The image depicts a sailboat with a white hull and a small sail, floating on calm waters, surrounded by a clear sky, conveying a sense of serenity and tranquility.
The image depicts a lively outdoor dining area at night, featuring white tables and chairs, with patrons seated and enjoying their meals.
The image depicts a serene scene of sailboats on a large body of water, with a tall ship in the background, set against a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a bustling marina scene, with a group of people gathered on a dock, surrounded by boats and watercraft, in a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
The image depicts a group of people gathered around a dock, with a sailboat in the foreground and a building in the background, featuring a sign that reads "Cala Vela".
The image depicts a sailboat with a person on board, navigating through calm waters, conveying a sense of relaxation and leisure. The scene is set against a serene backdrop.
The image shows a young boy in a small white boat on the water, holding a wooden oar with both hands. The boat has the word "Vela" written on it.
The image depicts a group of 11 people, including children and adults, posing for a photo in front of a stone wall with a decorative light fixture.
The image depicts a woman standing behind a counter in a restaurant, with a man in the background and a refrigerator on the left. The atmosphere appears to be dimly lit.
The image depicts a group of children seated on benches, intently listening to a man presenting on a whiteboard in a covered outdoor area.
The image depicts a group of children and adults gathered in a campsite, surrounded by tents and trees, with a basketball hoop visible in the background.
The image depicts a lively outdoor dining area at night, with a crowd of people seated at tables and a white building with a sign that reads "Smaré" in the background.
The image depicts a woman in a dinghy boat, with a sailboat in the background, both on a large body of water, set against a blue sky with buildings in the distance.
The image depicts two musicians performing on stage, with a guitarist and keyboardist playing in front of a stone wall and a blue banner promoting scuba diving.
The image depicts a group of children and an adult gathered around a long blue picnic table, enjoying food and drinks.
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Help out at our sailing school and in our new cafe restaurant in Salento, Italy

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    80 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    26 Oct 2026

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    35

    Total number of feedback received and left

  • Email verified

    Email verified

  • paid opportunity

    Host offers payment

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Italy to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Valid Italian work visa/EU citizenship required

    We are a sailing school and bar-restaurant located in Salento, a region in southeastern Italy, specifically in Santa Maria di Leuca.
    We offer sailing lessons for both children and adults.
    Our activities include weekly sailing courses, as well as sailing camps for kids in June and July.
    We have always loved sailing and have spent our entire lives around the sea and boats. For us, it’s all about having fun!
    From april to october our bar-restaurant is also open, offering seafood cuisine, a wide variety of beers, and wines.
    A fantastic place to enjoy good music, eat, and drink in good company.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Teaching
    Light gardening
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Light maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    For many years we have hosted people from different countries. We love improving our English and enjoy a cultural exchange with everyone who wants to spend some time with us and learn the Italian language and culture. More than 30 people have stayed with us at our sailing school through Workaway.

    At first we offered only accommodation and food, but when we realized that our guests really wanted to give us a hand, we decided to offer a payment to everyone, according to their skills.

    In their free time, in agreement with the instructors, they also have the chance to learn how to sail.

    Everyone arrives as a Workawayer, but leaves as a good friend.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    This host offers accommodation and payment.

  • Help

    Help

    Ciao a tutti!
    Sailing Instructors Wanted – Join Us in Santa Maria di Leuca

    Our vision for the Sailing School program is to provide a fun, safe and rewarding experience for all participants, who will likely have a wide range of sailing abilities and experience. We are looking for Sailing Instructors from different countries.

    Year-round Sailing Instructor – a long-term project
    We are looking for a skilled sailing instructor who wants to move to Santa Maria di Leuca and build something with us over the years. We believe sailing here can be a year-round activity, and we want to bet on it together. This is not just a job: it is an opportunity to shape your own role and help grow a sailing school from the ground up.

    You will work alongside us on everything that revolves around the school:

    Boat maintenance and maintenance of the sailing school base
    Projects and development of the school
    Training sessions with Optimist and other boats during winter weekends
    Sailing courses for children and adults from June to September
    Leading the team of seasonal instructors in the summer, if you have the skills for it

    You will always be supported by our team and will have everything you need to carry the project forward.

    We are looking for someone who:

    Is passionate, motivated and ready to commit
    Has proven experience teaching sailing to children
    Has experience in boat maintenance
    Speaks some Italian (preferred)
    Holds a boating licence (patente nautica) (preferred)

    We offer: accommodation above the sailing school base and a salary based on the work you are able to carry out and organize.

    Summer Instructors
    We are also looking for sailing instructors for the summer season.

    Summer Camp Companions
    We are looking for people who can stay with our students during the summer camps. Your tasks: speak English with the students during sport activities, and take pictures and videos for our social media and website.

    Café/Restaurant Staff
    We also run a café/restaurant in the same area and we are looking for a barman/bartender, a kitchen assistant and waiters.

    Terms
    We offer accommodation and payment. Regular payment. We can only accept European citizens, people with a residence permit, or dual citizens.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    We love to host people for a language exchange, for us and sure for our students and for our bar restaurant customers.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    The school is situated in a beautiful garden (we call it "the ranch"), in the village centre, close to the sea. You will be housed on the upper floor of the school, which has eight beds, a kitchen and a shared bathroom. When necessary during the sailing camps, you will stay at a campsite with our students.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    It's preferable if you speak english fluent and a little Italian. The period is from april to September.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have two wi-fi lines one for sailing school and one for bar/restaurant. I don't know the speed but normally we don't have any problems. There are many usb plug and socket near every table in our space.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 686968652125

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