Sailing Schools in the United States
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109 search results

BE-Nautical
Wilmette, Illinois, United States
Be-Nautical is a welcoming sailing school located in Wilmette, Illinois, offering a variety of courses to suit all skill levels. Whether learning individually, as a couple, or with family, students can explore everything from basic sailing to advanced navigation and weather forecasting. The school provides hands-on training through classroom instruction, practical courses, and experiential learning, including racing, night sailing, and cruising skills. With multiple Chicago area harbors as training locations, Be-Nautical also offers special programs like flotillas, offshore sailing experiences, and certifications, all in a relaxed setting that encourages learning and adventure.

Afterguard Sailing Academy
Oakland, California, United States
San Francisco Bay offers an ideal setting for learning to sail, and afterguard-sailing-academy takes full advantage of this unique environment. Based in Oakland, the school operates from two locations, including the protected Oakland Estuary, which provides smooth, flat waters perfect for beginners and introductory courses, as well as the larger Central Bay for more advanced training and overnight adventures. With a fleet of over 30 boats, the school fosters a welcoming, family-style atmosphere with a focus on safety, confidence, and thorough instruction. Their team of experienced instructors emphasizes practical skills and real-world sailing awareness, preparing students to navigate diverse weather conditions, tides, currents, and vessel traffic confidently.

Sail Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, United States
Sail Savannah is located on the scenic waters surrounding historic Savannah, Georgia. The school offers a welcoming environment where students can learn to sail in a city known for its rich history, vibrant wildlife, and charming coastal scenery. With experienced instructors and a variety of courses, Sail Savannah provides both beginner and advanced sailing lessons, along with private charters that often feature dolphins and stunning sunsets. The school’s focus is on ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for everyone eager to explore the joys of sailing.
Waypoints Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland, United States
Waypoints Annapolis is located at 222 Severn Avenue, in Building 15 Suite 36. Nestled in the charming city of Annapolis, Maryland, the school offers a relaxed and welcoming environment for sailors of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or looking to hone your skills, the friendly atmosphere makes learning to sail an enjoyable experience.
All About Sailing School
Wagoner, Oklahoma, United States
All About Sailing School is located at Tsa-La-Gi Yacht Club on Fort Gibson Lake. The school offers a friendly and relaxed environment for learning sailing skills, guided by an American Sailing Association certified instructor with over eight years of experience teaching students from across the region. Students can expect to start with basic sailing lessons and progress to more advanced courses that cover topics like chartering sailboats for island hopping and mastering navigational techniques. Captain Bill Apker, the lead instructor, has been sailing since 1991 and earned his instructor certification in 2010. He is also a licensed Merchant Mariner, bringing a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to his teaching.
Marina Sailing – Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California, United States
Marina Sailing is located in Redondo Beach and has been a staple in Southern California since 1962. Their facility offers a variety of boats, including monohulls, catamarans, and powerboats, across six different locations along the coast. The school provides a comprehensive selection of American Sailing Association courses, with options suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors. Their popular Complete Sailing Course covers ASA 101 and 103 certifications and is available year-round on weekends, making it convenient for many. For those looking for an immersive experience, the Ultimate Sailing Course spans five days and includes ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications, culminating in a voyage to Catalina Island or the Channel Islands.
Boston Sailing Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The Boston Sailing Center is located on a unique Louisiana Riverboat berthed at Lewis Wharf on historic Boston Harbor, just a short walk north of Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Its floating classroom offers a relaxed setting for both classes and social events, with easy access to Boston’s waterfront, harbor islands, and nearby destinations like Marblehead, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, and Newport. The center’s proximity to historic sites, restaurants, and entertainment spots makes it a popular spot for sailors and visitors alike.
Kingdom Yachts Sailing Club
Waleska, Georgia, United States
Located at The KYSC Boat House in Waleska, Georgia, this sailing school has been a pioneer in the region since 1983 as the first ASA facility in Georgia. Set on a large private mountain lake in the North Georgia foothills, the location offers a tranquil environment with low boat traffic, making it ideal for beginners. As students progress, they can venture onto larger waters and explore a variety of vessels, expanding their sailing skills from local lakes to coastal and open ocean adventures, covering courses from ASA 101 through ASA 114.
Florida Sailing & Cruising School
Cape Coral, Florida, United States
Florida Sailing & Cruising School, located in Cape Coral, has been a trusted name in sailing education since 1984. With over 30 years of experience, the school offers small, personalized courses that focus on hands-on learning aboard liveaboard vessels. The courses include accommodations, course materials, instruction, and certification from ASA, all designed to prepare students for yacht chartering and ownership in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Bluenose Sailing School
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States
BlueNose Sailing School offers a relaxed and welcoming environment for learning to sail on the scenic waters of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. Located at New England Safe Harbor Marina in Portsmouth, the school provides a variety of courses suitable for beginners through advanced sailors, all taught by experienced, ASA-certified instructors. With well-maintained boats and a prime location, it’s a great place to build confidence on the water, whether you're looking for a fun day sail or aiming to pursue more advanced sailing adventures.
Santa Barbara Sailing Center
Santa Barbara, California, United States
The Santa Barbara Sailing Center is located in a prime spot just outside the Santa Barbara Harbor, offering ideal conditions for learning to sail. With consistent winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots during basic courses and stronger breezes of 20 to 25 knots at the Channel Islands for advanced training, students get to experience a variety of sailing conditions. The center features a fleet of vessels from Catalina 22s to larger yachts, all operated by USCG licensed and ASA certified instructors. They also host well-known corporate regattas that focus on team building and camaraderie.
Nockamixon Sailing School
Quakertown, Pennsylvania, United States
Nockamixon Sailing School is an ASA-affiliated sailing school located on Lake Nockamixon in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. They offer beginner and intermediate sailing classes taught by certified instructors, focusing on safety and hands-on experience on the water. Students can learn to handle sailboats in a relaxed environment, with small class sizes that ensure personalized attention, and have the opportunity to progress through ASA certifications for inland, near coastal, and ocean sailing.
Los Angeles Yacht Club
San Pedro, California, United States
Located at 285 Whalers Walk in San Pedro, California, the Los Angeles Yacht Club offers a welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced sailors. Their instruction is focused on helping students learn to sail confidently and safely, whether through group classes or private lessons. The club’s instructors are ASA certified and teach on their fleet of 22 Capri sailboats, providing a relaxed setting for learning and skill-building. Beyond basic certification, members can participate in clinics and events that deepen their sailing knowledge and passion.
Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center
Ventura, California, United States
The Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center is situated at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura, California. It offers quality sailing instruction with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced sailors. With a focus on affordable pricing and flexible scheduling, the center aims to provide an enjoyable learning experience for everyone interested in exploring the waters around Ventura.
Navy Patuxent Sailing Club
Patuxent River, Maryland, United States
The Navy Patuxent Sailing Club is made up of over two hundred members, including Active Duty, Reserve, Civil Service, and Contractor personnel. They come from diverse backgrounds but share a common passion for sailing. Located near the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, members enjoy some of the best sailing on the East Coast just minutes from their base. The club aims to give eligible personnel and their families the opportunity to experience and enjoy sailing, improve their skills in handling both small and large boats, and promote sailing as a sport within the Navy. Members also participate in small boat racing, develop seamanship skills, and engage in water safety activities, all while fostering camaraderie and supporting morale and recreation efforts.
San Juan Sailing
Bellingham, Washington, United States
San Juan Sailing is a well-established sailing school located in Bellingham, Washington, with over 35 years of experience in providing quality sailing instruction. Their courses take place in the scenic San Juan Islands, offering students the chance to learn on fully equipped cruising sailboats while experiencing the cruising lifestyle firsthand. The school’s instructors are knowledgeable and approachable, guiding students through a range of ASA certifications from basic sailing to advanced coastal cruising, including specialized courses for women and catamaran sailing. With small class sizes and a focus on hands-on learning, San Juan Sailing provides a relaxed environment for both beginners and experienced sailors to build skills and confidence in a stunning maritime setting.
Maryland School of Sailing
Rock Hall, Maryland, United States
The Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship is dedicated to helping people become skilled and confident sailors. Located at Lankford Bay Marina in Rock Hall, Maryland, the school offers comprehensive sailing courses taught aboard rugged Island Packet cruising yachts by experienced Coast Guard Licensed Captains. Their programs focus on building a solid foundation of sailing skills, emphasizing safety and mastery over shortcuts. From full-length live-aboard beginner courses to advanced navigation classes, the school caters to sailors at all levels and encourages hands-on learning, often allowing students to stay aboard the yachts throughout their courses for a true immersive experience.
Honolulu Sailing
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Since opening in 1974, Honolulu Sailing has built a reputation for offering memorable sailing experiences in the Hawaiian waters. Located at Kewalo Basin Harbor, the school utilizes late-model Beneteau boats, which are popular both for lessons and charters. With consistent trade winds and calm seas, students enjoy ideal conditions for learning and exploring, whether taking basic courses or advanced passage-making trips to islands like Kauai and Hawaii Island. The experienced instructors bring patience and a positive attitude, making every voyage enjoyable and enriching.
Fairwind Sail Charters
Riverside, Illinois, United States
Fairwind Sail Charters is situated in Riverside, Illinois, offering a relaxed and friendly environment for sailing enthusiasts. With nearly four decades of experience, the school emphasizes safety and seamanship, providing quality instruction on Lake Michigan, which offers a unique fresh water sailing experience reminiscent of blue water cruising. Whether students are interested in chartering in destinations like St. Somewhere or considering boat ownership, Fairwind Sail Charters aims to support sailors at all levels in a welcoming setting.
Marina Sailing – Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California, United States
Marina Sailing has been a staple in Southern California since 1962, making it the region’s oldest and largest sailing charter and instruction provider. With six locations along the coast, they offer a variety of boats ranging from 22 to 50 feet, including monohulls, catamarans, and powerboats. The school provides a comprehensive selection of American Sailing Association courses, with their popular Complete Sailing Course covering ASA 101 and 103 certifications, scheduled every weekend throughout the year. For those looking for a more immersive experience, the Ultimate Sailing Course is a five-day live-aboard program that includes ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications and a voyage to Catalina Island or the Channel Islands. They also cater to experienced sailors with advanced courses and a beautiful fleet available for chartering.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are currently 109 schools in United States. Each of these schools is a certified training center, meeting rigorous international standards for safety, equipment, and instructor expertise.
Yes, there are RYA-certified sailing schools in United States. RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certifications are internationally recognized and often required by yacht charter companies as proof of competence.
Yes, there are ASA-affiliated schools in United States offering a range of sailing certifications. ASA (American Sailing Association) courses follow a proven curriculum designed to take you from a complete beginner to a confident coastal cruiser.
In United States, major certifications are available. These programs provide a structured learning path, allowing you to build your skills progressively and earn licenses that are valid for international bareboat charters.
Yes, several schools in United States offer Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses. Competent Crew is the ideal starting point for beginners to learn the basics of life on board, while Day Skipper is the first step toward taking command of your own vessel.
