How Wind Power Reduces Fuel Use on Our Sailing Trips – Plus Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint Onboard

When you’re planning your next getaway, the environmental impact probably isn’t the first thing on your mind – and that’s okay. But what if you could have an incredible vacation and be more mindful of fuel use? That’s exactly what sailing offers.

A Look at Fuel Consumption

Let’s talk about fuel consumption. On a typical week-long sailing trip with approximately 10 people aboard, we use roughly 100 liters of fuel, depending on wind, routing, and other conditions – that’s just 10 liters per person for an entire week of travel.

When comparing fuel use for propulsion alone, sailing typically requires considerably less fuel per person than large motorized vessels or car-based travel.

Cruise Ships: Average weekly fuel consumption per person per week on cruise ships – typically contributes approximately 800 kg of CO₂ per person (depending on the characteristics of the ship, route, and other conditions), according to research.

Our Sailing Trips: approximately 10 liters of diesel per person per week (approximately 25 kg of  CO₂), based on our average consumption so far.

This comparison relates solely to fuel used for propulsion and onboard power generation and does not represent a full lifecycle environmental assessment.

While massive cruise ships and car-dependent vacations consume fuel continuously, sailing harnesses the wind for the majority of propulsion. We only fire up the engines when absolutely necessary – entering and leaving marinas, navigating through no-wind zones, or recharging the batteries.

Beyond Fuel: How to Minimize Your Impact on Marine Environments

Reducing fuel consumption is just the beginning. Here are our tips to reduce your impact on the environment while on board:

Marine-Safe Personal Care Products

The waters we sail in are pristine, and we want to keep them that way. We encourage our sailors to use biodegradable, marine-safe soaps, shampoos, and sunscreens. Traditional products may contain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems, while products marketed as ‘reef-safe’ or biodegradable–where supported by independent certification or ingredient transparency–can work just as well with less environmental cost.

What to pack:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based, not chemical)
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
• Natural deodorants
• Avoid products with microplastics or oxybenzone
• Pack clothing made from natural or responsibly produced materials, where possible
• Skip single-use plastics

Waste Reduction

Finite storage space on a boat encourages more mindful consumption. We advocate:

• Sourcing fresh, local ingredients at village markets along our route (less packaging, lower carbon footprint from transport, and many say better taste!)
• Minimizing single-use plastics
• Properly disposing of all waste at designated marina facilities
• Shopping for only what we need while on the trip to reduce food and packaging rubbish
• Preventing items from falling or blowing overboard

Responsible Anchoring

We anchor in designated areas and avoid damaging sensitive seagrass beds and coral. Our crew takes care to identify protected marine areas and respect local environmental regulations.

How Sailing Connects You with Nature

Every trip is an opportunity to connect with the ocean and understand why protecting it matters. When you’re swimming in crystal-clear waters, snorkeling among marine life, and watching the sun set over untouched coastlines, environmental stewardship becomes personal.

Wind power isn’t new technology – it’s ancient, reliable, and harnesses the forces of nature. Modern sailing yachts are designed to maximize wind propulsion while minimizing engine use.

But here’s the best part: choosing a trip designed to reduce fuel use doesn’t mean compromising on experience. Our sailors aren’t roughing it or making sacrifices – they’re having incredible adventures while connecting with the living seas.

Small Actions, Big Impact

If you’re joining us for a sailing trip, here are simple ways to minimize your environmental impact:

• Be mindful of water usage (it’s a limited resource onboard)
• Dispose of waste properly
• Respect marine life – look but don’t touch
• Support local businesses at port stops
• Leave beaches and anchorages cleaner than you found them

The Future of Travel is Wind-Powered

The Mediterranean’s beauty, the Adriatic’s crystal waters, the Greek islands’ charm – they’re all worth protecting. And when you choose sailing, you’re choosing to connect with nature along your journey.

Your wind-powered adventure awaits.

Browse our 2026 sailing trips →

Transparency & Scope: Environmental impact varies depending on weather, route, and individual behavior. Any comparisons in this article relate specifically to fuel use for propulsion and onboard power generation and do not represent a full lifecycle environmental assessment.