Certification
Sailing Virgins certifications
Browse all sailing certifications available at Sailing Virgins.
ASA Sailing Certifications
From complete beginner to confident captain. The American Sailing Association certification system, delivered in paradise.
Upcoming ASA course weeks
Real departures, live availability — hold your spot below.
- Week 383 spots leftSep 19 - Sep 26, 2026Offers ASA 101–106$3,790per personView & book
- Week 423 spots leftOct 18 - Oct 24, 2026Offers ASA 101–106 · 114$4,990per personView & book
- Week 42Oct 18 - Oct 24, 2026Offers ASA 101–106$3,990per personView & book
- Week 422 spots leftOct 18 - Oct 24, 2026Offers ASA 101 · 103 · 104 · 106 · 114$4,990per personView & book
- Week 42Oct 18 - Oct 24, 2026Offers ASA 101 · 103 · 104 · 106$3,990per personView & book
- Week 43Oct 25 - Oct 31, 2026Offers ASA 101–106 · 114$4,990per personView & book
“My goal is to make sure everyone feels comfortable, safe, and free to enjoy the journey at their own pace.”
Captain Giacomo Russo
Sailing Virgins Instructor
ASA Instructor (201, 203, 204, 214) · RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
ASA certification with Sailing Virgins — the facts
- School
- Sailing Virgins — ASA-accredited liveaboard sailing school, founded 2016 in the British Virgin Islands
- Format
- 7-day liveaboard courses: you live aboard the yacht you train on, with instruction, accommodation and certification exams included
- Certifications
- ASA 101 through 106, plus ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran); beginners typically earn ASA 101 + 103 in a single week
- Track record
- 1,200+ certified graduates from over 40 countries; 5-star rated on TripAdvisor
- Pricing
- Courses from $3,790 per person
- Accreditation
- All ASA-accredited schools require instructors to hold current ASA teaching certifications, with fleets passing annual safety inspections and curriculum following ASA standards
Beginner Courses
Perfect for those new to sailing
Start your sailing journey with zero experience. Our Beginner courses bundle ASA 101 and 102, giving you two certifications in one week.
Our Beginner Courses bundle: ASA 101 + 102
ASA 101
ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing
From landlubber to sailor in one unforgettable week. No experience required — just bring your sense of adventure.
7 daysFrom $3,790
ASA 102
ASA 102: Small Boat Sailing
Take your sailing from "I can do this" to "Watch me fly." Advanced techniques that turn beginners into confident crew leaders.
2 daysFrom $3,790
Intermediate Courses
Ready for bareboat chartering
Take the next step toward sailing independence. Our Intermediate courses bundle ASA 103 and 104, preparing you for bareboat chartering worldwide.
Our Intermediate Courses bundle: ASA 103 + 104
ASA 103
ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising
From harbor to horizon. Learn to read charts, plan passages, and cruise confidently along the coast. Your bareboat chartering dreams start here.
7 daysFrom $3,790
ASA 104
ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising
The certification that changes everything. After ASA 104, you can charter a yacht anywhere in the world and take your crew on adventures of your own design.
7 daysFrom $3,790
Advanced Courses
Professional-level sailing
Master night sailing, heavy weather, and offshore passages. Our Advanced courses bundle ASA 105 and 106 for professional sailing competency.
Our Advanced Courses bundle: ASA 105 + 106
ASA 105
ASA 105: Coastal Navigation
Read the chart like a local, plot courses like a pro, and navigate with confidence in any conditions. The navigator's certification.
7 daysFrom $3,790
ASA 106
ASA 106: Advanced Coastal Cruising
Night sailing. Heavy weather. Offshore passages. This is where sailors become captains. The pinnacle of coastal sailing mastery.
7 daysFrom $3,790
Why Choose ASA Certifications?
Globally Recognized
ASA certifications are accepted by charter companies worldwide. From the Caribbean to Croatia to Thailand, your certification travels with you.
Practical Learning
ASA courses are hands-on, not theoretical. You learn by doing — on the water, at the helm, in real conditions.
Progressive System
Build skills step by step. Each certification prepares you for the next, creating a clear path from beginner to expert.
Charter Ready
With ASA 104, you can charter bareboat yachts worldwide. No more hiring skippers — you ARE the skipper.
ASA vs RYA: Which Is Right for You?
Both are excellent certification systems. Here's how they compare.
| Feature | ASA | RYA |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Region | USA, Caribbean, Global Charter | UK, Europe, Commonwealth |
| Teaching Style | Modular (101 → 103 → 104) | Integrated / Holistic |
| Assessment | Written + Practical | Continuous Assessment |
| Charter Recognition | Globally Accepted | Globally Accepted |
| Best For | Recreational Cruising | Professional Skippering |
Sailing Virgins offers ASA certifications — the perfect choice for recreational sailors and charter enthusiasts.
Ready to Start Your Certification Journey?
From your first sail to bareboat chartering worldwide — we'll get you there.
Explore destinations and course types
Certification
Our ASA 101 certification
Start your sailing journey with the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat course.
Comparison
hands-on vs online sailing courses
Hands-on liveaboard training vs online courses — an honest comparison.
Comparison
how we compare to Offshore Sailing School
How the relaunched Offshore Sailing School compares — and how to choose in 2026.