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BVI (ASA 103/104)
American Sailing Association
PASSAGE OFFSHORE, A TRUE SAILING SCHOOL | Cruising + Bareboat Certification
Earn your ASA Skipper certifications during a 7-night course sailing the British Virgin Islands with a legendary skipper. This voyage will take you through the elements and you’ll walk away with an authentic experience as a true sailor. The course prepares you with hands-on practical knowledge designed to offer the confidence and experience to accelerate your sailing endeavors and elevate your sailing aspirations.
CABIN UPDATES
Single Cabin: Full Price $4150* per student | 3 Cabins
Double Cabin: Full Price $3700* per student | 1 Cabins
* room, board, ASA material
You can secure your spot on the waitlist now
SAILING SCHOOL CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Coastal Cruising (103)
Bareboat Cruising Certification (ASA 104)
The instructor was amazing. I felt extremely comfortable with him in charge of the boat, and I would love to sail with him again in the future. So much so that if there was a way to know which of the trips he was leading I would target those first to join. Even after a day of long, tiring sailing, he was always, 100% of the time, willing to go back up in the dark and the rain to help show me for the 10th time how to tie down the dinghy. You can't ask for more in a teacher.
an interactive experience
Itinerary
The abundance of islands clustered with such close proximity allows for sailors to sail with the wind conditions in the spirit of the moment. Some skippers will take their crew through a circumnavigate of Tortola while others will zig zag jumping from island to island-Norman Island and then to Marina Cay, North Sound, Virgin Gorda and then sail south to Cooper Island. The ability to choose your own adventure is one of the pleasures of the BVI. Most of the prominent marinas are located on the south coast of Tortola, which is a common location to start your charter. Roadtown is the main harbor and the capital of Tortola home to most of the provisioning and supplies for sailors cruising the region.
Norman Island
One of the famed islands here is Norman Island-home to the infamous floating bar Willy T’s, which is situated in its largest cove called ‘The Bight’ until the permanently anchored ship sank in 2017 during the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Irma. Now re-born on a new vessel, the bar is known for its abundance of sailors who can be seen arriving by dinghy and tying up alongside.
Salt Island
One of the lesser ventured activities is hiking around Salt Island, which remains completely uninhabited other than a few families of goats that roam freely around the lush green fields. This island once had a productive salt pond facility that shipped salt as an export until the mid 1970s. Even today during certain periods when the salt pond is dry, you can scrape up the island’s salt which is still harvested in small batches.
Anegada
The northernmost island in the archipelago requires more sailing time, usually on a pleasant beam reach, depending on which island you set out from. With the trade winds blowing normally leaving from Gorda Sound offers the nicest tack. Anegada is unlike the others. In a chain of mountainous volcanic islands, Anegada was formed by a coral reef and is just a few meters above sea level at its highest point.
Jost Van Dyke
Sailing southwest from Anegada roughly 25 nautical miles, and just a short hop from Tortola’s west end, is Jost Van Dyke, one of the most emblematic of all the islands in the region. Culture seems to flow from here to the other islands and you’ll see this island’s signature style emulated elsewhere in the form of signed t-shirts and flags hanging from driftwood rafters of the local establishments or signature cocktails but the authenticity of it all here is unmistakable.
A Day in the Life: Wake up on a mooring in a large bay at Norman Island, one of the many uninhabited islands with only one restaurant and dive shop ashore. The bay is calm because it’s protected from the prevailing east winds. Captain decides to move the boat to an anchorage just 10 minutes away on the outside of Norman Island in a place called The Caves where the chef will prepare breakfast followed by a morning snorkeling opportunity along The Caves. Mid-morning after snorkeling, we get underway sailing towards Guana Island. Along the way, we anchor at Salt Island to snorkeling at the Wreck of the Rhone, a 300’ british mail ship that sank in the early 1800s. After a remarkable lunch and a swim, we continue sailing for 1.5 to White Bay on Guana Island. Captain offers to take anyone who interested on a snorkel at Monkey Bay or an opportunity to walk along the white sand beach of White Bay while the sun sets. Dinner aboard followed by games and an early sleep.
The next morning, captain departs early for a 1.5 hour passage to the famous Baths on Virgin Gorda. Breakfast takes place once we arrive at the mooring field. Captain brings everyshore to spend 2 hours exploring the giant granite smooth boulders and the white sand beach. It’s one of the most famous places in the British Virgin Islands and the entire Caribbean. Once aboard, we have lunch followed by a 2 hour sail to North Sound, Virgin Gorda. We arrive late afternoon with enough time to relax aboard and explore. A dinner reservation has been made at the Bitter End Yacht Club with an outside table at the relaxed but lively restaurant.
Itinerary options:
Norman Island
Peter Island
Cooper Island
Virgin Gorda
Marina Cay
Anegada
Jost Van Dyke
An average of 3-6 hours of sail time per day split in two sessions. There are 3 dining opportunities during itinerary and crew will offer recommendations and reservations ahead of time.
Crew
Jon Bickford
Captain
A native to Maine and unabashed thalassophile, Jon has worked on the water for over 12 years and has sailed over 15,000 miles. On land he has walked the width and breadth of two nations and has lived in cities from New York to Honolulu to Bangkok. While solo journeys have incredible value, for him, it is the communal expeditions in outdoor settings that have defined Jon’s time in the wilderness as they provide the rare combination of camaraderie and growth that only can be known through group adventure. He holds a USCG masters license, and has participated in international competitions on traditional 18th century wooden Bantry Bay Gigs, canoed Alaska's Inside Passage rain forest, and operated a marine research vessel for Cornell University. When not on the move, he enjoys living in small island communities off the New England coast.
Introduction
Sailing Collective's Passage Offshore program is proud to be working with American Sailing Association to offer ASA certifications. This means that your experience gained has international recognition, and you are eligible for an IPC (international proficiency certificate), which is commonly accepted by charter companies as a qualification to captain your own cruising boat. Your next vacation could be with you at the helm!
Why learn the Sailing Collective way? We practice a style of sailing that has been honed over thousands of days at sea, an elixir of fun and adventure balanced by safe seamanship and relaxation. We teach the ways of passagemaking without losing sight of all of the wonderful reasons why we want to be out here in the first place.
The American Sailing Association (ASA) curriculum has structured levels of sailing pedigrees that are examined through progressive certification courses. Students who learn to sail through the PASSAGE OFFSHORE program receive an ASA Logbook that lists the certification qualifications and records sailing experience. When your certification is successfully completed, your ASA Logbook is notarized by your ASA instructor any charter or vessel rental operator can view your credentials and level of competency.
Trip Details
DEPARTURE & MARINA
Departure and marina details to be provided upon booking. Details below are illustrative only and will be confirmed upon booking.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Provisioning begins at 1:00pm
Checkin begins at 3:00pm
Boarding is at 5:00pm
Technical briefing takes place at 6:00pm OR 8:00am the following morning
The ASA 103 & 104 curriculums teaches you the necessary steps to plan a sailing voyage on your own including the procedures of bareboat chartering. You will assist with the check in procedures including provisioning and the technical check in. We recommend you arrive early on Day-1, although the official start time is 5:00pm
Please note that the last ferry from St Thomas to Tortola is 4:30pm and service times are subject to slight changes and delays. Please make sure your flight arrives in St. Thomas before 3:30 pm Day 1 of the journey.
GETTING THERE
AIR TRAVEL
Do not book flights out of St Thomas landing after 3:30 pm on Day 1, or departing before 2:00pm on Day 8.
Option 1: Fly to Tortola’s Beef Island Airport (EIS) and take taxi to meeting point in Tortola.
Option 2: Fly to St. Thomas (STT) and take a ferry to Tortola.
TAXI
Wheatley Taxi Service
FERRY SERVICES
As schedules often shift, we highly recommend calling the night prior to your ferry to confirm departure times. Do not rely on the posted schedules. The last ferry leaves St. Thomas at 4:30 pm.
Ferries depart from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and arrive at the Road Town Ferry Terminal in Tortola.
Road Town Fast Ferry: Toll free 866.903.3779, Local Office 284.494.2323 tortolafastferry.com
Native Son Ferry: Local Office 284.495.4617 nativesonferry.com
Smiths Ferry: Local Offices - St. Thomas 340.775.7292, Road Town 284.494.4454 smithsferryservices.com
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Check BVI visa requirements for your nationality here. U.S. citizens are issued a tourist visa at the airport passport control for a $15 tariff payable in cash only (USD are accepted). Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return with at least 3 blank pages for visa stamps. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid. The Sailing Collective cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt of your visa requirements, please contact your Embassy for full details.
CURRENCIES / MONEY EXCHANGE
Accepted Forms of Payment: US Dollars and US travelers checks are used throughout the BVIs. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in most places. ATMs can be found in Road Town, but it is recommended that you travel with the necessary cash. Travelers preferring to travel with travelers checks can cash them at most banks in Road Town.
WEATHER
The British Virgin Islands bask in a tropical maritime climate. Rainfall is moderately low for tropical islands. Scattered showers are common throughout the year, but all day rain is very rare. There is little seasonal variation in temperature ranging in the 80s during the day and the 70s during the evening. Brief rain showers can be frequent so please bring a light raincoat. Wind speeds vary throughout the year from 5-20 mph.
PROVISIONING
This is a sailing course, not a sailing vacation. The students will participate with the cooking and meal preparation throughout the week. Your instructor will ask for each student to prepare a few recipes with ingredient list in advance to prepare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dinning ashore schedule will be decided during the course. Please note, it is common practice to pay for your instructor's meal.
Not included in provisioning package: Spirits, wine, beer, etc.
Dietary Restrictions: Important to notify your Sailing Collective representative of any dietary restrictions ahead of time and fill out details in Guest Form
ADDITIONAL COST
Recommended $300 – $600 in spending money depending on spending habits.
Additional food and beverages including alcohol.
All expenses on shore including meals and drinks.
Flights and transportation to and from the marina location.
Gratuity: Tipping captain and crew is welcomed, 5-10% is customary
PACKING LIST
Collapsible bags in place of large rigid suitcases are advised for ease of storage.
During days on the water, you’ll want to be wearing light and comfortable clothing. As the vast majority of your time will be spent outside, prepare for elements - bring a light rain coat just in case, a hat to shield yourself from the sun, and a set of warm clothing. Throughout the week we may dine out at a nice restaurant, so bring gear that you’ll look nice in and suits your style. Loading and unloading from the dingy can be a wet activity, a pair of shoes that you can get wet is recommended.
Certifications
ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (inboard or outboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet in length by day in moderate winds (up to 20 knots) 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 interpretation, safety and seamanship.
ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat 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. 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.
FAQ
Q. What is ASA?
The American Sailing Association is a coalition of sailors, professional sailing instructors, sailing schools and charter companies promoting safe recreation in the United States with an internationally recognized certification education system. The Sailing Collective follows the curriculum of ASA. We recommend becoming familiar with the ASA system prior to booking an ASA course, especially if you have a background with a different sailing institution. Visit online: americansailing.com
Q. What are the advantages of certifications?
Internationally recognized credentials, quality educational materials, professional instructors, and targeted goals for each level of the program.
Q. What certifications will I earn during this course?
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising & 104 Bareboat Charter Certification
Q. What are the Prerequisites?
Unless you are taking Basic Keelboat 101, there are prerequisite. Please see the top of the page for the requirements for the particular course you are signing up for. If you Please contact us if you would like to request to the Qualifier Exam. Please contract us if you have additional questions.
Q. Should I study the ASA material prior to the start of the course?
YES! You are expected to read through the sailing text books and familier with the information prior to the start of the course. The more knowledge you have the better equipped you will be to implement the knowledge during the course.
Q. What is the deposit?
A 50% deposit is required. You can place your deposit by clicking on the BOOK NOW button at the top of the page.
Q. Will there be meals ashore?
Yes, there will be 3 to 4 meals enjoyed ashore.
Q. How much sailing will there be daily?
Depending on the coursework, there will be 5 to 7 hours of sailing each day. Certain days will cover less water to practice maneuvering and other activities such as anchoring, chart plotting, safety, and docking.
Q. Will there be downtime?
Yes, you bet! PASSAGE OFFSHORE is a course designed to explore the joys of sailing and a big part of that is rewarding yourself with the fruits of your labor. Whether it is a splendid beachside restaurant or rum shack, snorkeling, hiking, exploring a magnificent seaside village, or relaxing with a book aboard, there will be plenty of downtime from the educational curriculum.
Q. Who cooks?
Unlike other Sailing Collective adventures, PASSAGE OFFSHORE teaches you how to provision and cook for a voyage. Together, we will go to the local markets and seek out quality ingredients to be prepared aboard. Recipes will be based on the guidebook provided by the Sailing Collective culinary director. Please be prepared to bring two to three of your favorite recipes to prepare. The instructor will facilitate the provisioning.
Q. How many students?
There will be 3 to 5 students per session with 1 instructor. We keep the student count to a minimum to maximize your time learning and hands-on experience.
Q. Gratuity
Not only is your captain your educational instructor, but he is also providing high levels of hospitality. It is customary in the yachting industry to offer gratuity to your crew. 10% of your ticket price is a standard amount.
NOTICE | This is NOT a luxury week, this is a sailing course. Please be sure to connect with the Sailing Collective travel team to be sure this is the correct experience for you.
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