ASA CERTIFICATION COURSES:
3 student limit per 101, 103 & 104 class, unless family (4ppl max), allowing more time sailing.
ASA 101 and 102 are optional live-aboard classes. Students may choose to sleep aboard at the marina or find other sleeping accommodations. We offer our private cottage/guest house ($125 per night / first come, first served), located in Myrtle Beach. It is a 20-25 minute drive to the marina.
ASA 103, 104, 106, and 114 offer overnight anchoring and/or destination sailing. Students will be living aboard.
All courses require a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
FAQ: Why are your courses more expensive than most sailing schools in your region?
Our focus is not only to teach you proper sailing skills, but to immerse you into the cruising lifestyle. All of our individual courses offer a non-typical additional day of class allowing more time to improve your new sailing skills and absorb the information. Sleeping aboard, either at a marina or at anchor, are included in all of our on-board courses, saving you potential lodging costs.
American Sailing (ASA) individual courses:
Learn the basics of sailing in the Atlantic Ocean!
ASA 101 teaches the beginning sailor the required skills for the safe handling of a moderate sized keelboat along the coast/shore line. Learn basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards.
ASA 101
3 Days Optional Live-aboard
$900 per student
3 student maximum aboard
2026 Schedule:
March 20 - 22
May 01 - 03
July 10 - 12
September 04 - 06
November 06 - 08
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials, Testing
This course requires a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
Arrive to your destination faster and more comfortably.
Learn advanced sail trim and boat handling skills!
ASA 102 teaches the beginning sailor the required skills to skipper and crew aboard a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 30 feet in length by day in winds up to 20 knots. Gain "when and why" sail controls knowledge to improve your sailboat's overall comfortable-ness and performance. Depart, sail, and return with control demonstrating teamwork.
ASA 102
3 Days Optional Live-aboard
$900 per student
MBSS highly recommends that you take this course after ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising or ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising
3 student maximum aboard
Pre-Requisites: 101
Check Availability/Book Online2026 Availability:
May 29 - 31
September 25 - 27
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials, Testing
This course requires a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
Learn crucial coastal sailing skills: ocean sailing, inlets, tides, currents & more!
ASA 103 teaches the intermediate sailor the required skills to cruise safely as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat in near-coastal waters. Learn cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.
ASA 103
3 Days/2 Nights Live-aboard
$1050 per student
3 student maximum aboard
Our version of 103 includes one night anchoring at un-inhabited Bird Island.
FAQ: Why is your 103 more expensive than most sailing schools in your region?
Aside from being a 3-day live-aboard course (versus the typical 2 day non-liveaboard), our version of 103 also includes giving you the experience of one night of relaxing at anchor behind beautiful and un-inhabited Bird Island.
Pre-Requisites: 101
Check Availability/Book Online2026 Schedule:
April 03 - 05
June 05 - 07
August 07 - 09
October 02 - 04
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials, Testing
This course requires a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
A 50+ nautical mile ocean sailing advenure!
The "Monohull Pot-of-Gold" for most of our students, our ASA104 course is taught on our Beneteau Oceanis 390 or Elan Impression 444.
One night at anchor at Bird Island along with a 25 to 30 mile ocean sail to Bald Head Island, NC for an overnight stay is included to prepare you for life aboard. You and your shipmates will be meal planning and budgeting for the course. (A gift card is made available to you for provisioning.)
ASA 104 teaches the intermediate sailor the required skills to cruise safely as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions. Learn about provisioning, boat systems, auxiliary engines, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, anchoring / mooring, docking, emergency operations, weather, and more.
We are now offering ASA104 Certifications on our Ocean Sailing/Passage Training sailing adventures.
ASA 104
4 Day/3 Night Live-aboard
$1600 per student
3 student maximum aboard
FAQ: Why is your 104 course more expensive than other sailing schools in your region?
Our version of 104 is a four day mini-adventure, preparing you for life aboard. Anchoring one night at serene Bird Island, an un-inhabited barrier island, and a 50 nautical mile round-trip ocean sail to picturesque Bald Head Island complete this incredible course.
Pre-Requisites: 103
Check Availability/Book Online2026 Schedule:
April 24 - 26
May 22 - 24
June 12 - 14
September 18 - 20
October 23 - 25
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials, Testing, Meals while anchored
This course requires a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
Learn To Navigate From A To B...WITHOUT ELECTRONICS!
ASA 105 teaches the intermediate sailor the required skills to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. This is a theory course only, there is no sailing involved. The practical application of the material taught in this course is part of, and is a prerequisite to, ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising.
Self-Paced Online Course:
The course cost $380 and include an official ASA certification, textbooks, ebooks, additional study materials, software & online support. Also, instructors are standing by at all times to provide whatever help is needed.
In this course you learn the theory of navigation, including:
- Reading charts
- Using the instruments on board
- Understanding tide and current tables
- Converting courses and bearings for true, magnetic, and compass directions
- Dead reckoning
- Plotting a course
ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Self-Paced Online Course: $419
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
The class that ties it all together: Gain ACTUAL coastal cruising experiences!
ASA 106 teaches you to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions.
Coastal cruisers typically sail anywhere from 5 to 50 miles from shore, popping in and out of inlets, waiting for optimal ocean conditions to "get back out there".
Each day of ocean sailing presents new conditions, one day you may have that perfect 15 knot broad reach wind and one foot seas, the next you may find a 20-25 knot wind blowing from the direction you intend to sail along with the 3-6 foot seas on the bow that typically come with it. There may be multiple days you choose to motor the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), or similar, as the ocean conditions are not favorable. Myrtle Beach Sailing School has geared their version of ASA 106 with these challenges in mind.
Our multi-day ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising course allows you to plan then cruise a variety of 200+ nautical mile passages up and down the U.S. East Coast and Bahamas, piggy-backing our Ocean Sailing/Passage Training program. You will gain experiences of day and night ocean sailing, anchoring behind sheltered islands and coves, as well as making landfall at night.
Created for those that would like to learn to safely sail, day & night, and up to 200 miles offshore on multi-day passages. ASA 106 topics include safety and seamanship, weather and weather routing, day and night sailing, trip planning, navigation, man overboard practice, heavy weather planning and sailing, advanced sail trim, and more.
ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
This course is conducted during our Ocean Sailing/Passage Training adventures.
View our passage training schedule for all ASA 106 options.
This course requires a non-refundable 10% deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Pre-Requisites: ASA 104 & 105 (available as online study)
Included:
Instructional Materials & Testing, Meals while Aboard
*Itinerary for each passage may change due to conditions.
AVAILABILITY:
Hilton Head Island Sail (Coastal Passage)
April 26 - May 03, 2026
7 Days/6 Nights Liveaboard
1 guest/$2250 or 2 guest/$3250 (must choose the $800 per student ASA 106 add-on at checkout)
1 of 3 Cabins Available
Book online now!
Set sail on a seven-day round-trip cruise to Hilton Head Island, SC. This trip has been designed to assist you in gaining knowledge and confidence while coastal cruising, and covers a minimum distance of 320nm (nautical miles). Ocean sailing through the night, traveling the Intracoastal Waterway (and it's challenges), anchoring in remote locations, cooking and cleaning are part of the experience.
Myrtle Beach, SC to New York City (Offshore Passage)
June 05 - 14, 2026
Estimated 4 to 5 day passage
1 guest/$3200 or 2 guest/$4800 (must choose the $800 per student ASA 106 add-on at checkout)
1 of 3 Cabins Available
Book online now!
Prepare for an exhilarating offshore challenge as you embark on the first leg of our 2026 sailing season: a direct, non-stop passage from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to the iconic New York City skyline! This approximately 530-nautical-mile voyage, expected to take 4 to 5 days, is designed to immerse you fully in the rhythms and demands of true ocean sailing.
New York City to Portland, ME (Coastal Passage)
June 19 - 28, 2026
Estimated 7 Travel Days
0 of 3 cabins available FULL
1 guest/$3800 or 2 guest/$5400 (must choose the $800 per student ASA 106 add-on at checkout)
Book online now!
Get ready for a captivating coastal passage from the vibrant heart of New York City to the charming maritime city of Portland, Maine! This approximately 300-nautical-mile leg of your 2026 adventure, with an expected 7 days of travel, is a masterclass in diverse sailing, combining intricate navigation with picturesque cruising, promising an exciting and educational experience.
Portland, ME to New York City (Coastal Passage)
July 24 - August 02, 2026
Estimated 7 Travel Days
2 of 3 cabins available (must choose the $800 per student ASA 106 add-on at checkout)
Book online now!
Prepare for a captivating southbound coastal passage, tracing the stunning New England coastline from Portland, Maine, to the iconic New York City skyline! This journey is designed to be an exhilarating blend of scenic beauty, challenging navigation, and hands-on learning, perfect for expanding your sailing repertoire.
New York City to Myrtle Beach, SC (Offshore Passage)
August 07 - 16, 2026
Estimated 4-5 Travel Days
1 guest/$3200 or 2 guest/$4800 (must choose the $800 per student ASA 106 add-on at checkout)
2 of 3 cabins available
Book online now!
Be apart of the return sail from this extraordinary 2026 Maine adventure with an exhilarating non-stop ocean passage from New York City back to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! This approximately 530-nautical-mile voyage, expected to take 4 to 5 days, is a profound opportunity to synthesize all the skills you've acquired and experience the pure exhilaration of offshore sailing.
Master the timeless art of navigating by the stars
ASA 107 Celestial Navigation introduces the principles and techniques used to navigate by the sun, moon, stars, and planets. You’ll learn how to use a sextant, apply corrections for accurate altitude measurements, and calculate your position using celestial bodies. Key skills include converting time, determining latitude by the sun or Pole Star, and solving the navigational triangle to plot your location on a chart. Through practical exercises, you’ll gain the knowledge to plot celestial lines of position and advance them to determine your boat’s exact position during ocean passages. This course is essential for anyone planning long-distance voyages or who wants to deepen their navigation skills.
ASA 107 Celestial Navigation Online Course
ASA 107 Coastal Navigation
Self-Paced Online Course: $419
Pre-Requisites: ASA 105
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
Ocean sailing + overnight anchoring = Fantastic catamaran course!
Catamarans have been increasing in popularity the past few years, allowing for enjoying the cruising lifestyle as well as bareboat chartering in incredible locations. With their increased living space and flatter sailing qualities, catamarans typically offer more comfort than monohulls.
Our ASA114 course is taught on our Lagoon 42 TPI.
Three days of ocean sailing along with two nights at anchor at Bird Island is included to prepare you for life aboard. You and your shipmates will be meal planning for the course. (A gift card is made available to you for provisioning.)
ASA 114 teaches the intermediate sailor the required skills to skipper an auxiliary-powered sailing cruising catamaran of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day liveaboard cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of catamaran structure, components and features, performance under sail and power, boat systems, seamanship and safety, heavy weather operation, and emergency response.
ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran
3 Days/2 Nights
$1400 per student
Meals while aboard included
2026 Schedule:
March 27 - 29
April 10 - 12
May 08 - 10
June 12 - 14
September 18 - 20
October 16 - 18
Pre-Requisites: ASA 104
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing, Meals while Aboard.
4 individual students OR 2 couple limit per 114 class
This course requires a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
Learn the core concepts of celestial navigation
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement introduces the core concepts of celestial navigation, using a traditional sextant and a Nautical Almanac. You’ll learn how to calculate time conversions for navigation and determine sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for your vessel’s position. The course covers the operation of a traditional sextant, including taking accurate measurements of the sun and Polaris to determine latitude and longitude. By applying corrections and plotting your position on a chart, you’ll develop the skills to perform basic celestial navigation, ensuring you have a reliable navigation method, even when electronics aren’t available.
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement
Self-Paced Online Course: $419
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
Get rid of the docking blues!
Our one to two day course will allow you to practice docking and undocking in a variety of situations, including bow-in and stern-in slip docking as well as docking on an outside dock. This hands-on session improves your boat handling and dock line use allowing you to safely dock a 25ft to 45ft auxiliary powered sailboat.
Learn basic docking skills for boats with single inboard or outboard engines. Discover the basic theory and hands-on techniques needed to dock and undock boats in an efficient manner and without damage or injury.
ASA 118 Docking Endorsement
1-2 Students = 1 Day Course
3-4 Students = 2 Day Course
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
1 or 2 Day Course:
Saturday - Sunday
$325 per Student
2026 Schedule:
March 21 - 22
May 23 - 24
October 10 - 11
Book online now!
Learn all aspects of practical marine weather
A practical course that will indeed affect your decision-making when planning and underway, the ASA 119, Marine Weather Endorsement Course covers all aspects of practical marine weather and how to observe and forecast weather conditions using traditional maritime skills and modern technology.
During this practical and interactive online course, that can be taken as a prerequisite for the ASA 120, Radar Endorsement Course, learn how the appropriate knowledge of weather information can be beneficial when planning and adapting during short durations or extended voyages. This online class will ensure your navigation planning is safer, more efficient and more accurate.
ASA 119 Marine Weather Endorsement
Self-Paced Online Course: $419
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
There are no prerequisites for this course. While there are no prerequisites for this course, many students benefit from completing the ASA 105, Coastal Navigation Course before taking this course.
You can reasonably expect to spend approximately 40 to 60 hours on this course, depending on how much optional material you choose to cover. With the ability to start immediately and submit quizzes and discussion topics at any time (day or night), you have the freedom to work at your own pace and on your own time schedule.
Learn how to properly use small-craft radar to enhance offshore navigation.
Nothing beats radar for guiding your boat through the darkest night or the thickest fog. Radar enables you to plot a fix from just a single buoy or landmark, and it is the only navigation tool that tells you not just where you are, but who else and what else is out there with you.
The ASA 120, Radar Endorsement Course covers all aspects of practical radar usage needed to get underway. Learn how to properly and accurately navigate your vessel while underway and how to avoid any potential collisions at sea.
ASA 120 Radar Endorsement
Self-Paced Online Course: $419
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials & Testing
There are no prerequisites for this course. While there are no prerequisites for this course, many students benefit from completing the ASA 105, Coastal Navigation Course before taking this course.
You can reasonably expect to spend approximately 40 to 60 hours on this course, depending on how much optional material you choose to cover. With the ability to start immediately and submit quizzes and discussion topics at any time (day or night), you have the freedom to work at your own pace and on your own time schedule.
Test your sailing skills and get certified in 1 day!
For those with sailing experience, we offer a one day written and on-the-water test.
ASA 101 or 103 Course Challenge
1 Student – $450 per course, not per day
Lesson Length: 9am – until
Pre-Requisites for 101 challenge: None
Pre-Requisites for 103 challenge: 101
INCLUDED: Instructional Materials, Testing
All courses require a non-refundable $250 deposit. Once received, all instructional materials will be mailed to you.
Final payment is due twenty-one (21) days before you arrive and is paid via emailed invoice.
Please call Jason at 843-241-6874 to discuss and reserve.
Non-certification sailing lessons:
"Is sailing for me?" If you have ever asked yourself this then keep reading!
Our Introduction to Sailing class is perfect for those that have either never been sailing and want to see what it is about, or have tried sailing, liked it, and would like to learn a little more. Hop on board with your instructor, cruise thru the Intracoastal Waterway and out into the Atlantic Ocean. Sail 3 miles offshore rounding a "fishing-buoy", then kick back and relax while eating lunch on the return trip to the inlet.
Introduction to sailing
Great for families on vacation as well as individuals!
Pre-Requisites: None
INCLUDED: Bottled water, sports drinks, and chips. You may bring your own lunch and drinks if you would like.
$475 (Includes 2 Students)
$35 each additional
Lesson Length: 4 Hours / 10am – 2pm
6 Student/Rider Maximum
Practice your sailing under the watchful eye of an Instructor
Created to allow ASA students to develop their sailing skills and increase their time on the water at a reduced all-day rate. Hop aboard with your Instructor and use this time to work on your sailing skills.
Sailing/docking skills practice
$475 (includes 2 students)
$35 each add’l
Lesson Length: 4 Hours / 10am – 2pm
4 Student/Rider Maximum
What to bring?
Lunch, sunscreen and anything else you feel you may need.
Sail Trim Clinic
Course Overview:
Mastering sail trim is one of the most effective ways to improve your boat’s performance, and it all starts with a solid foundation in theory. Join us for this dockside clinic designed for sailors who want to understand how and why sails behave the way they do — and how to fine-tune them for changing conditions.
What You'll Learn:
• The principles of sail shape and how draft, twist, and depth affect performance
• The role of key trim controls including outhaul, halyard tension, Cunningham, boom vang, and traveler
• How to read telltales and what they reveal about airflow and trim efficiency
• How headsail and mainsail interact — balancing power and minimizing helm
• Trim techniques for different wind conditions (light air vs heavy breeze)
Ideal For:
• Sailors looking to sharpen their understanding of trim fundamentals
• Crew members who want to contribute more actively
This clinic emphasizes hands-on discussion and real-world rig inspection — all aboard a sailboat, but comfortably docked. No sailing experience required for this session, just a willingness to learn and ask questions.
Sail Trim Clinic
Cost: $180 per person
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: On board, dockside — no sailing required
Capacity: Limited to 6 participants
Includes: Lunch (Sub sandwich, chips, bottled water)
Pre-Requisites: None
2026 Schedule (maximum 6 students per class):