“Blue-water” cruising is how sailors describe longer voyages. The first seven days of Delta are in the BVI, honing your sailing skills and preparing for an overnight sail to the Leewards. Living on a yacht and navigating long distances will give you and your crew a taste of freedom and sense of triumph. Our sailing curriculum and optional ASA certification courses offer just the right challenges for beginners and experienced sailors alike.
For the next 10 days we’ll explore the Leeward Islands: majestic Saba with a challenging hike into the clouds and a fabulous marine park to explore; beautiful St. Kitts hosts the Brimstone Hill Fortress, and companion island Nevis boasts sandy palm-fringed beaches. These are amazing islands and the local people love sharing their culture.
We promote ecosystem conservation through Community Service and our marine biology seminars help you appreciate all you see. You’ll enjoy crystal blue water at some of the best dive sites. If you’ve never tried scuba, our Discover Scuba course is the place to start. If you’re already Open Water certified, you can do recreational diving. Plus there’s kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, wakeboarding and tubing, guaranteed to raise the bar of excitement.
You’ll head back to the BVI on another overnight passage under a warm blanket of stars, feeling like a seasoned sailor and veteran explorer.
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Topics include: respect and awareness of marine organisms, coral biology, geologic formation, sharks, invasive species, sea turtles, and the night ocean.
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
It’s the ultimate team sport! Whether you're on the helm, trimming the jib, or on the rail helping to balance the boat, everyone’s efforts count.
If you've never set foot aboard a 50' sloop, it's OK with us – No Experience Necessary! You’ll learn by doing and we’ll be by your side all the way. If you’re already a sailor, build on your knowledge!
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Ready for a little exploring with a friend? With all the beautiful anchorages and coves we visit there’s much to explore by paddle power.
Meet the creatures below the waves. Swim alongside a friendly sea turtle, join a school of Blue Tang fish, and explore the reefs!
Get your footing and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to maneuver with perfect balance. You’ll have terrific views above, as well as below the waves.
Our Number 1 watersports toy is nicknamed “Papa”. You’ll be hanging on so tight you won't even be able to give a thumbs-up.
Once you’re up it’s a thrill every single second, especially if you get airborne. No wonder this is a Sail Caribbean one-handed favorite!
Get up, get steady! Then you’ll be zipping back and forth across the wake for a ride you’ll remember.
After you’ve learned to read the wind, you’re sure to take full advantage of it on your rig. Time to hook in and hold on!
You’ll learn so much on your big yacht. Try applying your seamanship skills to smaller boats and feel how swiftly they respond.
Dance with Moko-Jumbie stilt walkers at our Fireball Party, win the famous Chili Cookoff, and compete for glory at the SC Olympics.
Team up for a spirited game of volleyball or a fast-paced soccer tournament, then cool off rehearsing a synchronized swim.
The islands we visit are mountainous. Reaching the best vantage points provides challenges, but the pay offs are breathtaking vistas!
Whether your interest is in cultural heritage, marine biology, or environmental conservation, you’ll have opportunities to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!
Topics include: respect and awareness of marine organisms, coral biology, geologic formation, sharks, invasive species, sea turtles, and the night ocean.
Hike through a rainforest, travel mountainous hillside roads, learn about the art of glassblowing, visit an organic farm, and discover different cultures.
It’s the ultimate team sport! Whether you're on the helm, trimming the jib, or on the rail helping to balance the boat, everyone’s efforts count.
If you've never set foot aboard a 50' sloop, it's OK with us – No Experience Necessary! You’ll learn by doing and we’ll be by your side all the way. If you’re already a sailor, build on your knowledge!
If you choose scuba, it doesn't matter if you're a seasoned diver or if you're taking your very first scuba lesson. You're in for the ultimate dive experience.
There are opportunities to build on your sailing and seamanship skills through American Sailing Association courses which include practice time on our 26' Colgate training boat, Opal Bella.
Sail Caribbean offers ten different adventure groups with 30 different sessions in the British Virgin and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. You live aboard a modern 50′ monohull yacht or 45′ catamaran with other teens in your age group and learn to sail. No experience is necessary. Every adventure focuses on an activity, but each offers scuba, marine biology, community service, cultural exchange, watersports, friendships, personal growth and lifelong memories.
Want to compare adventures? Download our 2023 Schedule (PDF)!
Get acquainted with our beautiful home base; meet your Captain and everyone on your program. You’ll have your first boat meeting over delicious chicken, rice and slaw, to set the course for the rest of your adventures to come.
Learn how to sail by getting out into the Sir Francis Drake Channel and getting your hands on the lines, winch handles, and helm. Get used to life onboard and enjoy some water sports and scuba diving in the Beautiful BVI. Learn about the coral reef ecosystem and what we can do to help.
It’s time to begin preparations for our sail down island on day 10. We head back to our base to re-provision, but it’s not all work! Our Colgate 26 is waiting for those taking the ASA Basic Keelboat course. Test your skills on Race Day and celebrate your success at the Bitter End Yacht Club before heading Leeward overnight!
You’ve experienced a perfect night sail, seen countless shooting stars, and watched the sun rise. It’s a thrill sailing into the Dutch port of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. You and your crew will head ashore to relax and feel your land legs for a while. Then, we’re off to Statia (St. Eustatius) the next morning.
Per square mile, Statia has more monuments that any of the other Caribbean islands. We’ll take a picturesque historical excursion to the famous Fort de Windt, then enjoy some snorkeling with community service beach clean up time in the afternoon. It’s all hands ready for our next journey – making passage to the island of Nevis where a bike tour gives us a workout while getting us around to the highlights.
Our arrival on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) includes a greeting by our favorite local, Percy, who shows us everything old and new. We decide on a snorkel first, then head up to explore Brimstone Hill Fortress which took a full 100 years to build. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre where the scenery is perfection and history comes alive.
As we approach the island of Saba, all eyes are straining to see the 800 steps leading from Ladder Bay to The Bottom, Saba’s largest town. We’ll explore the underwater first at the Marine Park which circles the entire island. The next day is a hike into the lush vegetation and cloud forest of Mt. Scenery before preparing for our blue water voyage back to the BVI.
Before stopping at the famous “Baths” of the BVI, stop by Saba Rock. Hike the rainforest-like trails on this unique island and then cool off with an amazing snorkel, checking out the many tropical fish and Saba’s terrain from under the water. Divers will check out some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean!
Fond farewells as you head back home, with airplane letters in hand, ready to tell your family about all of your amazing summer adventures!
06/25/2023
07/15/2023
$7395
5-8
8-12
07/17/2023
08/06/2023
$7395
5-8
8-12
Prerequisites: None
This certification is bestowed on any crew member who demonstrates the ability to fully participate in the daily sailing tasks on board and passes a written test proving that they’ve mastered fundamental information on safety, seamanship, navigation and boat handling skills.
Prerequisites: SC Crew
Proving you have an understanding of some of the more advanced sailing theories and demonstrating the ability to participate in sail reefing, timed tacking and jibing, island crossing, advanced navigation, anchoring, docking and de-docking skills along with racing tactics and proper safety techniques will earn you our Bosun certification.
Prerequisites: SC Crew & Bosun
A focus on leadership while underway is the core of this certification. You’ll earn Mate certification if you succeed at assigning crew positions, directing most phases of seamanship and safety drills, demonstrate proper engine, dinghy and equipment use and maintenance, keep an accurate ship’s log and monitor the weather all skills that make you a capable second in command.
Prerequisites: None
If you’re arriving at Sail Caribbean with prior sailing experience and are very keen on making the commitment to learn more, why not take this opportunity to gain a nationally recognized certification? You’ll participate in seminars and practice your helmsmanship on our big boats, and then demonstrate your sailing and seamanship skills during two to three intensive days on our own Colgate 26’, Opal Bella. The goal of this certification is for the participants to be able to single-hand (maneuver alone) these keelboats. Written and practical exams fulfill the requirements and you’ll have an official certification that’s valid for years to come and a stepping-stone to many other sailing certifications. View more details about ASA certifications here.
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) certification
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather forecast interpretation, safety and seamanship. View more details about ASA certifications here.
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103) certifications
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat (or catamaran, if course is conducted on such) of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Course is conducted as a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation. View more details about ASA certifications here.
Discover a whole new world beneath the waves!
You will experience the thrill of scuba diving under the close supervision of a qualified PADI Instructor in ideal conditions. Under the palm trees on the beach, we’ll begin with an orientation and skills session – you’ll be introduced to the basic concepts of scuba diving. Next you’ll learn about equipment, basic skills and safety procedures. Afterwards, you’ll practice those important scuba skills in three to five feet of calm, clear water right off the beach. You’ll continue with your first dive experience off that same beach in 20-30 feet of calm water. Once you’re comfortable with the basic skills, one of our custom dive boats will take you to enjoy your first open water dive. It will be no deeper than 30ft, and you’ll be able to explore one of our amazing reefs with your instructor.
The DSD course is available on all of our programs except Charlie. Students will spend 2-3 sessions with our PADI instructors. In the future, if you decide to become certified, these skills and the open water dives may be credited towards your PADI Open Water Diver course.
Prerequisite: Must be Open Water certified or equivalent
Non-certification recreational diving is available as an option on all of our adventures. Ever imagine diving on a coral garden, drifting through a rainbow canyon, or exploring a sunken wreck? You will enjoy recreational diving in the BVI with our own Sail Caribbean Divers Instructors and Divemasters. On Delta in the Leeward Islands, professional dive instructors from each island along with our dive staff take you to gorgeous dive sites. You’ll gain expert knowledge from each local instructor and get the most out of every dive site you visit. You must provide proof of certification from a recognized agency like PADI, NAUI, YMCA, or NASDS.
Prerequisite: 12+ years of age.
This PADI course is the most popular entry-level dive program in the whole world! Throughout our PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of safe scuba diving, including dive equipment, techniques, and planning. This certification allows you to rent scuba equipment, obtain tank air fills and also enroll in PADI Continuing Education courses (PADI Adventure Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, or even PADI Specialties).
The PADI Open Water Diver certification is recognized worldwide. To earn this rating, we’ll introduce you to eLearning:
During five confined water training dives, your instructor will demonstrate, and then you’ll practice and master, important diving skills. Finally, applying everything you have learned, you will make four open water dives at favorite dive sites around the British Virgin Islands.
No experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable in and on the water, have a spirit of adventure, the ability to take on responsibility, and a desire to be challenged. Everyone is involved with sailing instruction, but scuba diving is an option on Delta. (The snorkeling alone is amazing!)
During the Delta adventure, you have the option to earn both sailing and scuba certifications In sailing, as part of our core curriculum, you can earn the SC Crew, Bosun & Mate certifications based on your level of experience. For those with a strong sailing background, as an optional course, we offer ASA’s 101 Basic Keelboat and ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising certifications.
For non-certified scuba divers you’ll have the option to try scuba diving through PADI’s DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) course and experience the beautiful life in the underwater world, or earn PADI’s first certification called Open Water (OW). If you are already an OW certified diver, you’ll have the option of diving for fun by signing up for Recreational Diving.
Students join us from all over the country and from around the world. On Delta, students will be between 13 and 18 years old. Each co-ed boat has 10-12 students of similar age with a balance of girls and boys. On Delta, our fleet size is 12 to 24 teenagers. Each day offers sailing and meals with your crew and then activities, electives, and socializing with the entire group.
The greatest challenge during the program was staying entertained during the quarantine period. Not being able to leave your boat and not having a phone, which was a crutch against boredom, it was difficult at first to stay entertained. However. as we grew closer, we talked more and played more games.
Isabela H., age 16, Ashburn, VA
Despite Covid, SC made sure the kids had memorable and safe experiences. You all came up with creative solutions to addressing some of the challenges of the pandemic, and the kids didn’t feel the effect at all.
Katherine F., Parent of 17 year old son, Baltimore, MD
My greatest challenge was adapting to life on a boat. obviously living on a boat is so different compared to a house, so adapting to a smaller space with over 12 people is very hard. however, when I got closer to my boat mates, I became more comfortable with my environment and the people around me. when I became closer to my friends, the boat no longer became an issue, and actually ended up being so much fun!
Molly C., age 14, San Francisco, CA