LEARN TO SAIL IN THE Exumas, Bahamas

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TRIP COSTS
COST PER PERSON – $7475 (CATAMARAN) 

The all inclusive per person course fee includes a private cabin onboard, 3 meals a day (apart from three evening meals ashore), all sailing materials and textbooks, formal ASA 101, 103, 104 and 114 certifications, and a 90-day ASA membership. We do offer a $600 discount for couples booking the owner’s cabin. A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. Remaining payment is due 60 days prior to the trip.  One of the price benefits of the Exumas is how accessible it is, and how inexpensive flights are in comparison to our other destinations.

special OFFERS ON Exumas, Bahamas

$600

Couples Discount

Couples booking together will save $300 each, a further $600 off their combined fees!

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or call +1 800 680 7902
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AVAILABILITY

 

 

We can book a catamaran course for almost any date you want! We run courses in the Exumas from November through the end of May each year, but do not sail in the summer as it is hurricane season .

All of our courses run from Saturday to Saturday.

Courses are filling up VERY quickly at the moment so plan your trip well in advance!

Simply contact us by email or call (800) 680-7902 to check availability and we’ll put together the best trip option for you.

Why Future Captains Choose Nautilus
  • Sail the newest sailboats in production
  • Experience the world’s most award-winning ASA instructors
  • Learn to sail AND have an amazing vacation!
  • Join the Nautilus family for global alumni trips, flotillas, sailing adventures and deliveries
  • Benefit from using Dream Yacht Charters‘ official sailing school
Earn Your ASA Badges

ABOUT THIS DESTINATION

LEARN TO SAIL IN THE EXUMAS, BAHAMAS

The Exumas are an incredible chain of 365 cays (islands) stretching for 120 nautical miles! Access is super easy as you fly into Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas and then sail a couple of hours to the northernmost islands in this stunning chain. Explore this amazing location while earning American Sailing Association 101,103, 104 and 114 certification. Over the course of a week, learn to sail and gain the knowledge, experience and certifications to charter sailboats anywhere in the world, and embark on your own sailing adventure!

 

 

 

WHY THE EXUMAS?

Shallow, turqoise water, white sand beaches, and amazing marine life make this an incredible cruising destination. Picture anchoring off a deserted island, snorkeling the beautiful reefs and bringing a couple of lobsters back to the boat to throw on the grill for dinner! Sailing conditions are excellent in the Exumas, with consistent trade winds. We love the friendly local people that will greet you warmly and the local restaurants that specialize in a myriad of conch dishes, our favorite being the conch fritters!

 

 

 

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Nautilus instructors are avid and passionate sailors, experienced teachers and guides, and love introducing people to sailing. They are able to meet students at whatever level of experience they find themselves; from participants that have never sailed to those that already confident in the basics. All of our instructors are rated in the top 1% of American Sailing Association instructors worldwide, and will be flown in for your course to guarantee that you receive the best sailing instruction in the industry.

EXAMPLE ITINERARY & MAP

SATURDAY

Catch a flight from your home airport to Nassau (airport code NAS). From the airport, hop on a shuttle that will take you 30 minutes to Palm Cay Marina, on the eastern end of the island. Plan on arriving at the boat later afternoon or early evening. You’ll come aboard, unpack, and get settled. We’ll grab food ashore and get acquainted.

SUNDAY

Attend a charter briefing with the charter company, where they will talk about sailing conditions in the area and give us information about all of our destinations. First sailing class; boat familiarization, systems overview, docking and anchoring. Depart and enjoy your first sail to the northern end of the Exumas where we will anchor at Highborns Cay. A stunning island, complete with powder white sand and turquoise waters. Go for a swim, snorkel or relax on a spectacular beach!

MONDAY

Morning systems briefing. Get an in depth look at all the systems on the boat, including an intro to diesel engines and maintenance. First sailing class; sail theory, points of sail and sail trim. Practice your new sailing skills as we sail north to the Allan Cays, a picturesque group of islands with numerous anchorages and little bays.

TUESDAY

Introduction to navigation, chart reading, GPS, and chartplotters. Chart a course and set off into deeper water into Exuma Sound. We’ll do some fishing hoping for Mahi Mahi, Tuna or Wahoo to throw on the grill! We will anchor off Shroud Cay, and explore this stunning island with an adventurous dinghy ride through the mangroves to the “waterslide” on the eastern side of the island.

WEDNESDAY

Today is a longer sailing day! Plot a course to one of the highlights of the Exumas, Warderick Wells Land and Sea Marine Park.  We’ll continue with our sailing lessons, and everyone will have a chance to captain the boat. Then, we pick up one of the coveted mooring balls in the marine park, and will enjoy some snorkeling and time ashore (there is a great hike up a great vantage point overlooking the island).

THURSDAY

Today we spend time sailing and exploring the marine park. We will set a sailing and navigation challenge and turn the boat over to you!  will be a reward for a successful mission. This is such a beautiful area that we will spend a second night here.

FRIDAY

As confident sailors now, you’ll captain the boat for the passage back to the marina. It’ll be a great sail, and a chance to apply all that you’ve learned during the week. We will have one stop at a remote little Cay for lunch and a swim. Once back at the marina, we’ll head out for evening drinks and a meal to celebrate your completion of the sailing course!

SATURDAY

Pack up bags, and catch the shuttle to the airport for your morning flight home … Or, stay on a couple of days to further explore the area!

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BOATS USED IN THE Exumas, Bahamas - HIGH SPEC & WELL MAINTAINED

Another great catamaran from Lagoon! The Lagoon 400S2 is one of our favorite cats in the 40 foot range as she has lots of light, spacious cabins and living areas, and sails really well. “Never Say Never” has all the bells and whistles including gennaker, solar panels, lithium batteries, water maker and AC.

Lagoon is one of our favorite catamaran manufacturers. They make very liveable boats that have a ton of space and are extremely comfortable at anchor. Over the years they have also continued to improve sailing performance so that you can have both a great sailing catamaran, and a wonderful space to live in.

Exumas, Bahamas INSTRUCTORS
Ben Martin

ASA Instructor

Lives outside Seattle Washington, passions include brewing beer, distilling gin, kiteboarding and travel.

Ben Martin
Al Van Dyke

ASA Instructor

Lives in Colorado, passions include dual sport motorbikes, kayaking, and travel.

Al Van Dyke
Tim Jenne

ASA Instructor

Currently lives in Washington state, passions include cycling, woodworking, travel, fishing and sailing.

Tim Jenne
Tim Geisler

Lead instructor

Currently lives in Colorado, passions include surfing, snowboarding, kiteboarding, fly fishing and photography.

Tim Geisler
Jack Karger

ASA 201, 203, 204, 205, 214 Certified Instructor, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Instructor

Jack is from Bordertown, South Australia. The last few years he’s been based in Croatia and Germany. Jack has been sailing professionally since 2015. He has sailed and instructed all through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Australia and French Polynesia. Enjoys free diving, mountain biking and any outdoor activity.

Jack Karger
OUR TEAM – ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED

If you need any further information, want to check availability or discuss anything to do with our courses – then please get in touch.

send an email Call: +1 800 680 7902
THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST SAILING COMMUNITY

Nautilus is like no other sailing company, and our trips are serious fun. Of course you want the certs, but we offer so much more.

We have an ever-growing list of passionate, outward bound, sailing fanatics who just love visiting new places and experiencing adventure. Every year we have several Alumni trips around the globe where past Nautilus graduates, and some of our team get together and just… you know. Sail. And Surf. And Snorkel. And Scuba…

Nautilus Alumni

Testimonials

“I wasn’t very familiar with boating and less with sailing. Learned a lot while still enjoying every minute of it. The Sea of Cortez was an excellent sailing destination. ” G.D., Missouri

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