Certification
ASA 103 sailing course
Advance your coastal cruising skills with ASA 103.
Intermediate Course7 Days • From $3,790
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.
Unlock Charter FreedomFrom $3,790 per person
5.0 / 217 Reviews
ASA Certified
4-6 Students Max
7 Destinations
Prerequisites: ASA 101 + 102 (Beginner Course)
Duration: 7 Days
Available: Year Round
THE certification that unlocks yacht charters worldwideMultiple certifications in one week (ASA 103 + 104 + 114)Intensive docking and Med-mooring practiceReal multi-day passage planning and execution
This is the moment you've been working toward. ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising is the golden ticket — the certification that unlocks yacht charters worldwide. After this week, you won't need a paid skipper. You ARE the skipper.
You'll learn to plan and execute multi-day sailing trips, manage provisioning, handle emergencies, and skipper a 30-50 foot yacht in coastal waters during the day. This is real independence. Real responsibility. And real freedom.
At Sailing Virgins, we bundle ASA 104 with ASA 103 in our Intermediate courses. If you're taking our catamaran course, you'll also earn ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran endorsement. One week, multiple certifications, endless possibilities.
Imagine booking a yacht in Greece, Croatia, the Caribbean — anywhere — and showing up knowing you have the skills and credentials to take the helm. That's ASA 104. That's your future.
What You'll Master in ASA 104
Passage Planning Mastery
Plan multi-day routes accounting for weather, tides, fuel, provisions, and crew comfort. Think like a captain.
Docking & Marina Operations
Approach any marina with confidence. Stern-to Med-mooring, side-tie docking, spring lines, and perfect departures.
Anchoring Excellence
Set anchor in any conditions. Calculate scope, assess holding, set an anchor alarm, and sleep soundly.
Emergency Procedures
Man overboard recovery, fire fighting, abandon ship protocols. Be prepared for anything.
Diesel Engine Operations
Pre-start checks, basic troubleshooting, fuel management, and when to call for help.
Weather Decision Making
Read forecasts, interpret conditions, and make smart go/no-go decisions that keep your crew safe.
Provisioning & Boat Management
Stock a yacht for a week, manage water and power, and run a happy ship.
Crew Leadership
Assign roles, delegate tasks, manage personalities, and create an experience everyone remembers.
Ready to Start Your ASA 104 Adventure?
Join thousands of students who have transformed their lives through sailing.
Courses year-round
7 destinations
ASA certified
Starting from $3,790 • Accommodations & meals included
Your ASA 104 Journey
Here's what a week of transformation looks like, day by day. Click to explore each day's adventure.
Morning
Arrival, skill assessment, boat familiarization
Afternoon
ASA 103 review, safety systems walkthrough, first sail
Evening
Passage planning introduction, week overview
Skills:Skill assessmentBoat systemsSafety review
See ASA 104 in Action
Watch the transformation as students become confident bareboat skippers.
From Student to Skipper
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. We also got to snorkel and swim. Loved it!!
L
Laksh
Dec 2024 • Couples
Outstanding Leadership and Seamless Instruction
James is one of the best leaders I have ever met. He has a kind and genuine way about him that earns your respect immediately. He is especially good at teaching by letting you learn through doing.
N
Nathan S
Feb 2025 • Couples
Gaining sailing accreditation in the Mediterranean
We sailed with Oran as our instructor from Split in Croatia. 3 couples and the most passionate teacher who worked hard to make sure we all developed the critical skills to enjoy our own bareboat charter.
K
Kim H
Aug 2024 • Couples
Meet Your Captains
Our instructors aren't just certified — they're seasoned sailors who have logged thousands of miles and trained hundreds of students.
Bareboat cruising and charter preparation
50,000 NM
3 Certifications
ASA Certified InstructorRYA Yachtmaster OffshoreUS Coast Guard 100-Ton Master
“ASA 104 is when you stop being a passenger in your sailing story and start being the author. There's no feeling like taking your own crew on your own adventure.”
What's Included in Your Course
Included in Your Fee
- Live-aboard on a modern 40-50ft cruising yacht
- All onboard meals and provisions
- ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification
- ASA 103 certification (bundled course)
- ASA 114 Catamaran endorsement (catamaran courses)
- Expert instruction from certified captains
- Fuel, marina fees, and mooring costs
- Snorkeling gear and water toys
- Sailing Virgins Alumni network
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 104 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 103 graduates ready for charter independence
- ASA 101 holders ready to fast-track to chartering
- Couples who want to charter yachts together
- Groups planning future sailing vacations
- Anyone who wants to BE the captain, not hire one
- Career sailors building professional credentials
This Might Not Be for You If...
- Complete beginners (take ASA 101 first)
- Those who prefer motorboating to sailing
- Anyone uncomfortable with multi-day trips
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 Bareboat Cruising fits in your path to becoming a confident captain.
Ready for the Next Level?
You've earned your bareboat charter certification! Ready for more? Our Advanced Course (ASA 105 + 106) teaches night sailing, offshore passages, and the skills that professional skippers possess.
Advance to Professional LevelFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ASA 104
Yes! ASA 104 is the globally recognized standard for bareboat chartering. Charter companies from the Caribbean to Croatia to Thailand accept ASA 104 as proof of competency. You may also want to obtain an ICC/IPC for European waters, which you can apply for after completing ASA 104.
Still have questions? We're here to help!
View all FAQsWhere You Can Take ASA 104
Life on an ASA 104 Course
Your ASA 104 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
British Virgin Islands sailing school
Learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands with expert ASA-certified instructors.
Guide
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Destination
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Sail the Caribbean from St. Martin with ASA-certified instruction.