Join Bluewater Academy for a five-day live-aboard sailing course that transforms beginners into confident skippers. Master essential skills and earn recognized certifications, all while enjoying the coastal scenery.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Participants should be in good health and comfortable on the water, with moderate physical activity.
Wildlife
History
The coast has a rich maritime history dating back to early colonial times, with many historical shipwrecks nearby.
Conservation
Bluewater Academy emphasizes sustainable sailing practices, promoting minimal environmental impact through eco-friendly navigation and waste management.
The Bluewater Academy
Join Bluewater Academy for a five-day live-aboard sailing course that transforms beginners into confident skippers. Master essential skills and earn recognized certifications, all while enjoying the coastal scenery.
The Bluewater Academy is a professional sailing school that delivers US Sailing and NauticEd certification courses aboard modern cruising yachts. The academy offers a structured curriculum spanning basic keelboat skills through coastal passage making and large keelboat skipper training. Students train on Beneteau Oceanis models and the Excess 11 catamaran, gaining hands-on experience in sail handling, navigation, anchoring, docking, and crew management.
Courses include US Sailing Basic Keelboat (US 101), Coastal Navigation (US 105), Bareboat Cruising (US 104), combined certification options such as US 103/104 and the intensive US 101/103/104 combo, plus catamaran-specific training (US 114). NauticEd programs include Skipper Large Keelboat and the SLC international assessment for bareboat charter credentials. Program lengths range from two to six days, and training culminates in practical on‑water assessments and recognized certifications.
Instruction emphasizes safety, seamanship, and real‑world decision making. Professional instructors lead each course with clear learning objectives, hands-on drills, and supervised passage plans. Small crew sizes allow individualized feedback and accelerated skill acquisition. The Bluewater Academy focuses on practical competence so graduates can confidently skipper coastal cruising vessels and evaluate charter readiness.
The academy maintains industry-standard vessels and follows established US Sailing and NauticEd syllabi for standardized assessment. Prospective students can select single courses or multi-course combos to build toward charter qualifications efficiently. Several multi-course combos include live-aboard training nights aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, giving trainees practical experience with overnight passages, provisioning, watch systems, and extended passage planning. Final assessments verify competence for chartering and leadership and safety decision-making consistently.
Certifications
US Sailing, NauticEd
Industry-recognized credentials
Boat Fleet
Beneteau & Excess 11
Modern cruising yachts used for training
Course Lengths
2–6 days
Short intensives to multi-day combos
Choose a course track, confirm prerequisites, and prepare for practical on‑water assessments to earn recognized credentials.
Prepare for Variable Winds
Bring layers and wind-resistant clothing to stay comfortable while sailing in changing weather.
Practice Safety Drills
Participate actively in safety procedures and emergency protocols to maximize learning and safety.
Bring Personal Sailing Gear
Pack items like sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and seasickness remedies for comfort onboard.
Attend All Briefings
Pay close attention to instructor briefings for a comprehensive understanding of sailing essentials.
Sunscreen
Protect your skin during long days under the sun.
summer
Non-slip Shoes
Ensure safety and comfort while moving on deck.
Windbreaker
Layer up against wind and light rain.
spring; fall
Seasickness Remedies
Help manage motion sickness during outings.
Courses Offered
10 courses
Keelboat, bareboat, catamaran training