There are tons of sailing schools in the Virgin Islands to choose from! So how do you pick the best one for your sailing trip? These tips will help you to find the best Virgin Island sailing schools and ensure your learning experience is smooth sailing from start to finish:
1. Search for accredited sailing schools in the Virgin Islands
The first step in finding a Virgin Islands sailing school is ensuring you are comparing schools that are accredited with a reputable sailing association. In the U.S., the two main sailing certification organizations are the American Sailing Association (ASA) and U.S. Sailing. However, you may also be able to find sailing schools offering certifications through the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and International Yacht Training (IYT). All of these certification programs will give you a solid foundation of sailing skills and are even worthwhile for sailors with years of experience. Most Virgin Islands sailing schools will prominently display which certification organization they are accredited with on their website.
2. Decide which sailing courses you are interested in taking
The courses offered by sailing schools in the Virgin Islands is dependent on who they are accredited through. As a general rule of thumb, ASA courses are best suited for sailors looking to bareboat charter in the future. Typically people will take a week long liveaboard course including ASA 101/103/104/114 Bareboat Cruising Certification as well as more advanced classes, such as ASA 105/106/114/118 Advanced Coastal Cruising. You can find a full listing of the ASA course offerings here. US Sailing courses are slightly more focused on those with sailboat racing ambitions. IYT is a newer, smaller certification track but also offers commercial boating courses.
3. Gain an understanding of what you can expect during your Virgin Islands sailing course
Once you’ve determined which sailing courses you are interested in taking, it’s time to start narrowing down which specific Virgin Island sailing school you’d like to take your sailing lessons with! Start by researching which schools offer the courses you are interested in taking. Then, dig a little bit deeper into their course descriptions to gain a well-rounded understanding of what sailing lessons in the Virgin Islands may be like with this company. Companies like Go Sail Virgin Islands not only provide course descriptions but you can also take a look through their Captain’s Logs and Sailing Stories to read about actual sailing journeys students have recently been on with the company!
4. Read the reviews on sailing schools in the Virgin Islands
Now you’ve got a few solid Virgin Islands sailing schools to choose from, it’s time to make your decision! Reading reviews on sailing schools in the Virgin Islands can often tip you toward choosing one school over another. While Virgin Islands sailing schools may have testimonials on their website, it’s also worth reading through a few on TripAdvisor and Google to get a well rounded perspective of a sailing school.
4. Check Virgin Islands sailing school pricing and availability
Found your perfect Virgin Islands sailing school? Great— let’s get to booking your trip! Go Sail Virgin Islands offers a real-time availability booking system with transparent pricing. Simply click on the trip you are interested in taking, search availability by date, and select the number of cabins you’d like to reserve. You’ll be well on your way to securing your Virgin Islands sailing lessons in no time!
Go Sail Graduates and Fellow Sailors on our Yachts!
Go Sail Virgin Islands’ 5-star reviews on USVI and BVI Yacht Charters say it all ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had an amazing week of sailing and exploring the US Virgin Islands with Go Sail Virgin Islands and Captain Genevieve Evans. First and foremost, Captain G is a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. She thoroughly explained concepts and maneuvers, demonstrating them as well, and then gave us the opportunity to practice throughout the week. She was extremely patient and helped to build my confidence behind the helm tremendously. Additionally, she knows the best spots on each island and made the trip not just about learning and growing as a sailor, but also enjoying time away. I will never forget this trip- if you have the opportunity to learn with Go Sail and Captain G, you won’t regret it. Thanks again Captain G for an absolutely perfect adventure!
– Sara V | Google
The whole experience did not disappoint—truly a wonderful life memory. The boat was in nice condition and served us well. Captain J T Quinn was absolutely fantastic at teaching us and was so easy to have around. And doubled as a tour guide. We would recommend it to anyone.
– Matt B | Google
We took the week live aboard sailing lessons for ASA 101,103,104,114 and it was awesome. Sailed around USVI. Our instructor JT was thorough and a pleasure to be with. Thank you for an awesome experience. Already booked our next sailing excursion as a skipper!
– Stephanie B | Trip Advisor
Just spent a week with Capt. Genevieve navigating around the USVI, a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Her teaching style a perfect mix of coaching and hands-on, building my ability and confidence with each passing day. Completed ASA Sailing Certifications 101 103 104 114, such that I’ll look forward to returning next season to charter a boat with my family. We also visited their favorite moorages, snorkeling sites, and places to go ashore for food and fun. Even better, they both provide great hospitality with tasty food, a comfortable boat, and good company.
– Larry C | Google
My family and I sailed with Captain JT Quinn, who provided excellent instruction and is just an all-around good guy. While I went through the hands-on ASA instructions for 101, 103, 104, and 114, my family was able to enjoy cruising around the USVI and BVI. Every afternoon, we would anchor or moor in a bay where we would swim, snorkel, paddle board, and relax for the evening. I was nervous after reading the 4 books and preparing but JT made it really comfortable and easy to learn. He's very knowledgeable and answered every question I had. We shared stories and a lot of laughs. He and Go Sail VI aren't just teaching people to sail, they are cultivating a community of sailors. That's what it's all about in the end — knowing how to
– Tom G. | Google
I can’t believe how much we learned while sailing with Captain G and Trevon! They explained everything so well and really helped us understand the art of sailing. We now feel confident to bareboat our own charter soon! This was definitely the way to earn our sailing experience.
– Ashley S | Trip Advisor
Our week-long catamaran sailing instruction for ASA 106, 114 and 118 certifications was phenomenal! We chartered a week-long monohull instruction for our ASA 101, 103 and 104 certifications in Florida a year prior. There was no comparison with our Go Sail Virgin Islands live aboard experience far exceeding our expectations. Sweet & Salty, the 44' cat, was spacious, clean and well provisioned. Trevon is an exceptional instructor. He has a depth of knowledge and experience, was patient and tailored his coaching to our individual needs. Thanks for the learnings, experience and memories! Shirley, Eric and Jeff
– Shirley E. | Trip Advisor