Spend a week living aboard and learning to sail in the beautiful San Juan Islands! In addition to incredible natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and excellent hiking and beachcombing, the San Juan Islands provide a wealth of learning opportunities…navigating safely around rocks/reefs, anchoring with attention to tidal swings, planning for current, and adjusting to fluctuating winds as they curve around the islands. Your days will be spent underway, growing your skills in sailing, navigation, docking, mooring, and anchoring. Each evening is spent anchored or docked at a different secluded bay, quaint port, pristine cove, or historic resort in the San Juan Islands. All while achieving your AS 101/Basic Sailing through AS 104/Bareboat Cruising (Charter Certification).
This unique, fully liveaboard course is an exceptional value combining an incredible sailing adventure while leaning a lifelong skill. We’ve been teaching sailing for over 40 years and know how to do it right! Accommodation, certification, fuel, and all meals included, except for one night, when you’ll eat ashore and enjoy the local island dining.
This learn-to-sail vacation with San Juan Sailing offers :
¤ ASA 101 | KEELBOAT SAILING 1
¤ ASA 102 | KEELBOAT SAILING 2
¤ ASA 103 | COASTAL CRUISING
¤ ASA 104 | BAREBOAT CRUISING
¤ ASA 111 | SAILING REVIEW
In just one week, you can earn your AS 101/Basic Sailing, AS 103/Basic Coastal Cruising, and AS 104/Bareboat Cruising Certification and be qualified to charter your own sailboat up to 45 feet in length anywhere in the world. If you have already earned your AS 101-104 but have a desire to practice or refresh your skills, you can take the course and earn your AS 111/Sailing Review Certification. Our instructors are all certified AS Instructors and hold United States Coast Guard captain licenses.
A brisk sail across Bellingham Bay to Lummi Island, up scenic Hale Passage, to the most popular of the marine parks. Wander the scenic trails onshore or explore pebbly beaches lined with unique sandstone formations.
The destination is either Prevost or Reid Harbors on Stuart Island. Both flank a state park with fascinating trails. If you have time in the evening and would like a good, long leg stretch, continue beyond the state park trails and along the quiet country lanes to the Turn Point Light house (4 miles each way). Along the way stop at the old schoolhouse where t-shirts are sold on the honor system and there is a small but interesting museum to explore.
Spend the day sailing in Boundary Pass and then head to Roche Harbor to practice close quarter docking and maneuvering. Roche Harbor Resort offers a restaurant/bar, cafe, a small grocery store, pool, and spa. Of interest nearby are a sculpture garden, distillery, and the unusual Mausoleum (aka Afterglow Vista).
Start the day with a navigational challenge as you head south through tricky Mosquito Pass, then sail down the outside of San Juan Island (keep your eyes open for whales!), and plan your timing so that you duck past Cattle Point during a period of lower current.
The largest town in the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor offers shopping, a grocery store, and plenty of restaurants to choose from. It is also the home of the popular Whale Museum.
Lopez Island’s Spencer Spit is a scenic anchorage with good crabbing a quiet beach to explore. Afternoon breezes tend to offer spirited sailing within Orcas Island’s East Sound so you’ll probably detour for a bit of extra play time before heading down to Spencer Spit for practice anchoring and securing to mooring buoys.
Sail through either Obstruction or Peavine Pass to cross Rosario Strait and Bellingham Channel. Round the south end of Lummi Island and anchor at Inati Bay. Here you’ll practice tying a stern line to shore before enjoying this laid-back anchorage that boasts a view of Mount Baker and the lights of Bellingham.
A morning sail across Bellingham Bay before some final docking practice in the harbor. Your course concludes at 11AM but your journey as a sailor will have just begun!
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.
Our courses take place on 34’ – 45’ cruising monohulls, typically a Bavaria, Beneteau or Jeanneau. Each vessel is well maintained, spacious and well-appointed with a minimum of two staterooms, one head (potentially two) and a fully equipped galley. All are equipped with a color chart plotter, radar, charts, reference manuals, and safety equipment.
Please extend my heartfelt appreciation for everyone at San Juan Sailing & Yachting School. Your kindness and professionalism are so greatly appreciated and helped me achieve a dream during a very difficult period of time. I look forward to continuing my relationship with your organization and will be back for another week cruise.
Really great teaching! Excellent boat, instructor, organization, and crewmates!
