The Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship offers beginning to intermediate level sailing courses in the Caribbean from December through April, and there is a spot here for you.

During your cruise you will live aboard our ocean going yacht, the Island Packet 440 CELESTIAL, pictured here, with three or four other students plus the instructor for eight days.

The primary emphasis in your training will be the hands-on skills needed to safely and competently operate sailing vessels.  For those seeking certification, up to two levels of ASA Certification (ASA 101 and 103 or ASA 103 and 104) are available. For students with adequate experience, you can challenge ASA 101, and take ASA 103 and 104 to earn your ASA bareboat certificate. Also, checkout out our advanced coastal cruises.

Occasionally, Virgin Island participants are not interested in certification and, often with couples, only one is interested in instruction.  As long as the spouse enjoys sun and water, this is fine with us.  Just let us know that you are interested in more leisure than learning!

All of our Instructors are USCG licensed Captains and ASA Certified Instructors who also teach our Chesapeake Bay and ocean training cruises.  Our instructors are handpicked for their knowledge, skills and teaching abilities, and meet the highest standards in the industry. 

Our yachts are docked at Crown Bay Marina in St Thomas, USVI. Students arrive on the day prior to the first class day and settle in to the yacht and island life before departing for a week of sailing instruction, mixed with a generous portion of relaxation and island life.   The students and Captain decide on the cruise itinerary, and each evening will stop at a delightful cove or bay to anchor for the night, swim, snorkel and enjoy the shoreside attractions or restaurants if desired.