Certification
ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising
Earn your bareboat charter license with the ASA 104 course.
Beginner Course7 Days • From $3,790
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.
Start Coastal CruisingFrom $3,790 per person
5.0 / 217 Reviews
ASA Certified
4-6 Students Max
6 Destinations
Prerequisites: ASA 101 + 102 (Beginner Course)
Duration: 7 Days
Available: Year Round
Two certifications in one week (ASA 101 + 103)Real navigation in stunning coastlinesFoundation for bareboat charter certificationLearn both traditional and electronic navigation
You've learned to sail. Now it's time to learn to cruise. ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising transforms you from a sailor who can handle a boat into one who can plan a journey, read the coastline, and navigate safely from harbor to harbor.
This certification prepares you to crew or skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary keelboat (up to 40 feet) during daylight hours in coastal or inland waters. You'll master chart reading, navigation aids, safety procedures, and the seamanship skills that separate casual sailors from competent cruisers.
At Sailing Virgins, we bundle ASA 103 with ASA 101 in our Beginner courses — because we believe you shouldn't just learn to sail, you should learn to go places. In one week, you'll earn both certifications while exploring stunning coastlines and discovering hidden anchorages.
The horizon is calling. ASA 103 teaches you how to answer.
What You'll Master in ASA 103
Navigation Charts & Symbols
Read nautical charts like a local. Understand depths, hazards, anchorages, and the stories the symbols tell.
Aids to Navigation
Decode buoys, beacons, lighthouses, and channel markers. Know exactly where you are at all times.
Position Fixing
Determine your location using landmarks, depth soundings, and GPS. Backup skills when electronics fail.
Magnetic & True Bearings
Convert between true and magnetic compass readings. Navigate accurately in any waters.
Safety Equipment Mastery
Know what safety gear is required, where it is, and how to use it. Life jackets to flares to EPIRBs.
Refueling Procedures
Safe refueling for gasoline and diesel vessels. Fire prevention and fuel management.
Weather Interpretation
Read the sky, understand forecasts, and make go/no-go decisions like a seasoned skipper.
Anchoring & Mooring
Advanced anchoring techniques, mooring ball pickups, and securing for overnight stays.
Ready to Start Your ASA 103 Adventure?
Join thousands of students who have transformed their lives through sailing.
Courses year-round
6 destinations
ASA certified
Starting from $3,790 • Accommodations & meals included
Your ASA 103 Journey
Here's what a week of transformation looks like, day by day. Click to explore each day's adventure.
Morning
Arrival, boat orientation, crew introductions
Afternoon
Safety briefing, basic sail handling review, first sail to anchorage
Evening
Chart reading introduction, tomorrow's passage planning
Skills:Safety equipment reviewChart basicsAnchoring fundamentals
See ASA 103 in Action
Hear from students who earned their ASA 103 and discovered the freedom of coastal cruising.
Sailing Virgins Student Stories
Tripadvisor Reviews
What Our Students Say
5.0
(217+ reviews)
Learn to Sail Vacation with Virgin Sails
Outstanding sailing experience with Virgin Sails in BVI. I got my ASA 103, 104 and 114 under the tutelage of Capt James Finney. He was a great instructor. Patient and thorough.
L
Laksh
Dec 2024 • Couples
An awesome week of adventure and instruction
A great week learning how to sail a monohull with instructor Finn in one of the most renowned sailing spots in the world. The mixture of adventure and instruction was perfect, and I came away from the week with more confidence on the water.
C
Clara S
Jan 2025 • Solo
Blast of an adventure, in a beautiful place, with great people
Went solo but had no issue blending with a likeminded crew of genuinely good and friendly people. Captains Chris and Fin kept us safe, entertained, and taught along the way. They went above and beyond.
M
Matt A
Jan 2025 • Solo
Meet Your Captains
Our instructors aren't just certified — they're seasoned sailors who have logged thousands of miles and trained hundreds of students.
What's Included in Your Course
Included in Your Fee
- Accommodations on a modern 40-50ft cruising yacht
- All onboard meals and provisions
- ASA 103 certification exam and processing
- ASA 101 certification (bundled course)
- Professional instruction from certified captains
- Navigation tools and course materials
- Fuel, marina fees, and mooring costs
- Sailing Virgins Alumni network membership
Plan for Separately
- Flights and transportation to/from the destination
- Dinners eaten onshore at restaurants
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Alcoholic beverages purchased ashore
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Budget Tip
Most students budget an additional $300-500 for shore meals, drinks, and personal expenses. Flights vary by destination and origin.
The True Value of Your Investment
~$1,500
7 Nights Yacht Accommodation
~$800
ASA Certifications & Exams
~$1,000
Professional Instruction
Priceless
Skills, Friends, Memories
Your Price
From $3,790
per person, all-inclusive
Is ASA 103 Right for You?
We want to make sure this course is a perfect fit. Here's who thrives in our programs — and who might prefer something different.
This Course is Perfect If You...
- ASA 101 graduates ready to expand their horizons
- Sailors who want to cruise coastlines, not just day sail
- Those dreaming of bareboat charter vacations
- Complete beginners (take with bundled ASA 101)
- Couples wanting to charter together in the future
- Career sailors building their certification ladder
This Might Not Be for You If...
- Those only interested in racing (focus on ASA 102)
- Sailors who never want to leave protected bays
- Anyone uncomfortable with overnight stays on boats
Looking for something different? We offer private charters for groups who want a customized experience, or can recommend other options if our courses aren't the right fit.
Real Talk
We Get It. Booking Can Feel Scary.
Every week, students arrive with the same worries. Here's the honest truth about what to expect.
The Solo Traveler Manifesto
Here's a secret: most people who book with us are solo travelers. They come alone but leave with lifelong friends. Living on a boat for a week creates bonds that typical vacations never could.
By day two, you'll forget you arrived alone. You'll be laughing over breakfast, cheering each other on during sail training, and sharing stories under the stars. Our small crew size (4-6 students) means everyone connects.
Many of our students have traveled the world solo—but they say a Sailing Virgins trip is where they've made their deepest friendships. There's something about the sea that strips away pretense.
82%
arrive solo
94%
stay in touch with crew
67%
have sailed together again
“I was terrified to show up alone. By day three, I was planning our reunion trip.”
— Sarah K., ASA 101 Graduate
Still have questions? We're happy to chat. Email us anytime.
ASA Certified School
5.0 / 217 Reviews
Flexible Booking
Your Sailing Certification Journey
See where Basic Coastal Cruising fits in your path to becoming a confident captain.
Ready for the Next Level?
Great news — our Intermediate Course bundles ASA 103 with ASA 104! You'll graduate ready to charter bareboat yachts worldwide. Ready for more? Our Advanced Course (ASA 105 + 106) takes you to professional level.
Continue to AdvancedFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ASA 103
ASA 101 teaches basic sailing skills — how to make the boat move and stop. ASA 103 adds navigation and seamanship — how to go somewhere safely. With ASA 101, you can sail. With ASA 103, you can cruise.
Still have questions? We're here to help!
View all FAQsWhere You Can Take ASA 103
Life on an ASA 103 Course
Your ASA 103 Journey Awaits
Don't let another year slip by wondering “what if.”
Take the helm of your sailing story today.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
Where to earn it, and what pairs with it
Destination
Explore BVI sailing
Learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands with expert ASA-certified instructors.
Destination
St. Martin sailing courses
Sail the Caribbean from St. Martin with ASA-certified instruction.
Guide
Caribbean sailing guide
Compare Caribbean sailing destinations and find your perfect trip.