Best Sailing Summer Camps

Sailing camps are a fantastic way for middle school, high school, and college students to experience sailing in beautiful landscapes. Students learn how to sail from experts, whether they have previous experience or not. The opportunities for gaining certifications in scuba diving and sailing are also a possibility, plus learning marine biology from professionals in the field.

For kids or teenagers who are looking to enhance their sailing skills during the summertime, here are sailing camps to consider. Some of these programs are hosted overnight in tropical places within the United States while others take you to some of the most beautiful and clear blue water places of the Caribbean.

LAMI TopSail Summer Camps

Southern California coast

LAMI TopSail Summer Camps are hosted on the Southern California coast. Children ages 6-17 can have an enjoyable summer of sailing and learn about things like island ecology, marine science, and maritime history. All steps of the sailing process are taught, starting from how to leave the dock to living on the boat.

Campers get to participate in land and sea activities throughout their day and spend the night out at sea. They have a day camp for kids 6-10 where children spend time on the dock for a week with an optional choice for sleeping on a boat at sea at the end of it. This overnight sailing camp has two different sessions that...

Broadreach

Caribbean

Broadreach is another of the top teen sailing camps that offer incredible Caribbean sailing adventures. Founded in 1993, Broadreach offers teen summer programs to learn actively, build skills, and explore. The students are divided into small groups and given charge of a 40 or 50-foot catamaran.

A crew of boys or girls of the same age rotate through a roaster of onboard responsibilities working independently and as a team to keep their boat moving. Students learn to sail from each other as well as from instructors. The entire experience encourages teamwork, inclusivity, relationship building, responsibility, and growth while sailing.

Its suitable for novice or advanced sailors — Broadreach offers both advanced and beginner level camps....

ActionQuest

British Virgin Islands

For more than 40 years, ActionQuest has been operating fun adventure sailing summer camps for young adults. The sailing program challenges students in every aspect, from sailing, scuba diving to general teamwork on board. Under the guidance and instructions of sailing experts and licensed ActionQuest staff, camp members get their hands on the helm of a 50-foot wind-powered sailboat.

With the British Virgin Islands' idyllic setting, teens wake up to a brand new view every day. ActionQuest offers an empowering and unique summer camp experience. This summer program also emphasizes learning preliminary marine science, navigation, water sports, and community service. Learners can also get internationally-recognized sailing and scuba certifications.

Teens live aboard and sail together...

Odyssey Expeditions

British Virgin Islands

Odyssey Expeditions is a leading teen adventure camp operating extraordinary sailing, scuba diving, and marine biology training programs for more than 25 years. Other activities include island exploration, watersports, and community service. Teens receive hands-on learning aboard sailing catamaran travel, develop leadership skills, build confidence, and make friendships.

Sailing across the most heavenly British Virgin Islands, this dream destination allows students to view breathtaking scenery each day. Working as a team, each student learns to sail a 40-foot sleek yacht.

At the end of this educational adventure summer camp, students should know most general sailing knowledge. That includes vessel parts, sail points, sailing theory, and terminology. Skills like sail trim handling, powerboat handling, and seamanship...

Tall Ships Adventure

Ottawa, ON

Tall Ships Adventure offers youth 12-18 years of age, the opportunity to learn how to sail an authentic tall ship while developing necessary life skills like independence, self-reliance, and courage. They experience personal growth while having the time of their lives and making lifelong friends.

They offer three different adventures based on age. Children between ages 12-14 can join either the 5-day adventures aboard the tall ship Black Jack sailing out of Ottawa or the 5-day, 4-night island adventure split between the tall ship Black Jack and the island base camp tucked away on the Ottawa River.

The Island-Hopping Adventure sailing camp is perfect for ages 14-18, aboard the tall ship Fair Jeanne. Exploring The...