Learn to Sail Vacation

We sail in the U.S. Virgin Islands while exploring new areas on an adaptable itinerary. We want to schedule time for all the activities (sailing, island hoping, snorkeling and beach time.) We will always discuss and consider wind and weather factors.

Sleep aboard starts at 5 PM on the day of your booking at the marina where the catamaran is docked. Please call the Captain upon arrival and he or she will show you to your cabin for sleep aboard your yacht. Once you are settled, the first crew meeting begins with introductions. Then the captain will show you around the vessel and do a short boat orientation. We will recommend some great dinner spots off the vessel for the first night.

• 7 AM daily, breakfast, coffee, and/or tea will be available.
• Every morning we discuss plans for our desired anchorages.
• Sailing daily after the morning planning session and operate the catamaran until around 4-5 PM, stopping for a midday lunch break, with swimming and snorkeling options.
• We will anchor or moor every evening around 4-5 PM. We will have time for knot tying, swimming, debriefing, free time, island exploring, preparing dinner aboard and/or going ashore.

On the final day, we will set sail to the marina. At the dock you will have time for vessel clean up and packing for a 10 AM departure. We can help you arrange a taxi to pick you up.

BASIC KEELBOAT SAILING (ASA 101)

BASIC COASTAL CRUISING (ASA 103)

BAREBOAT CRUISING (ASA 104)

CRUISING CATAMARAN (ASA 114)

Experienced Advanced Instructors with local Virgin Island knowledge will regale the tales of adventures at sea. These fun hands-on lessons will prepare you for any sailing adventure, anywhere.

Basics: sailing terminology, parts of a sailboat, and how to safely get where you need to go with confidence.

Wind and Weather: It is crucial to understand wind direction and learn to assess weather conditions and make informed decisions based on wind patterns.

Points of Sail: Sailboats move through points of sail and the art of sailing is using this to your advantage.

Sail Trim: Proper sail trim is essential for efficient sailing.

Sailing Maneuvers and Boat Handling: Operating the boat in tight places and Tacking, Jibing, Heave-to, Sail in Reverse will give you confidence. Momentum is the key concept for understanding how to stop, stall, start and reverse.

Anchoring and Mooring: Sleep comfortably at night with Air conditioning and no stress.

Safety Procedures: Boat maintenance, PFD, VHF, Crew overboard (MOB), and what to do in emergencies.

Knots and Line Handling: Bowline, cleat hitch, square knot, round turn and 2 half hitches.

Navigation and Nav Rules: Learn to navigate a boat with GPS and Charts while underway using the proper US Coast Guard COLREGS.

Bareboat Charter: Boat systems and terminology relevant to cruising sailboats. How to bareboat charter, plan a vacation, provision, and plan your itinerary.

International Proficiency Certificate: The IPC which is an International Proficiency Certificate from American Sailing, which will certify you to bareboat charter in several European countries. (Belarus, Croatia, France, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey). https://www.gosailvi.com/ipc/

The provisions arrive on the day of your arrival. We provide the provisions for all breakfasts, all lunches and 2 dinners aboard. Typically, you (the students) will prepare food for the crew. Each student will be assigned a role, day, and/or meal preparation duty. The refrigerator/freezer will be stocked upon arrival with breakfast food (eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, yogurt, fruit, pastries, granola), lunch food (turkey, cheese, mayo, mustard, bread, wraps, burgers, tacos), dinner (Fish, rice vegetables, Chicken, pasta, salad).

Yacht choices can adapt to your needs, but typically would be a Catamaran 40-50ft which has 3-4 Queen beds en-suite cabins (private bathroom (head) and shower with warm fresh water, bunk, linens, towels).

The instructor will take one cabin and the guests fill the other cabins.

• Entire vessel has 3 double cabins available for up to 6 guests sharing three cabins.
• Click here to see the Boat gallery

• Very adaptable itinerary in the Virgin Islands.
• 7 glorious days sailing with your USCG Captain/ASA Sailing Instructor.
• Drinking Water, all breakfasts, all lunches and 2 dinners aboard.
• Queen bed en-suite cabins (private bathroom (head) and shower (warm fresh water), bunk, linens, towels)
• Course Textbooks, logbook, and certificates upon successful completion of knowledge 100 % skills and 80% exam scores.
• CG -719s SMALL VESSEL SEA SERVICE FORM signed by the Captain for your time at Sea.

• Any meals ashore
• Any alcohol/soda/mixers/snacks you may wish to bring on board.
• Optional customary gratuity (15-20% of your charter)
• Flight and taxi transportation to and from the vessel departure/return location.

Cyril E. King International Airport (STT)  is an easy airport to fly into. This airport is serviced by American, Jetblue, United, Spirit, and Delta. You won’t need your passport to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands as a U.S. citizen. Once you land in St. Thomas, you’ll find taxis in the airport arrival area, expect to pay $15 per person +$2 per bag. Cash is best.

The first night is designed to be a sleep aboard starting at 5 PM Sunday of the week of your trip, so you do not need to stay in a hotel the night before. We recommend flying on the day of departure. If you arrive the day early you will check out of your hotel at 11AM and no baggage storage. We prefer no pre-boarding because we are usually cleaning and preparing the vessel.

We arrive on the final day Saturday at 10 AM and arrive at the airport about 2-3 hours prior to departure.