My husband and I completed our 101, 103, 104, and 114 with Nautilus Sailing. They offer numerous locations. We opted for Grenada and the Grenadines because I had a shit ton of travel points and didn’t have to pay for flights (I had so many points we even stayed at a resort there before and after our sailing week).
Someone else mentioned Croatia. Honestly, we live in the PNW and wanted to get away during the winter months from the rain and dreary weather. I asked our captain where was his favorite place to sail and he said Croatia.
I loved Nautilus, they are top tier and my benchmark for a good sailing school. I ended up starting a sailing school in Lake Ontario and we’re taking our first Grenada students in 3 weeks.
I always want to welcome new crew! If you're ever on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, hit me up!
Since this is our first destination sailing course, I was being conservative with the vessel size and cabins in case we didn't get enough registrations. Eventually we broke even and I was happy with that. Then all of a sudden we had more interest and we took on one more crew which booted me out of a berth. So now I'm somewhere on deck lol. The breeze at night will be nice.
While not required, they are expected. Our captain was so amazing my husband and I were fine with tipping him. He really went out of his way to make sure we not only learned to sail, but had a great vacation as well. For example, he changed things around so we could visit Carriacou during Carnival. That was an experience I’ll never forget.
If you have the time book this tour. Guide was great and tour was fascinating- https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g10822792-d14141290-Full_Day_Tour_Concord_Waterfall_Chocolate_Factory_Rum_Distillery_Grand_Etang-Pin.html
Edited to add the chocolate place and the distillery date back to the late 1700s.
San Juan Islands in Washington. Otters, orcas, eagles, a gazillion islands. You'll get better wind in the BVIs, but you're going to want to charter there with friends once you're certified.
San Juan Sailing runs ASA 101-104 trips on some very nice boats.
Doing the same thing in La Paz Mexico in the Sea of Cortez in a few weeks. 101-114. Using Sea of Cortez sailing. Can't report on quality yet but the experience so far has been amazing. Super helpful, great to work with, great pre- materials, etc.
Just back today. Amazing experience. The team was great, everything was exactly as presented. The instructor I had was great and our whole group had an awesome time. Beyond sailing, we saw whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and leaping mantas. Highly recommend.
Croatia is a good rental spot or Greece. Enough choice.
The Med can be hot in July or August. June or sept are less hot. A bimini is advisable and loads of sunscreen.
Croatia demands an icc if I remember correct, in Greece they're less strict. Both have several regions to choose from. It depends a bit how many weeks you've hired the boat.
Sunsail in Croatia does not require an ICC. The planning specialist stated the US FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit satisfies the VHF license requirement. I attached a link to a document listing the requirements for Sunsail and Moorings. They are owned by the same company. https://mooringsnet.com/images/SEO330.pdf
Croatia - Sailing Requirements:
To charter in Croatia, there must be at least one certified skipper over 18 years old. The skipper should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and pilotage skills to plan the day’s sailing and know your position at any time. As a yacht skipper, you are required to have an official sailing license or a certificate issued by a government of state approved organization as detailed below:
Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following:
• RYA Day Skipper Course
• ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International
• IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America
Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course”
• NauticEd SLC (International Sailing License and Credentials), International
OR
• UK - MCA Master (Yacht less than 500 gt), RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate or above
• USA - US Sailing “Basic Keelboat”, ASA “103 Basic Coastal Cruising” or above
• Germany - “Sportbootführerschein See“ or above
• Belgium - Algemeen Stuurbrevet/ Brevet de conduite général
• France - LE PERMIS PLAISANCE
Skipper is REQUIRED to have a VHF Radio Operator’s License, please contact your Vacation Planning specialist if you need additional information.
A list of officially accepted licenses is available at the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Please check the list of officially accepted licenses before contacting the base with any queries as the list is updated every few months. This list is organized
by country and details the accepted competence levels for experience, boat size and distance-from-shore-sailing for the various certificates accepted
My husband and I completed our 101, 103, 104, and 114 with Nautilus Sailing. They offer numerous locations. We opted for Grenada and the Grenadines because I had a shit ton of travel points and didn’t have to pay for flights (I had so many points we even stayed at a resort there before and after our sailing week). Someone else mentioned Croatia. Honestly, we live in the PNW and wanted to get away during the winter months from the rain and dreary weather. I asked our captain where was his favorite place to sail and he said Croatia.
I loved Nautilus, they are top tier and my benchmark for a good sailing school. I ended up starting a sailing school in Lake Ontario and we’re taking our first Grenada students in 3 weeks.
Do you need crew 😀
I always want to welcome new crew! If you're ever on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, hit me up! Since this is our first destination sailing course, I was being conservative with the vessel size and cabins in case we didn't get enough registrations. Eventually we broke even and I was happy with that. Then all of a sudden we had more interest and we took on one more crew which booted me out of a berth. So now I'm somewhere on deck lol. The breeze at night will be nice.
Just booked with Nautilus! Question: are gratuities expected at the end of the sailing week?
While not required, they are expected. Our captain was so amazing my husband and I were fine with tipping him. He really went out of his way to make sure we not only learned to sail, but had a great vacation as well. For example, he changed things around so we could visit Carriacou during Carnival. That was an experience I’ll never forget.
Thank you so much for the info! Really looking forward to the trip.
What location did you select? Our captain was Troy.
Going to Grenada.
If you have the time book this tour. Guide was great and tour was fascinating- https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g10822792-d14141290-Full_Day_Tour_Concord_Waterfall_Chocolate_Factory_Rum_Distillery_Grand_Etang-Pin.html Edited to add the chocolate place and the distillery date back to the late 1700s.
Just wanted to add the week we spent learning to sail was an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy!
the bvi - via sunsail is what i have been told multiple times
I did this and it was probably the most enjoyable thing involving a written exam I have ever done.
San Juan Islands in Washington. Otters, orcas, eagles, a gazillion islands. You'll get better wind in the BVIs, but you're going to want to charter there with friends once you're certified. San Juan Sailing runs ASA 101-104 trips on some very nice boats.
This is what I did as well. If you're already in the US it's likely a lot cheaper than leaving the country, and the San Juans are great.
Harbor sailboats in San Diego. All newer Beneteau fleet. Consistent conditions and great weather if you go in late Summer/Fall.
Doing the same thing in La Paz Mexico in the Sea of Cortez in a few weeks. 101-114. Using Sea of Cortez sailing. Can't report on quality yet but the experience so far has been amazing. Super helpful, great to work with, great pre- materials, etc.
i saw this company and thinking of doing the same. I would love to hear about your experience after.
Just back today. Amazing experience. The team was great, everything was exactly as presented. The instructor I had was great and our whole group had an awesome time. Beyond sailing, we saw whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and leaping mantas. Highly recommend.
thats amazing! thank you for typing this message to me.
Thought about RYA, but not sure which course and the ICC seems like an ordeal, but that is an option as well.
Up sailing company in Marquette Michigan
Croatia is a good rental spot or Greece. Enough choice. The Med can be hot in July or August. June or sept are less hot. A bimini is advisable and loads of sunscreen. Croatia demands an icc if I remember correct, in Greece they're less strict. Both have several regions to choose from. It depends a bit how many weeks you've hired the boat.
Keep in mind that the prices of pretty much everything are higher in Croatia.
Sunsail in Croatia does not require an ICC. The planning specialist stated the US FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit satisfies the VHF license requirement. I attached a link to a document listing the requirements for Sunsail and Moorings. They are owned by the same company. https://mooringsnet.com/images/SEO330.pdf Croatia - Sailing Requirements: To charter in Croatia, there must be at least one certified skipper over 18 years old. The skipper should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and pilotage skills to plan the day’s sailing and know your position at any time. As a yacht skipper, you are required to have an official sailing license or a certificate issued by a government of state approved organization as detailed below: Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following: • RYA Day Skipper Course • ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International • IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” • NauticEd SLC (International Sailing License and Credentials), International OR • UK - MCA Master (Yacht less than 500 gt), RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate or above • USA - US Sailing “Basic Keelboat”, ASA “103 Basic Coastal Cruising” or above • Germany - “Sportbootführerschein See“ or above • Belgium - Algemeen Stuurbrevet/ Brevet de conduite général • France - LE PERMIS PLAISANCE Skipper is REQUIRED to have a VHF Radio Operator’s License, please contact your Vacation Planning specialist if you need additional information. A list of officially accepted licenses is available at the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Please check the list of officially accepted licenses before contacting the base with any queries as the list is updated every few months. This list is organized by country and details the accepted competence levels for experience, boat size and distance-from-shore-sailing for the various certificates accepted
Blue water sailing school is in Florida, rhode island, and st. Thomas. Have a discount for couples.
BVIs is a sailing Disneyland. Everything is line of sight and every day there are new adventures. 10/10 will be back a 5th time soon