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An Unforgettable Abaco Islands Sailing Itinerary with Go Sail Bahamas

Sail to Man-O-War Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Elbow Cay, and Tahiti Beach on a weeklong Bahamas sailing vacation!

Sailing: The Best Way To Experience The Abaco Islands

The Abacos are made up of over 120 cays and islands scattered across calm, shallow waters so what better way to experience as many islands as you can than by sailboat? Traveling in the Abaco Islands by boat gives you direct access to hidden beaches, uninhabited islands, and gorgeous reefs you simply can’t reach by land or air. Dive right off the boat into some of the world’s best reefs, explore historic lighthouses by taking your dinghy to shore, and experience top-notch sailing conditions in naturally sheltered waters that block unpredictable ocean swells. No rigid schedules or crowded ferries—just you, your crew, and the freedom to sail on island time!

Day 1-3: Northern Abaco

  • Marsh Harbour: Arrive at Marsh Harbour airport, transfer to the marina, and explore the local restaurants and bars. 
  • Great Guana Cay: Sail north to Great Guana Cay and explore Fishers Bay, a great spot for a beach day and relaxation. 
  • Man-O-War Cay: Visit Man-O-War Cay, known for its boat building heritage and the Albury’s Boat Building & Canvas Shop. 
  • Hope Town (Elbow Cay): Continue to Hope Town, home of the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse and a charming harbor.

Day 4-6: Southern Abaco

  • Little Harbour: Sail south to Little Harbour, known for its Pete’s Pub and the chance to snorkel along the way. 
  • Lynyard Cay: Anchor at Lynyard Cay for a tranquil overnight stay. 
  • Treasure Cay: Spend a day at Treasure Cay, a well-protected marina with numerous amenities.

Day 7: Return to Marsh Harbour

  • Sail back to Marsh Harbour, enjoying the sailing conditions and making the most of the final day. 
Catamaran sailing on calm water with sandy dunes in the background.
a small boat in a large body of water

Learn to Sail in the Bahamas

Our Bahamas sailing school offers American Sailing Association (ASA) bareboat certification courses year-round. These hands-on Bahamas sailing courses provide expert instruction from our award-winning ASA instructors plus internationally recognized certifications sailors need to bareboat charter anywhere in the world. With Go Sail Bahamas you can expect bespoke sailing itineraries, top-notch sailing lessons, and plenty of time to visit top sailing locations in the Bahamas for snorkeling, swimming, dining, and relaxing. Our weeklong liveaboard vacations offer you everything you need to become a competent and confident sailor!

A Sample 7 Day Bahamas Sailing Itinerary

At our Bahamas sailing school, we offer bespoke sailing itineraries designed around your interests, skill level, and real-time weather conditions—ensuring a safe, exciting, and personalized sailing experience. Whether you’re a beginner earning your first ASA certifications or an experienced sailor looking to explore new waters, you’ll enjoy a perfectly balanced itinerary. You’ll receive plenty of hands-on sailing, plus opportunities like daily island exploration, snorkeling in crystal-clear bays, savoring authentic Caribbean cuisine, and relaxing aboard a luxury yacht. Ready to see what your dream sailing vacation could look like? Check out our sample Bahamas sailing itinerary to get inspired:

 

Day 1: Arrival

Fly into Marsh Harbor (MHH) and take a taxi (about $25) to the marina to meet your captain! You’ll spend the first night at the dock, getting unpacked and comfortable aboard your yacht.

Manjak Cay

A private island with owners who allow cruisers to respectfully enjoy the island.
✔️ Hiking to secluded beaches
✔️ Snorkeling with turtles and stingrays in the mangroves

A private island with owners who allow cruisers to respectfully enjoy the island.

✔️ Hiking to secluded beaches

✔️ Snorkeling with turtles and stingrays in the mangroves

Green Turtle Cay

Explore the White and Black Sound. Settlers arrived at New Plymouth on Black Sound in 1783 and it is only accessible by boat!

Places to visit:

✔️ Historic homes of New Plymouth

✔️ Souvenir shops

Man-O-War Cay

Discover the boat building capital of The Bahamas! The Albury family (who operate the Albury Ferry service) is handcrafting boats from their workshop today.

Places to visit:

✔️ Albury’s Boat Building & Canvas Shop

✔️ Hero’s Wall

Great Guana Cay

The Cay is 7 miles long with a 5 mile long white sand beach! A lively island with a party atmosphere and friendly locals

Places to visit:

✔️ Nippers and Grabbers

✔️ Kidds Cove bar 

✔️ Fishers Bay

Elbow Cay

Home of the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse and a charming harbor

Places to visit:

✔️ Elbow Reef Lighthouse

✔️ Local art galleries

Departure Day

Wake up and make the short sail to the marina dock! Around 9am, you’ll arrive at the marina to fuel up and say goodbye to your sailing friends. By 10am, you’ll be ready to take a taxi and head off to the airport or your next destination. Fair winds!

Please Note:

This Bahamas sailing itinerary is meant to serve as an example of what a week-long Learn to Sail vacation may look like with Go Sail Bahamas. However, it is important to note that the captain may adjust the schedule to ensure optimal sailing conditions and the best possible experience for guests.

Turning Your Dreams of a Bahamas Sailing Itinerary Into Reality

Our Bahamas sailing school offers International Bareboat Cruising Certifications with American Sailing Certifications. Our Series 1 courses for beginner sailors include ASA 101, ASA 103, ASA 104 and ASA 114 plus an International Sailing Certification (IPC). We also offer Series 2 courses for advanced sailors that have completed their Series 1 courses and have a year of sailing experience. These courses include ASA 106, ASA 114, and ASA 111 plus the International Sailing Certification (IPC).  

Learn more about each course and what you can expect on a weeklong Bahamas sailing vacation on our courses page!

Sailing by Example

All our Bahamas sailing courses are customized to each group of sailors by the captain aboard and the sailing students themselves! Every boat is captained by expert ASA instructors with sailing experience all over the world. We know sailing but better yet we are mastering the art of teaching you everyday with patience and practice. Kindness and respect are at the heart of everything we do. These are 7 key principles we follow and live by.

  • Encourage active learning
  • Give and ask for prompt feedback
  • Emphasize hands-on sailing skills
  • Communicate with honesty and clarity
  • Respect diverse talents and ways of learning
  • Encourage questions and growth mindset
  • Develop reciprocity and cooperation

We also provide sailing instruction because we believe in the betterment of the sailing community as a whole. Passing down our knowledge is the biggest thanks we can give to the captains and mentors who have gotten us to this point in our own careers! 

a group of people posing for a photo

Cruising Couples Group Sailing Courses

The very best international bareboat charter instruction for cruising couples to co-captain and get ready to charter. You’ll receive one-on-one coaching and couples coaching from award winning ASA instructors to build on couples unique sailing skills while also learning from your fellow students who bring fresh perspectives and techniques to broaden your sailing knowledge. Cruising Couples leave with more than sailing certifications, they gain new friendships, stronger communication skills, and increased confidence!

Solo Sailors Group Sailing Courses

Go Sail’s solo travel group sailing courses offer the perfect blend of personalized instruction and community. You’ll receive individualized, one-on-one coaching from award winning ASA instructors to build on your unique sailing skills while also learning from your fellow students who bring fresh perspectives and techniques to broaden your sailing knowledge. Solo travelers leave with more than sailing certifications, they gain new friendships, stronger communication skills, and increased confidence!

Private Sailing Courses

Learn to sail together with friends and family in paradise with a bespoke Bahamas sailing itinerary! Our Bahamas sailing school private courses include internationally recognized American Sailing (ASA) certifications and the chance to earn your International Sailing License (IPC). With no age restrictions and no requirement for every guest to participate in the course, this is the perfect balance of fun and education. While some of your crew learns the ropes, others can relax, snorkel, and explore the Virgin Islands at their own pace. It’s hands-on learning with a built-in vacation—the best of both worlds.

Go Sail Bahamas’ 5-star reviews on Yacht Charters say it all ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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"An eyeopener into life on a sailboat"

Go Sail Bahamas provided, my daughter and me, the best possible sailing, learning, and entertaining island and water experience. We achieved our goal of learning and getting certified to charter a bare boat in the most realistic and satisfying way. Captain Genevieve chartered for the ASA classes the appropriate boat for our experiences and desires. Captain Trevon, as our instructor and Captain, quietly assumed responsibility for the wellbeing of his crew and ship. At all times he checked on our actions, and made sure we were proceeding according to the rules and spirit of seamanship. First Mate Stephanie provided us with healthy, tasteful meals, great pictures and videos, and a reassuring graceful presence. The trip was organized as a sail around Bahamas, as a captain and crew would do in a sailing, exploration, and vacation setting. The one week trip could be replicated as a two weeks’ vacation in Bahamas, just by expanding the times spent in various places and adding more entertainment and recreation activities. For the aspiring Captains this is, in my opinion, the best first step to take in order to learn, experience, and practice chartering and coastal sailing a blue water vessel. Go Sail Bahamas has provided a professional, reasonable priced, and meaningful experience, enabling us to achieve our goals. I would highly and sincerely recommend Go Sail Bahamas to all aspiring sailors of any level of experience for its classes and trips. Captain Genevieve is one of the best persons to guide and help anyone in the sailing world. It is an honor and a privilege to work with her anytime, anywhere.

– Edi S | Google
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"Learned throughout the day"

It felt like a lot of growth happening in just a few days and each day felt pleasantly long but not overdone and there was something to be learned throughout the day.

– Marc G | Google
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"Allowed us to learn how to sail and develop confidence as sailors."

We had a great experience with Captain Genevieve at Go Sail Bahamas. Captain Genevieve kept us up to date and provided alot of good advise preparing and planning for the charter and the ASA training. She took all of the guess work and uncertainties away which made for a great sailing experience. We will definitely use Captain Genevieve for our future ASA classes and future bareboat charters. My wife and I cannot say enough good things about the ASA Sailing Instructor Captain Jalil Jacallen. His instruction was top notch. He was organized and he explained everything clearly so we felt very comfortable during the hands on sailing of the 44 Leopard. His knowledge of sailing is quite impressive. He answered all of our questions and provided plenty of time to practice. He is very patient and calm allowing us to learn how to sail and develop confidence as sailors.

– Mark M | Google
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"A unique experience"

It is a unique experience going from reading your manual, practicing the skills and then wrapping up the afternoon swimming with sea turtles. We took our student level in 2015 and then in 2021 we came back for our instructor course.

– Matt F | Google
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"I recommend Go Sail Bahamas without hesitation!"

I completed ASA 103 -114 with Captain Jalil and the only thing that surpassed his patience and passion for sailing was his expertise! A great week building and refining skills in a safe but challenging environment. I recommend Go Sail Bahamas without hesitation!

– Michael S | Google
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"A thoroughly enjoyable time learning to sail"

My wife and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time learning to sail with Go Sail Bahamas. Captain Jalil was awesome! He has a relaxed and comfortable manner, that allowed us to learn the ropes without making us feel pressured or nervous. He’s also a great cook and makes a delicious painkiller! On top of that, he’s also a wealth of information on the area—knows all the best places for snorkeling and dining. We made this trip with another couple, who are friends of ours, and the instigators of this trip as a steppingstone for future bareboat chartering and possibly owning their own catamaran. Three of us completed the ASA 103, 104, and 114 classes, and the fourth, who already had some previous classes/experience, completed ASA 106 and 118. I feel confident that, after these classes and hands on learning with captain Jalil, we will be able to do it mostly on our own next time. All in all, this was a wonderful vacation and experience, and will open up a whole new set of possibilities for future exploration. Thank you Go Sail Bahamas and Captain Jalil!

– Mike G | Google
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"Great Experience!"

Great experience, boat and instructor/ captain... would thoroughly recommend!

– Rob U | Google
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"Learning from each other"

It was nice to meet new people from other backgrounds in sailing, as well as parts of the country, and learn from them as well since it’s an interactive sport. It was great to have that ability to bounce things off of people and learn from each other.

– Todd F | Google
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"Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch!"

Attended a great 6 day catamaran sailing course in the USVI. Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch! Highly recommend!

– Trish M | Google
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"A super experience."

We took the Cruising couples ASA course through Go Sail Bahamas. Our captain/instructor was J.T. He is a wonderful teacher. Great sense of humour. Very patient with everyone. A super experience. Thank you J.T.

– Wendy T | Google
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"Absolutely perfect adventure!"

I had an amazing week of sailing and exploring the Islands with Go Sail Bahamas and Captain Genevieve Evans. First and foremost, Captain G is a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. She thoroughly explained concepts and maneuvers, demonstrating them as well, and then gave us the opportunity to practice throughout the week. She was extremely patient and helped to build my confidence behind the helm tremendously. Additionally, she knows the best spots on each island and made the trip not just about learning and growing as a sailor, but also enjoying time away. I will never forget this trip- if you have the opportunity to learn with Go Sail and Captain G, you won’t regret it. Thanks again Captain G for an absolutely perfect adventure!

– Sara V | Google
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"The whole experience did not disappoint"

The whole experience did not disappoint—truly a wonderful life memory. The boat was in nice condition and served us well. Captain J T Quinn was absolutely fantastic at teaching us and was so easy to have around. And doubled as a tour guide. We would recommend it to anyone.

– Matt B | Google
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"Sail Bahamas premium ASA course!"

We took the week live aboard sailing lessons for ASA 101,103,104,114 and it was awesome. Sailed around Go Sail Bahamas. Our instructor JT was thorough and a pleasure to be with. Thank you for an awesome experience. Already booked our next sailing excursion as a skipper!

– Stephanie B | Trip Advisor
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"I highly recommend!"

Just spent a week with Capt. Genevieve navigating around the Go Sail Bahamas, a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Her teaching style a perfect mix of coaching and hands-on, building my ability and confidence with each passing day. Completed ASA Sailing Certifications 101 103 104 114, such that I’ll look forward to returning next season to charter a boat with my family. We also visited their favorite moorages, snorkeling sites, and places to go ashore for food and fun. Even better, they both provide great hospitality with tasty food, a comfortable boat, and good company.

– Larry C | Google
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"Excellent Instruction!'

My family and I sailed with Captain JT Quinn, who provided excellent instruction and is just an all-around good guy. While I went through the hands-on ASA instructions for 101, 103, 104, and 114, my family was able to enjoy cruising around the Go Sail Bahamas. Every afternoon, we would anchor or moor in a bay where we would swim, snorkel, paddle board, and relax for the evening. I was nervous after reading the 4 books and preparing but JT made it really comfortable and easy to learn. He's very knowledgeable and answered every question I had. We shared stories and a lot of laughs. He and Go Sail Bahamas aren't just teaching people to sail, they are cultivating a community of sailors. That's what it's all about in the end.

– Tom G. | Google
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"So Rewarding!"

I can’t believe how much we learned while sailing with Captain G and Trevon! They explained everything so well and really helped us understand the art of sailing. We now feel confident to bareboat our own charter soon! This was definitely the way to earn our sailing experience.

– Ashley S | Trip Advisor
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"Phenomenal Experience!"

Our week-long catamaran sailing instruction for ASA 106, 114 and 118 certifications was phenomenal! We chartered a week-long monohull instruction for our ASA 101, 103 and 104 certifications in Florida a year prior. There was no comparison with our Go Sail Bahamas live aboard experience far exceeding our expectations. Sweet & Salty, the 44' cat, was spacious, clean and well provisioned. Trevon is an exceptional instructor. He has a depth of knowledge and experience, was patient and tailored his coaching to our individual needs. Thanks for the learnings, experience and memories! Shirley, Eric and Jeff.

– Shirley E. | Trip Advisor
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"Exceeded Expectations"

The folks at Go Sail Virgin Islands are wonderful to deal with! From my first inquiry they were very responsive and attentive with clear and timely proactive communications. They provided all the information I needed, including pricing with no hidden fees, in order for me to make an informed decision, and with no pressure. They delivered on every promise and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them whether you want to charter or learn, or both. Captain Jalil has years and years of sailing experiences (in addition to a multitude of other interesting life experiences) that have provided him with a wealth knowledge that he humbly shares. He is gentle, kind, clear, wise, practical and is a very good communicator and chef! Without yelling or shaming, he explains and encourages with patience and enthusiasm to help his students understand the “in and outs” and “how’s and why’s of sailing at any level. You will not be disappointed!

– Paul H | TripAdvisor
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"JT is an amazing Captain"

My husband and I had been looking for a company to learn to sail with. He is experienced and I am not. From the start the owner made everything seem so easy and seamless. We initially picked this company because we could study ahead and spend the time on the boat with practical things. Out captain JT was AMAZING and we will be using his again when we charter out next cruise. He allowed up ample hands on time and was very knowledgeable. If you did not comprehend something one way he explained it he was so patient and tried another approach. We adored him. Don't hesitate to use this company.

– Dee W | TripAdvisor
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"Outstanding"

We just completed an amazing sailing course with Go Sail Bahamas completing ASA 103, 104 &114. Captain Trevon and his first mate Stephanie were outstanding. Trevon’s knowledge and experience was exceptional as was his teaching ability. Stephanie provide first class food and assistance with procedures during our 7 day course. Also their company and off shore visits was very much appreciated and made for an enjoyable life time experience 👏👏

– Chris F | TripAdvisor