DofE Gold Residentials
If you are working towards your Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, one of the fundamental steps is completing your DofE Gold Residential. That’s where we come in – our DofE Gold Residential sailing activity is all about adventure, new people, and unforgettable experiences.
During the school holidays, our DofE Gold Residential voyages offer the chance to spend five days and five nights away from home, taking part in a shared sailing adventure with people you’ve never met before. As part of the crew, you will sail, live, and work together – arriving as strangers and leaving as friends, with newfound confidence, stronger teamwork skills, and memories you’ll be talking about long after the voyage ends.
You can qualify for your Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Residential on one of our Adventure Sailing voyages or other suitable course that meets the requirements. Generally voyages start and finish in Plymouth (unless stated otherwise) and follow the RYA Cruising syllabus. In addition, many voyages also give you the opportunity to gain an RYA qualification, such as RYA Start Yachting or RYA Competent Crew.
So, if you’re looking for a Gold Residential that’s active, social, confidence‑boosting, and seriously fun, this could be the perfect choice. Although, we always recommend checking with your DofE leader beforehand.
Details of sailing dates and availability can be found further down the page. In the meantime, you can read about other people’s experiences in our testimonials or by following the links to our Facebook page.
Also, if you are aged 18 or over and would like to complete your DofE Gold Residential through a sailing activity, you can also do this on one of our Adult RYA courses, which run throughout the sailing season.
Or, if it’s a DofE Expedition you are looking for, we run open DofE Expedition voyages on board Moosk. More information can be found here »
Location
Sailing in the magnificent waters along the south Devon and south Cornwall coast, sailing east or west depending on the weather conditions, there are plenty of hidden coves, tiny islands and harbours with places to fish, swim, visit beaches and have barbecues.
Life on board
Together, you and the rest of the crew are responsible for all aspects of life on board, from helming and navigation to cooking, keeping the boat clean and tidy, getting the sails up and rowing ashore. However, no previous sailing experience is necessary to take part, our professional sailing staff will show you exactly what you need to do. There’s plenty of time to chill out on deck after all the work is done and keep an eye out for dolphins, basking sharks, and you might even try your hand at catching some mackerel for supper.
Handy learning aids
Before you come on your voyage you could buy yourself some easy to learn marine Flip Cards, or you could put them on your birthday or Christmas wish list! They will teach you about the codes and nautical rules and come in a handy pocket size pack. They are also a great refresher if you have sailed before. We suggest these, which can be purchased direct from Flip Cards or from any chandlery in-store or online:
- Rule of the Road
- IALA Buoyage – Area A
- Lights and Shapes
RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook
An RYA logbook can be purchased from us during your voyage, currently £8.50. If buying from elsewhere you will need the G158 version.
Dates and Availability
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| Voyage dates | Price | Itinerary* | Vessel and Course** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 25 - 30 October 2026 age group 12 - 15 yrs Availability - 7 places | £990 per person | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew |
| Autumn 25 - 30 October 2026 age group 16 - 19 yrs Availability - 3 places | £990 per person | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Moosk RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| SEE NEXT TAB FOR 2027 DATES | |||
| Voyage dates | Price | Itinerary* | Vessel and Course** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 4 - 9 April 2027 age group 13 - 19 yrs Availability - 12 places | £1,080 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £990 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4 pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| Spring 30 May - 4 June 2027 age group 13 - 19 yrs Availability - 7 places | £1,040 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £990 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Moosk RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| Summer 4 - 9 July 2027 age group 15 - 19 yrs Availability - 7 places | £1,124 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £999 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Moosk RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| Summer 11 - 16 July 2027 age group 13 - 19 yrs Availability - 12 places | £1,132 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £1,020 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| Summer Adventure Challenge 25 - 30 July 2027 age group 14 - 19 yrs Availability - 12 places | £1,132 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £1,032 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights Isles of Scilly*** Embark 1pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Competent Crew RYA Watch Leader Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential Those seeking to work towards or fulfill their Watch Leader Certificate need to have already attained their Competent Crew Certificate |
| Summer 1 - 6 August 2027 age group 13 - 19 yrs Availability - 12 places | £1,132 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £1,032 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
| Autumn 24 - 29 October 2027 age group 12 - 15 yrs Availability - 12 places | £1,040 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £945 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Johanna Lucretia RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew |
| Autumn 24 - 29 October 2027 age group 16 - 19 yrs Availability - 7 places | £1,040 per person EARLY BIRD OFFER £945 per person Offer ends 31 December 2026 | 5 nights West Country Embark 4pm Plymouth Disembark 12noon Plymouth | Moosk RYA Start Yachting RYA Competent Crew Qualifies as DofE Gold Residential |
*We sail in the waters along the south Devon and south Cornwall coast, sailing east or west depending on the weather conditions. Possibly reaching the Isles of Scilly when the weather is perfect.
**All courses follow the RYA Cruising syllabus, and can include the option to gain Royal Yachting Association Qualifications.
***This voyage will involve longer passages and overnight sailing. The desination will be weather/sea condition dependent and may be changed to the Channel Islands or Isle of Wight.
All the above voyages are suitable for mile building.
Prices include accommodation, use of waterproofs, safety equipment and all meals on board.
To book or find out more
Contact us on 01752 823007, email info@theislandtrust.org.uk, or use the enquiry form at the bottom of this page.
If you need some advice about whether this is the right choice for you, or you want to know which type of voyage to choose please call us on 01752 823007 or email us.
We know some people will need help to raise the funding to pay for one of our voyages and we can offer to help you do this. Please call for details.
All voyages are operated by The Island Trust’s trading subsidiary Island (Cutter) Ltd.
RYA Recognised Training Centre
Crewed by professional sailing staff, qualified at the highest level, all of our vessels have been coded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and inspected for seaworthiness and safety.
The Island Trust and its operating company, Island (Cutter) Ltd, have robust policies and procedures in place to guarantee your safety on board including:
- Health and Safety Policies
- Child Protection Policies
- Valid DBS Disclosure for all staff and volunteers
We are members of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).
Full time and relief skippers are RYA Yachtmasters and Cruising Instructors or higher, and mates and volunteers are qualified to levels appropriate to the responsibilities they carry in accordance with statutory MCA and RYA regulations and guidelines.
More information about RYA training can be found on our RYA courses page»
Get in touch
Please phone us on 01752 823007, email info@theislandtrust.org.uk, or use the enquiry form below:
* denotes an obligatory field