Top 10 Tips for visitors to the Virgin Islands.

As a longtime Sailing Instructor for ASA and Go Sail Virgin Islands, we wanted to share some “insider tips” that may help you plan for your ASA Sailing Courses in Virgin Islands.

1. Champagne Sailing! The weather is blissful, tropical conditions of between 80°F and 85°F. The inviting crystal-clear Caribbean turquoise waters are about 82°F year-round. The wind blowing at approximately 15 to 20 knots out of the east E year-round, and typically 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The beautiful islands of the US Virgin Islands are a territory of the United States. There are three main islands called St. Thomas St. John and St. Croix. They are in the Caribbean at Latitude 18. We have two seasons, dry and rainy. The best time to visit is November to July. Technically Hurricane season starts in June but typically businesses will take a break during August, September and October although the office would still be open.

2. You are on Island time! Things move at a slower pace, which allows you to relax. St Thomas is an island where it is customary to say good morning, good afternoon, and good night before and after every conversation. Locals really like having tourists visit, it’s the heartbeat of our economy. Positive is how we live!

3. This is a culinary crash of flavors! The Virgin Islands are a major tourist destination for people from all over the world and some have taken up residence. You can find just about any fare you want from Sushi, Indian, Spanish, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, French, Italian, American, and my personal favorite the West Indian. The famous Caribbean Roti is curried veggies and sometimes meat, all wrapped in a nice flour shell served with chutney and hot sauce. Yummy.

4. Our ASA Certified Instructors are the most experienced in the area! We have 40 plus years combined sailing experience from all over the world. As instructors, we lead by example to inspire our students to lead positively, inspire teamwork, teach with empathy, gain confidence, and empower all crew. We use 7 different teaching styles and use 5 different techniques to reach auditory, kinesthetic and visual learners. These are successful ways to teach sailing knowledge and skills.

Beautiful lagoon catamaran

5. Our Catamarans are new and well maintained! Your private en-suite Queen cabins includes comfortable linens and towels. Each cabin has a fan and hatches to let in the ocean breeze. Also, for warm or rainy nights, the Genset can operate the A/C. There are empty closets and drawers, we want you to unpack and feel at home. Here is a link to the boat gallery. We take pride in your home for the week.

6. Stock up the Provisions we are headed out to sea! Well not to far out… about 10-20 miles or so. The galley has a propane stove, refrigerator and freezer. You can bring any sodas, snacks or specialty items you like. We pre-stock the boat before your arrival with provisions, paper products and water. Typically, a menu includes quick meals and be cooked items. We always have a variety of breakfast items fruit, granola, cereal, yogurt, pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and COFFEE, TEA, milk, creamer, sugar. Lunch items are typically quality wraps, turkey, ham, tuna, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and occasionally avocado. Snacks are usually chips and crackers. Dinners we provide a fish, chicken and beef option for simple BBQ on the boat, accompanied with rice and veggies. We take you our favorite spots throughout the week for dinner Also, there are groceries along the way for missing or desired items.

7. Travel is easy to from through STT and Taxis on Island. American, Jetblue, United, Sprit and Delta all fly into Cyril E. King Airport called STT. You do not need a passport for the US Virgin Islands but you do need a PASSPORT for entering British Virgin Islands. Taxis take cash and charge per person not per trip. At airport arrival there are plenty of taxis, also the VI taxi number is (340) 774-7457. HOTELS: St Thomas: Emerald Beach Resort, Olga’s Fancy Hotel, The Green Iguana Hotel, Windward Passage Hotel, or check Expedia.

8. We have excellent reviews and an amazing story of experience. Captain Genevieve has taught 100’s of people how to sail and is also an instructor evaluator. She is now the primary trainer for the ASA instructors in the Virgin Islands. If you ask around, she is the go to person for sailing school in all the virgin islands.

9. We are Affiliate Partners with ASA (American Sailing Association) ASA has certified more than 600,000 sailing students.  ASA is the only certifying organization which has adopted an instructor code of ethics.

10. Make sure to check out our live calendar for scheduling. We are the only school in the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands with a live calendar and online booking.

I hope that helps with your planning! We hope to see you when you’re here!