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,with cheap RuneScape gold a more relaxed AFK approach, 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.
