - WordPress form builder
1 Step 1
Can you swim?
How many years have you been sailing?
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you know how to tie these knots: bowline, clove hitch, half hitch and savoy knot?
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
What is your advanced technical level?C4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Reducing sail (mainsail - jib)
Picking up a mooring under sail
Leaving and landing on a beach
Sailing without a rudder
Manoeuvring in restricted waters
Navigating within a route
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Evaluate your level of experience on a cabin cruiserC4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Gybing with a spinnaker
Gybing with gennaker
English mooring with spring and batticule
Consult a pilot book
Preparing a piloting
Recognising I.A.L.A. signals (day/night)
Recognising a ship's navigation lights
Check the battery charge level with a tester
Interpreting a METEOMAR bulletin
Use a VHF radio with proper calling procedures
How many days in total have you sailed on a cabin cruiser?
Have you ever tackled night sailing?
How many hours have you spent at the helm, more or less?
How many times have you made a Ship Point while sailing?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. You can view the full privacy policy at this address: Privacy Policy

keyboard_arrow_leftPrevious
Nextkeyboard_arrow_right
FormCraft - WordPress form builder
1 Step 1
Can you swim?
How many years have you been sailing?
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you have a licence?
Do you know how to tie these knots: bowline, clove hitch, half hitch and savoy knot?
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
Maintaining a course
Picking up a mooring under sail
Knowledge of sailing terminology
Hoisting and lowering a sail
Adjusting a sail with the sheet
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Only for C2, C2/C3
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Using a Winch
Anchoring under sail
Reduction of sails on a cruising yacht
What is your technical level?C4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
Reducing sail (mainsail - jib)
Picking up a mooring under sail
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Evaluate your level of experience on a cabin cruiserC4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Gybing with a spinnaker
Gybing with gennaker
English mooring with spring and batticule
Consult a pilot book
Preparing a piloting
Recognising I.A.L.A. signals (day/night)
Recognising a ship's navigation lights
Check the battery charge level with a tester
Interpreting a METEOMAR bulletin
Use a VHF radio with proper calling procedures
How many days in total have you sailed on a cabin cruiser?
Have you ever tackled night sailing?
How many hours have you spent at the helm, more or less?
How many times have you made a Ship Point while sailing?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. You can view the full privacy policy at this address: Privacy Policy

Privacy acceptance
keyboard_arrow_leftPrevious
Nextkeyboard_arrow_right
FormCraft - WordPress form builder
Centro Velico Caprera
ARE YOU A NEW USER?

A password will be sent to your email address.