#1 Madeira Sailing School
Set your course for Madeira Island. With strong trade winds, wide-open water, and rugged volcanic coasts, this Atlantic archipelago offers conditions you rarely find in one place.
This liveaboard course is built around real experience, expert instruction, and routes that keep you learning every single day!
Madeira, Portugal
Embark on our 7-day intensive sailing course in the stunning Madeira archipelago and emerge as a proficient sailor. With expert guidance and hands-on training in Madeira's inviting waters, you'll experience a unique blend of adventure and relaxation. The archipelago's varied and engaging coastlines offer striking natural beauty, hidden coves, and dramatic cliffs, making it an ideal setting for honing your skills. Uncover the thrill of sailing, make lasting memories, and connect with like-minded individuals as you chart your course towards becoming a confident sailor in this remarkable Atlantic paradise.
A minimum of 3 students is required for this trip. Please confirm that your trip is guaranteed before booking your airfare.
Immerse Yourself in Unparalleled Sailing Lessons
Before we dive into what the course looks like, let’s talk about what sets it apart.
With Sailing Virgins, you're learning directly on the water. You step aboard a modern 40ft-plus yacht on day one and begin learning by doing.
You’ll be coached by instructors who’ve taught hundreds of students, raced internationally, and still keep it casual, fun, and down-to-earth.
Small crew size for better focus and feedback on your sailing skills
Yachts that are well-rigged, comfortable, and easy to handle
Routes filled with caves, cliffs, beaches, and bluewater crossings
Our 7-day intensive sailing course in Madeira will push your limits and connect you with a crew of like-minded explorers from around the globe!
What You Can Expect During the Madeira Sailing Course
Now that you know what makes the program different, here's how your week will unfold.
This is a seven-day liveaboard course where you're learning full-time. You'll be sailing from morning to night, taking turns at the helm, reviewing charts, setting anchor, and learning how to manage a boat in real conditions.
Madeira’s terrain keeps you engaged with changing coastlines and varied wind patterns. It’s the perfect place to build instinct through practice.
By the end of the course, you'll have a stack of new skills and the certification to back it up.
Why Should You Enroll at Sailing Virgins?
We're thrilled to be rated as the #1 sailing academy on TripAdvisor, and to have been featured in top publications like Vogue. But our real success stories come from the countless adventurers who've joined us and discovered a lifelong passion for sailing.
Earn Globally Recognized Certifications
All Sailing Virgins programs follow the ASA (American Sailing Association) curriculum. In Madeira, you can complete up to two certification levels in one week. Typical progression paths include:
Beginner Level
Start with the basics by completing ASA 101 and ASA 103
Intermediate Level
Build on your skills with ASA 103 and ASA 104
Advanced Level
Prepare with ASA 105 at home, then join the boat for ASA 106 training
Complete ASA 104 or higher, and you’ll be eligible to apply for the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), which many European charter companies require.
Live Aboard and Train in Madeira s Stunning Waters
This is a FastTrack Bareboat Certification experience. For seven days, you’ll live on a performance cruising yacht with your instructor and crew.
Course Format
Immersive liveaboard
Duration
7 days, full-time
Vessel Type
40+ ft monohull
Group Size
Up to 5 students per boat + 1 expert instructor
Instruction Style
Hands-on, engaging, and goal-focused
You’ll work as a team, rotate roles, and learn every system onboard through real-world application.
Who This Course is Perfect For?
This program is built for:
Adventurous individuals looking for a skill-building experience
Travelers who want something active, exciting, and credentialed
Solo sailors, couples, or private groups ready for their next challenge
No experience? That’s okay. Our beginner track starts at ASA 101.
Already certified? We’ll match you with others at a similar level to keep the course challenging and rewarding. If you don’t need additional certifications, you can join at a discounted rate.
What s Covered in the Course Fee
You’ve got questions about what’s included. Your course fee covers the following:
ASA-certified instruction
Up to two ASA certifications
Certification materials
All onboard meals
Fuel, mooring, and port fees
Pre-course planning and preparation guidance
What’s not included?
Flights and travel to Madeira
The meals you choose to eat ashore
Ride-shares (though we’ll help you connect with your group before departure)
Ready to Sail the Stunning Waters of Madeira?
This Madeira sailing course stays with you long after you leave the dock. You’ll train hard, explore wild coastlines, and walk away with new skills, new friends, and a whole new way to look at the water.
Our Madeira courses fill up quickly, so don't miss your chance to join us in this incredible archipelago!
Sample itinerary
Day by day plan
Day 1
Arrive at the Marina do Funchal, Madeira Island, to meet your fellow sailors and the instructor. You will receive a safety briefing and will have some time to get comfortable on the boat. Afterwards we will head sail to Caniçal where you will spend the night at anchor.
Day 2
Wake up to the sound of the Atlantic Ocean and start your day with a beautiful mountain hike. Head out for a 4-hour sail to Porto Santo Island where you can find beautiful beaches and ideal sailing conditions.
Day 3
Deepen your sailing skills in the consistently excellent sailing conditions and protected waters of Porto Santo Island. You will also have time to enjoy the beaches here - they may surprise you!
Day 4
After breakfast you will sail from Porto Santo to the national park of Desertas island, a sanctuary of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. An exciting downwind run full of adrenaline and top speeds will be the highlight of your sailing week.
Day 5
Enjoy the calm of the appropriately-named Desertas Islands before heading back to the main island of Madeira. Today’s destination: the port town of Calheta. You will also have the chance to visit Cabo Girão where you can step on the famous glass platform on 580 meters overlooking the cape.
Day 6
Today we will visit one of the world famous levadas (mountain walks) for a breath of pure fresh mountain air to contrast with the ocean breezes during the week. You will also have your final sailing lessons before we will spend the night on anchor in Funchal.
Day 7
On our last day, it is time to take your ASA exams. Afterwards we will sail back to the marina in Funchal and the group will head for a delicious local dinner one last time. The course finishes the following morning. You will receive a debrief and be anointed an ex-Virgin!
FAQs About Our Madeira Sailing Course
ㆍWhen should I arrive?
We offer selected dates between May and October. Contact us to find out which sessions are available and what might suit your schedule best.
ㆍWhen does the course start and finish?
The course begins on Saturday afternoon with boarding and a safety briefing. You’ll sail through the week and return to port by Friday late afternoon. Most students travel home on Friday evening or Saturday.
ㆍWhat kind of boat will I be on?
We charter quality, 40ft-plus yachts with the gear and layout ideal for instruction and comfort.
ㆍCan I bring someone who isn’t doing the course?
Yes. You’re welcome to bring a guest, especially if you're booking as a pair or with a group. They won’t participate in certification drills, but they can join the crew for sailing, meals, and shore time. Guests who aren’t pursuing certifications can join at a discounted rate.