Certification
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All ASA sailing certifications offered by Sailing Virgins.
Sailing in Puerto Rico & the Spanish Virgin Islands
Discover Vieques, Culebra, and Culebrita with private sailing instruction. Raw beauty, bioluminescent bays, and uncrowded anchorages.
Puerto Rico
Year-round; best December–May
Monohull or Catamaran
ASA CertifiedTraining Facility
4.98/5228 reviews
Featured inVogue & Condé Nast
Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands — Vieques, Culebra, and Culebrita — offer some of the Caribbean's most unspoiled sailing. Steady trade winds, protected bays, and wildlife refuges make it ideal for learning. We run private sailing courses here so you can earn ASA certifications while exploring Flamenco Beach, the Culebrita lighthouse, Mosquito Bay's bioluminescence, and Green Beach sunsets. No passport is required for U.S. citizens. For fixed-date group courses, we recommend our Saint Martin programme (St. Barts on most weeks) or the British Virgin Islands.
Why Choose Sailing Virgins for Your Puerto Rico Sailing Course?
Private courses in paradise
We offer private sailing instruction in Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands so you learn at your pace in uncrowded, stunning waters.
Spanish Virgin Islands: raw and uncrowded
Vieques, Culebra, and Culebrita are often described as what the BVI was decades ago — solitude, pristine beaches, bioluminescent bays, and excellent snorkelling.
Globally recognized ASA certifications
Earn ASA 101, 103, and 104 through hands-on learning. Your certifications qualify you for bareboat charters worldwide.
No passport required for U.S. citizens
Puerto Rico and the USVI are U.S. territory. Easy flights from the mainland and straightforward clearance.
Prefer a scheduled course? Try Saint Martin or the BVI
Our fixed-date group courses run from Saint Martin (including St. Barts on most weeks) or the British Virgin Islands. Same trade winds and Caribbean magic, with set dates and group camaraderie.
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Explore Culebra, Vieques, and Culebrita
What makes a week of sailing in Puerto Rico special
A typical week might start from Fajardo or the USVI: you’ll sail to Culebra’s Carlos Rosario for world-class snorkelling, hike to the lighthouse on Culebrita, and relax on Flamenco Beach. Sail south to Vieques for Ensenada Honda’s mangroves and a kayak tour of Mosquito Bay — one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. Green Beach on Vieques’ west coast delivers epic sunsets with the Puerto Rican mainland and El Yunque as a backdrop.
Trade winds from the east at 10–20 knots are the norm; April–May and late November are especially good. Northerly ground swells can affect north-facing anchorages November–April, so itineraries are planned with weather in mind. Private instruction means we tailor the week to your goals and the conditions.
Your week of adventure sailing
Why sail Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands
The Spanish Virgin Islands sit just west of the USVI and BVI: Culebra, Vieques, and tiny Culebrita offer a quieter, more rugged alternative. Wildlife refuges protect the area; you’ll find vibrant coral, sea turtles, and few crowds.
Puerto del Rey in Fajardo is the main marina; some crews also start from the USVI for a deeper charter fleet and easy clearance. Either way, you get steady trades, short hops, and anchorages that feel like your own.
Whether you want to earn your first certification or build toward bareboat level, private courses here let you combine learning with exploration of one of the Caribbean’s best-kept sailing grounds.
Uncrowded Caribbean waters
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Explore private sailing courses in Puerto Rico or join a scheduled course nearby.
What Do You Need to Know About Sailing in Puerto Rico?
• Do you run scheduled group courses in Puerto Rico?
We don’t run fixed-date group courses in Puerto Rico. We offer private sailing courses here instead. If you prefer a scheduled week with a set group, we recommend our Saint Martin courses (St. Barts on most weeks) or our British Virgin Islands courses — same Caribbean trade winds and ASA certifications, with published dates.
• When is the best time to sail in Puerto Rico?
December through May is ideal, with April–May often the sweet spot: consistent easterly trades (10–20 knots), settled weather, and fewer crowds. Late November is also good; northerly ground swells can affect some anchorages November–April.
• Do I need a passport for Puerto Rico?
U.S. citizens do not need a passport for Puerto Rico or the Spanish Virgin Islands. Non-U.S. citizens should check entry requirements for Puerto Rico and any clearance when coming from or to the USVI.
• What will I learn on a private course in Puerto Rico?
We tailor the syllabus to you. Typically we cover ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), and ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) as appropriate — including sail handling, anchoring, navigation, and safety in the Spanish Virgin Islands.
• Where do we start — Puerto Rico or USVI?
Courses can start from Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, or from the US Virgin Islands. We’ll agree the best base for your dates and itinerary.
More to Discover
Certification
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat course
Start your sailing journey with the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat course.
Certification
ASA 102 Basic Coastal Cruising
Build your coastal sailing skills with the ASA 102 course.
Certification
ASA 103 Coastal Cruising course
Advance your coastal cruising skills with ASA 103.