Sailing is one of the biggest additions ever made to Old School RuneScape, officially launching on November 19, 2025. This brand-new skill allows players to become captains, explore the seas of Gielinor, command crews, customize ships, and unlock powerful new progression systems.

With so many training methods and unlocks, Sailing can feel overwhelming at first. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to efficiently train Sailing from level 1 to 99, whether you want the fastest XP, a more relaxed AFK approach,with buy OSRS gold, or a balance of both.

Getting Started: Sailing Quests Overview

Before serious training begins, several quests are essential for unlocking Sailing content and experience boosts.

Pandemonium (Level 1)

This introductory quest unlocks the Sailing skill itself and takes only 5–10 minutes to complete. Rewards include:

Access to Pandemonium

A starter raft

300 Sailing XP

25 sawmill coupons

Prying Times (Level 12)

Rewards:

1 Quest Point

800 Sailing XP

1,000 Smithing XP

Access to charting forgotten drinks

25 oak sawmill coupons

Current Affairs (Level 22)

Rewards:

1 Quest Point

1,400 Sailing XP

1,000 Fishing XP

Access to charting sea currents

Mayor of Catherby access

25 oak sawmill coupons

Troubled Tortugans (Level 45)

Rewards:

Access to the island of the Great Kunch

10,000 Sailing XP

8,000 Slayer XP

Recommended RuneLite Plugins

Two RuneLite plugins greatly improve the Sailing experience:

Sailing Plugin – Helps with navigation, sea charting, crew management, Barracuda Trials, and task locations.

Port Tasks Plugin – Simplifies tracking and completing port tasks.

These plugins save time and reduce confusion, especially for new sailors.

Sailing Training Methods Explained

Port Tasks (Levels 1+)

Port tasks are the first available Sailing activity.

Courier Tasks (Level 1): Transport cargo between ports for XP and gold.

Wanted Tasks (Level 30): Similar to Slayer tasks, involving hunting sea creatures and turning in rare drops.

Port tasks are steady but not the fastest XP. Wanted tasks become profitable later but still aren't optimal for max efficiency.

Shipwreck Salvaging (Level 15+)

Salvaging involves looting shipwrecks for salvage, which is processed at a salvaging station.

Recommended to start seriously at Level 42, when you can build a salvaging station on your ship

Becomes a strong AFK training method

Ideal for mobile players or low-effort grinding

Sea Charting

Sea charting focuses on exploration and completing the Captain's Log, which contains 358 charting tasks.

Task types include:

Generic discoveries

Spyglass observations

Mysterious drink challenges

Sea current tracking

Underwater mermaid puzzles

Weather pattern tracking

Completing the Captain's Log grants massive XP and unlocks special ship beers with long-term benefits. While not the fastest XP, sea charting improves navigation skills and breaks up the grind.

Barracuda Trials – The Best XP in Sailing

Barracuda Trials are widely considered the best method for leveling Sailing. Often described as “Agility on water,” these timed courses test boat control and navigation.

Unlocked at Level 30, there are three trials:

Tempor Tantrum (Level 30–55)

Jubbly Jive (Level 55–72)

Gwennneth Glide (Level 72–99)

Each trial has three ranks:

Swordfish

Shark

Marlin

Completing ranks unlocks powerful rewards such as:

Cosmetic sailing outfits

Wind Catcher facilities

Keg facilities and Sailing-boosting beers

Crystal Extractor components

Decorative flags

Once rewards are unlocked, players can repeatedly run the course at any pace for fast XP. This makes Barracuda Trials the fastest route to 99 Sailing.

Boat Types and Progression

Raft (Level 1)

Cost: 1,000 GP

Required for certain sea charting tasks

Useful even at high levels

Skiff (Level 15)

Cost: 15,000 GP

Main training boat for Barracuda Trials

Used for early combat, salvaging, and port tasks

Sloop (Level 50)

Cost: 200,000 GP

Best for ship combat, salvaging, port tasks, and deep-sea activities

Not used for Barracuda Trials

Boat Customization and Facilities

Ships can be customized at docks by modifying schematics:

Hull, keel, sails, helm, trim, flags, and braziers

Higher-tier upgrades increase speed and performance

Construction is essential for unlocking advanced upgrades

Facilities include:

Salvaging stations

Wind catchers

Teleport focuses

Cargo holds

Kegs with specialty beers

Crystal Extractor (one of the most important facilities)

Crew Mates Explained

Crew mates are unlocked between levels 40–95 and specialize in:

Helmsmanship (navigation)

Piracy (combat and cannons)

Deckhandiness (salvaging)

Each activity benefits from different crew combinations. All crew mates should be unlocked as soon as possible, as they greatly improve efficiency.

Crystal Extractor: Passive XP Powerhouse

Unlocked from the Gwennneth Glide trial, the Crystal Extractor:

Generates Sailing XP every minute

Grants a 1-in-6 chance at crystal shards

Provides steady passive XP over long sessions

This facility alone makes a massive difference on the road to 99.

Fastest Path from 1 to 99 Sailing

Recommended leveling route:

Level 1–30: Port tasks + quests

Level 30–55: Tempor Tantrum Barracuda Trial

Level 55–72: Jubbly Jive Barracuda Trial

Level 72–99: Gwennneth Glide Barracuda Trial

Mix in shipwreck salvaging when AFK

Complete sea charting for permanent bonuses

Completing all sea charts unlocks Horizon's Lure, providing a permanent 2.5% Sailing XP boost—highly recommended for all players.

Final Thoughts

Sailing is a deep, rewarding skill that blends exploration, skill expression, and long-term progression. Whether you're racing to 99 through Barracuda Trials, with OSRS gold,making money with bounty tasks, or relaxing with shipwreck salvaging, Sailing offers something for every playstyle.

If you want the fastest XP, focus on Barracuda Trials. If you prefer AFK training, salvaging is your best friend. And no matter your approach, sea charting is worth completing at least once.

Sailing has firmly earned its place in Old School RuneScape.