Certification
Earn your ASA 104
Earn your bareboat charter license with the ASA 104 course.
BVI Sailing School
Caribbean Paradise Awaits: Earn your ASA certifications sailing through turquoise waters and pristine islands. Leave work behind at the dock.
Flexible cancellation up to 90 days before your course.
Upcoming weeks in British Virgin Islands
Real departures, live availability — hold your spot below.
- Week 45Nov 8 - Nov 14, 2026$5,190per personView & book
- Week 462 spots leftNov 15 - Nov 21, 2026$4,190per personView & book
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- Week 51Dec 27 - Jan 2, 2027$5,190per personHold your spot from $1,038 depositView & book
British Virgin Islands
November to June
Monohull or Catamaran
ASA CertifiedTraining Facility
4.98/5228 reviews
Featured inVogue & Condé Nast
Departing from The Moorings in Road Town, Tortola, our students — from complete beginners earning their ASA 101 to experienced sailors pursuing ASA 103, 104, 105, 106, or the ASA 114 catamaran endorsement — master Caribbean sailing techniques among the world's most legendary cruising grounds. Navigate the steady trade winds of the Sir Francis Drake Channel over seven days aboard a modern cruising yacht. You'll learn coastal navigation, anchoring in crystal-clear bays, night sailing, and passage planning — earning globally recognized ASA certifications that qualify you for bareboat charters worldwide. The British Virgin Islands offer the perfect training ground: protected waters, consistent trade winds, and island hops short enough to perfect your skills while exploring The Baths, Anegada's pristine beaches, and the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar.
“Since age 17, I have been teaching others to sail, combining a strong focus on safety with a relaxed, encouraging coaching style. My goal is to help you thrive in your sailing ambitions while enjoying the most beautiful waters!”
Captain Joep Hoffland
Sailing Virgins Instructor
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
Sailing Virgins in the BVI — 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
- BVI fleet
- Courses run on monohulls and cruising catamarans out of the British Virgin Islands
Why Choose Sailing Virgins for Your British Virgin Islands Sailing Course?
#1 Rated BVI Sailing School
Top-ranked on TripAdvisor with hundreds of five-star reviews, trusted by students from over 40 countries, and the premier ASA-certified sailing school in the Caribbean.
Globally Recognized ASA Certifications
Complete beginners start with ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), while more experienced sailors progress through ASA 103, 104, 105, and 106 — typically two levels per week.
Want to skipper a catamaran? Add the ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran endorsement on our cat courses.
Earn your IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) eligibility once you complete ASA 104 — required for chartering in many international waters.
Train in the World-Famous Caribbean Waters
Navigate through the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke — mastering anchoring in turquoise bays and sailing in the steady trade winds that make the BVI one of the world's top charter destinations.
More Than Just a Course – A Transformation
Build the confidence to skipper your own yacht while developing leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Leave the Caribbean as a different person than you arrived.
Small Crews, Big Connections
With only 4-6 students per yacht, enjoy personalized instruction and form bonds with your crew — many students leave as lifelong friends and future sailing buddies, planning reunion charters.
Not sure if British Virgin Islands is right for you?
Take our 2-minute quiz to find your perfect sailing adventure!
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Experience the Caribbean Like Never Before
Every morning begins with possibility. You'll wake to sunlight sparkling across the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, perhaps anchored in a protected bay near Cooper Island or swinging on a mooring ball in Virgin Gorda's North Sound. After the 7-7-7 morning routine and a swim off the stern, you'll enjoy coffee on deck while your instructor briefs the day's passage over charts.
Your afternoons might find you mastering anchoring techniques in a secluded bay off Norman Island, or practicing sail trim as you navigate the Sir Francis Drake Channel with the trade winds filling your sails. As the sun sets over the Caribbean, you'll share fresh lobster dinners with your crew at Anegada's beach restaurants or sip Painkillers at the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, planning tomorrow's adventure under a canopy of stars.
Why the British Virgin Islands Call to Sailors
The British Virgin Islands are the Caribbean's ultimate sailing classroom. With over 60 islands, cays, and rocks scattered across protected waters, the BVI offers the perfect balance of challenge and beauty. The steady northeast trade winds of 15-20 knots create ideal learning conditions, while short island hops mean you're never far from a protected anchorage.
The Sir Francis Drake Channel serves as your training ground — a wide, deep passage named after the legendary explorer, offering consistent winds and stunning views of the surrounding islands. Protected bays like The Bight at Norman Island and North Sound at Virgin Gorda provide safe spaces to practice anchoring, while reef navigation near Anegada builds real offshore skills.
Our carefully planned routes take you through the BVI's most iconic waters — from the boulder-strewn pools of The Baths to the sunset cocktails at Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke. You'll anchor in bays where pirates once hid, snorkel reefs teeming with tropical fish, and experience a uniquely Caribbean blend of adventure, natural beauty, and rum-soaked celebrations.
A Day in the Life
From sunrise yoga to sunset cocktails — here's what a typical day looks like on your British Virgin Islands sailing adventure.
| Time | Activity | What You'll Learn | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | The 7-7-7 Morning Routine | 7min breathing practice, 7min meditation, 7min workout — the Sailing Virgins way | Zen |
| 07:30 | Turquoise Swim | Dive into crystal-clear Caribbean waters from the swim platform | Zen |
| 08:00 | Caribbean Breakfast | Fresh tropical fruit, local coffee, and crew bonding on deck | Social |
| 09:30 | Theory Session | Charts, trade wind patterns, and passage planning for today's sail | Academic |
| 11:00 | Up Anchor & Sail | Drills: Tacking through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, sail trim in trade winds | Active |
| 13:00 | Beach Bar Lunch | Anchor off a beach bar for fresh Caribbean fare and a quick swim | Social |
| 16:00 | Anchoring Practice | Master anchoring techniques in protected Caribbean bays | High Focus |
| 19:00 | Soggy Dollar Sundowner | Painkillers at the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, course debrief under the stars | Celebration |
07:00The 7-7-7 Morning Routine
7min breathing practice, 7min meditation, 7min workout — the Sailing Virgins way
Zen07:30Turquoise Swim
Dive into crystal-clear Caribbean waters from the swim platform
Zen08:00Caribbean Breakfast
Fresh tropical fruit, local coffee, and crew bonding on deck
Social09:30Theory Session
Charts, trade wind patterns, and passage planning for today's sail
Academic11:00Up Anchor & Sail
Drills: Tacking through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, sail trim in trade winds
Active13:00Beach Bar Lunch
Anchor off a beach bar for fresh Caribbean fare and a quick swim
Social16:00Anchoring Practice
Master anchoring techniques in protected Caribbean bays
High Focus19:00Soggy Dollar Sundowner
Painkillers at the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, course debrief under the stars
CelebrationZen
Academic
Active
Social
High Focus
Celebration
See British Virgin Islands in Action
Experience what a week of sailing looks like through the eyes of our students and instructors.
The Experience
90 seconds of pure sailing adventure in British Virgin Islands
Your Crew
Meet Your Captains
Our instructors aren't just certified — they're passionate sailors who know British Virgin Islands inside and out.
8+ years in British Virgin Islands
Captain Adam
Senior Instructor
“Adam's engineering background means he can explain not just what to do, but why — and he creates a crew family atmosphere from day one.”
— Sailing Virgins Team
Your British Virgin Islands Sailing Route
Sail through the legendary British Virgin Islands on this 7-day Caribbean adventure. From The Moorings in Road Town, you'll explore turquoise bays, coral reefs, and some of the world's most famous sailing destinations.
Start & Finish
The Moorings Road Town
Embark Sunday 9:30 AM
1
Peter Island
First night in Little Harbour
2
Virgin Gorda
The Baths & Saba Rock
3
Anegada
Reef navigation & lobster
4
Cane Garden Bay
Soggy Dollar Bar
5
Norman Island
Treasure Island & Willy T's
6
Cooper Island
The Indians & sunset hike
7
Islands
~81
Nautical Miles
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7-day circular route
Returns to The Moorings Road Town
Sample itinerary
Day by day plan
Day 1
📍 Peter Island
Meeting time: Sunday at 9:30 AM
Meet us at The Moorings in Road Town, Tortola. Today you'll meet your instructor and fellow sailors, board the boat, and receive your safety briefings. After getting to know your new home for the week, you'll have your first sail of the week — a short hop across to Peter Island's Little Harbour, where you'll anchor in crystal-clear waters for your first night aboard.
Ready to Sail BVI Waters?
Your next great story is waiting to begin.
Don't let another summer slip by without making this dream a reality.
Join our British Virgin Islands sailing school and set sail on an unforgettable adventure!
Flexible cancellation up to 90 days before your course.
Explore All Caribbean Destinations
Compare BVI with St. Martin and discover more Caribbean sailing adventures.
What Do You Need to Know About Sailing in British Virgin Islands?
• Is the BVI a Good Place to Learn to Sail?
Absolutely! The BVI is widely considered the best place in the world to learn sailing. Protected waters in the Sir Francis Drake Channel, consistent 15-20 knot trade winds, and short island hops create perfect learning conditions for complete beginners and experienced sailors alike.
• What ASA Certifications Can I Get in the BVI?
The BVI offers ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) through ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), plus the ASA 114 catamaran endorsement. You'll earn certifications through daily hands-on learning and practical exercises, completing written and practical exams at the end of the week.
• When Is the Best Time to Sail in the BVI?
The BVI enjoys near-perfect sailing conditions from November to June. Expect steady trade winds of 15-20 knots, warm temperatures around 80°F (27°C), and mostly sunny skies. The dry season (December-May) is ideal for sailing.
• How Much Does a BVI Sailing Course Cost?
BVI sailing courses start at $3,790 for a 7-day liveaboard course including accommodation aboard a modern yacht, expert ASA instruction, certification fees, and the adventure of a lifetime. Visit our courses page for current pricing and availability.
• What Should I Pack for a BVI Sailing Course?
Pack light! Quick-drying clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a light rain jacket, and a soft duffel bag (no hard luggage). Bring water shoes for beach bars and island exploring.
• Do I Need Sailing Experience for a BVI Course?
No prior experience needed! Many of our most passionate sailors started as complete beginners in the BVI. The protected waters and steady trade winds create perfect learning conditions. Our instructors love teaching newbies.
• What Is the Food Like on a BVI Sailing Course?
We'll provision the boat with fresh Caribbean staples before departure. Expect tropical fruits, fresh seafood, and plenty of snacks. You'll also enjoy meals at legendary beach bars like Soggy Dollar and local restaurants on the islands.
• How Do I Get to the BVI for My Sailing Course?
Your course starts at The Moorings in Road Town, Tortola — your booking confirmation has the exact start time. We recommend arriving the day before. Fly into Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) or connect via St. Thomas (STT) with a ferry to Tortola. The course ends before noon on the final day.