Nautical/Sailing vocabulary and most used expressions related to sailing in Spanish
Master Nautical Spanish: Essential Vocabulary for Sailors
Whether you’re sailing the Mediterranean, exploring the Caribbean, or taking Spanish lessons with a nautical twist, knowing sailing terms in Spanish is crucial for safety and smooth communication on the water.
Quick Challenge!
Before diving into the vocabulary, or after stdying the terms, you can test your knowledge with our interactive Spanish Sailing Quiz below the page. It only takes 3 minutes…
Ready to begin? Let’s start with the fundamentals…
Basic Sailing Terms in Spanish
1. Parts of a Boat (Partes del Barco)
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Bow | Proa |
| Stern | Popa |
| Mast | Mástil |
| Sail | Vela |
| Rudder | Timón |
| Anchor | Ancla |
| Deck | Cubierta |
| Hull | Casco |
2. Sailing Directions (Direcciones de Navegación)
- ¡Izquierda! – “Port!” (left side)
- ¡Estribor! – “Starboard!” (right side)
- ¡Proa al viento! – “Head to wind!”
- ¡Virar! – “Tack!” (change direction)
- ¡Ciña! – “Close haul!” (sail close to the wind)
Common Sailing Commands in Spanish
- ¡Prepararse para zarpar! – “Prepare to set sail!”
- ¡Soltar las velas! – “Release the sails!”
- ¡Recoger el ancla! – “Weigh anchor!”
- ¡Hombre al agua! – “Man overboard!”
- ¡Todo a babor/estribor! – “Hard to port/starboard!”
Weather & Sea Conditions (Tiempo y Estado del Mar)
- Olas altas – “High waves”
- Viento a favor – “Tailwind”
- Viento en contra – “Headwind”
- Marea baja/alta – “Low/high tide”
- Tormenta – “Storm”
Useful Nautical Expressions
- Estar a flote – “To stay afloat”
- Navegar a vela – “To sail”
- Ponerse en marcha – “To set off”
- Perder el rumbo – “To lose course”
- Atracar en puerto – “To dock in port”
Practice Exercise: Test Your Knowledge!
- How do you say “anchor” in Spanish?
- What command means “man overboard”?
- Translate: “The wind is against us.”
(Answers: 1. Ancla, 2. ¡Hombre al agua!, 3. El viento está en contra.)
Final Tips for Learning Sailing Spanish
Listen to Spanish sailing podcasts (e.g., “Navegantes”) Label boat parts in Spanish for memorization Practice with a Spanish-speaking sailor
Ready to set sail with confidence? Bookmark this guide for your next voyage! 
1. ¡Buen viento! – Good Wind: Wishing someone good wind is a common expression, invoking favorable conditions for their maritime endeavors.
2. A toda vela – At Full Sail: This phrase describes a boat sailing at its maximum speed, capturing the exhilarating feeling of wind-filled sails.
3. Echar el ancla – To Drop Anchor: When a boat stops and secures in one place, this expression is used, symbolizing a pause in the journey.
4. Aguas Tranquilas – Smooth Waters: Used to describe calm or tranquil seas, this expression is a reassurance of peaceful sailing conditions.
5. Costa a la Vista – Land in Sight: Announcing the sight of land on the horizon, this expression signals the end of a sea journey.
6. Navegar a Ojo – To Navigate by Sight: Sailing without the aid of navigation instruments, relying on visual cues, is described by this expression.
7. Navegar contra Corriente – To Sail Against the Current: Metaphorically, this expression is used to describe facing challenges or going against the prevailing trend.
8. Hacerse a la Mar – To Set Sail: Initiating a journey or leaving port is captured by this phrase, marking the beginning of an adventure.
9. Marea Alta / Marea Baja – High Tide / Low Tide: These expressions describe the state of the tide, essential information for navigation.
10. A Bordo – On Board: Used to indicate being on the boat, this phrase is fundamental in maritime communication.
11. Capitán de Mar y Guerra – Sea Captain: A formal term for a ship’s captain, evoking images of leadership and authority.
12. Naufragio – Shipwreck: Referring to the sinking or destruction of a ship, this expression carries a sense of tragedy.
13. Tomar el Timón – To Take the Helm: Metaphorically, this expression means assuming control or responsibility.
14. Estar a la Deriva – To Be Adrift: Floating without control or direction is captured by this phrase, describing a state of uncertainty.
15. Mar en Calma, No Hace Buen Marinero – A Calm Sea Does Not Make a Skilled Sailor: Expressing that challenges are necessary for growth and skill development.
16. Varar – To Run Aground: When a vessel is stranded or stuck on the ground, this expression is used.
17. Cabo Suelto – Loose End: Refers to a loose piece of rope or an unresolved issue.
18. Dar una Vuelta de Campana – To Capsize: Describing the overturning of a boat, this expression is linked to a dramatic event on the water.
19. Bajel Pirata que Llaman – Pirate Ship They Call: A line from the Spanish national anthem, often used in a playful manner.
20. A Flote – Afloat: Describing a vessel that is floating on the water, this phrase denotes seaworthiness.
Types of Boats in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| catamaran | el catamarán |
| cutter | el cúter |
| cruiser | el yate crucero |
| dinghy | el chinchorro |
| fishing boat | el pesquero |
| ketch | el queche |
| lifeboat | el bote calvarias |
| monohull | el monocasco |
| multihull | el multicasco |
| schooner | la goleta |
| sloop | la balandra |
Parts of the Boat and sailing vocabulary in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| backstay | el estay de popa |
| batten | el sable |
| beam | la manga |
| block | la polea |
| boom | la botavara |
| bow | la proa |
| cabin | el camarote |
| cleat | la cornamusa |
| clew | el puño de escota |
| cockpit | la banera |
| coil | el cabo adujado |
| deck | la cubierta |
| draft | el calado |
| fenders | las defensas |
| foot | el pujamen |
| forestay | el estay de proa |
| halyard | la driza |
| hatch | la escotilla |
| head of the sail | el puño de driza |
| hull | el casco |
| jamming cleat | la mordaza |
| jib | el foque |
| keel | la quilla |
| leach | el balumen |
| luff | el grátil |
| mainsail | la vela mayor |
| mast | el mástil |
| points (of a sail) | las aristas |
| port | el babor |
| pulpit | el púlpito de proa |
| reef | el rizo |
| reef point | los tomadores de rizo |
| reef point | los tomadores de rizo |
| rope | el cabo |
| rudder | el timón |
| shackle | el grillete |
| sheet | la escota |
| shroud | el obenque |
| spinnaker | el espinaquer |
| starboard | el estribor |
| stern | la popa |
| tack | el puño de amura |
| tackle | el aparejo |
| telltales | las lanitas |
| tiller | la caña del timón |
| topping lift | el amantillo |
Spanish Sailing Vocabulary Quiz
Test your nautical knowledge with 15 multiple-choice questions. Instant feedback provided!
