The week I spent with Sailing Virgins in the BVI will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Jack and James are legends - hugely helpful from even before booking, and generously accommodating throughout. On the water they are extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of sailing, and are superb teachers. I left the week feeling completely with no doubt that I could bareboat charter in the BVI.
After dropping anchor, they also know how to have a great time, and are up for anything - from a quiet night on the boat under the stars to a rowdy beach bar dance party.
The bottom line - if you're a young man or woman looking to learn a TON about sailing and also have a phenomenal time while doing it, do not looking further. Sailing Virgins is the best there is, hands down. I really can't wait for my next week with these guys. Thanks a million.
- Ben
Absolutely brilliant and totally fun is what comes to mind when I reflect on my Sailing Virgins experience of a Lifetime. The Sailing Virgins beginner course I took was one in which pedagogy became alive in a conducive, friendly and welcoming environment. Captains Jack and James were excellent instructors who took the time to reinforce concepts taught daily. They both possess an amazing sense of humor that helped to create an atmosphere where learning could take place effortlessly. "Sailing is Wet". It wets your appetite for so much more. As I sit and write this review on land I am itching to get out on the water and have the winds blow me across the seas to someplace new and magical as was Saba on my Island Adventure Course. Sailing Virgins has helped me to have a greater appreciation an uttermost respect for the men and women in the maritime industry. I salute you Captains Jack and James wherever you may be around the world. Memories of my experience with Sailing Virgins will forever be etched in the deepest parts of my mind. Ever grateful to my friend Captain Mr. Robert Conner "Wait-Wait" for having recommended you to me. It was totally heartfelt as a Virgin Islander to be a part of such an amazing Sailing School as Sailing Virgins. Yours humbly Jason Callwood
Just finished 2 weeks on Libertas with Sailing Virgins on their up island adventure sailing course. It feels like I just had the best dream, but it was all reality! If you want to learn how to sail, or improve your existing sailing skills, Sailing Virgins beautifully combines sailing instruction with daily adventures and fun. I learned a ton about sailing all while travelling around the Caribbean islands with my new friends. We saw whales breaching, swam with wild dolphins, hiked to waterfalls in the jungle, ate delicious food, sailed under the stars and moon, snorkelled with hundreds of fish, laughed a lot, and made so many memories. Sailing from Martinique to Saint Martin was very educational, learning about the local cultures and the differences between each island and brushing up on my french. James, Jack and Celine are all incredible people and I would recommend taking a course with them to anyone who loves to be on the water and has a heart for adventure. Time flies on the water so I would also recommend booking more time than you think you should. :) Just do it!
I couldn’t recommend Sailing Virgins enough for anyone who wants to learn to sail in a fun, relaxed and hands-on environment.
I was a complete novice who had never even been on a sailboat and I have to admit when I started going through the NauticEd courses online I felt a little in over my head, but the minute we got on the boat (Libby!) I was put at ease. I was really blown away by how much of the theoretical stuff fell into place once I was in a practical environment (thanks to Jack’s expert instruction of course!). I never in a million years expected that we would be at the helm (check me out using the lingo! 😉) on the very first day!
We were a pretty small group for the week, just one other person (also a beginner) and Jack, which meant lots of hands-on experience! The intensity and pace of the course was very much dictated by us and what we were looking to get out of the week which was great, and meant that we enjoyed the perfect balance of sailing instruction coupled with getting to explore the beautiful Caribbean. Some of the highlights of the week included snorkelling with sea turtles, hiking up Mont Pelee, anchoring in a different town every night, sunset dinners on the beach, some “champagne sailing”, and doing shots of local rum with other sailors we met along the way! And how could I forget…SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS!!! Definitely the highlight of the week (and probably of my life, let’s be honest!), it was such a spontaneous and magical encounter, definitely one that I’ll never forget! 😃 I’ve done a lot of backpacking and as an avid traveller one of my other favourite things about the week was getting to explore the island from a flipped perspective - arriving into a new place by boat each evening with a view of the whole town and landscape.
You can tell that Jack and James eat, sleep and breathe sailing, and their passion and enthusiasm for sailing as both a sport and a lifestyle is contagious! With Sailing Virgins, they have created an experience that is adventurous, fun and relaxed whilst still being super professional. They have somehow managed to turn a world that can sometimes feels a little exclusive and inaccessible into something super welcoming and unassuming!
Whilst I was initially attracted to the travel and adventure aspect of the course I think after this week I’ve definitely caught the sailing bug and I’ll 100% be coming back for Ex-week! It was such a pleasure to meet you Jack, James and Celine and all the other skippers we met along the way, make sure you get in touch if you’re ever headed to Ireland! 😃
Sailing Virgins is not just a sailing school - it is a sailing adventure !
Spending three weeks onboard Libby and not just learning how to sail and develop confidence in boat handling but taking in the breathtaking scenery, amazing people from all over the world and local experience of the islands made this trip unforgettable.
Jack and James are incredible instructors who are letting you be part of their passion for sailing and create a hands on learning experience. From the first moment on, Jack shows his confidence in you and after a while trusts you with full control. We were able to get the boat ready, lift the anchor or sail off a mooring buoy, set the sails and get on the way to the next destination. We explored new places each day and the thrive for adventure made us discover true gems in the Western Indies. I started my adventure snorkeling underwater sculptures and each day provided me with a new memory like seeing the happiness of the local people on our shore visits, walking along the most beautiful beaches, swimming with turtles and eating incredible Caribbean food.
I got to know the art of enjoying the journey in combination with learning how to sail. I am more than grateful to be part of the Sailing Virgins family!
Benjamin McCormick
::The week I spent with Sailing Virgins in the BVI will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Jack and James are legends - hugely helpful from even before booking, and generously accommodating throughout. On the water they are extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of sailing, and are superb teachers. I left the week feeling completely with no doubt that I could bareboat charter in the BVI. After dropping anchor, they also know how to have a great time, and are up for anything - from a quiet night on the boat under the stars to a rowdy beach bar dance party. The bottom line - if you're a young man or woman looking to learn a TON about sailing and also have a phenomenal time while doing it, do not looking further. Sailing Virgins is the best there is, hands down. I really can't wait for my next week with these guys. Thanks a million. - Ben
Jace Callow
::Absolutely brilliant and totally fun is what comes to mind when I reflect on my Sailing Virgins experience of a Lifetime. The Sailing Virgins beginner course I took was one in which pedagogy became alive in a conducive, friendly and welcoming environment. Captains Jack and James were excellent instructors who took the time to reinforce concepts taught daily. They both possess an amazing sense of humor that helped to create an atmosphere where learning could take place effortlessly. "Sailing is Wet". It wets your appetite for so much more. As I sit and write this review on land I am itching to get out on the water and have the winds blow me across the seas to someplace new and magical as was Saba on my Island Adventure Course. Sailing Virgins has helped me to have a greater appreciation an uttermost respect for the men and women in the maritime industry. I salute you Captains Jack and James wherever you may be around the world. Memories of my experience with Sailing Virgins will forever be etched in the deepest parts of my mind. Ever grateful to my friend Captain Mr. Robert Conner "Wait-Wait" for having recommended you to me. It was totally heartfelt as a Virgin Islander to be a part of such an amazing Sailing School as Sailing Virgins. Yours humbly Jason Callwood
Sarah Kathryn
::Just finished 2 weeks on Libertas with Sailing Virgins on their up island adventure sailing course. It feels like I just had the best dream, but it was all reality! If you want to learn how to sail, or improve your existing sailing skills, Sailing Virgins beautifully combines sailing instruction with daily adventures and fun. I learned a ton about sailing all while travelling around the Caribbean islands with my new friends. We saw whales breaching, swam with wild dolphins, hiked to waterfalls in the jungle, ate delicious food, sailed under the stars and moon, snorkelled with hundreds of fish, laughed a lot, and made so many memories. Sailing from Martinique to Saint Martin was very educational, learning about the local cultures and the differences between each island and brushing up on my french. James, Jack and Celine are all incredible people and I would recommend taking a course with them to anyone who loves to be on the water and has a heart for adventure. Time flies on the water so I would also recommend booking more time than you think you should. :) Just do it!
Rebecca Feely
::I couldn’t recommend Sailing Virgins enough for anyone who wants to learn to sail in a fun, relaxed and hands-on environment. I was a complete novice who had never even been on a sailboat and I have to admit when I started going through the NauticEd courses online I felt a little in over my head, but the minute we got on the boat (Libby!) I was put at ease. I was really blown away by how much of the theoretical stuff fell into place once I was in a practical environment (thanks to Jack’s expert instruction of course!). I never in a million years expected that we would be at the helm (check me out using the lingo! 😉) on the very first day! We were a pretty small group for the week, just one other person (also a beginner) and Jack, which meant lots of hands-on experience! The intensity and pace of the course was very much dictated by us and what we were looking to get out of the week which was great, and meant that we enjoyed the perfect balance of sailing instruction coupled with getting to explore the beautiful Caribbean. Some of the highlights of the week included snorkelling with sea turtles, hiking up Mont Pelee, anchoring in a different town every night, sunset dinners on the beach, some “champagne sailing”, and doing shots of local rum with other sailors we met along the way! And how could I forget…SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS!!! Definitely the highlight of the week (and probably of my life, let’s be honest!), it was such a spontaneous and magical encounter, definitely one that I’ll never forget! 😃 I’ve done a lot of backpacking and as an avid traveller one of my other favourite things about the week was getting to explore the island from a flipped perspective - arriving into a new place by boat each evening with a view of the whole town and landscape. You can tell that Jack and James eat, sleep and breathe sailing, and their passion and enthusiasm for sailing as both a sport and a lifestyle is contagious! With Sailing Virgins, they have created an experience that is adventurous, fun and relaxed whilst still being super professional. They have somehow managed to turn a world that can sometimes feels a little exclusive and inaccessible into something super welcoming and unassuming! Whilst I was initially attracted to the travel and adventure aspect of the course I think after this week I’ve definitely caught the sailing bug and I’ll 100% be coming back for Ex-week! It was such a pleasure to meet you Jack, James and Celine and all the other skippers we met along the way, make sure you get in touch if you’re ever headed to Ireland! 😃
Jana Muhn
::Sailing Virgins is not just a sailing school - it is a sailing adventure ! Spending three weeks onboard Libby and not just learning how to sail and develop confidence in boat handling but taking in the breathtaking scenery, amazing people from all over the world and local experience of the islands made this trip unforgettable. Jack and James are incredible instructors who are letting you be part of their passion for sailing and create a hands on learning experience. From the first moment on, Jack shows his confidence in you and after a while trusts you with full control. We were able to get the boat ready, lift the anchor or sail off a mooring buoy, set the sails and get on the way to the next destination. We explored new places each day and the thrive for adventure made us discover true gems in the Western Indies. I started my adventure snorkeling underwater sculptures and each day provided me with a new memory like seeing the happiness of the local people on our shore visits, walking along the most beautiful beaches, swimming with turtles and eating incredible Caribbean food. I got to know the art of enjoying the journey in combination with learning how to sail. I am more than grateful to be part of the Sailing Virgins family!