Learn to Sail in San Diego: Year-Round ASA Training with SailTime San Diego
Is this the year you learn to sail in San Diego? SailTime San Diego is the place to learn on the Big Bay in America’s Finest sailing city!
Learn to Sail in San Diego: Year-Round ASA Training with SailTime San Diego
If you’ve been dreaming about learning to sail — or taking your existing sailing skills to the next level — SailTime San Diego is the perfect place to do it. Located in the heart of San Diego’s Big Bay, our sailing school is based at the well-equipped Harbor Island West Marina. From this ideal home port, we offer a full range of American Sailing (ASA) certified lessons aboard our modern fleet of new sailboats designed for the perfect learn to sail experience.
Whether you’re brand new to sailing or an experienced sailor looking to build on your skills, we’re here to help you achieve your goals, all while enjoying San Diego’s unbeatable year-round sailing conditions.
Meet the SailTime San Diego Team
SailTime San Diego is led by Base Manager Keenan Hirsh, a lifelong sailor with deep roots in San Diego’s maritime community. Growing up in a family that owns and operates Harbor Sailboats, Keenan spent his formative years racing, teaching, and exploring the waters of San Diego Bay. For him, sailing isn’t just a profession — it’s a lifelong passion that continues to inspire his work today.
Keenan recognized the growing demand among sailors for easy, flexible access to high-quality yachts without the full commitment and costs of ownership. That’s what drew him to SailTime — a program that perfectly balances the desire to sail regularly with freedom from the hassles of maintenance, insurance, and slip fees. Under Keenan’s leadership, SailTime San Diego offers an exceptional combination of world-class sailing education and a membership program that helps more people get out on the water, more often.
ASA-Certified Sailing Lessons for All Levels
Our sailing school offers a complete progression of ASA courses, including:
- ASA 101 – Basic Keelboat Sailing
- ASA 103 – Basic Coastal Cruising
- ASA 104 – Bareboat Cruising
We can tailor your learning plan whether you’re starting from scratch or picking up where you left off.
Learn-to-Sail Vacations: Live Aboard and Train
One of our most popular offerings is our live-aboard, learn-to-sail vacation program. Over the course of five days on the water, you’ll live aboard one of our comfortable new sailboats, gaining hands-on experience and progressing through certifications up to ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising.
- Includes airport pickup, bedding, and a fully prepped boat — just bring your enthusiasm!
- Complete your certifications successfully, and enjoy a 6th day of sailing on us, at no charge.
- This program is perfect for visitors looking to combine an unforgettable learn to sail San Diego vacation with world-class sailing instruction.
Flexible Scheduling for Locals
For San Diego locals or those unable to take a full week off, we offer flexible course options:
- ASA 101/103 combo (3 days)
- ASA 103/104 combo (4 days) — includes the valuable experience of spending a night at anchor
We’ll work closely with your schedule to find lesson dates that align with your lifestyle, whether you prefer weekdays, evenings, or weekends. Many of our students, after gaining confidence on the water, continue on to join our SailTime membership program—enjoying convenient, app-based access to a fleet of modern, professionally maintained sailboats without the high costs, maintenance, or long-term responsibilities of traditional boat ownership.
Why SailTime San Diego?
- Year-round sailing — With San Diego’s mild climate, sailing season never ends. You can learn to sail or advance your skills at any time of year!
- Modern, well-maintained boats — Our sailboats are comfortable, safe, and ideal for instruction.
- Experienced, passionate team — Under Keith Moore’s leadership, we focus on delivering an exceptional learning experience.
- Flexible learning paths — From single-day refreshers to multi-day liveaboard courses, we help you chart a course that meets your goals.
- Your gateway to chartering — With your ASA certifications, you’ll be ready to charter confidently in destinations like the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or anywhere your dreams take you.
What to Expect from Your Lessons
Our ASA courses are focused on hands-on, on-the-water learning. From your first day when you begin to learn to sail, you’ll be practicing at the helm, trimming sails, docking, anchoring, and navigating. Our instructors are committed to helping you gain both knowledge and confidence.
If you’re flying in, we’ll help make your experience seamless — from airport pickup to providing all the essentials on board.
Join the SailTime Community
Whether you’re earning your first sailing certification as you learn to sail, returning to the sport after a break, or preparing for that dream charter abroad, you’ll find support and camaraderie at SailTime San Diego. To continue building skills you can go on to join our SailTime membership program, giving you regular, flexible access to sailing without the responsibilities of boat ownership.
Get Started Today
If you’re ready to learn to sail in San Diego now, we’re here to help you take the helm.
Contact us today to explore our course offerings, check availability, and reserve your spot. Let’s make your sailing dreams a reality!
