Barcelona is one of the world’s great cities and one of the Mediterranean’s finest sailing bases. Red Sky Sailing Barcelona operates from Port Olímpic—the Olympic sailing marina built for the 1992 Games—located in the heart of the city just steps from Barceloneta Beach.
The Costa Dorada—the Golden Coast—stretches 60 kilometers south of Barcelona along a coastline that has been inhabited for over 3,000 years. The Romans founded Tarraco here in 218 BC and made it the capital of Hispania; students sail past UNESCO World Heritage walls that were ancient before Columbus was born. Ports of call include Sitges—one of the most beautiful small towns on the Iberian Peninsula, with modernista mansions along the seafront and terraces alive until midnight—Tarragona, with its Roman amphitheater facing the sea, Cambrils, arguably the finest seafood port in Spain, and L’Ametlla de Mar, known for its clear coves perfect for swimming off the boat.
Sailing conditions on the Costa Dorada are calm and progressive, with consistent summer sea breezes of 8–15 knots, protected inshore waters, air temperatures between 26–30°C, and Mediterranean waters at 22–25°C. This creates an ideal environment for complete beginners building confidence from ASA 101 through 104 in sequence. Long daylight hours from July through October mean maximum time on the water each day.
Red Sky Sailing Barcelona is the only English-language ASA affiliate sailing school on the Spanish Mediterranean coast—the first and only option for English-speaking sailors looking to earn ASA certifications in Spain. The school is founded and led by Michael LaMaina, currently serving as Captain of the Maersk Iowa, a 958-foot container ship operating on Atlantic routes for Maersk Line. He holds a USCG Master Unlimited Tonnage license—the highest maritime credential the United States issues—along with ASA 201, 202, 203, and 204 instructor certifications. With 26 years of professional seagoing experience, he has made Barcelona home since 2010.
Barcelona offers something no other ASA Vacations destination can match: a world-class city combined with serious Mediterranean sailing. Students who arrive early or stay after their course have Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, Camp Nou, and some of the best food in Europe at their fingertips.
The Costa Dorada is our recommended route for complete beginners. Calm, progressive conditions, historic ports, and exceptional seafood make each evening ashore as memorable as each day on the water. By Friday, students hold three ASA certifications and are IPC eligible—ready to charter anywhere in the Mediterranean.
This learn-to-sail vacation with Red Sky Sailing Barcelona covers the certifications:
¤ ASA 101 | KEELBOAT SAILING 1
¤ ASA 103 | COASTAL CRUISING
¤ ASA 104 | BAREBOAT CRUISING
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, ASA 103 Coastal Cruising, and ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising — all three taught and certified in sequence over seven days. Upon completion of ASA 104, students are eligible to apply for their International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), qualifying them to charter independently in Spain, Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, Portugal, and Turkey.
Arrive in Barcelona and meet your instructor at Port Olímpic. Complete your boat briefing and safety orientation before departure. Begin ASA 101 with your first time at the helm as you sail 20 nautical miles south to Sitges. Settle in for the evening aboard or explore the waterfront town.
Continue ASA 101 training with offshore drills in Sitges Bay, including tacking, jibing, sail trim, and points of sail. Depart for a 27 nautical mile passage to Tarragona, arriving beneath UNESCO-listed Roman ruins overlooking the marina. Evening free to explore.
Complete your ASA 101 written exam at sea and earn your certification. Sail 9 nautical miles to Cambrils, known as one of the finest seafood ports in Spain. Experience the local fish auction at sunset. Begin ASA 103 training.
Focus on seamanship skills including man overboard drills, reefing, heaving-to, and anchoring. Sail 16 nautical miles to L’Ametlla de Mar. Enjoy a swim stop in clear, protected coves before settling in for the evening.
Complete your ASA 103 written exam at sea and earn certification. Continue with a longer 30 nautical mile passage to Torredembarra. Arrive with views of the 11th-century Tamarit Castle from the water. Begin ASA 104 training.
Sail 21 nautical miles north to Sitges while continuing ASA 104 skills, including systems, passage planning, and skipper responsibilities. Enjoy a relaxed and scenic final evening ashore.
Depart Sitges for a 20 nautical mile sail back to Barcelona. Complete your ASA 104 written exam underway. Upon arrival at Port Olímpic, receive your ASA 103 and 104 certifications and review next steps for your International Proficiency Certificate.
Please Note. This itinerary is meant to serve as an example. However, it is important to note that the actual itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
