Learn to sail in paradise aboard the Vagabonde Adventures Outremer catamarans

Learn to Sail in Paradise

There’s no better classroom than the turquoise waters of the Bahamas. With Vagabonde Adventures, you can earn your American Sailing Association (ASA) certifications while island hopping through one of the most beautiful sailing destinations on earth. 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or working towards skippering your own yacht, our courses combine hands-on instruction with an unforgettable Caribbean adventure.

You’ll train aboard our Outremer 45 Falmari or Outremer 52 Inez — fast, elegant catamarans purpose-built for performance, comfort, and exploration. Led by a trained Vagabonde Adventures instructor, each course is designed to make you a confident, capable sailor.

What Each ASA Course Teaches

ASA 101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing

Your first step into sailing. You’ll learn the essentials - sail handling, steering, docking, and basic safety. By the end, you’ll understand how a sailboat works and how to handle one under the guidance of an instructor.

ASA 103 - Basic Coastal Cruising

This course takes your skills offshore. You’ll learn coastal navigation, anchoring, docking under sail, and boat systems. It’s the foundation for cruising between islands and spending nights aboard.

ASA 104 - Bareboat Cruising

The key milestone for aspiring skippers. ASA 104 certifies you to charter and operate a cruising sailboat up to 50 feet in moderate conditions. You’ll plan multi-day passages, interpret weather, manage crew, and practice real world decision making.

ASA 114 - Cruising Catamaran

Tailored for multihull sailors. You’ll master dual-engine handling, docking, and systems specific to catamarans.

ASA 106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising

The ultimate challenge. This course teaches advanced navigation, night sailing, and extended passage techniques for confident international cruising. Perfect for sailors preparing to own or captain their own yacht.

Which Courses to Take Together

ASA courses must be taken in sequential order, and most students complete courses in clusters, based on experience and goals:

• Beginners: ASA 101 + 103 - usually in one week.

• Intermediate: ASA 103 + 104 - for those with some sailing background, and already certified to 101

• Catamaran Sailors: ASA 104 + 114

• Advanced: ASA 106 - ideal for repeat guests, with plenty of experience, who are ready for offshore sailing.
  

What’s Required to Charter a Yacht

In the Caribbean:
Some charter companies don’t require a boating license, but instead you must have ‘previous boating experience’. However, if you don’t hold any licenses, your charter company may put restrictions on where you may sail, and they may take you out for a ‘test drive’ before handing the helm over. If you don’t pass this test, they will assign you a skipper for the week. However, you’ll be much better equipped if you hold up to an ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) as that is sufficient to skipper your own yacht. Experience matters as much as certification, and Vagabonde Adventures gives you both - practical, logged sea time and a globally respected credential. Whether your charter companies require certification or not, mother nature should be respected and learning from a professional instructor is the best way to keep you, your friends and your family safe on the water.

In the Mediterranean:
The Med is more regulated. Many countries require an ICC (International Certificate of Competence). Completing ASA 101-ASA 104 allows you to apply for the ICC through the ASA, recognized throughout Europe, including Greece, Croatia, and Italy. This is an easy online application - think of it like an international drivers license.

How Much to Study Beforehand

Once you have signed up for your course, Vagabonde Adventures will send out your relevant study material, including a textbook for each certification level. We do recommend you complete these textbooks, however you don’t need to arrive as an expert, you just need to be curious and ready to learn. Plan to spend 2-4 hours per week for ~3 months reviewing ASA study materials before your trip. The more you study before your trip, the more everything will make sense once you’re onboard (plus you can relax in the evening rather than reading your textbooks!)

A Typical Day of Learning at Sea

Morning: Start with coffee and a weather briefing on deck. You’ll hoist sails, plot a short passage, and rotate helm time, practicing real maneuvers like tacking, gybing and reefing.

Midday: Your first anchor practice, while you drop the hook off a pristine cay for lunch and a swim. You might review navigation exercises or practice man-overboard recovery before diving into clear Bahamian water.

Afternoon: Set sail for your next destination, taking turns as skipper and navigator. Each day builds on the last, turning lessons into muscle memory.

Evening: Drop anchor, debrief the day’s lessons, and enjoy a sunset dinner prepared family style with the group, or by your private (optional) chef. 

Compared to a holiday charter, training charters have more structure. You’ll still be able to snorkel reefs, explore beaches, and sip sundowners at anchor, you’ll just be doing it while earning credentials. 

Why Learn with Vagabonde Adventures

• Award-Winning Instructors: Led by Captain Jack, ASA Instructor of the Year (2022) or other highly experienced sailing instructors

• World-Class Yachts: Learn aboard pristine performance Outremer catamarans - Falmari (45) and Inez (52)

• Stunning Classrooms: The Abaco Islands offer protected waters, steady trade winds, and endless beauty

Turn Your Vacation Into a Sailing Adventure

Whether your dream is to sail your own catamaran through the Caribbean, charter a yacht in the Mediterranean, or go somewhere beyond like Tahiti, the Whitsundays or more, ASA certifications are your passport to freedom on the water. With Vagabonde Adventures, you’ll learn from the best.

Ready to earn your sea legs? Book your American Sailing certification Adventure today!