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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 Basics The boat: Sweet and Salty, a 2018 FP Helia 44’  Crew: Captain Trevon  ASA Students: Kate, Jeff, Shirley, and Eric Courses Completed:  ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran), ASA 118 (Docking Endorsement) Day 1: Making Plans This crew came aboard Sweet and Salty with a variety of sailing experience! However, Captain Trevon found they all had a few things in common. Everyone wanted to complete their docking endorsement (ASA 118) as well as at least a few other ASA courses by the end of the week. This crew also determined that they would be interested in a trip to St. Croix during their sailing courses.  Day 2: Jumping Right In The group took no time to jump right into their sailing adventure! They started off the…

Setting sail outside of the U.S. and not sure if you need a sailing certificate? Read on to discover everything you need to know about international sailing certificates, when you need them, and how to get one:  What is an international sailing certificate? An international sailing certificate is proof that you meet the basic requirements to sail a yacht. In many countries, sailors are required to have an international sailing license to rent a sailboat. However, there are a few different types of sailing certificates available for international sailors. The three main certificates are the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), The International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC), and the The International Certificate of Competence (ICC).  How do I choose between ICC vs. IPC vs. SLC sailing certificates? The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is the sailing license approved by the United…

The Basics The boat: Speculation, a 2012 Leopard 44  Crew: Captain Jalil (instructor)   ASA Students: Steve & Tirzah Courses Completed:   ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) Day 1: The Start of Something New Steve and Tirzah meet Captain Jalil for dinner and they spend the evening sharing…

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…

The Basics The boat: Speculation, a 2021 Leopard 44  Crew: Captain Jalil (instructor)   ASA Students: David, Adam, and Chris Courses Completed:  ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran)   Day 1: A Range of Experience Ready and excited to set sail, the crew of sailors…

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…

The Basics The boat: Calypso, a 2018 FP Helia 44’  Crew: Captain Trevon (instructor) and first mate Stephanie  ASA Students: Todd, Mike, Amir, Kelsey Courses Completed:  ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) Day 1: Exceeding Expectations Todd, Mike, Amir, and Kelsey arrived aboard the Calypso and were immediately…

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are both absolutely gorgeous sailing locations. However, if you are only able to visit one on your upcoming Caribbean trip, these tips will help you to make an informed decision about which territory to go to first:  BVI vs USVI Passports and Visas For U.S….

The Basics The boat: Jester, a FP Helia 44’  Crew: Captain Jalil (instructor) ASA Students: Sandy, Chuck, Jon Courses Completed:  ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) Day 1: Getting to know the crew Sandy, Chuck, and Jon all eagerly hop aboard the Jester to begin their weeklong journey…

The key to finding the best sailing schools in the Virgin Islands is knowing what to look for. In this post we discuss what elements to look for before booking your dream sailing course. This includes finding the best deal, greatest instructors, most flexible sailing schools, and most fun courses. Here’s how you can ensure…

  The Basics The boat: Calypso, a 2022 FP Astrea 42’  Crew: Captain Trevon (instructor)  ASA Students: Casey, Joe, Julie, and Page Courses Completed:  ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104  (Bareboat Cruising), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) Day 1: A Taste of Home As a Montanan, Trevon was excited to welcome his fellow Treasure State…