OSRS Sailing Guide 2026: Fastest Way to 99 | Tons of XP Blog

Q: How long does 99 Sailing take?

Using the fastest methods in this guide, you can expect to reach level 99 in roughly 70 to 80 hours.

Q: What does Sailing cost to train?

Sailing is not an expensive skill. You only need a few thousand to a few hundred thousand GP for upgrades along the way, making it very accessible for most players.

Q: Is Sailing profitable?

Yes. While Salvaging, you'll pick up plenty of alchable drops that can net up to 20 million GP in profit on the way to On top of that, Sailing unlocks several dedicated money-making methods, including Squid Fishing, Deep Sea Trawling, and killing Frost Dragons, among others.

Q: Is Sailing an Ironman-friendly skill?

Absolutely. Sailing is one of the better skills for Ironman, as it opens up new islands with unique resources, monsters, and drops that are otherwise inaccessible. The money-making methods it unlocks — such as Frost Dragons and Deep Sea Trawling — are particularly valuable for Ironman accounts.

Complete OSRS Sailing guide covering the fastest methods from level 1 to 99, including Courier Tasks, Shipwreck Salvaging, and all three Barracuda Trials.

Published on: March 28, 2026 by Tons of XP Team

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OSRS Sailing Guide: 1–99

OSRS Sailing guide fastest way to 99

Sailing is the newest skill added to RuneScape, and it makes many things that seemed impossible in the game now possible. It allows you to sail to different parts of the game and discover new islands that can only be unlocked through the skill, each introducing new monsters, skilling methods, and money-making opportunities that are especially useful for Ironman accounts.

It's definitely a great addition to the game, though the whole new chapter it opens up can make training it feel a bit daunting at first — but don't worry. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, we've broken everything down in a way that's easy to follow.

Fastest Methods to 99 Sailing

Level 1–4: Pandemonium

Pandemonium is a short quest that takes around 5 minutes to complete and serves as the best introduction to the Sailing skill. It's highly recommended to complete this first, as it walks you through all the core mechanics of Sailing — obtaining a ship, sailing it, docking, and carrying cargo — all of which are essential for training the skill effectively.

To make the process even smoother, use the RuneLite Quest Helper plugin, which will guide you through every step automatically with minimal effort.

Levels 4–12: Completing Courier Tasks

Getting Started

Head to your boat and open the cargo hold — take out the Captain's Log if you don't have it already. This is used to check your assigned tasks. While in Pandemonium, disembark from your boat, head west, and left-click the Notice Board at Pandemonium shown below. Pick a Level 1 task from Pandemonium to Port Sarim and accept it.

Pandemonium Notice Board for courier tasks

Loading & Delivering the Cargo

Head to the Ledger Table just east of the Notice Board, as shown above, collect the cargo, then return to your boat. Right-click the Cargo Hold and select Quick-Deposit to place the cargo in there. Left-click the Helm to set sail for Port Sarim.

Port Task plugin highlighting shortest path

I highly recommend installing and enabling the Port Task Plugin — it will highlight the shortest path for completing courier tasks so you never get lost.

While sailing, trim your sails for bonus XP — this scales with your Sailing level, so it's always worth doing. On arrival at Port Sarim, click the Helm to stop navigating, open the Cargo Hold to retrieve your cargo, then disembark from your boat. Head west and left-click the Ledger Table to deposit the cargo and collect your XP.

Pick up a return task from Port Sarim back to Pandemonium and keep taking tasks back and forth to train your Sailing.

Double Courier Tasks (Level 7+)

At level 7, you unlock the ability to take on two courier tasks at a time, effectively doubling your XP per hour. It works the same as before — select two tasks from your current location to different destinations, pick up both cargo items from the Ledger Table one at a time and deposit each into your boat, then sail to the destination and deliver both at the Ledger Table one at a time.

Continue doing this until level 12.

Levels 12–15: Prying Times

Prying Times requires 30 Smithing, 12 Sailing, and completion of both the Pandemonium and Knight's Sword quests. It's a fairly quick quest — the RuneLite Quest Helper plugin makes it significantly easier. Upon completion, you are rewarded with 800 XP, bringing you from level 12 to 15.

Levels 15–20: Shipwreck Salvaging

Getting the Skiff

Junior Jim at Pandemonium

Head to Junior Jim at Pandemonium, right-click him and select Buy Boat, then purchase the Skiff for 15,000 coins — make sure to bring enough coins. This is a better boat with more customisation options.

Customising Your Boat

With the Skiff acquired, head to the bank and withdraw the following items (all unnoted):

6 Bronze bars
4 Planks
20 Bronze nails
1 Rope
1 Hammer

Head back to Junior Jim, right-click him and select Customise Boat to be transferred to the customisation interface. Board the ship as shown below, left-click the Facility Hotspot at the point highlighted below, and build the Bronze Salvaging Hook, which is required for the next training method.

Facility hotspot for building the Bronze Salvaging Hook

Salvaging

Shipwreck Salvaging is an AFK method of training Sailing that involves collecting salvage from a shipwreck for experience. At level 15, you can only salvage from the Small Shipwreck, located just southeast of Pandemonium, as shown below. Sail your Skiff to any of the shipwrecks, stay close to it, and left-click the Salvaging Hook to begin — you'll start receiving Sailing XP shortly after.

Small Shipwrecks location southeast of Pandemonium

Occasionally the shipwreck disappears; simply move on to another nearby one if this happens. You'll receive Small Salvage as you work — drop these as they're not needed. Hold Shift, right-click, and swap left-click to drop the Salvage, allowing you to drop them much faster with just a left-click. This method is very AFK-friendly. If you prefer to keep it relaxed, continue Salvaging until level 22.

Levels 20–22: Catherby Port Tasks

At level 20, you unlock Catherby port tasks. Although the journey from Pandemonium is long, it offers better XP than Salvaging. Remember to pick up 2 tasks at a time. If you can't get both tasks going to Catherby, pick up one you can drop off along the way.

Levels 22–24: Current Affairs

At level 22, you can complete the Current Affairs quest, which requires 22 Sailing and 10 Fishing. It's quick and easy — the RuneLite Quest Helper makes it a lot easier. It rewards 1,400 Sailing XP, making it the fastest way through levels 22 to 24, and unlocks new activities that make training considerably easier.

Level 24: Customising Your Boat

At level 24, upgrading your ship is highly recommended to progress faster. Head to Ship Building with Junior Jim, then go to the boat schematics highlighted below to customise your boat's core parts. Remember to bring the supplies needed before going there.

Boat schematics interface

Construct the following:

Oak Mast and Linens — Controls your boat's speed. Requirements: 24 Sailing, 11 Construction, 40 iron nails, 5 linen cloth, 10 oak logs.
Oak Hull — Improves your boat's defence, hitpoints, and speed. Requirements: 20 Sailing, 8 Construction, 10 oak hull parts, 300 iron nails, 20 swamp paste.

Levels 24–27: Completing Catherby Port Tasks

Now that your boat is faster, Catherby port tasks become significantly quicker to complete. Continue this for levels 24 to 27.

If you prefer Courier Tasks, they remain a viable option all the way to 99. New routes unlock as your level increases, with XP rates improving significantly at higher levels:

Level 46 — Summer Shore: ~30,000 XP/hr
Level 62 — Rellekka: ~55,000–72,000 XP/hr
Level 76 — Lunar Isle: up to 145,000 XP/hr

Levels 27–30: Salvaging (Steel Hook)

Head back to Ship Building and upgrade your Bronze Salvaging Hook to a Steel Salvaging Hook. To upgrade, bring the following materials:

Hammer
Saw
4 Teak planks
16 Steel nails
6 Steel bars
1 Rope
3 Lead bars

You can now move on to the Fisherman's Shipwreck shown below, unlocked at level 17 Sailing, which gives roughly double the XP of the previous one. Sail to the new salvaging spot from Pandemonium following the path shown below, deploy your hook as before, and continue until level 30.

AFK Alternative: Salvaging to 99

If you prefer a more AFK playstyle, you can continue Salvaging all the way to 99. As your level increases, upgrade your Salvaging Hook and move on to higher-tier shipwrecks. For the best XP rates, equip a Swoop fitted with 2 Salvaging Hooks, a Salvaging Station, multiple filled kegs, and 2 crewmates.

XP Rates from Salvaging

Level 15 — Small shipwreck: ~2,000–3,200 XP/hr (Bronze/Iron Salvaging Hook)
Level 26 — Fisherman's shipwreck: ~4,700–5,800 XP/hr (Steel Salvaging Hook)
Level 35 — Barracuda shipwreck: ~9,500–11,000 XP/hr (Steel Salvaging Hook) / ~12,500–18,000 XP/hr (Mithril Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)
Level 53 — Large shipwreck: ~18,000–20,000 XP/hr (Mithril Salvaging Hook) / ~24,000–30,000 XP/hr (Mithril/Adamant Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)
Level 64 — Pirate shipwreck: ~35,000–38,000 XP/hr (Mithril Salvaging Hook) / ~44,000–47,000 XP/hr (Adamant Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)
Level 73 — Mercenary shipwreck: ~55,000–60,000 XP/hr (Adamant Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks) / ~65,000–70,000 XP/hr (Rune Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)
Level 80 — Fremennik shipwreck: ~65,000–85,000 XP/hr (Rune Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)
Level 87 — Merchant shipwreck: ~70,000–90,000 XP/hr (Rune Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks) / ~80,000–95,000 XP/hr (Dragon Salvaging Hook, 2 hooks)

Level 30: Boat Upgrade

Head to Junior Jim, right-click him, and customise your boat to enter the Ship Building interface. Construct the following:

Iron Keel — Improves your boat's hitpoints and armour. Requirements: 22 Sailing, 17 Construction, 10 iron keel parts.
Iron Helm — Required for navigating gentle rapids on Storm Tempor and completing the Tempor Tantrum Barracuda Trial. Requirements: 17 Sailing, 14 Construction, 3 oak planks, 6 iron bars.
Teak Cargo Hold — Upgrades your cargo capacity. Requirements: 29 Sailing, 21 Construction, 8 teak planks, 32 steel nails, 3 lead bars.

Introduction to Barracuda Trials

At level 30, Barracuda Trials becomes the fastest way to train. These are sea-based obstacle courses where you must complete objectives within a time limit in exchange for Sailing XP and other rewards. There are three trials, each unlocked at a different level:

Tempor Tantrum — Unlocked at level 30
Jubbly Jive — Unlocked at level 55
Gwenith Glide — Unlocked at level 72

Each trial has three difficulty tiers — Swordfish, Shark, and Marlin — with increasing difficulty and tighter time limits, but better XP and rewards. These give the best XP rates from levels 30 to 99.

Importing Tile Markers

Importing ground markers in RuneLite

Before starting any Barracuda Trial, it's highly recommended to set up Tile Markers. These mark the exact tiles you need to sail through to complete each trial efficiently. You can find the tile marker string on the OSRS Wiki page for each trial.

To import it, enable the Tile Markers plugin in RuneLite, copy the string from the Wiki as shown in tempur tantrum section, then right-click the world map and select Import Tile Marker — this reads the string directly from your clipboard.

Levels 30–55: Tempor Tantrum

The Tempor Tantrum is located just south of Pandemonium. To begin, talk to Rum-dashed Ralph and select your desired difficulty. Your objective is to collect rum shipments and lost supplies within the time limit.

Rum-dashed Ralph at the Tempor Tantrum

Requirements

30 Sailing
Skiff with Oak Hull, Iron Helm, and Oak Mast with Linen Sails

XP Rates

Swordfish: 20,000 XP/hr
Shark: 21,800 XP/hr
Marlin: 23,800 XP/hr

How to Complete

To start, sail south from Pandemonium and right-click Rum-dashed Ralph to select your trial. Begin with Swordfish difficulty to unlock the higher tiers. If this is your first Barracuda Trial, importing the tile marker from the Wiki as shown below is highly recommended — it makes the whole thing a lot easier.

Tempor Tantrum tile markers showing the path

With the tile marker active, follow the marked path through the trial area, passing over each lost supply to collect it. Sail over every Gentle Rapids you pass for a stackable speed boost, and avoid the Lightning Clouds that move around the area.

Tempor Tantrum location south of Pandemonium

Along the path, you'll come across boats marked with a yellow arrow — click them to collect the rum and deliver it back to the start. For Swordfish, you need to deliver 1 rum and 14 lost supplies within 1:48 to complete the trial.

For Shark and Marlin, the route extends into additional laps, requiring you to deliver more rum and lost supplies:

Route for Tempor Tantrum location

Lap 1 (Red) — The only lap required for Swordfish
Lap 2 (Blue) — Required for Shark and above
Lap 3 (Yellow) — Required for Marlin only

Level 31: Boat Upgrade

Before continuing with the Tempor Tantrum, it's worth upgrading to a Teak Hull at level 31. It significantly improves your boat's defence and speed, making the trials noticeably easier. To build it, you'll need:

10 Teak hull parts
300 Steel nails
20 Swamp tar
5 Lead bars

Levels 55–72: Jubbly Jive

The Jubbly Jive is located at Backwater, with Gurtob as the trial master. The closest mooring point is Corsair Cove, or you can teleport to Pest Control and sail from there. Your objective is to navigate to a boat containing a Balloon Toad Pile, collecting lost supplies along the way. Once there, pick up the toads and throw them at outgrows to lure nearby Jubbly Birds back to the start.

Location of the Jubbly Jive course