Acquire the skills to make that sailing dream come true!
At Sail in Mexico we offer a full pathway of accredited, practical sailing training for every level — from complete beginners to aspiring offshore skippers. Our programs include Learn to Sail, Yacht Crew training, Inshore and Offshore Skipper courses, the Zero‑to‑Hero progression, and specialist modules such as the Marine VHF Short Range Certificate (VHF‑SRC) and Milecatcher real‑world sailing experience. We also deliver Tailored Sailing Lessons to meet individual goals and on‑board confidence needs. As an ISSA‑accredited school, Sail in Mexico upholds high standards of safety and instruction: lessons cover boat handling, navigation, watchkeeping, safety procedures and emergency drills, and our courses are designed to provide practical, hands‑on time under sail. With experienced instructors, small groups and personalized attention, our comprehensive curriculum equips sailors with the skills and knowledge to navigate coastal and offshore waters confidently and enjoy the thrill of true wind‑powered sailing.
Sailing programs adapted to your objetives
ISSA Yacht Crew Brochure
Comprehensive ISSA‑Accredited Sailing Courses for All Levels
ISSA Inshore Skipper
This course is designed for sailors who already have basic sailing experience and want to advance their skills for confidently handling coastal waters. Participants should have prior knowledge of sailing fundamentals and practical experience in boat handling. The comprehensive syllabus covers advanced navigation techniques, weather interpretation, safety procedures, collision regulations, anchoring, mooring, and seamanship skills essential for managing a sailing vessel in inshore and coastal conditions.
ISSA Offshore Skipper
Take your sailing skills to new horizons with our Offshore Skipper Course. Designed for experienced sailors, this course focuses on advanced navigation techniques, passage planning, offshore safety procedures, sail handling, and more. Whether you dream of crossing oceans or exploring remote coastlines, this course equips you with the knowledge and confidence for offshore adventures.
From 5 to 12 June, 2026, Sail in Mexico, in collaboration with ISSA and Nopal Sea, will be hosting this course in the Lofoten islands. Download for the full scoop.
ISSA VHF-SRC
Enhance your communication skills on the water with our VHF Operator Course. Learn how to effectively and safely operate a Marine VHF radio, mastering proper radio procedures, distress and safety communications, and an introduction to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Our expert instructors will provide hands-on training, ensuring you can communicate effectively in any maritime situation.
Milecatcher
For those seeking real-world sailing experience, our Milecatchers program offers exciting opportunities to join us on adventurous voyages. Join our experienced captains as crew members and actively participate in all aspects of offshore passages. Gain valuable sea miles, practice your skills, and immerse yourself in the unique challenges and rewards of long-distance sailing.
Tailored sail training
We offer our courses mainly in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Huatulco and the Sea of Cortez, and through NopalSea can tailor private courses elsewhere on this Blue Planet, simply ask and we’ll help make it happen. For those who have just purchased a sailing yacht, Sail in Mexico can also help you learn to sail it and get comfortable with the onboard systems. Check out the details of our “Own Yacht Learn to Sail” options.
Advanced Sail Training in the Arctic!
ISSA Offshore Skipper Course – 5 to 12 June, 2026, Harstad, Norway
ISSA Offshore Skipper course in the Lofoten Islands: intensive, hands‑on offshore training combining navigation, passage planning, night passages, heavy‑weather sail handling, watches and safety drills. Sail through dramatic fjords and open Arctic waters, practice celestial and electronic navigation, pilot in tidal currents, and gain real offshore experience under certified instructors—ideal for aspiring offshore skippers. Download the brochure.
Zero to Hero – ISSA Inshore SKipper + VHF(SRC)
Zero to Hero — 7-18 Feb,2026. 12‑day liveaboard ISSA Inshore Skipper course with VHF‑SRC in the Sea of Cortez. Hands‑on sail training, navigation, safety drills, Starlink, chef‑prepared meals and limited to four students.
Vela & Aventura: 11 Días en el Mar de Cortés
Vela & Aventura: 1 al 11 de diciembre, 2025, 11 días en el Mar de Cortés a bordo de un Dufour 460. Ruta a Espíritu Santo, San José, Agua Verde y Loreto. Pensión completa, cocinero, snorkel, Starlink. Experiencia a vela, plazas limitadas.