Liveaboard ocean sail training experiences designed to grow your skills, confidence, and readiness for bluewater cruising

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OCEAN SAIL TRAINING EXPEDITIONS WITH INSTRUCTION

With real experience comes real competence and confidence

Pelagic Blue Expeditions are exciting offshore sail training experiences that combine hands-on learning in the finest cruising grounds in the world. You'll develop skills in seamanship, navigation, heavy weather tactics, and vessel systems—while discovering if offshore cruising is right for you.

In proud partnership with John Neal of Mahina Expeditions, we teach the proven curriculum he developed over 30 years and 400,000 miles at sea, plus insights from our professional training and sailing experiences. Our program blends practical sailing with science-based education and experiential learning, preparing you for the challenges and rewards of bluewater cruising.

Every expedition includes a copy of John’s Expedition Companion and Offshore Cruising Companion (new for 2026 expeditions!) and builds on his legacy of thoughtful seamanship, confidence-building, and purposeful adventure.

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MORE THAN MILES

We strive to exceed expectations and offer the best possible experience for cruisers eager to master offshore voyaging skills in a safe, supportive environment—while making a positive impact on the places we visit. Our approach to seamanship is grounded in self-reliance, situational awareness, and shared responsibility.

We believe offshore sailing has the power to transform. It builds confidence, develops resilience, and invites deep personal growth. Preparation, teamwork, and the satisfaction of achieving ambitious goals are at the heart of every expedition. Each training expedition is carefully planned to provide a balance of instruction, challenge, and support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Highly motivated sailors keen to gain offshore passage making skills and experience including mastering seamanship, navigation, and heavy weather tactics with the ultimate goal of cruising on their own boats.

YOU ARE OFFERED

The opportunity to increase your confidence and safety at sea through a 100+ mile ocean passage and hands-on practice in both light air and heavy weather sailing.
To be fully involved in all aspects of operating and maintaining a modern ocean cruising boat—steering, watch standing, sail handling, anchoring, provisioning, cooking, boatkeeping, and maintenance.
A training experience that prioritizes safety, self-sufficiency, and practical decision-making to help you determine whether the cruising lifestyle is right for you.
The chance to learn about weather patterns, oceanography, and marine wildlife from experienced marine biologists with real-world fieldwork backgrounds.
By the end of your expedition, you’ll be equipped to make informed decisions about purchasing and outfitting your own boat—and take meaningful next steps toward your offshore goals.

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YOU WILL RECEIVE

3–6 hours per day of focused, hands-on instruction. See the Offshore Sail Training Objectives below for details.
A copy of John Neal’s Expedition Companion (116 pages), covering essential offshore cruising skills and best practices.
A supportive, engaging learning environment designed to help you build skills in traditional and electronic navigation, boat handling, and heavy weather tactics.
Three nourishing, balanced meals per day, prepared with care and using local ingredients and flavors when available.
Our commitment to answering all your questions and concerns about ocean voyaging.
A certificate of training and official letter of sea service, plus a skills checklist to support future sailing resumes, offshore insurance applications, or work/charter opportunities.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Whether you're planning your first offshore trip or leveling up for a future crossing, we’re here to help.

Explore the Sailing Schedule →

Apply for an Expedition →

PREPARING FOR YOUR EXPEDITION

Application and payment

Start by completing the short application form on our website. We’ll respond within 24–48 hours to confirm bunk availability. If space is available, we’ll send you a more detailed expedition questionnaire and medical form to complete. After we review your full application and accept you onboard, we’ll send an invoice for a $500 deposit to secure your berth.

The remaining balance is due within 15 days of acceptance if your expedition is in the same calendar year, or by January 1 of the expedition year if your trip is scheduled for the following year. Acceptance is based on berth availability and suitability for the expedition. If you are not accepted, any deposit you’ve paid will be refunded promptly. Your berth fee includes instruction, food, fuel, and moorage. It does not cover airfare, visas, meals ashore, personal expenses, or personal insurance.

Physical ability, health, learning, and safety

You should have at least intermediate sailing skills, a passion for sailing, and have completed some navigation learning. Safe and enjoyable voyaging relies on everyone working together, even in strenuous and mentally demanding situations. It’s crucial that all crew members can handle all onboard duties, including steering by hand (as we don't use autopilot) and working on deck in challenging conditions. If you exercise regularly, enjoy outdoor activities, are comfortable in and on the water, are in good mental health, and are not significantly overweight, you’ll be a valuable asset on board.

Our expedition members come from diverse backgrounds and countries. This is not a macho adventure; women are equal and valued participants. Training is tailored to different learning styles—either hands-on with practical tasks like reefing, charting, and anchoring, or conceptual with explanations, documentation, and procedures.

Before joining us, consider enhancing your sailing knowledge. We recommend starting with NauticEd’s free courses, Rules of the Road and Sail Trim, and strongly suggest completing their Captain Rank, which covers coastal navigation, safety at sea, weather, anchoring, and more.

Cancellation policy

In the unfortunate event you must cancel, you’ll receive a full refund (minus the $500 deposit) if we’re notified in writing at least 150 days before departure and we’re able to rebook your berth. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance. We recommend DAN Boater Insurance for global coverage.

Travel and trip cancellation insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance. We recommend DAN Boater Insurance for global coverage.

OFFSHORE SAIL TRAINING OBJECTIVES

Pelagic Blue Expeditions are exciting offshore sail training experiences that include mastering seamanship, navigation, and vessel systems. We’ve developed this unique training program with the goal of preparing you for coastal or ocean cruising on your own boat.

Safety Systems

Locate and practice wearing life jackets.
Safety harness: selection, fitting, and procedures.
Deployment and use of high lifelines versus deck jacklines.
Each person will practice Lifesling overboard rescue and retrieval.
Discuss the equipment list for assembling your own survival packs.
Identify and test all bilge pump systems and bilge high water alarms.
Locate thru-hull fittings and wooden plugs, and discuss maintenance.
Discuss fire emergencies and the location of fire extinguishers.
Locate and use the emergency tiller.
Review the first aid kit and inventory of the Adventure Medical Marine kit and discuss the prevention and treatment of common medical issues encountered in tropical and remote waters.

On Deck Procedures

Raise, reef, and stow the mainsail, including the use of lazy jacks, vang, and preventer.
Use a furling and reefable headsail.
Demonstrate points of sail and proper sail trim.
Conduct pre-departure, pre-passage, and daily rigging checks, including chafe prevention.
Properly cleat lines and tie knots.
Steer by compass and stars during night watch.
Work safely aloft; each person may go aloft at anchor or in port with a safety line attached.
Locate spare rigging and fittings and understand emergency rigging repair procedures.
Repair sails: sew sailcloth with a palm and needle and discuss sewing machines and sail repair kits.
Become a knowledgeable and competent watch stander.

Navigation

Chart selection and organization: choose the appropriate nationality of chart for a specific area.
Utilize BA and US Chart #1, Sailing Directions, Light List, and Cruising Guides.
Navigate using paper charts for plotting.
Determine course, distance, VMG, and ETA.
Coastal Navigation: plot courses, determine dead reckoning positions, and assess depths, hazards, currents, and obstructions.
Electronic Navigation: use MFD and laptop charting systems and discuss chart accuracy relative to GPS positions.
Employ radar and AIS for collision avoidance, landfall, and squall detection.
Celestial Navigation: calibrate and use a sextant, shoot, reduce, and plot a LAN.
Tides: learn to utilize powerful tidal currents effectively.

Boat Systems

Locate and practice wearing life jackets.
Review battery charging and monitoring systems and discuss alternative power options.
Understand the use, maintenance, and servicing of marine diesel and outboard engines.
Know which spare parts to carry for the engine, outboard, electrical systems, refrigeration, and watermaker.
Learn the use and maintenance of electric watermakers.
Understand the use, cleaning, and maintenance of marine heads.
Plan provisioning in foreign ports, store food goods properly, and manage meal planning and cooking while underway.

Storm Sailing Techniques

Discuss the use of storm staysail, running backstays, and storm trysail.
Practice heaving to and deploying tow warps astern.
Review the deployment of the Galerider drogue and Para-Tech sea anchor.
Examine the Queen’s Birthday storm results and the most effective storm management techniques for various hull designs and sea conditions.
Discuss preparation for storm conditions, including storm sails, bilge and pumps, deck and cockpit readiness, batteries, meals, and sleep.

Meteorology

Review sources of marine weather information, including VHF, SSB, Weather Fax, Navtex, GRIB files, Windy.com, PredictWind, and airports.
Demonstrate the ability to identify and explain various weather features.
Review cruise planning, including cyclone seasons, the use of Pilot Charts, and World Cruising Routes.
Study global prevailing weather systems and techniques for predicting and assessing surface currents and drift.
Examine the impacts of El Nino and La Nina on cruising areas around the world.

Anchoring

Choose the most suitable anchor and rode for different conditions.
Calculate the appropriate scope and swing diameter.
Identify optimal anchoring locations to avoid sea grass, coral, or rocks.
Safely operate the electric windlass and use the manual backup feature.
Mark and stow chain properly and use a chain snubber.

Communications

Utilize VHF radio for weather forecasts, communication, and distress signals.
Discuss various communication options for long-distance cruising.
Review advantages and disadvantages of maintaining various levels of connectivity while cruising.
Handle official procedures in foreign ports, including health regulations, customs, immigration, and port authorities.

Personal Development

Teamwork: Learn to work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Leadership: Develop leadership abilities through decision-making and responsibility-sharing.
Problem-Solving: Hone your ability to think on your feet and adapt to changing conditions.
Resilience: Build mental and emotional strength through real-world challenges.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Whether you're planning your first offshore trip or leveling up for a future crossing, we’re here to help.

Explore the Sailing Schedule →

Apply for an Expedition →

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