What is the meeting point?

Meet at Naos Yachts located at 13555 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA.

How long is the class?

The session is five hours long and runs in small groups to maximize hands-on instruction.

Is prior experience required?

No formal certification is required, but basic sailing familiarity is recommended for comfort and speed of learning.

What boats are available?

You can choose between a monohull (typically lower cost) or a catamaran (more stable platform); pricing differs by platform.

What is the minimum number of students?

The class runs only with a minimum of two sign-ups; Naos Yachts will contact you if they need to reschedule or convert to a private session.

Bring layered clothing, waterproof footwear, a red-filter headlamp, and any personal medications; instructors will provide safety briefings and equipment as needed.

Night Sailing in Marina del Rey: Learn to Navigate by Starlight | Sailing | Catamaran

Night Sailing with Naos Yachts in Marina del Rey, California, strips sailing down to its elemental parts: wind, water, and a sky full of stars. Meeting at Naos Yachts at 13555 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA, this five‑hour instructor‑led session pushes your seamanship into nocturnal rhythms along Santa Monica Bay. Choose a nimble monohull or a stable catamaran; small groups (minimum 2, maximum 3) keep the experience hands‑on and coachable. The class is built to teach practical night techniques—reading instruments in low light, setting watches, sail trim when you can’t rely on visual cues, and using navigation lights and charts to stay oriented. Instructors emphasize safety before style: anchor procedures, man‑overboard drills, and communicating with harbor traffic at the Marina del Rey entrance. The harbor’s breakwater frames an immediate contrast between the calm basin and the open Pacific; beyond, the darker silhouette of Catalina Island can appear on clear nights, and the surface glints where kelp beds break up the swells. What makes this trip special is how it reframes a familiar stretch of coastline. Marina del Rey is close to Los Angeles but offers true maritime darkness once you slip past the harbor lights. The small-class format means more helm time and individual feedback—rare in a five-hour night course—and the option of a catamaran adds stability for those trying night maneuvers for the first time. Naos Yachts runs the course with a clear practical edge: a maritime classroom on a living platform. Expect to feel the ocean’s temperature drop, to hear the quiet mechanical language of sails and rigging, and to see bioluminescence on unusually active nights if conditions allow. Wildlife—dolphins and California sea lions—often inspect boats at dusk. Add the cultural note that Marina del Rey’s modern harbor development has been a hub for Southern California boating since the mid-20th century, and you’ve got a layered way to experience regional maritime culture. Practical details matter: the course runs only with at least two students, and Naos Yachts offers a Club membership for discounts. This trip is ideal for sailors who want real command of night conditions, for couples seeking a different ocean perspective, or for any adventurer wanting to trade city lights for a sky of stars and the steady work of a well‑trimmed sail. Bring layered clothing, waterproof footwear, and a headlamp with a red filter; instructors will brief you on low-light techniques and chart reading, but hands-on practice is the core. The course price varies by platform, with monohull and catamaran options; check Naos Yachts for current rates and Club discounts. Small groups mean more instruction time; switch your phone to airplane mode to stay present and enjoy the calm Pacific night sailing.

About Naos Yachts

Naos Yachts is a Marina del Rey-based charter and sailing school offering a range of day sails, sunset cruises, powerboating courses, and ASA certification classes.

The company operates a mixed fleet that includes monohulls, catamarans, Beneteau models, Lagoon catamarans, and specialized boats like the Beneteau First 14 for single- or two-person sailing experiences. Trips available include three-hour daysails and sunset sails, extended day sails, instructor-led ASA courses such as ASA 104/114 combo to Catalina, coastal navigation (ASA 105), docking and maneuvering (ASA 118), dinghy handling (ASA 116), plus beginning and advanced powerboating (AB101/AB103).

All instruction is delivered by US Coast Guard licensed instructors or USCG-trained captains, and courses emphasize hands-on learning, safety, and small-group attention — advanced and beginning powerboating classes limit enrollment to three students per session. Vessel types and on-water routes focus on Santa Monica Bay and Marina del Rey harbor, providing scenic coastal sailing and practical seamanship training.

Naos Yachts serves private charters and public classes for families, friends, and aspiring boaters seeking certification or skill-building. Booking options include hiring a trained USCG captain for relaxed cruises or self-skippered outings for experienced sailors. Equipment and vessels used in courses are modern and purpose-suited for their curriculum, from dinghy towing and beach landings to coastal navigation and overnight passage training. The business combines a large local fleet, certified instructors, and structured ASA curriculum to deliver reliable experiences on Southern California waters. Reservation and scheduling are available through Marina del Rey booking channels and online reservation platforms nationwide inquiries.

Night Sailing in Marina del Rey: Learn to Navigate by Starlight

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