Group of young sailors on a catamaran enjoying a beautiful day sailing in crystal clear waters

Intro to Sailing: This is Where Your Journey Starts

Name: Intro to Sailing Experience | Sailing Virgins
Uploaded: 2026-09-17
Duration: 2:00
Description: Follow first-time sailors as they discover the joy of sailing, explore stunning destinations, and decide if the sailing life is for them.

Dreaming of how to learn to sail, but not sure where to begin? Our Intro to Sailing Course is designed for adventurous beginners aged 18 to 35 who want more than just a vacation. They want a skill, a lifestyle, and a crew to share it with. No experience needed. Just bring your adventurous spirit.

Start Your Adventure

American Sailing Association Certified Training Facility

ASA CertifiedTraining Facility

4.98/5228 reviews

As Featured InVOGUE

7 days

Duration

Experience

Focus

$1,995

From

6-8 guests

Group Size

Your Sailing Adventure Awaits

Experience the beauty of learning to sail in stunning destinations with an amazing crew.

Sailing students relaxing on a catamaran deck in crystal clear Caribbean waters

Group of friends enjoying sunset sailing on a catamaran

Young sailors learning to trim the sails during an intro course

Catamaran anchored in a secluded bay with turquoise waters

Sailing students having fun swimming off the yacht

Beautiful aerial view of a sailing yacht in the Caribbean

Sailing Virgins students celebrating at sunset

Learning to steer a yacht with instructor guidance

1 / 8

Is Intro to Sailing Right for You?

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

Perfect For

Complete beginners curious about sailing
Travelers who want to try something new on vacation
Those considering a longer sailing course but unsure
Partners or friends of sailors wanting to understand the appeal
Anyone with limited vacation time seeking a memorable experience
People who love the ocean but have never sailed

Prerequisites

None whatsoever! This experience is designed for people who have never touched a sailboat. Just bring an open mind and sense of adventure.

What You'll Achieve

Hands-on experience steering and trimming a yacht
Understanding of basic sailing concepts and terminology
Confidence to decide if a full certification course is right for you
Memories of sailing in stunning destinations
A taste of the liveaboard lifestyle

First-time sailor at the helm with instructor guidance, learning to steer in calm waters

What You'll Learn

Our Intro to Sailing experience gives you a taste of everything sailing has to offer - without the pressure of formal certification. Think of it as a "try before you buy" for the sailing lifestyle.

Understanding wind direction and how boats sail

Basic steering and helm control

Helping with sail trim (making the sails work)

Simple knots: bowline and cleat hitch

Anchoring basics: watching and helping

Safety briefing and man-overboard awareness

Dinghy operation for shore excursions

Basic nautical terminology

All certifications issued by the American Sailing Association (ASA)

A Day on the Water

Every day is an adventure. Here is what a typical day looks like on your intro sailing experience.

Time	Activity	What You'll Learn	Vibe
08:00	Wake up anchored in a beautiful bay	Start the day with coffee on deck and stunning views	Zen
09:00	Breakfast and morning briefing	Learn the day's plan and what you will discover	Social
10:00	Hands-on lesson: steering the yacht	Take the helm with instructor guidance	Active
11:00	Sailing to our next destination	Help trim sails while enjoying the journey	High Focus
12:30	Anchor for lunch at a scenic spot	Fresh lunch with time to swim or relax	Social
14:00	Snorkeling or beach exploration	Discover marine life and hidden beaches	Zen
16:00	Optional: more sailing practice	Build confidence at the helm or simply relax	Active
18:00	Sunset happy hour	Watch the sunset with your new crew	Celebration
19:30	Dinner at a waterfront restaurant	Experience local cuisine via dinghy shore trip	Social

08:00Wake up anchored in a beautiful bay

Start the day with coffee on deck and stunning views

Zen

09:00Breakfast and morning briefing

Learn the day's plan and what you will discover

Social

10:00Hands-on lesson: steering the yacht

Take the helm with instructor guidance

Active

11:00Sailing to our next destination

Help trim sails while enjoying the journey

High Focus

12:30Anchor for lunch at a scenic spot

Fresh lunch with time to swim or relax

Social

14:00Snorkeling or beach exploration

Discover marine life and hidden beaches

Zen

16:00Optional: more sailing practice

Build confidence at the helm or simply relax

Active

18:00Sunset happy hour

Watch the sunset with your new crew

Celebration

19:30Dinner at a waterfront restaurant

Experience local cuisine via dinghy shore trip

Social

Zen

Academic

Active

Social

High Focus

Celebration

See What the Experience Looks Like

Follow first-time sailors as they discover the joy of sailing, explore stunning destinations, and decide if the sailing life is for them.

Click to play • Intro to Sailing Experience | Sailing Virgins

Your Crew

Meet Your Instructors

Our instructors love introducing newcomers to the joy of sailing.

Captain Mitchell Selby

ASA Certified Instructor

Mitchell has 20 years of sailing experience and has been involved in the charter industry for 6 years. Based in Hawaii, he operates year-round, combining his interests in surfing and sailing while traveling to various destinations for charters and...

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

1 of 5 instructors

Meet all our instructors

Tripadvisor Reviews

First-Time Sailors Say

5.0

(228+ reviews)

“I booked the Intro experience because I wasn't sure if I'd like being on a boat for a week. Turns out, I LOVED it! The pace was perfect - enough sailing to learn the basics, but plenty of time for swimming, exploring, and relaxing. I've already booked my Beginner certification course.”

Rachel W.

Solo Female, 31, Marketing Manager

“We've always been curious about sailing but never took the plunge. This was the perfect introduction - low pressure, beautiful scenery, and we actually got to steer the boat! The instructors were patient and made us feel capable. Highly recommend for anyone on the fence.”

Tom & Lisa B.

Couple, 45 & 43, First-time Sailors

“My friend is really into sailing and I never understood why until this trip. Getting to actually helm the yacht and feel the wind in the sails was incredible. Now I get it! The destinations were amazing and the crew made everyone feel welcome.”

Carlos M.

Solo Male, 28, Software Engineer

“We wanted something different for our annual girls trip. The Intro to Sailing was PERFECT. Beautiful locations, fun activities, and we learned something new together. The sunset happy hours became our favorite part of each day. Can't wait to come back!”

Next: Oct 11

Up to 5 sailors

From

$4,990per person

View dates →

View All Intro Experiences

Is-Sailing-Right-For-Me.pdf

Free PDF Guide

Free Download

Download: Is Sailing Right for Me?

Not sure if sailing is your thing? Our free guide helps you decide - includes what to expect, common concerns answered, and a quick "sailing personality" quiz.

What's inside:

Course preparation checklist
What to pack for your trip
Tips from experienced sailors
Destination quick reference

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Certifications and destinations to pair with this

Course Type

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Certification

Learn the basics with ASA 101

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

Destination

Sailing school in Thailand

Explore tropical Thai waters while learning to sail.

Guide

the best sailing course for beginners

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The Intro to Sailing experience is a shorter (3-4 day), relaxed introduction to sailing with no formal certification. It's perfect for those who want to "try before they buy" or have limited vacation time.

The Beginner course is a full 7-day immersive experience where you earn ASA 101 and ASA 103 certifications. It involves more instruction time and formal assessments.

Many guests do the Intro first and return for the full Beginner course once they know sailing is for them!

Absolutely not! This experience is specifically designed for people who have never been on a sailboat. Our instructors specialize in making first-timers feel comfortable and confident. You will be surprised how quickly you pick up the basics.

You will definitely get hands-on experience! Everyone gets time at the helm steering the boat, helps with the sails, and learns basic knots and maneuvers. The difference from our certification courses is that there is no formal testing - it is all about enjoyment and discovery.

Not at all! We often have mixed groups where some guests have sailing experience and others are complete beginners. Experienced sailors enjoy the relaxed pace and beautiful destinations, while beginners get introduced to the sport. It's a great way for couples or friend groups with different experience levels to enjoy a trip together.

We offer Intro to Sailing experiences in our most beginner-friendly destinations:

- **BVI (British Virgin Islands)** - Calm, protected waters perfect for learning

- **Greece** - Island-hopping through crystal-clear Aegean waters

These locations offer ideal conditions for first-time sailors: calm waters, short distances between stops, and stunning scenery.

Pack light and casual! Essentials include:

- Swimsuit and cover-ups

- Comfortable, non-marking boat shoes or sandals

- Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred) and sunglasses

- Light layers for evenings

- A sense of adventure!

We provide all sailing gear, linens, and snorkeling equipment.

That's exactly what this experience is for - helping you decide! Even if you discover sailing isn't your calling, you will still have an amazing vacation with beautiful destinations, great food, water activities, and new friends. There is no pressure to "pass" anything or commit to future courses.

Ready to Try Something New?

The best way to know if sailing is for you is to experience it. Join us for a few days of adventure - no commitment, no pressure.

Explore Intro Experiences

100% Satisfaction GuaranteeFlexible Booking Options

Intro to Sailing: This is Where Your Journey Starts

Your Sailing Adventure Awaits

Is Intro to Sailing Right for You?

Perfect For

Prerequisites

What You'll Achieve

What You'll Learn

Experience

A Day on the Water

See What the Experience Looks Like

Meet Your Instructors

Captain Mitchell Selby

First-Time Sailors Say

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Explore More Sailing Experiences

Certifications and destinations to pair with this

sailing courses for beginners

Learn the basics with ASA 101

Sailing school in Thailand

the best sailing course for beginners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Intro to Sailing and the Beginner course?

Do I need any prior experience?

Will I actually get to sail, or just watch?

Is this too basic if my partner/friend already sails?

What destinations are available?

What should I bring?

What if I discover sailing isn't for me?

Ready to Try Something New?

Your Sailing Adventure Awaits

See What the Experience Looks Like

Meet Your Instructors

Captain Mitchell Selby

First-Time Sailors Say

Download: Is Sailing Right for Me?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Intro to Sailing and the Beginner course?

Do I need any prior experience?

Will I actually get to sail, or just watch?

Is this too basic if my partner/friend already sails?

What destinations are available?

What should I bring?

What if I discover sailing isn't for me?