Sailing Guides

Spending a vacation at a resort may be appealing to some people, but there is a better option for those who want a more fulfilling, immersive experience. When you cruise on a Virgin Islands all-inclusive sailing trip, you spend your voyage surrounded by the aquamarine sea rather than in a crowd of tourists who all…

The USVI comprises over 50 islands and cays, each more breathtakingly beautiful than the last. With so many gorgeous locations and exciting activities, choosing where to spend your vacation can feel impossible. Thankfully, sailing gives you the flexibility to customize your itinerary as you hop from island to island. Check out our guide to finding…

https://www.gosailvi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5908/2024/08/092024_Week1_AdvancedCourses.mp4 If you have already taken the American Sailing Association’s popular beginner courses and are eager for a new challenge, Go Sail VI also offers advanced ASA courses. The topics we cover are ASA 105 (Coastal Navigation), ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), ASA 114 (Catamaran Cruising), and ASA 118 (Docking Endorsement). Here is why you…

In search of the best British Virgin Island to visit during your holiday? There is more than one! We’ve detailed our top spots to visit on a few of our favorite islands so you can create the best BVI itinerary to fit your individual interests and timeframe. Norman Island: life of the party While Go…

Ready for an unforgettable vacation sailing in the BVI? Here is our advice to guarantee a successful trip: 1. Fly to the USVI If you are sailing in the British Virgin Islands from the US, flying into St. Thomas will probably be significantly cheaper and more direct than into the BVI’s airports. Then, an easy…

Learning to sail is made easy when you have a great instructor! But how do you find them? Every year, the American Sailing Association (ASA) recognizes the best ASA sailing instructors around the world. This annual award can help you to find the best sailing instructors in the Virgin Islands and beyond. Here’s what you…

Congratulations! You’ve completed your ASA courses and you feel confident bareboat charter for a family and friend vacation! So what’s next? We recommend bareboating in the British Virgin Islands! Here’s what makes bareboating in Tortola and beyond such a fantastic sailing experience and what you need to do to ensure your bareboat trip is a…

What’s the best way to travel to the Virgin Islands? These strategies will make your travel to the Virgin Islands as seamless, cheap, and stress-free as possible.  Flying into the US Virgin Islands The USVI has two commercial airports. One in St. Croix and one in St. Thomas. If you are setting sail in the…

Congress declared May 22 as National Maritime Day in the 1930s and it is still being celebrated today! Find out more about the holiday and how you can celebrate it below: What does National Maritime Day celebrate? National Maritime Day celebrates all those in the maritime industry! That includes those in the marine shipping industry,…

A yacht charter broker is someone with extensive knowledge of the yachting industry and helps match yacht owners with those going on yacht charter vacations. But is it worth booking your sailing charter through a Virgin Islands yacht charter broker? Absolutely! Here’s why: 1. Yacht charter brokers don’t cost you a dime.  It won’t cost…

Planning on sailing the world? You’ll need your International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) first! In this quick guide you’ll learn where you need the ASA IPC to sail, what countries don’t require the IPC, and how to become certified before you take off on your world travels.   What is the International Proficiency Certificate, (ASA IPC)? The…

Before heading out to sail, you always want to be well apprised of the weather conditions! Unfortunately, many traditional weather apps just don’t cut it in the sailing world. Let’s take a look at which sailing weather apps to use and why before hitting the water: Traditional Weather Apps There are a few reasons you…

The learning journey isn’t over once you complete Bareboat Certification or even feel confident as a skipper! Every sailor out there can improve in some form or fashion. Here’s why you should take advanced ASA courses and which ones we recommend you sign up for:  What are ASA Advanced Courses? ASA advanced courses are the…

Oftentimes sailing with your mate is much more fun than sailing alone! Sailing with your spouse can also be a great way to strengthen an already healthy relationship. Here’s 5 ways sailing with your husband, wife, or significant other can help you strengthen your relationship and support each other’s strengths: 1. Sharing Experiences and Hobbies…

The Annapolis Sailboat Show kicks off on October 12th! Here’s everything you need to know about the locations, sailboats, exhibitors, educational opportunities, and more.  Why Should I Attend The Annapolis Sailboat Show? The 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show is sure to reinvigorate your love of sailing. The event brings together sailors across the world with inspiring…

Is travel insurance a great investment or a waste of money? Here’s our take on whether or not to buy travel insurance for your Virgin Islands sailing trip.  Is Travel Insurance Required in the Virgin Islands? No, it is not required to buy travel insurance in order to visit the Virgin Islands. This might come…

The world is full of sailing itineraries and trips! So how do you choose the perfect sailing location for your trip? The Virgin Islands has some of the best sailing conditions you’ll find anywhere and  should absolutely be a top contender for your next sailing adventure. Here’s what makes sailing here so impressive:  1. Temperatures…

Bareboating sailing provides sailors the opportunity to rent a sailboat without a crew. It’s a truly unique and wonderful experience, made all the better if you plan your trip in the Virgin Islands! Here’s why: 1. Bareboat sailing is the most customizable way to see the Virgin Islands Bareboat sailing gives you the freedom to…

Unsure what you need to bring for a Virgin Islands ASA certification course? This list will make sure you are fully prepared before your adventure begins: 1. The Essentials Many of the things you’ll want to bring to your Virgin Islands ASA certification course are the same things you’d want to bring on any other,…

ASA sailing courses aren’t just for beginners. Captains with all levels of experience can benefit from taking sailing lessons. Here’s why: 1. There is always more to learn The learning journey never ends! This is especially true when it comes to sailing. Even captains  with decades of experience continue to find new tricks of the trade, more efficient ways of getting things done, and new environments to hone their skills. ASA sailing courses provide you with a structured environment that allows you to acquire and perfect sailing skills, without having to learn the hard way.  2. Every captain could use a mentor Who do you turn to when you have sailing questions? Taking ASA sailing courses provides captains with an opportunity to ask as many questions as they like from seasoned professionals. Go Sail Virgin Islands offers the most advanced…