Seven-day sailing courses operated by Sailing Virgins depart from Uturoa Marina on Raiatea Island and navigate a circular route through the Society Islands, including Bora Bora’s lagoon. The school holds a 4.98/5 rating from 228 reviews and is an ASA-certified training facility that accepts complete beginners. This setup works for travelers who want to earn recognized sailing certifications while island-hopping through French Polynesia rather than just staying at a resort.
The school holds a 4.98/5 rating from 228 reviews, with students from over 40 countries.
If you’re serious about learning to sail and want certifications that let you charter internationally, this course delivers. The trade-off is the cost and the commitment to a full week on the water. If you just want a casual cruise with a bit of sailing thrown in, a crewed charter or cruise makes more sense.
Beginners
Certification seekers
Active travelers
The Course at a Glance
The sailing school operates 7-day courses that start and end at Uturoa Marina on Raiatea. You choose between monohull and catamaran options, with catamaran courses including the ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran endorsement. Prices range from $5,765 to $8,925 per person depending on the week, with a deposit starting at $1,153 to hold your spot. Flexible cancellation is available up to 90 days before the course.
Each course carries a maximum of 5 students per instructor, which keeps coaching personalized. The school is an ASA Certified Training Facility, and the certifications you earn are recognized globally for chartering.
The 7-Day Route
The circular route covers roughly 115 nautical miles through the Society Islands, starting and finishing at Uturoa Marina. You’ll navigate lagoon passages, reef entrances, and open-water crossings between islands, with each stop offering a different character.
What You’ll Learn and Earn
The courses follow the American Sailing Association (ASA) curriculum. Complete beginners earn ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) and ASA 103 on certain weeks, while more experienced sailors can complete ASA 103 and 104 in a week, two levels at a time. Catamaran courses add the ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran endorsement.
After completing ASA 104, you’re eligible for the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), which is required for chartering a bareboat in many international waters. The school covers coastal navigation, lagoon sailing, reef passage techniques, and passage planning through the Society Islands.
The school’s instructors specialize in teaching newcomers. Protected lagoons and steady trade winds create learning conditions that suit first-time sailors, and the 5:1 student ratio means you get more hands-on helm time than on a larger training vessel.
Planning Your Course
Fly into Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT), then take a short inter-island flight with Air Tahiti to Raiatea (RFP). The school recommends arriving a day early to recover from the long journey. The course ends before noon on the final day, so you can fly back to Tahiti that afternoon or extend your trip to explore more of the Society Islands.
The dry season from May to October brings steady southeast trade winds of 15–20 knots and lower humidity, which makes for reliable sailing conditions. The wet season from November to April is warmer with occasional afternoon showers, but still suitable for sailing. Water temperatures stay between 26–29°C year-round.
Pack quick-drying clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a light rain jacket, a soft duffel bag (no hard luggage), water shoes for reef walking, a UV shirt for snorkeling, and insect repellent for evenings near shore. The boat is provisioned with fresh supplies including tropical fruits, French breads and cheeses, and cooking ingredients before departure.
Many students extend their stay to visit Moorea or spend extra time in Tahiti. If you stay on in Bora Bora after the course, the island offers guided wildlife encounters and water activities worth checking out.
Before You Go: French Polynesia Sailing
Do I need any sailing experience to join?
No. The school specializes in teaching complete beginners. Protected lagoons and steady trade winds create ideal learning conditions, and the instructors are experienced with newcomers.
What’s the food situation on board?
The boat is provisioned with fresh supplies before departure, including tropical fruits, French breads and cheeses, and cooking ingredients. You’ll also have chances to eat at local restaurants on shore, where poisson cru (Tahitian raw fish salad) and grilled lagoon fish are common. The French influence means good wine and coffee are available.
Can I extend my trip after the course?
Yes. Many students extend their stay to visit Moorea or spend extra time in Tahiti. The course ends before noon on the final day at Uturoa Marina, giving you the afternoon to fly to Tahiti or another island.
What happens if I need to cancel?
The school offers flexible cancellation up to 90 days before the course starts. Your deposit holds your spot, and you can get a refund if you cancel within that window.
Who This Course Works For
The course is a focused commitment, not a casual vacation. It suits travelers who want to leave with a tangible skill and certification.
- If you’re a complete beginner who wants to earn ASA 101 and 103 while sailing through French Polynesia, this is one of the few places that combines serious instruction with this setting.
- If you already sail and want to add ASA 104 and the IPC for international chartering, the week gives you two certification levels in a stunning location.
- If you’re short on time or prefer a resort-based vacation with just a few hours on the water, skip this and look at a crewed day charter or a Windstar cruise instead.
References
Sailing Virgins. French Polynesia Sailing Course. sailingvirgins.com. ↗
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