The Coastal Exploration Co Sea School is a formal, one-day, hands-on course in North Sea sailing, salt marsh exploration, and tidal navigation. Designed for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and aspiring sailors, the program combines practical experience aboard our smaller traditional vessels—a mussel flat, crab boat, or whelk boat—all standing lug rigged—with the comprehensive knowledge contained in the Coastal Exploration Co Field Guide.

Participants sail in small groups, primarily exploring the calm, protected waters of the North Norfolk salt marsh, with occasional ventures to open coastal stretches when conditions allow. The structured course covers:

• Fundamentals of sailing
  

• Boat handling
  

• Reading tides and tidal patterns
  

• Navigation of salt marshes and shallow channels
  

• Working with lines and knots
  

• Water safety and emergency procedures
  

• Choosing and using personal kit for coastal sailing
  

• Wild swimming techniques and safety
  

Trips include mindful exploration of salt marsh creeks, wildlife observation, and gentle wild swimming, creating a unique blend of practical learning, adventure, and relaxation.

Led by experienced Coastal Exploration Co skippers, the Sea School allows participants to develop hands-on seamanship skills, deepen their connection to the natural world, and gain a greater appreciation of North Sea maritime heritage. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced sailors alike, the course provides a safe, low-impact, and unforgettable way to explore the North Norfolk coast.Time:
8 hours, depending on tides, weather and the light, which also involves a sail to a different location and then a walk off the salt marsh, with a pick up.

Boat Options:
16’ open engineless mussel flat up to 4 pax.
20’ open wooden lug rigged crab boat up to 6 pax.
30’ whelk boat up to 8 pax.

Cost;
£170 per person

Food:
We work with local food producers to provide some of the best of Norfolk’s sustainable food. Breakfast is typically bacon and eggs with tea or locally ground coffee or a vegetarian option such as halloumi cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes and for lunch we serve a light picnic or if it is cold, soup. We also serve homemade cake which could vary from flapjack to lemon drizzle cake to chocolate cake.

Experience:
No experience is required, we are happy to take clients with no experience and we adjust the level/pace to suit you,.