Old School RuneScape’s Sailing skill has quickly become one of the most unique and enjoyable ways to train. Part exploration, part skilling, and part naval adventure, Sailing offers multiple paths to level up efficiently—whether you prefer active gameplay or a more relaxed approach. To help you chart the fastest and most rewarding course, this guide breaks down the eight best Sailing training methods, explaining how they work, when to use them, and why each one stands out.

1. Beginner Voyages (Levels 1–20)

Your Sailing journey begins at the docks, where early-game voyages are designed to introduce you to ship handling, navigation, and basic task completion. These voyages are short, safe, and perfect for learning the fundamentals.

Why it’s good:

High XP per minute for early levels

Zero risk and easy to complete

Excellent introduction to ship management

At this stage, completing daily tutorial voyages and simple delivery tasks is the fastest way to reach Level 20. Expect quick leveling, especially if you minimize docking time and keep your ship repaired.

2. Charting Unexplored Waters (Levels 20–35)

Once you unlock more of the map, the fastest XP comes from charting new areas, which rewards you for exploring unknown sea tiles and expanding your nautical map. This method is best done with a compact, fast ship like a cutter.

Why it’s good:

Extremely efficient XP

Engaging, semi-AFK exploration

Rewards include new ports and activities

Sailing in straight lines across open sea, while recording new map tiles, produces consistent XP. You can further boost gains by completing side tasks at newly discovered islands.

3. Cargo Runs (Levels 30–60)

Cargo transport becomes the backbone of mid-level Sailing training. Transporting goods between ports yields steady experience based on distance, cargo value, and delivery efficiency.

Why it’s good:

Highly repeatable and profitable

Good XP/hour while multitasking

Pairs well with multitasking or casual play

Using a medium vessel like a brigantine offers the best balance between speed and cargo space. Tighter routes—such as short island chains—produce the best XP/minute.

4. Naval Skilling Contracts (Levels 40–75)

Contracts take mid-level training to the next level. Ports assign tasks such as repairing docks, delivering special cargo, surveying reefs, or assisting merchant fleets.

Why it’s good:

Some of the best XP in mid-game

Offers great rewards and resources

Very flexible: choose your preferred tasks

Contracts scale with ship upgrades, meaning keeping your vessel properly reinforced and crewed improves completion speed and overall XP.

5. Salvaging Shipwrecks (Levels 50–80)

The ocean is littered with valuable wrecks, and salvaging them is an excellent way to train actively while earning strong rewards. Each salvage site requires boarding, repairing, and transporting materials.

Why it’s good:

High XP and valuable loot

Encourages map exploration

Provides materials for ship upgrades

This method shines with a strong crew focused on strength and engineering. You’ll also uncover treasures that sell well, making this one of the most profitable methods in the skill.

6. Deep-Sea Voyages (Levels 60–85)

Once you enter the deep seas, longer voyages become available. These multi-phase missions involve navigating storms, repairing damage, scouting islands, and battling harsh conditions.

Why it’s good:

Very high XP/hour for attentive players

Immersive gameplay with unique events

Unlocks high-level Sailing content

Deep-sea voyages provide more experience the farther and more dangerous the route, and investing in stronger hull plating dramatically improves efficiency.

7. Crew Management & Specialist Training (Levels 70–90)

At higher levels, your crew becomes just as important as your vessel. Training specialist units—surveyors, engineers, rescuers, navigators—significantly increases XP gained per activity.

Why it’s good:

Passive XP boosts across all methods

Ideal for players grinding long-term content

Enhances every voyage, contract, and salvage mission

A well-trained crew can increase completion speed, reduce damage, and unlock unique mission bonuses. Many players overlook this, but maximizing crew skills massively boosts XP/hour at high levels.

8. The Great Sea Expeditions (Levels 85–99)

The final stretch of Sailing revolves around end-game expeditions. These long, multi-stage voyages take your ship deep into uncharted waters filled with high-end encounters, rare resources, and powerful XP rewards.

Why it’s good:

Best XP/hour in the entire skill

Huge resource gains and late-game unlocks

Ideal for max-efficiency players

These expeditions are the Sailing equivalent of bossing or high-level Slayer. They require strong navigation, high crew stats, and a fully upgraded vessel. While demanding, the XP rates are unmatched, making them the top method from 85 onward.

Final Tips for Sailing 1–99

Upgrade your ship consistently — hull, sails, and crew quarters dramatically affect leveling speed.

Use wind patterns to maximize speed when charting or traveling long routes.

Repair early, not late — fully repairing mid-voyage wastes more time.

Balance activities — mix active voyages with passive cargo runs to avoid burnout.

Sailing offers one of the richest training experiences in Old School RuneScape, combining strategy, exploration, and progression across eight powerful methods. Whether you prefer fast-paced deep-sea voyages or laid-back cargo runs, every player can find a path that suits their style. By mastering these eight methods and upgrading your ship along the way, you’ll chart a smooth course from Level 1 to 99 and become a true captain of the seas.