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Most people start out sailing a monohull (classic single-hulled boat) and then later transition to cats. Whether you are transitioning or it’s your first time on a boat if you’re looking for a school to teach you how to become a competent catamaran sailor, check out this list of options in sunny Florida!
Here are seven of the top-rated catamaran sailing schools in Florida:
- Blue Water Sailing School
- Offshore Sailing School
- American Sailing Academy
- Emerald Coast Sailing School & Charters
- Sunshine Coast Adventures Sailing School
- Sara Bay Sailing School
- Intelligent Sailing Club School
Let’s take a deeper look at these catamaran sailing schools to discover which one will help you achieve the skills you need to sail these boats successfully.
1. Blue Water Sailing School
Blue Water Sailing School is a highly ranked sailing school based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They also have several other schools in other areas, including Rhode Island, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas.
Moreover, they are considered one of the top educators for catamaran sailing. They have several catamaran sailing course offerings with over ten years of experience.
The school has also earned several awards and certificates from the American Sailing Association. Additionally, they offer tons of courses at varying difficulty levels for novice to advanced sailors. You can learn more about their catamaran classes on their course list page.
2. Offshore Sailing School
Offshore Sailing School is next on this list of sailing schools available in Florida (multiple locations) offering catamaran cruising lessons.
Advertised as America’s #1 Sail and Power Cruising School, the school has excellent ratings on Google and numerous testimonials on their website showcasing their expertise.
This sailing school has been in business for 55 years and has highly qualified staff on board. So if you’re looking for a staycation, a group or corporate team building activity, or private lessons, they have it all.
They also have many all-inclusive learning vacation options at six different sailing school locations. One is on Florida’s gulf coast, with another available in the British Virgin Islands. The school makes it very easy to receive a free quote, so you can plan ahead.
3. American Sailing Academy
If you’re looking for other catamaran sailing options, check out American Sailing Academy located in Key Largo, Florida. They advertise a fleet of varying skill level lessons, top instructors, and unique experiences.
Their Cruising Catamaran course is a two-day lesson that teaches students how to sail a catamaran between 30 to 45 feet (9 to 15 meters) in size through medium to high wind speeds. This course also comes with a certification if you pass the test!
American Sailing Academy also offers online and hybrid learning options if you’re looking for more sailing lessons and resources.
They even offer specials for those who sign up to receive special packages via email. Their website also advertises more affordable and “economical” vacation and lesson package options. So, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, American Sailing Academy could be perfect for you.
4. Emerald Coast Sailing School & Charters
Number four on my list of catamaran sailing schools in Florida is Emerald Coast Sailing Schools and Charters. After a prolonged absence from lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, this school is back up and running!
Emerald Coast Sailing School & Charters has a 4 out of 5-star rating on Google and offers a Cruising Catamarans Made Easy Course for about $2,600. The course takes two days to complete and has several options for completion.
With every sailing class that Emerald Coast offers, you get professional instructors, who are U.S. Coast Guard Captains and certified American Sailing Association professionals. You can also opt for private lessons and have flexible scheduling options.
They also have several sailing location options outside of the waters of northwest Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Beach.
5. Sunshine Coast Adventures Sailing School
Are you looking for more award-winning sailing schools with over ten years of experience in Florida? Well, next on my list is Sunshine Coast Adventures Sailing School! It has a 5-star rating on Google, and they offer more than just sailing lessons on their excursions.
Sunshine Coast Adventures Sailing School offers a mix of sailing lessons, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking.
In addition, they offer a Cruising Catamaran course that helps individuals and groups learn how to captain a catamaran and gain essential knowledge in catamaran structure, performance, safety, and more.
6. Sara Bay Sailing School
Number six on this list is Sara Bay Sailing School which offers a variety of sailing lessons, including Cruising Catamarans Made Easy.
Despite how the name makes it sound, this is an advanced course. If you don’t have previous sailing experience, this may not be the right school for you.
Some of their other courses are beginner-friendly options if you’re open to other sailing courses.
However, they specify that their courses are better for adult students, including individuals seeking an American Sailing Association Certification.
The Sara Bay Sailing School could be a good fit if you have previous sailing knowledge. You can find it on the Florida Gulf Coast in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.
7. Intelligent Sailing Club School
Last but not least on this list of Florida-based sailing schools is Intelligent Sailing Club School. They offer several catamaran sailing options. With years of experience and a nearly 5-star rating on Google, this may be your preferred sailing school.
They have both one and two-day training courses advertised on their site for catamaran sailing, including “Fund Day Sailing…” and “The Intelligent Sailing Catamaran Course.”
Both courses offer fun and relaxation combined with techniques and lessons for sailing.
They have three additional catamaran sailing lessons available. Some come with an American Sailing Association certification, while others do not. You can also do a combination of sailing courses with all the classes they have.
One of the excellent features of Intelligent Sailing School is the ability for individuals to design their ideal course using a combination of other sailing options or individual lessons.
This is also the only sailing school specializing in one-to-one instruction in Florida, meaning you get the Captain and yacht all to yourself!