About Nautilus Sailing

Nautilus Sailing is an award-winning American Sailing Association school.

We pride ourselves in having excellent instructors, using the best sailboats available, and offering our courses in some of the most spectacular cruising locations in the world. We prefer getting a little off the beaten track, and leaving room for adventure, as we help people learn to sail.

Nautilus headquarters is currently located in Crested Butte, Colorado. “Colorado?” you might well ask! Yes, we know there isn’t an ocean in Colorado. The beauty of the internet is that offices can be based anywhere. We spend our time teaching sailing in tropical destinations around the world, so decided to run things from a little mountain town, high in the Rockies. When we not working we love enjoying skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, backpacking and all the amazing outdoor pursuits this area has to offer!

7 Reasons Why Future Captains Prefer Nautilus

1. We teach on the newest sailboats in production, so students are learning in small groups, on beautiful new vessels.
2. Our top-rated instructors are all excellent teachers first and foremost, and wonderful people to share the week’s adventure with.
3. Our trips are great fun. Yes, you are learning, but we make sure that you also get a chance to enjoy the ocean, coves, beaches and wildlife. Every itinerary is packed with amazing experiences.
4. We build it around you: if you have a particular date and destination, just ask. If we can put a trip together for you, we will!
5. Learning to sail with Nautilus is just the start! Become part of the Nautilus family and join us for alumni trips, flotillas, sailing adventures, and explorations around the world every year.
6. Nautilus Sailing is the official and exclusive sailing school for Dream Yacht, the largest sailing company in the world, with 1200 charter boats in over 55 countries. All students receive special discounts off their charters with Dream Yacht Charters!
7. There are so many exciting ways to continue your sailing education and to advance your sailing experience. We just want to give you the perfect start.

 
 
 
  Excellent  
    
 Based on 151 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Ian P 
 
2024-01-29
 
 
  
Nautilus sailing school La Paz 2024
If you want to learn to sail, then this is a great option. Obviously dealing with the great outdoors you take a chance on the weather but this is where having a great teacher and sailor to help you through is vital - and Mark Matthews was that. Perhaps we could have done more sailing, but it was a bit wild we renamed the course "Nautilus extreme sailing, for beginners". It wasnt really that extreme but it seemed so for us novices. Great week, great foundation, now to put it into practice.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Paul R 
 
2024-01-29
 
 
  
Great Time
What a trip! Nautulis does a great job! The boat was clean and modern. The support staff was attentive and very helpful. And our instructor Troy was the best! We l armed so much, but also had a blast doing it! We also got to explore different coves and even learned how to make ceviche in a remote fishing village. I would go back again without hesitation! I can’t wait to keep sailing! Thanks Nautulis!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Marshall V 
 
2024-01-25
 
 
  
Sea of Cortez with Nautilus
I had a fantastic experience with Nautilus. It was my first time sailing and I was also a solo traveler, so I was nervous for the trip. Those nerves were gone right away — Troy our captain and the rest of the crew were awesome people! The trip was both very educational and very fun. I look forward to joining Nautilus as an alumnus in the future and continuing to build my skills while having a great time!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Erica J 
 
2024-01-24
 
 
  
Sea of Cortez Live Aboard
I participated in a 7-day live aboard sailing course in the Sea of Cortez. The trip exceeded all my expectations. Captain Troy Mills was incredible, the sailing and sightseeing was superb. I would highly recommend this company for all your sailing desires.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Richard S 
 
2024-01-20
 
 
  
The perfect way to learn to sail and get ASA certified before chartering
After watching numerous YouTube videos showcasing families living aboard catamarans in stunning locations, the idea of experiencing life on a catamaran for a week became enticing as retirement approached. Simultaneously, we decided to pursue ASA 101, 103, 104, and 114 certifications. Our extensive research led us to choose Nautilus Sailing for our adventure. The program appeared to offer a structured and organized approach, striking a perfect balance between instruction and enjoyment. We booked our trip for January in the Exumas, Bahamas. The support and communication from Nautilus Sailing's back office were exceptional. We received timely updates on payment deadlines, packing requirements, and were provided with all the necessary materials to prepare ourselves. We were paired with another couple, resulting in a total of five of us on the boat. Initially scheduled for a Fountaine Pajot 42' Catamaran, we were pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a slightly larger 46' cat, the Bli 4.6. In Nassau, the catamarans are chartered from Dream Yacht Charters. On the first afternoon, we all gathered at the charter company's office and spent the night acquainting ourselves with the boat and our fellow sailors. Our captain and instructor for the week were JJ O'Neal, an exceptional teacher and sailor. His patience and skill ensured that all four of us successfully passed both written and practical tests. Throughout the week, he prioritized our comfort and safety. We were thoroughly impressed with him and owe him our gratitude for guiding us through the curriculum. In conclusion, if you harbor a desire to learn how to sail, whether for future charters or a potential life aboard a boat, Nautilus Sailing provides an excellent avenue to acquire the necessary skills.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Flavia P 
 
2024-01-13
 
 
  
Ideal learning experience in paradise
We just finished our week long Catamaran course certification and had a Wonderful time learning how to sail and visiting beautiful Locations in Grenada. Captain Lindsay was very knowledgeable, patient and an absolute joy to be around. She struck the balance perfectly between assuring that we learned the important fundamentals of sailing and allowing us to have time to relax and enjoy a postcard perfect Caribbean getaway. From learning to jibe safely to a beach barbecue in an idyllic, isolated bay this program has it all.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chyrl M 
 
2023-11-24
 
 
  
Amazing Live-aboard Sailing Certification Course!
I decided that 2023 was my year to do me... after years of taking care of others and working hard it was time for me to achieve a dream. I have wanted to learn to sail for years... this was my year. I am one of those people who researches everything and this was no different. Nautilus sounded great and after looking at several programs... they weren't the cheapest but they promised something above and beyond and an amazing adventure. And they delivered. The materials, the course work, the pre trip prep all outstanding. The venue as promised... the Sea of Cortez beautiful. Our instructor JJ was professional, knowledgable, well prepared, a wonderful patient teacher who was also entertaining and fun and all the things you look for in a skipper and instructor. The coursework onboard was thorough, educational and experiential! Literally it was immersive... you learn it by living it. JJ did a great job of pushing us to independence while supporting us all along the way. It was an amazing experience... trip of a lifetime. My best friend and I did this together and built memories for life. We cant wait to do a flotilla with Nautilus.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Paul J 
 
2023-11-18
 
 
  
La Paz
Very so often you come upon an individual who is kind, respectful and has a passion for their job, that individual would be Troy Mills. Troy made my experience with Nautilus sailing amazing, especially with his intrinsic knowledge, positive demeanor and instilling confidence for the entire crew. Nautilus sailing is truly a step above the competition. I 100% recommend this sailing school A+ Best Paul J
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 expeditiondad 
 
2023-11-18
 
 
  
Serious about learning to sail? Look no further.
As the wind whipped and the whitecaps rolled, the sail bag blew open on our 52 foot yacht, spilling lines and chaos everywhere during our umpteenth “man-overboard” drill. Everywhere, that is, except with our skipper and instructor, Troy Mills. Running us through figure-8 after figure with the yacht heeling back and forth, Troy calmly led our crew of novice aspiring sailors through perhaps the most important yet stressful set of skill-drills to be learned during the week-long live aboard course in the Sea of Cortez. I thought at the time (and yelled from the helm) “this is exactly what I paid for!” Many people it seems have no problem plunking down hundreds of thousands of dollars on a sailboat without the first clue how to sail it, let alone sail it safely and enjoyably. Determined to not become one of those people I plunked down my fee and hoped the course and Nautilus would live up to their reputations by giving me a real foundation to start my sailing career. I got that and a great and very fun trip to boot! Having spent years teaching week long mountaineering courses I know how stressful it can be for an instructor to live with and successfully teach his students in close quarters when safety is always a concern. Troy did a great job not only showing us how it’s done, but letting us do it ourselves in a controlled situation where the fun can turn serious quickly. To be honest I was a bit skeptical that in a week I could learn to handle such a big boat confidently, but I did just that. There are many years of practice ahead and more skills to be acquired but having put in the time with Nautilus and Troy I can really feel my plan to become a sailor taking shape. I can’t recommend this outfit enough. If you are actually serious about learning to seriously sail, quit looking, book your course and hope you get assigned Troy Mills as your skipper!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Peter R 
 
2023-11-06
 
 
  
Amazing course!
We took a sailing course in the Grenadines and our instructor was Lindsay, who was fantastic! The course was challenging, but she did an amazing job of instructing, teaching and keeping the course fun. My wife and I didn't have a lot of sailing experience, but I learned so much and feel confident in my skills. I couldn't have been happier with the instruction, the destination and the course.