Most people booking their first liveaboard sailing course have the same cluster of questions they're slightly nervous to ask out loud: What happens on a typical day? How much are we actually sailing? Will I be studying or on the water? Do I get seasick? What do I sleep in? Is it weird living with strangers?
All valid. All worth answering. Here's an honest, detailed look at what a week of liveaboard sailing instruction actually looks and feels like — so you can show up ready instead of anxious.
ASA courses have a required textbook for each certification level. This is not optional reading — it is mandatory pre-work, and it makes a significant difference to how much you get out of your time on the water.
Here's why: the written exam happens on board, usually in the evenings. If you're reading the material for the first time while trying to also process the physical experience of sailing, you'll be overwhelmed and exhausted. If you arrive having read the book, the sailing makes the theory click into place and the evenings are relaxed revision rather than panicked cramming.
The textbooks are available from ASA and from us when you book. Budget 4–6 hours of reading per certification level. It's the best preparation you can do.
Beyond that, come rested. You'll be on deck by 8am most mornings and you won't want to be tired for it.
"By day three, every student I've taught has stopped asking 'what do I do next' and started anticipating. The boat starts to feel like a tool instead of a mystery. That moment is what liveaboard instruction is designed to create."— Chris Black, ASA Instructor & Captain
The number one packing mistake people make on a sailing course is bringing too much. Space on a boat is finite. A soft duffel bag is non-negotiable — hard-sided suitcases don't fit in boat lockers.
On seasickness: take medication before you think you need it, not after. The Bahamas is generally calm, but the first day offshore can catch people off guard. Having medication available means a delayed first dose never becomes an issue. Most students find they don't need it past day two.
Is it weird sharing a boat with my instructor?
Less than you'd think. The boat has its own rhythms and boundaries, and the cockpit feels like shared living space in the best way — like a really good road trip. Privacy exists in your cabin. Most students are surprised by how quickly it feels natural.
What are the bathrooms like?
Each cabin on our catamaran has an en-suite head (that's the maritime word for bathroom). There's a shower. It's compact, but it works. The water is from a watermaker and is perfectly fine.
What if I'm not a good swimmer?
You need to be comfortable in the water, but you don't need to be a strong swimmer. Life jackets are always accessible, and we'll go over safety procedures on day one. Most students with water anxiety find it dissolves quickly once they're actually on the boat.
Is it really an LGBT-safe environment?
Yes — not performatively, but genuinely. Amihan Charters is LGBT-owned and operated. How you dress, who you're with, what you call your partner, how you express yourself on the boat: none of that will be met with anything other than complete normalcy. That's the whole point of this company existing.
What if I'm behind the other students?
In a private course, you are the pacing. We go at your speed, full stop. There are no other students to keep up with, no one to feel embarrassed in front of. Instruction is calibrated entirely to where you are. This is the biggest advantage of private over group instruction, and it matters more than people expect.
From first tack to bareboat-ready — realistic timelines and the fastest path.
Every ASA certification explained, and which combination makes sense for your goals.
What to expect, how to thrive, and why the dynamic is different than you'd think.