ASA 105 Sailing Course
Ever been out on the water, staring at an empty horizon, wondering if you’re actually heading in the right direction?
The American Sailing Association (ASA) 105 Coastal Navigation Course teaches real navigation skills. So no matter what happens, you’ll always know where you are and where you’re going.
And the best part? You'll be learning in some of the most breathtaking sailing destinations on earth, from the crystal-clear waters of the British Virgin Islands to the ancient ports of Croatia.
Advanced Sailing Courses
Take your sailing to the next level by earning ASA 105 (Coastal Navigation) and ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising). If you choose a catamaran course, you can also complete ASA 114, if you don’t have it yet. These certifications will equip you with the skills to safely skipper or crew a 30- to 50-foot vessel in coastal and inland waters in all conditions.
Once you've completed ASA 106, you're ready to step into the professional sailing world by joining one of our instructor courses with Sailing Virgins.
*ASA 104 is required, if you still need this certificate, please check out our Intermediate Level Courses.
Contact us to start your adventure today!
What You Will Learn in ASA 105
ASA 105 is a navigation-focused course that provides the foundation for coastal passage planning. While previous ASA courses touch on navigation, this training dives deeper into chart reading, route plotting, and position fixing.
Here’s a peek of what you’ll learn:
Aids to Navigation
Learn the U.S. system of buoys, beacons, and lights.
Bearing Conversions
Convert between true, magnetic, and compass bearings.
Dead Reckoning and Course Planning
Adjust for current, wind, and leeway to maintain an accurate track.
Nautical Chart Interpretation
Understand symbols, colors, depths, and key publications used for navigation.
Tides and Currents
Use tide tables and current predictions to plan safe passages.
Navigation Tools
Work with compasses, dividers, parallel rulers, and depth sounders.
Position Fixing
Determine a boat's location using landmarks, depth readings, and chart features.
Multi-Leg Route Charting
Plan a 20-mile coastal passage with multiple course changes.
By the end of this course, you will be able to navigate confidently in coastal waters, whether relying on traditional tools or modern GPS technology.
ASA 105 is Included in Our Advanced Sailing Experience
Sailing Virgins does not offer ASA 105 as an individual course. Instead, it is paired with ASA 106 in our Advanced Sailing Course.
ASA 105 is primarily a self-study course, allowing you to learn navigation principles at your own pace from home. Once you feel prepared, you can take the exam onboard during your sailing course or at home.
You’ll complete most of the coursework at home before taking the exam. With ASA 105, you'll learn:
Chart reading
True vs. Magnetic bearings
Tides & Currents
Course-plotting
Buoyage & Lights
Real-life sailing scenarios
Who Is This Course For?
This isn't your average classroom experience. ASA 105 is for sailors who want to understand navigation and who are ready to test their skills in real-world conditions.
Want to charter a yacht with confidence?
Dreaming of a long-distance cruise?
Need ASA 105 to advance to ASA 106?
Looking for an unforgettable adventure while learning?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then this course is for you. To join this course, you’ll need to have completed ASA 104, which builds the foundation for the skills you'll develop here.
Where Will You Learn Coastal Navigation?
British Virgin Islands
Croatia
Madeira
Tahiti
Greece
What’s Included in Your Course Fee?
Everything needed to learn, sail, and thrive:
Full ASA 105 Coastal Navigation training material
Live-aboard experience on a modern cruising yacht
Provisions for all onboard meals
All sailing-related fees (fuel, marina costs, navigation tools)
Official ASA 105 certification upon passing the exam
What’s Not Included In The Course?
A few things aren t covered, so plan accordingly:
Flights & travel to/from the course location
Onshore meals
Personal travel insurance
Additional personal expenses
Meet Your Instructors
Anyone can read from a textbook, but it takes real-world experience to bring navigation to life. That's why every instructor at Sailing Virgins are seasoned sailors with thousands of offshore miles under their belts.
Our instructors are:
Professionally trained through our Instructor Academy
Years of real-world sailing and offshore experience
Passionate about making learning fun, exciting, and effective
They’ve sailed in races, led expeditions, and crossed oceans. Now, they’re here to make sure you leave this course feeling like a pro.
This Is Your Chance to Learn Coastal Navigation!
In sailing as in life, the difference between getting lost and finding your way is the knowledge and skills you bring to the journey.
ASA 105 Coastal Navigation gives you those tools, along with an unforgettable adventure in some of the world's most incredible coastal locations.
But space is limited and courses fill up fast. If you're ready to take the helm of your sailing journey, now is the time.
FAQs About Our
ASA 105 Sailing Course
ㆍDo I need any prior experience to take ASA 105?
Yes, ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) is required before taking ASA 105.
ㆍHow is ASA 105 different from other ASA courses?
ASA 105 is primarily self-study, meaning you’ll complete most of the coursework at home. The exam can be taken onboard during your sailing course or at home.
ㆍIs ASA 105 required for ASA 106?
Yes, ASA 105 is part of the advanced ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising) certification. This is a necessary step if you're planning to continue to ASA 106.
ㆍCan I bring a non-sailing partner or friend?
Yes! You’re welcome to bring a guest. If they’re not taking the certification courses, they can join at a discounted rate.