Learn to Sail at South Seas Island Resort on Florida's Gulf Coast

Overseen by the world renowned Colgate's Offshore Sailing School, the courses can be taken in a fast-paced three-day curriculum with full eight-hour days or a more relaxed five-day schedule in half-day sessions, which allows guests to enjoy the resort's other amenities including its two-and-a-half miles of white-sand beaches, swimming pools, eco-tours and more.

During the comprehensive courses, guests learn to sail in the island's surrounding backwater bays and tranquil Gulf of Mexico waters. Textbooks are sent to students in advance and each day begins with a classroom session ashore, followed by on-water instruction. The last day is time for review, testing, and sailing without the instructor aboard. Courses are held on the Colgate 26, the official training vessel of the U.S. Naval and Coast Guard Academies, and Maine Maritime Academy. Courses hold a maximum of four students, unless a family or couples traveling together choose a “buy the boat” option for up to five students.

Other sailing programs offered by Offshore Sailing School at the resort include Fast Track to Cruising®, two-hour sailing lessons, an Intro to Sailing class with six hours spent learning on the water over two days, Performance Sailing, ‘Tweens & Teens Learn Free family packages, private couple options, and more. Unique corporate team building and group regattas are also available. Offshore Sailing School has been based at South Seas Island Resort since 1975. Its founder, Steve Colgate, was inducted into The National Sailing Hall of Fame in October 2015.

Rates for the three-day Learn to Sail package start at $1,350 per person including the sailing certification course, resort accommodations, textbooks, Colgate Day Sailing certification, diploma and logbook, based on double occupancy. US Sailing certification is available for a nominal additional fee. Courses are open to all skill levels, minimum age seven with adult. For more than fifty years, America's #1 Sailing School has taught over 130,000 adults and families to sail or sail better. For reservations or more information on the sailing packages, please call 800-221-4326, email sail@offshoresailing.com, or visit www.offshoresailing.com. For more information on South Seas Island Resort, please call 1-800-533-5553 or visit www.southseas.com.