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.
Barcelona Sailing Week is designed for sailors who want to earn ASA certifications without stepping away from everything the city has to offer. Students sail during the day on the Mediterranean, with consistent sea breezes of 8 to 18 knots, warm blue water, and summer air temperatures between 26 and 30°C, then return to shore each evening. You can sleep aboard the vessel at Port Olímpic or stay in a Barcelona hotel and walk to the dock each morning. The choice is entirely yours.
Evenings are spent exploring the city at your own pace. Walk along Barceloneta beach at golden hour, grab a seat at a counter in El Born, visit Gaudí’s Sagrada Família or the Gothic Quarter, or find a rooftop bar above the Eixample. Whether you have one hour or a full night, Barcelona offers world class museums, markets, food, and nightlife that comes alive late.
Midweek, the course includes an overnight coastal passage to Sitges, located 18 nautical miles south along the Garraf limestone cliffs. Sitges is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Catalonia, with whitewashed streets, a Baroque church overlooking the waterfront, and restaurants lining the marina promenade. After arriving, you can spend the night aboard in Aiguadolç Marina or stay in a nearby hotel just steps from the dock. The following morning, the group departs together and sails back to Barcelona.
Sailing conditions throughout the week are ideal for learning, with protected inshore waters, consistent summer winds, and a coastal passage that provides real offshore experience and qualifies students for ASA 104 sign-off. Long daylight hours from July through October allow for full days on the water, and with direct flights from more than 15 US cities, Barcelona remains one of the most accessible and rewarding sailing destinations in the world.
Red Sky Sailing Barcelona is the only English language ASA affiliate sailing school on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, making it the premier option for English speaking sailors looking to earn ASA certifications in Spain. The program is led by Michael LaMaina, 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 issued in the United States, along with ASA 201, 202, 203, and 204 instructor certifications. With over 26 years of professional seagoing experience and more than a decade living in Barcelona, he brings both global expertise and deep local knowledge to the program.
Barcelona Sailing Week is a truly unique learn to sail experience. It is the only ASA program in the world where students return to a world class city every evening, combining structured ASA 101, 103, and 104 training during the day with the culture, food, and energy of Barcelona at night. The overnight passage to Sitges adds a real coastal sailing component while offering time in one of Catalonia’s most beautiful towns. By the end of the week, students earn three certifications, become eligible for their International Proficiency Certificate, and leave with both practical sailing experience and an unforgettable week in one of the world’s great cities.
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 settling in. Choose to sleep aboard or check into your hotel. Enjoy your first evening exploring Barceloneta or the city.
Begin ASA 101 training with hands-on sailing in the Mediterranean. Learn points of sail, tacking, jibing, and sail trim while sailing just off the Barcelona coastline. Evening free to explore the city.
Continue ASA 101 with man overboard drills, docking practice, and navigation rules. Complete the written exam and earn ASA 101 certification. Enjoy another evening in Barcelona.
Transition into ASA 103 with a focus on coastal navigation, anchoring, engine operation, and weather interpretation. Sail along the coast during the day and return to the marina in the evening.
Depart Barcelona for an 18 nautical mile coastal passage south through the Garraf limestone cliffs. Arrive in Sitges and explore its waterfront, restaurants, and historic town. Stay aboard in the marina or at a nearby hotel.
Enjoy a relaxed morning with coffee in Sitges before sailing back to Barcelona. Continue ASA 104 training with skipper skills, systems, and real passage experience. Return to Port Olímpic for the evening.
Complete final evaluations and ASA 104 written exam. Receive ASA 103 and ASA 104 certifications and review next steps for your International Proficiency Certificate. Depart or enjoy a final day in Barcelona.
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.
