Customer Sailing Holiday Reviews

Oliver’s Sailing Holidays is undoubtedly one of the best sailing charter companies on the Norfolk Broads. We had a breathtaking sailing excursion, thanks to their expert crew and efficient customer service. The boat was clean and well-maintained, and they provided us with all the essential sailing equipment and safety gear. The team was particularly helpful in recommending the best places to moor, eat, and explore, making our vacation unforgettable. The Norfolk Broads offers many beautiful landscapes and opportunities to sail peacefully, with excellent weather conditions and safe waters. We appreciated Oliver’s Sailing Holidays for their professionalism, excellent service, and dedication to ensure customer satisfaction. 2023 - Google Review

We’ve just had a lovely week sailing on Bright Spark. She’s a delightful yacht and sails beautifully. Easy to handle and Lizzie’s briefing and run-through was very thorough and easy to follow. Highly recommend Oliver’s to hire your next Broads yacht. Be ready to feel like a film star - we were photographed everywhere! 2023 - Google Review

Really lovely company, beautiful boats, and a stunning place to holiday. We rented Bright Spark for the weekend and Oliver’s were very helpful and welcoming. The boat was well equipped and easy to use ( e.g. fridge, USB charging) - the handover from Nick was fantastic and he expertly coached us on broads sailing techniques. The upper reaches of the river ( above the bridge ) were devoid of motor boats and a pleasure to sail in, so it was worth seeking out this part of the broads. Visiting the seals on the beach near Horsey was a highlight! 2023 - Google Review

3 of us have just spent 4 days aboard Bright Spark, we had a great time with lots of good sailing. What a lovely boat - very comfortable, fast, well-equipped, and easy to sail. Lizzie took us through the basics and a quick sail to check that we were competent and off we went. the facilities on board were very good - particularly impressed with the fridge, which despite being stuffed full kept everything cold. The lifting roof gave good standing room and was very simple to operate. Used along with the full cover there was a generous amount of space. We couldn’t believe how quiet it was and even sailed the length of Hickling Broad without another boat in sight! Thanks to all at Oliver’s Sailing Holidays we’ll be back! Tim, Jay, and Nick. 2023 - Goggle Review

I took Sea Breeze out for a 4 day break with a friend and would highly recommend it. Nick did a great job taking us through the boat and introducing us to sailing on the broads. (Tip: if you’ve done ocean sailing, forget everything!) The location is superb with the most beautiful parks of the Broads Horsey and Hickling - on your doorstep. Th boat is a lot of fun including raising and lowering the mast for the bridges which is easier than you'd think ( If you follow the clear instructions: All in all this is a great way to get away from it all and experience a slower pace of life. 2023 Google Review

I spent a wonderful week with my family on Dreamtime at the end of the season. The holiday was a perfect break from the hectic rush of everyday life, and Nick and Alison were so kind and welcoming. The boat was beautiful, comfortable, and had everything we needed, including good quality bedding, crockery and kitchen utensils. Their on-board heating for the colder autumn nights, was very good. Alison and Nick had helpful recommendations on where to moor and where the pubs and shops are located. We had a brilliant week and would recommend Oliver’s sailing Holidays to anyone interested in sailing on the broads. 2023 - Google Review

Last weekend was our third trip with Oliver's Sailing Holidays. The boats are beautiful, elegant and spotlessly clean. The staff are so helpful and always go the extra mile.
This part of the broads is so much quieter than other parts with abundant birdlife. It is the perfect way to relax and spend time with friends. This is a must for any sailing enthusiasts. 2023 - Trip Advisor

A great week's holiday in May. Alison and team at Oliver's sailing are very friendly and helpful, Dreamtime was spotless, with plenty of room for four adults and sailed beautifully. I will be back! 2022 - Google Review

Fabulous week on the beautiful wooden sailing boat, Seebreeze. Oliver's Sailing Holidays were very helpful at every stage - excellent instructions and tips on what to bring; well-equipped boat with a nice pack of basics (milk, tea, etc); comprehensive briefing and clear reference instructions on sailing and living on the boat; very helpful with the occasional question later on by phone. The boat itself was lovely to sail, had a silent electric motor to glide along the river ways, and was so well designed - everything you needed, and chatting to other sailors, seemed to include features that other boats lacked. Highly recommended ! (Their day electric boats for half or full days also looked great.) 2022 - Google Review

We had the most fantastic holiday sailing Bright Spark, we didn't want to give the boat back! Thank you to Oliver's sailing Holidays. 2022 - Google Review

This boat has been beautifully maintained and is well equipped. We got a number of compliments from complete strangers as they walked past the boat. They assumed that Seabreeze was a private boat, rather than a hire boat. This boat sails beautifully too.
You can look forward to comfort and a practical level of equipment. Two-burner gas stove and oven, electric fridge, hot and cold running water, decent crockery, cutlery and pans. The two bunks are long and comfortable and the duvets and pillows great. When we moored up, we raised the roof and fitted the practical tent awning. This converts the cockpit space into a useful area for eating/relaxing, and it gives privacy and protection from the elements.
Oliver's Sailing Boats is a family business and it shows. Great customer service! After welcoming us, Nick handed over to Liz who gave a clear and unhurried briefing on all the facilities systems. This was followed by an invaluable 'sailing with an instructor' session. Although I've done some dinghy and cruiser sailing in the past, this was my first trip in charge of a gaff rigged boat, and my wife's first time sailing. Liz invested was happy to spend more than the advertised 40 mins to give us practice on Seabreeze's rigging and handling. Later in the week, after I accidentally pulled a halliard out of reach up the mast, Liz met us and fixed the problem.
We are already looking forward to our next booking with Oliver's Sailing Boats. many thanks again Nick, Alison, Liz and the team. 2022 - Google Review

Agree with other reviews rating this as excellent. Hired "Seabreeze" for 4 days and had a great time. Pre break communications, the welcome, the briefing and hand over/back were all first class. The boat oozed quality, cleanliness and attention to detail. A real pleasure to sail on her. The added and unexpected bonus was swimming with the seals on Horsey beach. An experience we shall never forget. 2022 - Trip Advisor

A friendly, well organised and high quality company. We hired bright spark for a long weekend. It was perfect for 3 of us. The instruction and support provided was amazing. Nick and Alison were extremely helpful and flexible in accommodating our needs. Their instructions were set at the right level for our experience. Even when things went wrong (yes I was the idiot who fell in the water off the jetty!) they were amazing and helped us without fuss or drama. The boat was really well equipped and easy to sail if you have some basic sailing experience. The engine helped also! All in all, I’d very happily recommend Oliver’s to anyone looking for a really high quality sailing experience. 2022 - Trip Advisor

We had a super 4 nights on board Sea Breeze. A lovely boat, handles really well and well appointed.
Alison, Nick and Lizzy were extremely welcoming and helpful. The boat was well equipped. Bedding was very nice and comfortable. Bits and bobs provided for the galley were good quality (think Waitrose rather than Lidl). Check in and check out was fast and efficient.
Nick helped us get the yacht through Potter Heigham bridge at a time when free other boats could make it, which allowed us to tour the Northern Broads, and they were trusting enough to allow us to shoot the bridge ourselves on our return.
Sailing the broads is far and away the best way to see them. Sailing quietly along Meadow Dyke to Horsey Broad was the most memorable part of our trip. 2021 - Google Review

We had a super holiday aboard Bright Spark. There were five of us including our teenage daughters and dog and we found her clean, comfortable and a delight to sail.
We have only sailed as a family on our Wayfarer dinghy and whilst Bright Spark was almost twice the size, we had a very clear briefing and a 40 minute familiarisation sail from Lizzie who calmly gave us lots of tips which proved invaluable. We had strong winds all week so were mostly reefed but whatever the sail we had up, we found her well balanced, responsive and surprisingly fast.
Bright Spark was exceptionally well equipped with everything we could possibly need including a cafetiere and super comfortable duvets and the Oliver’s Sailing team even gave us a lovely welcome bag with delicious wine, coffee, local biscuits, cordial and more. There was a very clear instruction manual for how to do everything from raising the cabin roof (surprisingly easy) to dropping and raising the mast (we got quicker at this after the first one!) for the low bridges.
We took Olly, the little lug sailed dinghy as a tender and she was fun to sail and row in the Broads and at our moorings. Due to the strong wind we weren’t able to swing freely on the mud anchor at night, always needing to tie up, but still found some stunning spots, together with some super breakfast and lunch Broads anchorages. For those who are not experienced at sailing a yacht or are not used to sailing on narrow rivers, we highly recommend reading the suggestions on the Oliver’s website (see FAQ ' Tips for sailing') as there are some very useful tips, especially relating to how best to tack up the rivers and otherwise, if the river got too busy or narrow, the engine always started on the button!
For those who haven’t been, the Broads are stunning and we much enjoyed the massive skies, birds, slowly meandering rivers and beautiful houses and windmills (windpumps!). It was fairly busy nearer Horning and Wroxham but there were always peaceful moorings to be found and none of the larger motor cruisers north of Potter Heigham and Ludham Bridges. Within easy walks of our moorings we saw dozens of seals on the beach near Horsey Mere, pretty villages and found some excellent pubs.
With school exams and university studies to do, our daughters had to access mobile data but we generally found strong 4G signals and where we didn’t we all had a good break from laptops and mobiles!
Thank you to Lizzie, Alison and all at Oliver’s Sailing Holidays for a superb holiday. We will be back. 2021 - Trip Advisor

This is the 2nd time that I've hired a boat from Alison, Nick, Lizzie and the team. As with the first time we had an amazing weekend. The boats are beautiful, sail well, and are perfectly suitable for an enthusiastic novice. With relaxed friendly tuition as required, I can't think of a better introduction to sailing. Thanks so much for a great holiday, will definitely see you again. 2020 - Google Review

What a fantastic weekend sailing “Dreamtime”. Nick and Alison are such welcoming people and their attention to detail is second to none. The boats are beautifully prepared and looked after, everything has been thought about with the sole aim of a safe and fun sailing holiday. I will be going back and in the mean time recommending Oliver’s Sailing Holidays to anyone who will listen! July 2019 - TripAdvisor

Fantastic experience from booking to the end of our sailing trip in this beautifully maintained and excellently equipped yacht. What more could you want? Free parking, wonderful welcome hamper with high quality items and everything else already on board, comfortable bedding and lots and lots of sunshine with enough wind to satisfy us all!! Jean - July 2019 TripAdvisor

Had a great few days sailing on Dreamtime. The handover from Nick and Alison couldn't have been easier and they are such lovely people. The boat was very clean and well maintained and the hamper was an added bonus! Highly recommended. Andrew - June 2019

First time learning to sail at age 71 and it was a great experience. Nick and Alison are charming people and went out of their way to be hospitable, and the sailing trainers Lizzie and Andrew were also very friendly and helpful. We were on Dreamtime which was comfortable and well equipped and catered for five people but only two of us slept on board which was ideal as there was more space. A delightful holiday. Chris July 2019 - TripAdvisor

Just back from a few days on the beautiful Bright Spark, feeling elated with the sailing, and spoilt by Nick and Alison at the boatyard. The yacht was spotlessly clean, thoughtfully equipped, cleverly set out, and beautifully maintained. The luxurious hamper of local essentials was a nice touch and helped make up a fab first breakfast fry-up on Barton Broad. Best yacht we’ve ever hired on the Broads, and friendliest family boatyard we’ve come across. We’ll be back! Dan - May 2019

Had a very wet and windy week on Bright Spark. The boat sails like an adult dinghy, took me back a few years .Alison and Nick could not have been more helpful, ideal hosts. Did not get to use topsail which I was looking forward too so will need to try again. Thanks for making a poor weather week bearable. Graham June - 2019


Thanks for a brilliant few days on Bright Spark. Our first trip to the Broads and we were not disappointed. So beautiful. Bright Spark was easy to sail and stepping the mast was child’s play...😀 Everything you need is on board and the hamper was delicious.- Tracey -2018

We had a wonderful 4 days on Bright Spark. She is beautiful, ingenious in so many ways (lowering and raising the mast is a doddle) and a joy to sail or just sit around on listening to the wildlife. I'm missing it already! Nick and Alison couldn't have been more helpful. Thoroughly and unreservedly recommended. Mike -2018

Just spent a perfect five days aboard Bright Spark, she’s pretty, fast, well found and easy to handle. Loved exploring the Broads on this little yacht, and we lost count of the number of other people’s holiday snaps we appear in as we ghosted quietly along between the rushes, spotting Herons, Grebes, Marsh Harriers and Cormorants. Can’t recommend this holiday highly enough. Jonathan - 2018

Dear Alison and Nick

On behalf of the five of us, I want to thank you for all of the hard work that you put in to make our half term holiday so enjoyable. From the cleanliness and quality of the yacht to the instructions and little labels that made looking after her so easy, from the ease of communicating with you to the lovely welcome basket; all in all a wonderful experience. 

Thank you!

Joe, Sultan, Adam, Sophie and Coco The Dog (who enjoyed her time on Bright Spark the most!) 2018

We had a wonderful 4 days on Bright Spark. She is beautiful, ingenious in so many ways (lowering and raising the mast is a doddle) and a joy to sail or just sit around on listening to the wildlife. I'm missing it already! Nick and Alison couldn't have been more helpful. Thoroughly and unreservedly recommended.

Our family of 4 had an idyllic few days on Bright Spark during half term and can absolutely recommend this as the perfect way to get away from it all. Nick and Alison were incredibly friendly and helpful, and generous with their time and advice. The boat is truly beautiful and kept in perfect condition, and equipped with everything you could need to be comfortable on the water regardless of the weather. I do think some minimum level of sailing experience is advisable because of the specific sailing conditions - some narrow channels and a slightly unpredictable wind! But even with only one somewhat experienced sailor among us, we soon got the hang of it. Nick's intro briefing was thorough and patient, and he spent as much time with us as we needed to feel comfortable to take charge of Bright Spark on our own. Once we had a feel for the area we gently hopped around between pubs and overnight mooring spots - although 'wild mooring' on the banks of the river, away from everyone else with only the ducks and geese and herons and swans and marsh harriers for company, was everyone's favourite way to spend the night. Our 8 and 11 year old deck hands loved the experience and learnt loads, and all of us enjoyed exploring a very special part of the country on board such an elegant and comfortable sailing boat. We will be back!

Hester Le Roux - June 2018

We had a wonderful 4 days on Bright Spark. She is beautiful, ingenious in so many ways (lowering and raising the mast is a doddle) and a joy to sail or just sit around on listening to the wildlife. I'm missing it already! Nick and Alison couldn't have been more helpful. Thoroughly and unreservedly recommended.  Mike - May 2018

A couple of weeks ago we completely fell in love with a sailing boat called Bright Spark. She is beautifully kept and gave us both exhilarating sailing on Barton Broad and peaceful moments sailing down the rivers. This was our children's first sailing trip and Bright Spark allowed for a perfect introduction to our nine and four year old (plus my rusty old self!). Although we chose one of the coolest Easter's that I can remember, we were kept warm and snug with the boats heating, complimentary throws, and gorgeous duvets. Our welcome hamper was such a great touch, as we arrived a little later than we had expected. We also picked up some very scrumptious meals and brownies (oh those brownies!) that Alison and Nick provided at generous cost. The nature was amazing, as were the places and pubs we visited. We ate like kings, met lots of very friendly locals, helpful boaters and sailors on the broads, and saw deer, and too many species of birds to list! Communication before the holiday was wonderful. Nick's briefing helped us to become really familiar with Bright Spark, her rigging, and confident with lowering and hoisting the mast - which was very simple and not at all arduous. Thank you so much Alison and Nick. We are really looking forward to our next sailing trip.     Liz - April 2018

What a wonderful weekend and great company. We sailed when we could and motored when we could not sail. Bright Spark was beautifully prepared and Alison and Nick could not have been more helpful. The briefing and introductory sail with Nick were great. The welcome hamper was enjoyed by all. The weather could have been warmer but with excellent duvets we were warm and snug in our bunks. Really terrific breakfasts were prepared by the two younger members of the party. Eggs, bacon and sausages I had eaten before but spinach omelette was new to me and will be repeated. We had dinner in various Broads pubs. It was lovely to be back, cruising on the Broads again after an absence of 60 years. We hope to be back next year and I am thinking of a further trip this year. Thank you again Alison and Nick.      Bill - April 2018

We’ve just come away from a fabulous 4 nights on Dreamtime. The boat was beautifully kept and maintained and was great to sail. It was the first time we’d hired from Alison and Nick and they went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. Thanks for a great holiday!     Jeremy  -October 2017

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the most lovely long weekend on Bright Spark. I've spent 19 years renting yachts, and yours was the most beautiful, best equipped and most fun to sail I've ever chartered. You were so helpful during the booking process, the hamper was delicious and thank you for picking up the extra food we ordered from the deli - the ready meals were amazing. Nick's manual was exceptionally helpful and clear, and his run through faultless.  

Above all Bright Spark is a dream to handle, with all your added extras making the world of difference.  Rather than renting one of many boats from a faceless charter company, it felt like we were borrowing your pride and joy, and the boat felt very different - and very much more loved - as a result.

We had the best three days in October half term - mooring up on deserted dykes, spotting so many birds, telling ghost stories at night, storming around broads and feeling brave enough to sail up rivers.  Astrid my youngest even made a flag especially for the weekend.  We felt like celebrities on the boat - everyone wanted to take pictures and talk about the boat and her topsail at every turn.

We'd love to come back next year - you're lovely people and I hope your business takes off.  You deserve every success that comes your way.

Many thanks again

Jonathan, Lola (12), Felix (11) and Astrid (7)

"Hi Alison and Nick,

Once again thanks for the use of your wonderful boat. We all had a great time with a few adventures on the way... The challengers of river sailing were interesting for Pete and Judy as they usually sail on the sea with a bit more room to manoeuvre...

The quality of finish on the timber work is the best I have ever seen on a small yacht, a credit to you. All the bedding and galley equipment was of a high quality and much apretiated and the welcome pack was very generous and very welcome for our first day...

We wish you all the very best in your venture and will never forget what lovely people you are. We would certainly recommend you to any of our friends who would fancy a sailing holiday on the Broads... I hope you like the pictures, a pity the cloudy weather did not show up the colours as well as I would have liked.

With kindest Regard and all the best for the future.

David and Jean Pete and Judy"