Are you interested in combining some sailing instruction with your perfect charter trip? There are a number of sailing schools and qualified sailing instructors in the British Virgin Islands which can add to your total trip experience. Experienced sailors can take courses in advanced topics, like offshore navigation.
Perhaps the most unique and fun opportunity presents itself to less experienced or first-time charter sailors. You can combine your BVI bareboat charter and a spectacular one week sailing vacation with sailing instruction and certification that allows you to charter boats on your own in the future. Several of the operators of BVI charter facilities will provide, for a nominal fee, a sailing instructor to accompany you on your trip and do a complete basic chartering class while you are enjoying your vacation. This can fully qualify you to rent a boat on your own on a subsequent trip. Additionally, you often find that the sailing instructor is a fun companion for the trip, and can act as a very knowledgeable tour guide.
Sailing instruction often takes place on your own chartered boat and is one-on-one or one instructor with your own small group. There are also instructional opportunities that involve flotilla sailing or are structured as courses for small groups where the sailing school will assemble a small group for you.
Flotilla sailing involves a small group of boats that travel together. The flotilla is typically set up by the charter vendor and has a lead boat with an experienced sailor who will act as tour guides and keep the “flock” together over the trip. Typically, the leader will also be your entertainment director. Organized activities such as short races among the boats in the flotilla, shore activities, etc., will keep you entertained. Flotilla sailing can provide an extra level of comfort to sailors who are less experienced or just want the social camaraderie of flotilla sailing. Flotilla sailing can often be combined with sailing instruction to fully qualify you for bareboat chartering in the future. Flotilla sailing can also provide a fun social group that will enhance your enjoyment of your charter trip.
Additionally, most of the sailing schools offer a full set of sailing courses such that you can have a great vacation and update your sailing knowledge with just the courses that you want. These courses are typically recognized worldwide, and can give you wider access to chartering boats around the world.