Inspired by the crew of the Tern? Always wanted to chart your own voyages on the open sea or rig and crew small boats like a salty pro? NOLS coastal sailing courses are unique opportunities to experience hands-on professional instruction in sea travel and quality seamanship. Whether in Drascombe longboats or keelboats, from one month to a full semester on the water, see what NOLS has to offer prospective sailors:

	Baja Coastal Sailing places students in Drascombe long-boats for 22 days of exploration and discovery of marine and coral life along the remote coastlines of the Baja Peninsula. Students learn the dynamics of small boats in a variety of weather conditions and develop coastal travel skills, hazard assessment, signaling and VHF radio procedures.
	During the Baja Ocean Semester there are two sailing sections so students can experience the differences between longboat and keelboat sailing, in addition to sea kayaking, while traveling from Bahia de Los Angles to NOLS Mexico Headquarters in Bahia Concepcion. Students typically travel during the height of the bird and marine life season, allowing them to observe vast ecological diversity while honing their skills in seamanship and small boat sailing.
	Semester in the Pacific Northwest contains a sailing section that cruises the Discovery Islands in British Columbia’s most northern region in the Strait of Georgia. In two 34-foot sailing crafts, the students master rigging, knots and helmsmanship, and develop decision-making abilities through assuming the position of “first mate” of the day.
	Semester on the Borders allows students to experience a sailing section in the Gulf Islands in the northern region of British Columbia’s Straits of Georgia. The students board two 36-foot sailboats where they will learn to crew, navigate and live on these intrepid sailing crafts in the cooler regions of North America.
	The spring Semester in New Zealand has recently introduced a ten-day coastal cruising section in Cook Strait and Marlborough Sound off the South Island coast. Students will travel on 30-45 foot keelboats and learn the fine points of living on and running larger sailboats—including coastal navigation, capsize emergency procedures, docking and anchoring—giving the students a general background in effective seamanship.