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Top Sailing Schools in Washington


ASA,US-Sailing & NauticEd Certified Sailing Schools in Washington

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ASA Certified US-Sailing Certified Schools and Other Programs at Anacortes, Bellingham, Gig Harbor, Seattle, Tacoma, Kirkland, and Olympia in Washington..


USCG Captain's License Online


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MARINERS LEARNING SYSTEM (MLS) ONLINE- USCG Approved Online Captain's and Masters License Study Packages, Home Study Guides & FCC Online Tests - Located in Pennington NJ, Mariners Learning System provides U.S. Coast Guard Certified Licensing Courses with their flexible online training. Auxiliary Sailing & Towing endorsements are also available.

OUPV (6-Pack) |  Master 25/50/100 Ton  | Endorsements  |  Military / Responders


Boat & Marine Electrical Courses Online


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BOATHOWTO - Boat Electrical & Advanced Marine Electrics Courses Online for Owners and Operators, Engineers, Installers, Technicians, and Other Professionals - BOATHOWTO provides technical knowledge for sailors and boaters around the world. The boat and marine electrics programs aim to empower boaters with the knowledge and skills to manage and maintain marine electrical systems..

Boat Electrics 101 |  Advanced Marine Electrics  | Boat & Marine Electrics Bundle


NauticEd Affiliated Sailing Schools in WA


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Take online theory sailing courses with NauticEd, with two free sailing courses and sailing resume, and then use the skilled in-house sailing instructors from the following sailing schools to gain practical sailing experience and confidence. Once you pass the courses and practical training, you'll be awarded with a NauticEd Sailing Certification with Verified Practical Competency. Yacht Charter Companies worldwide accept and acknowledge the NauticEd Sailing Certification. Read more..

  • Anacortes Yacht Charters - Anacortes
  • Island Sailing - Olympia, Kirkland, and Gig Harbor

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Anacortes Yacht Charters & Sailing School - Anacortes WA


anacortes yacht charters sailing school

Located in Anacortes, the Gateway to the San Juan Islands, Anacortes Yacht Charters (AYC) has established itself as the leading charter company with the largest selection of power and sail boats available for charter in the San Juans and Gulf Islands. Anacortes Yacht Charters has a full range of Recreational Powerboating Association (RPBA) & ASA sailing instructions available to put you at the helm of your own and AYC has extensive fleet which allows the benefit of the best boat choice for each course. AYC is also affiliated with NauticEd International Sailing School (see above).

ASA Courses

  • ASA 101/103/104

Other Programs

  • One Way Charters
  • One/Two Week Cruises
  • Cruising Concierge
  • AYC Charter Yacht Ownership

AYC Yachting & Sailing Programs

  • AYC Yachting Classes (RPBA)
  • Close Quarters Powerboat Handling
  • Power Cruising - Twin Engine
  • Power Cruising - Single Engine
  • Skipper & 1st Mate Power Cruising
  • Advanced Power Cruising


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Bellhaven Yacht Sales & Charters Sailing School - Bellingham WA


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Operating since 1982, Bellhaven Charters has been helping people discover the spectacular waters of the Pacific and offers a broad range of sailing courses which emphasize practical, hands on experience on the water. All of the courses are designed so that students gain practical hands on experience through patient, professional instruction. Courses are offered in three formats, with each intended to deliver maximum value and learning potential while meeting the individual goals and schedules of students. Private courses offer students the opportunity for personalized instruction in a specific area of interest to the student, the weekender courses are designed for people from all over the Northwest who want to cover various courses one step at a time. Cruise N Learns (CNL) not only does offer a full week of on the water hands on experience, but also gives students an exciting week long cruising lifestyle experience.

ASA Sailing Classes

  • ASA 101, 103, 104,105, 106



Chariot Adventures Sailing School - Bellingham WA


chariot adventures sailing school

The Chariot Adventures ASA Cruise n Learn class is a six day and night mini-cruise around the San Juan Islands, which departs from Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham. Participants will live aboard and practice the skills needed in order to be certified to charter a boat and/or develop the confidence to cruise own boat. Chariot Adventures teach the American Sailing Association curriculum and will certify. Chariot Adventures specialize in working with couples to help improve skills, communication and confidence.

ASA Courses

  • ASA 101 - 104
  • Other Activities
  • Day Charters (Up to 6 people)
  • Boat Deliveries


Gig Harbor Sailing Club & School (GHSC&S) - Gig Harbor WA


gig harbor sailing school

Located at Gig Harbor WA, Gig Harbor Sailing Club & School (GHSC&S) is an award-winning school offers US SAILING certification in its Basic Keelboat curriculum. . Graduates receive certification recognized world-wide through US SAILING, the national governing body for the sport of sailing. GHSC&S meets or exceeds all US SAILING recommendations and requirements, ensuring you a successful learn-to-sail experience anywhere. The club also provides a club membership program that offers low-cost sailing that is a fraction of the cost of ownership and half the cost of renting.

US SAILING Courses

  • Level 1a - Basic Keelboat Crew Level (12 hours)
  • Level 1b - Basic Keelboat Skipper Level (12 hours)
  • Level 1a, 1b - Basic Keelboat Full Course (24 hours)
  • Level 2 - Basic Cruising (24 hours)
  • Level 3 - Basic Navigation (9 hours)
  • Level 4 - Bareboat Cruising (2 days + overnight)

Other Programs

  • Introduction to Sailing
  • Review Classes - Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Coastal Navigation, Bareboat Cruising


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Island Sailing School - Kirkland, Gig Harbor, and Olympia WA


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Founded in 1979, Island Sailing School offers a variety of programs that enable sailors to improve skills. The training programs are tightly focused on nurturing excellent and confident sailors. Island Sailing School offers beginner through advanced training as well as American Sailing Association certification. As a NauticEd Flagship School, Island Sailing School focuses on more meaningful training and less on certifications. Island Sailing operates at multiple locations around the Pacific Northwest, offering Sailors the opportunity to sail at Portland, Oregon & Kirkland, Gig Harbor, and Olympia in Washington.

ASA Courses

  • Learn to Sail - Basic Keelboat Sailing
  • ASA Basic Keelboat 101 (Honolulu)
  • Learn to Cruise - Basic Coastal Cruising
  • Learn Bareboat Cruising - Bareboat Chartering

Other Programs

  • San Juan Cruise & Learn
  • Advanced & Offshore Bluewater Sailing
  • Adventure Vacations
  • Sailing Club

NauticEd Courses & Certifications

  • Navigational Rules Clinic
  • Basic Sail Trim
  • Skipper Small Keelboat Course
  • Skipper Small Keelboat Certification
  • Skipper Online Clinic
  • Online Maneuvering Under Power Clinic
  • Bareboat Charter Clinic
  • Coastal Navigation Clinic
  • Anchoring Clinic
  • Electronic Navigation Course
  • Bareboat Charter Master Certification
  • More on Courses - NauticEd

Continued Sailing Education

  • Coastal Navigation
  • Marine Weather Courses
  • Outboard Motor Clinic
  • Spinnaker Class
  • Sail Coaching
  • Sailing Wilderness First Aid
  • Sailing Locks Clinic
  • Marine Electronics
  • Marine Radar
  • Northwest Ocean Passagemaking

Starpath Home Study

  • Coastal Navigation
  • Marine Weather
  • Celestial Navigation



Puget Sound Sailing Institute (PSSI) - Seattle, Tacoma & Gig Harbor - WA


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Puget Sound Sailing Institute is an American Sailing Association affiliated sailing school that has been providing outstanding sailing instruction and other activities on the waters of the Puget Sound for over 25 years. From the locations at Tacoma's Tyee Marina and Seattle's Bell Harbor the school offers classes, excursions, vacations, and a sailing club for people of all skill and confidence levels. The Basic Keelboat class will teach you all of the skills necessary to take out your own small keelboat. You can work your way up through the Bareboat Chartering class and you'll be able to wander the waves free of nervousness and uncertainty. Whether you're a landlubber who hasn't yet set foot on a boat or a seasoned veteran sailor looking for the next great adventure, PSSI has something for you.

ASA Classes

  • ASA 101,103, ​104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 114, 118
  • Challenge ASA Certifications (101,103,104 & 106)

Other Classes & Programs

  • Spinnaker Handling Clinic
  • Boat Maintenance Clinic
  • Intro to Racing Clinic
  • Private Sailing Instruction


San Juan Sailing - Bellingham WA


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Founded in 1982, San Juan Sailing School is one of the most experienced and well respected ASA Approved sailing schools in the Northwest and ranked no. 1 Sailing School in the Pacific Northwest by the readers of Practical Sailor. San Juan Sailing is the only school that offers fully provisioned and overnight on all courses (two days or more). The sailing takes place in the U.S. San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands and Courses begin and end in Bellingham, WA. Also the school provides hands-on learning, small classes and individual attention. The courses are structured in different formats -Learn-n-Cruises which is week-long live-aboard courses, Weekend Courses, Cruising Catamaran Instruction, Private Instruction and Flotilla opportunities are available according to the individual taste.

ASA Programs

  • Basic Sailing to Bareboat Cruising (Charter Certification) Learn-n-Cruise (ASA 101, 103, 104)
  • San Juan Islands Learn-n-Cruise (Women)
  • Caribbean Learn-n-Cruise (Women)
  • Advanced Weeklong (ASA 105 and 106)
  • 10-Day Advanced (ASA 105 and 106)
  • ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 114, 118

Other Programs

  • All Women Weekend (No Certification)
  • Private Instruction
  • Powerboat Instruction
  • Private Seamanship Certification & Vacation Cruise
  • 3-Hour Maneuvering
  • 2-Day Seamanship Certification
  • 1-Day Navigation Course


Seattle Sailing Club - Seattle WA


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Seattle Sailing Club is one of the most active and vibrant ASA certification schools in the country. Located on beautiful Puget Sound, the Seattle Sailing Club provides students the highest level of instruction with the best fleet available. The Shileshole Bay Marina location couples a majestic setting with prime sailing real estate, offering a stunning view of the Olympic Mountain range and easy access to open water and wind just minutes from our docks. The Seattle Sailing Club fleet is divided into three categories, based on the levels of Unlimited Day Sailing Memberships - the Northwest Club Fleet, and the Seattle J/Club Fleet. Olympic Club Members have access to the entire SSC fleet on a pay-per-use basis.

ASA Courses

  • ASA 101 - 119

Other Programs

  • Spinnaker Handling Course
  • Team Building Programs
  • Private Instruction


You may also read: Online Sailing Certifications & RYA Skipper Theory