First-time sailors learning to trim sails on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands with crystal blue waters in the background

Master the Basics: Your First Step to Becoming a Sailor

Name: Beginner Sailing Course Experience | Sailing Virgins
Uploaded: 2026-10-03
Duration: 2:45
Description: Follow first-time sailors as they go from complete beginners to certified sailors in 7 days. See the adventures, the learning moments, and the friendships formed.

Go from complete beginner to certified sailor in just 7 days. Live aboard, learn fast, make friends for life.

Find Your Course

American Sailing Association Certified Training Facility

ASA CertifiedTraining Facility

4.98/5228 reviews

As Featured InVOGUE

7 days

Duration

ASA 101 + 102

From 2027 (2026 weeks: ASA 101 + 103)

$3,990

From

6-8 sailors

Crew Size

Your Beginner Sailing Journey

Join like-minded adventurers for an unforgettable week of learning, exploring, and making lifelong friends.

Beginner sailors learning to sail in stunning Caribbean waters

Students practicing sail trim on a catamaran

Catamaran sailing through crystal clear waters

Swimming off the yacht in turquoise waters

1 / 10

Is Beginner Right for You?

Find out if this course matches your experience level and goals.

Perfect For

Complete beginners with zero sailing experience
Adults looking for a unique adventure vacation
Career professionals seeking a new hobby or skill
Solo travelers wanting to meet like-minded adventurers
Couples looking for a romantic learning experience
Anyone dreaming of chartering their own yacht someday

Prerequisites

None! This course is designed for absolute beginners. You just need to be comfortable in the water and ready for adventure.

What You'll Achieve

ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) certification
ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising) certification on 2026 weeks, or ASA 102 on weeks from 2027
Ability to sail a yacht in fair weather conditions
Skills to crew on charter yachts worldwide
New friends and an entry into the global sailing community

Diverse group of beginner sailors celebrating after successfully docking in Croatia

What You'll Learn

Our beginner curriculum takes you from "Which way does the wind blow?" to confidently sailing and docking a 40-foot yacht. You will earn two internationally recognized ASA certifications: ASA 101 and ASA 103 on 2026 weeks, and ASA 101 and ASA 102 on weeks from 2027.

Identifying wind direction and using telltales

Points of sail: close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach, running

Tacking and gybing maneuvers

Sail trim fundamentals

Basic knots: bowline, cleat hitch, figure-8

Right of way rules and collision avoidance

Overboard recovery procedures

Reefing in stronger winds

Mediterranean mooring (Med mooring)

Anchoring: selection, setting, and retrieval

Chart reading and basic navigation

Weather interpretation and forecasting

VHF radio communication protocols

Engine operation and checks

Provisioning and meal planning

Living aboard: systems, etiquette, watches

Sail shape and power: angle of attack, depth and twist

Using every sail control: sheets, leads, traveler, outhaul, backstay

Upwind and downwind trim, reefing and depowering

Tacking, jibing and crew overboard recovery at every crew position

Docking, moorings and heaving-to

All certifications issued by the American Sailing Association (ASA)

A Day in the Life

Every day is different, but here is what a typical day looks like on your beginner sailing adventure.

Time	Activity	What You'll Learn	Vibe
07:00	Wake up to sunrise on the water	Start the day refreshed in your private cabin	Zen
08:00	Breakfast on deck + daily briefing	Review the sail plan and assign crew roles	Social
09:00	Theory session: navigation basics	Learn to read charts and plot a course	Academic
10:30	Up anchor and set sail	Practice hoisting sails and getting underway	Active
12:00	Sailing drills: tacking and gybing	Master turning the boat through the wind	High Focus
13:00	Lunch under sail	Relax and refuel while cruising to the next bay	Social
15:00	Arrive at new destination, anchoring practice	Learn to select the perfect spot and set the hook	Active
16:30	Free time: swim, paddleboard, explore	Discover hidden beaches and crystal-clear waters	Zen
19:00	Sunset happy hour	Debrief the day and celebrate your progress	Celebration
20:00	Dinner at a local restaurant or onboard BBQ	Experience local cuisine and bond with your crew	Social

07:00Wake up to sunrise on the water

Start the day refreshed in your private cabin

Zen

08:00Breakfast on deck + daily briefing

Review the sail plan and assign crew roles

Social

09:00Theory session: navigation basics

Learn to read charts and plot a course

Academic

10:30Up anchor and set sail

Practice hoisting sails and getting underway

Active

12:00Sailing drills: tacking and gybing

Master turning the boat through the wind

High Focus

13:00Lunch under sail

Relax and refuel while cruising to the next bay

Social

15:00Arrive at new destination, anchoring practice

Learn to select the perfect spot and set the hook

Active

16:30Free time: swim, paddleboard, explore

Discover hidden beaches and crystal-clear waters

Zen

19:00Sunset happy hour

Debrief the day and celebrate your progress

Celebration

20:00Dinner at a local restaurant or onboard BBQ

Experience local cuisine and bond with your crew

Social

Zen

Academic

Active

Social

High Focus

Celebration

See What a Week Looks Like

Follow first-time sailors as they go from complete beginners to certified sailors in 7 days. See the adventures, the learning moments, and the friendships formed.

Click to play • Beginner Sailing Course Experience | Sailing Virgins

Your Crew

Meet Your Instructors

Learn from ASA-certified professionals who love introducing people to sailing.

Captain Justin Avioli

ASA Certified Instructor

Justin got his start sailing on the Hudson River, hosting the occasional booze cruise around the Statue of Liberty. But, city life wasn't suited for this Texas native, and he soon decided to use sailing as an avenue to explore the world.

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

1 of 5 instructors

Meet all our instructors

Tripadvisor Reviews

What Beginners Say

5.0

(228+ reviews)

“I was terrified I'd be the worst one on the boat. Turns out everyone was a beginner just like me! By day 3, I was helming the yacht through the Greek islands. The instructors made everything feel achievable, and I left with genuine confidence - and two certifications to prove it.”

Sarah M.

Solo Female, 34, Corporate Attorney

“We wanted an adventure honeymoon that wasn't just lying on a beach. This exceeded every expectation. Learning to sail together was incredibly bonding, and the BVI scenery was unreal. We're already planning our intermediate course!”

James & Emily K.

Couple, 28 & 30, First-time Sailors

“I needed a complete digital detox and to learn something new. A week without email, actually using my hands and brain together - it was transformative. The crew was fantastic, the teaching was patient and clear, and I actually feel competent now. Life-changing trip.”

David T.

Solo Male, 42, Tech Executive

“As someone who works high-stress shifts, this was the perfect reset. The combination of learning, adventure, and genuine relaxation is unique. I was nervous traveling solo but made friends for life. The Med mooring practice was terrifying at first but so satisfying once I nailed it!”

Next: Nov 1

Up to 5 sailors

From

$4,190per person

View dates →

View All Beginner Courses

First-Time-Sailors-Checklist.pdf guide preview

Free Download

Download the Complete First-Time Sailor's Checklist

Everything you need to know before your first sailing course - packing list, terminology cheat sheet, what to expect day-by-day, and tips from our instructors.

What's inside:

Complete packing checklist for first-timers
What to expect on your first day sailing
Essential sailing terms explained simply
Tips from experienced instructors

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Certifications and destinations to pair with this

Certification

Start sailing with ASA 101

Start your sailing journey with the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat course.

Course Type

a gentle introduction to sailing

The gentlest way in: a first taste of life aboard and sailing basics.

Destination

Sailing school in Thailand

Explore tropical Thai waters while learning to sail.

Guide

picking your first sailing course

How to pick your first sailing course as a complete beginner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not in the way most people fear. Most of our beginners have never set foot on a sailboat. You live aboard with an ASA instructor for seven days and learn one skill at a time in protected water: steering, trimming the sails, tacking, anchoring, then docking. Because you practise every day instead of once a week, it sticks, and by the end of the week you are sailing the boat yourself and working toward two ASA certifications: ASA 101 and ASA 103 on a 2026 week, or ASA 101 and ASA 102 from 2027.

A 7-day beginner course costs from $3,990 per person, depending on the destination and week. That price includes all instruction and ASA certification fees, seven nights aboard the yacht, meals prepared on board, fuel, mooring and marina fees, and linens and snorkel gear.

Not included: flights, travel insurance, alcohol and meals ashore. For most weeks you can hold your spot with a deposit and pay the rest later.

Absolutely not! Our beginner courses are designed for people who have never set foot on a sailboat. We start from the very basics and build your skills progressively throughout the week. By the end, you will be amazed at how much you have learned.

You will earn two internationally recognized ASA certifications. On weeks in 2026 that is ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) and ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising). From 2027 the Beginner week awards ASA 101 and ASA 102, and ASA 103 moves into our Intermediate week alongside ASA 104. Either way, they are your stepping stone to more advanced certifications.

Your certification cards will be mailed to you within 2-3 weeks after the course.

Your course fee includes:

- All sailing instruction and ASA certification fees

- 7 nights accommodation on the yacht

- All meals prepared onboard (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

- Fuel for the yacht

- Mooring and marina fees

- Linens, towels, and snorkeling gear

- All course materials and logbooks

Not included: Flights, travel insurance, alcohol, and meals at restaurants (optional).

You will have your own private cabin on the yacht. Cabins typically have a double or two single berths, storage space, and access to shared heads (bathrooms). Couples can share a cabin, and solo travelers are matched by gender if sharing.

We sail in protected waters with generally calm conditions, which minimizes motion sickness. Most people do fine, but we recommend bringing medication like Dramamine or SeaBands just in case. Our instructors are also experienced at managing seasickness and will help you adjust.

Pro tip: Stay on deck, look at the horizon, and keep busy - you'll likely forget about any discomfort once you're actively sailing!

We offer beginner courses in multiple stunning destinations:

- **BVI (British Virgin Islands)** - Perfect conditions year-round, calm waters, close anchorages

- **Croatia** - Mediterranean beauty, historic towns, excellent summer weather

- **Greece** - Crystal-clear Aegean waters, island hopping, ancient history

Each destination offers unique experiences, but all are carefully selected for ideal beginner sailing conditions.

Pack light! Space on a yacht is limited. Essentials include:

- Quick-dry clothing and swimwear

- Non-marking, closed-toe boat shoes

- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and sunglasses

- Light rain jacket or windbreaker

- Personal medications

- Small daypack for shore excursions

We'll send you a detailed packing list after booking.

Ready to Start Your Sailing Journey?

Join thousands of beginners who have learned to sail with us. Your adventure starts with a single step - choosing your course.

Find Your Perfect Course

100% Satisfaction GuaranteeFlexible Booking Options

Master the Basics: Your First Step to Becoming a Sailor

Your Beginner Sailing Journey

Is Beginner Right for You?

Perfect For

Prerequisites

What You'll Achieve

What You'll Learn

ASA 101

ASA 103

ASA 102

A Day in the Life

See What a Week Looks Like

Meet Your Instructors

Captain Justin Avioli

What Beginners Say

Upcoming Beginner Courses

French Polynesia Sailing Adventure

St Martin Catamaran Course

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St Martin 10 Year Anniversary - Monohull

St Martin Adventure Sailing Course

BVI Adventure Sailing Course

Download the Complete First-Time Sailor's Checklist

Explore More Sailing Experiences

Certifications and destinations to pair with this

Start sailing with ASA 101

a gentle introduction to sailing

Sailing school in Thailand

picking your first sailing course

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sailing hard to learn?

How much do sailing lessons cost?

Do I need any prior sailing experience?

What certifications will I earn?

What's included in the course fee?

What are the cabin arrangements?

What if I get seasick?

What destinations are available for beginners?

What should I pack?

Ready to Start Your Sailing Journey?

Your Beginner Sailing Journey

See What a Week Looks Like

Meet Your Instructors

Captain Justin Avioli

What Beginners Say

Download the Complete First-Time Sailor's Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sailing hard to learn?

How much do sailing lessons cost?

Do I need any prior sailing experience?

What certifications will I earn?

What's included in the course fee?

What are the cabin arrangements?

What if I get seasick?

What destinations are available for beginners?

What should I pack?