Certification
ASA 104 bareboat certification
Earn your bareboat charter license with the ASA 104 course.
Sailing Virgins vs Sunsail – Honest Comparison
Certification school vs charter company – which is right for you?
Sailing Virgins excels at
ASA certification, small crews, learn-to-sail focus
Sunsail excels at
Larger fleet, more destinations, flotilla format
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Sailing Virgins | Sunsail |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Learn to sail + earn ASA certification | Bareboat charter holidays for certified sailors |
| Crew Size | 6-8 students per boat | Self-crewed (you sail yourself) or skippered |
| Certification | ASA 101-114 certifications included | No certification – requires existing qualification |
| Instruction | Full-time ASA instructor aboard | Optional skipper (extra cost) |
| Price (7 days) | From $2,700 all-inclusive | From $3,000-6,000+ (boat only, food/drinks extra) |
| Best For | Beginners and those wanting certification | Certified sailors wanting independent charter |
Primary Purpose
Sailing Virgins:
Learn to sail + earn ASA certification
Sunsail:
Bareboat charter holidays for certified sailors
Crew Size
Sailing Virgins:
6-8 students per boat
Sunsail:
Self-crewed (you sail yourself) or skippered
Certification
Sailing Virgins:
ASA 101-114 certifications included
Sunsail:
No certification – requires existing qualification
Instruction
Sailing Virgins:
Full-time ASA instructor aboard
Sunsail:
Optional skipper (extra cost)
Price (7 days)
Sailing Virgins:
From $2,700 all-inclusive
Sunsail:
From $3,000-6,000+ (boat only, food/drinks extra)
Best For
Sailing Virgins:
Beginners and those wanting certification
Sunsail:
Certified sailors wanting independent charter
The Verdict
Choose Sailing Virgins to learn; choose Sunsail once you're certified and want to charter independently
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charter with Sunsail after getting certified with Sailing Virgins?
Yes – that's actually a perfect progression. Earn your ASA certifications with us, then use them to charter independently with Sunsail, Moorings, or any bareboat company worldwide.
Is Sailing Virgins more expensive than Sunsail?
Our price includes instruction, certification, accommodation, and meals. Sunsail's base price is the boat only – add provisioning, fuel, mooring fees, and optional skipper and you often spend more.
Does Sunsail teach beginners?
Sunsail offers 'Learn to Sail' flotillas but they're not ASA-certified. Their primary business is chartering to already-qualified sailors.
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