Sailing Schools in Southwest Florida and the Keys

Southwest Florida, along with the Keys, has many opportunities for any one wishing to learn to sail, to brush up on their sailing skills, or even to operate a powerboat. Sailing schools in this area are either American Sailing Association Accredited (ASA) or US Sailing Association Accredited or are accredited by both associations. Experienced, certified instructors teach the each of the courses offered by these schools.

Florida Sailing and Cruising School, located in North Fort Myers, offers sailing and powerboat instructions taught by US Coast Guard licensed captains who are ASA certified. Sailing courses include First Mate Course, Basic Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Charter Standard, Coastal Navigation Standard and Advanced Coastal Cruising. Powerboat courses include First Mate Course, Basic Powerboat Handling, Inland Powerboat Cruising, Outboard Powerboat Cruising as well as a combination Handling and Cruising Course. For more information, call 800-262-7939 or visit www.flsailandcruiseschool.com.

Yachting Vacations, located in Punta Gorda, is an ASA Accredited Professional Certification Facility and Sailing School. Courses offered here are Basic Keelboat Sailing ASA 101, Basic Coastal Cruising ASA 103, Bareboat Chartering ASA 104, Coastal Navigation ASA 105, Advanced Coastal Cruising ASA 106 and Cruising Catamaran Sailing ASA 114. Combinations of these courses are also available as well as private instructions, couples instructions and family instructions. For more information, call 800-447-0080 or visit www.yachtingvacations.com/sailingschool.htm.

Sailboats Unlimited, located at Naples, is also an ASA Accredited Professional Training Facility. ASA courses offered here are Basic Keelboat Sailing ASA 101, Basic Coastal Cruising ASA 103, Bareboat Charter Certification ASA 104 and Coastal Navigation ASA 105. Along with these courses, Sailboats Unlimited offers private lessons and smaller classes. For more information, call 239-649-1740 or visit www.sailboatsunlimited.com/learn.html.

Sail Marco, located on Marco Island, is another ASA certified sailing school and as such, uses the ASA curriculum and certification system. Courses offered here are Basic Keelboat Sailing ASA 101, Basic Coastal Cruising ASA 103, Bareboat Charter Certification ASA 104, Coastal Navigation ASA 105 and Cruising Catamaran ASA 114. For more information, call 239-642-7704 or visit www.wail-marco.com.

Florida Keys Sailing, located at Marathon, offers US Sailing Association and ASA certified classes. These classes are Basic Keelboat Sailing ASA 101, Basic Coastal Cruising ASA 103 and Bareboat Charter Certification ASA 104 as well as 3, 4 and 6-day combination courses of ASA 101 and ASA 103. For more information, call 305-289-9519 or visit www.sailfloridakeys.com.

JWorld Key West, located in Key West, offers its students non standard formats, which translates into fewer days and non standard schedules. Students here will have the opportunity to take courses such as Learn to Sail, Racing Courses, Cruising Courses and Private or Custom Courses. For more information, call 800-343-2255 or visit www.sailingsource.com/jworld/insidedefault.php.

Any one of these schools can offer the student just what they are looking for to improve their sailing skills and receive the certification they desire. Most of the schools mentioned here can offer their courses to meet the busy vacation schedules of their students. So, if you are looking for a sailing school, southwest Florida has many of which to choose.