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Florida Sailing Schools and Powerboat Schools
St. Petersburg and Sarasota
Sailing Lessons & Powerboat Lessons on Gulf of Mexico & Tampa Bay
Offshore Sailing School’s Florida Sailing Schools and Florida Powerboat Schools provide all levels of US Sailing certification courses and US Powerboat certification courses in beautiful locations on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
Downtown St. Petersburg, FL – Tampa Bay, FL Sailing School
St. Petersburg is an ideal destination for learning new sailing skills and earning a bareboat cruising certification. We’re based at the Vinoy Resort. This convenient hotel is in the middle of this vibrant town, known as a haven for sailors who love the sea and living the sailing lifestyle. Florida sailing vacations get you out on the warm waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, where you can enjoy year-round sailing lessons. Whether you like laid-back beach resorts or a chic, urban cultural environment at water’s edge, our Florida sailing school in St. Petersburg is a great location for learning to sail and sailboat cruising vacations. Learn more about our course offerings below.
Florida Sailing Lessons, Powerboat Instruction, and Advanced Sailing Adventures
In addition to sailing courses for beginners, with Offshore Sailing School, you can enjoy great sailing and cruising courses on 40′-51′ sailing yachts. Take a look at this video, and sign up for sailing lessons in Florida today!
Weekend Warrior Monohull or Catamaran Docking Refresher
Weekend Warrior Monohull Catamaran Endorsement 114
IPC Prep with Bareboat Cruising Certification & Cat Endorsement
Catamaran Live Aboard Cruising
Book Your Florida Sailing Adventure Now
Call: (941) 390-1708
Email: Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Sailing School in Florida Offering Comprehensive Sailing Courses
At Offshore Sailing School, we specialize in transforming beginners into confident sailors and helping seasoned boaters sharpen their skills. As a premier sailing school in Florida, we offer immersive on-the-water instruction, nationally recognized certifications, and exclusive Fast Track® programs. With expert instructors and exceptional locations across the state, we provide a hands-on, safety-focused learning experience that blends adventure with real-world seamanship.
Finding a reliable sailing school in Florida can be overwhelming, with crowded marinas, inconsistent instruction, and one-size-fits-all programs often leaving students frustrated and unprepared. Offshore Sailing School solves these issues with structured courses tailored to your goals, small group sizes, and a proven curriculum.
We offer a wide range of sailing and powerboating courses, from Learn to Sail to Coastal Navigation and Offshore Passage Making. With over 60 years of training excellence, Offshore Sailing School is the trusted name for individuals, couples, families, and corporate groups seeking real experience and expert guidance. Connect with us now to request a quote and let our Florida-based instructors guide you toward certification, mastery, and freedom on the water.
We know your sailing goals are more than just skills; they’re about confidence, independence, and unforgettable memories on the open sea. At Offshore Sailing School, we understand what this journey means to you. If you’re searching for a sailing school in Florida that truly cares about your progress and safety, you’ve found the right crew. Contact us today, and let’s make your dream of sailing a reality.
Why Choose Offshore Sailing School in Florida
- Decades of Proven Instruction: As the most trusted sailing school in Florida, Offshore Sailing School brings over 60 years of experience to every course. Founded by an Olympian and run by sailing pioneers, we’ve helped thousands of students develop lifelong sailing skills through expertly crafted sailing instruction. From basic sailing to advanced certification courses, our curriculum is built on real-world application and a deep passion for sailing. Whether you’re seeking your first sailing lesson or a full sailing adventure, our track record speaks for itself.
- ASA Certified Instructors: Our team of experienced instructors includes professionals with worldwide experience and credentials from the highly respected American Sailing Association. Every one of our sailing instructors is trained to deliver safe, effective, and engaging sailing education to students across all experience levels. You’ll learn from an acclaimed instructor who knows how to tailor each lesson to your skill level, ensuring you fully grasp the essential aspects of sailing in a way that’s fun, challenging, and rewarding.
- Convenient Florida Locations: With locations in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Offshore Sailing School offers easy access to some of the best sailing destinations in the state. Each location is surrounded by beautiful waters, providing the perfect backdrop for immersive sailing classes, active sailing vacations, and in-depth training.
- Real Boats, Real Experience — Not Simulators: At Offshore Sailing School, you don’t sit in a classroom pretending to sail. You get on the water immediately. All sailing lessons take place on high-performance monohulls or cruising catamarans, such as the Fountaine Pajot 40, Jeanneau 479, or Bali 4.2. Powerboat lessons take place on the Aquila 44 or Fountaine Pajot MY5. We believe experience is built by doing, not simulating.
Explore Our Florida Sailing Courses
Florida’s scenic coastal waters and beautiful waters offer the perfect training ground for all types of sailors. Whether you’re just beginning your sailing journey or seeking higher-level courses to refine your sailing abilities, Offshore Sailing School delivers expert sailing school services tailored to a wide variety of classes based on experience, interest, and ambition.
- Learn to Sail – For Beginners of All Ages: Start with basic sailing skills in an engaging, hands-on format designed for passionate sailors of all ages. Our proper training introduces the science of sailing, basic boat handling, and sailing exercises to help you feel confident on the water. Learn to sail in familiar waters with compassionate instructors and a curriculum that meets the highest standards for sailing education.
- Fast Track® to Cruising – From Novice to Cruising in 8 Days: This immersive training program takes you from beginner to qualified sailor in just over a week. Learn docking, anchoring, and the practical application of navigation and seamanship skills. It’s the ideal course for those ready to embrace the sailing lifestyle and prepare for a future chartering experience in diverse sailing waters.
- Live Aboard Cruising Courses: Dive into the real sailing lifestyle with liveaboard sail training courses that combine intensive learning with true adventure. Train during the day and spend nights anchored near beautiful locations, charming villages, gaining real-world experience in provisioning, voyage planning, and sailing with confidence.
- Catamaran Training on Fountaine Pajot 40 and Bali 4.2: Discover the dynamics of multihull sailing with hands-on sail training courses aboard modern catamarans. Perfect for those transitioning into multihulls or preparing for ocean sailing experiences, this course provides sailing demonstrations, maneuvering practice, and insights into typical sailing conditions in Florida’s prime sailing waters.
- Powerboat Cruising Courses: Prefer a powered experience? These leisure lessons are ideal for those who enjoy cruising at speed or want to master another form of boating. Learn how to safely operate and dock motor yachts while navigating through coastal waters, spotting marine life, and enjoying the awesome experience of sailing with friends or motoring in style.
At Offshore Sailing School, every course is designed to turn beginners into accomplished sailors and advanced sailors into exceptional sailors. Our coaching techniques, personalized instruction, and commitment to excellence ensure that you leave with not just sailing knowledge but also lifelong memories.
Start Your Sailing Journey with the Premier Florida Sailing School
Ready to turn your sailing goals into reality? Offshore Sailing School offers expert-led sailing lessons in Florida for all experience levels. With hands-on training, US Sailing Certified Instructors, and stunning locations, our Florida sailing school is your gateway to confidence on the water. Contact us now to speak with a sailing advisor and enroll in your first course!
