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 Brava—the “Wild Coast”—stretches north of Barcelona toward the French border and earns its name honestly. Limestone cliffs drop into deep blue water, and hidden coves are accessible only by sea. Medieval fishing villages along this coastline have been launching boats for over a thousand years. The Tramontana—a powerful north wind descending from the Pyrenees—can reach 25–30 knots, creating true offshore sailing conditions that accelerate learning far beyond sheltered-water courses. Just as quickly, it can fade overnight, leaving calm, glassy anchorages by morning. Ports of call include Palamós—famous throughout Spain for its prawns—Llafranc, Arenys de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, and L’Estartit, overlooking the Medes Islands, a marine reserve ranked among the best diving sites in the western Mediterranean.
Sailing conditions here are varied and authentic. The Costa Brava introduces students to real Mediterranean weather patterns, variable wind, and open-water passage making. Expect average summer breezes of 10–20 knots, with occasional Tramontana gusts delivering memorable sailing days. Air temperatures range from 26–30°C, with Mediterranean waters at 22–25°C, and long daylight hours from July through October.
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 issued in the United States—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 paired with serious Mediterranean sailing. Students who arrive early or stay a day longer have Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, Camp Nou, and some of the best food in Europe at their fingertips. Direct flights from more than 15 U.S. cities make Barcelona one of the most accessible—and unforgettable—Mediterranean destinations for American sailors.
The Costa Brava is our recommended route for sailors seeking real conditions. The Tramontana winds, open-water passages, and dramatic coastline develop sailors who leave genuinely capable—not just certified. 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 departing along the Maresme coast. Sail 20 nautical miles to Arenys de Mar and begin ASA 101 with your first time at the helm. Evening aboard or ashore.
Continue ASA 101 with offshore drills including tacking, jibing, and sail trim. Sail 25 nautical miles north to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a charming medieval fishing village known for excellent seafood. Evening free to explore.
Complete your ASA 101 written exam at sea and earn certification. Sail 6 nautical miles to Palamós, famous for its prawns and vibrant port. Begin ASA 103 training. Dinner ashore.
Focus on seamanship skills including man overboard drills, reefing, and anchoring. Sail a short 3 nautical miles to Llafranc and anchor in the bay. Enjoy swimming directly off the boat and a relaxed evening.
Complete your ASA 103 written exam at sea and earn certification. Sail 10 nautical miles to L’Estartit with views of the Medes Islands marine reserve offshore, one of the top diving sites in the western Mediterranean. Begin ASA 104 training.
Sail 23 nautical miles south to Tossa de Mar while continuing ASA 104 skills, including coastal navigation and passage planning. Arrive beneath the town’s iconic medieval walls. Evening ashore.
Depart for a 38 nautical mile passage back to Barcelona. Complete your ASA 104 written exam underway. Upon arrival at Port Olímpic, receive your ASA 101, 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.
