Welcome to Big Blue Sailing School, where sailing is for everyone! Looking for sailing lessons in BC or hoping to enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the water around the Gulf Islands? Contact us today, and let’s set sail!
Big Blue Sailing is a proud Sail Canada-certified sailing school based at the beautiful Canoe Cove Marina near Victoria on Vancouver Island. We specialize in providing hands-on sailing lessons in BC and unforgettable skippered sailboat charters around the stunning Gulf Islands.
Have you ever dreamed about feeling the sea breeze in your hair but don’t know where to start?
Well, you’ve come to the right place! At Big Blue Sailing, we have a passion for the sea, and our mission is to share this joy with everyone. No matter if you’re a complete beginner or chasing your next great adventure.
Join us today and enjoy:
Dive into our story and discover why Big Blue Sailing is the perfect place for you.
At Big Blue Sailing, find a package just for you:
You don’t need any prior sailing experience to start! Our sailing lessons in Vancouver Island are designed for beginners and more experienced sailors alike. So don’t worry if you have never been on the water before! Our instructors will guide you step-by-step, teaching you how to navigate the water confidently.
Ready to dive in? Book your course today!
We offer a range of sailing lessons for all levels, including:
Want to learn more? Check out our courses here.
Here’s a list of essentials to bring on your sailing adventures:
We’ll handle everything else, including meals and sailing gear. Got questions about packing? Contact us for more info.
Our courses vary and can be tailored to your schedule. We offer:
Want to book your course? See available dates here.
Yes, we offer private sailing charters for groups, families, and corporate events as both half-day excursions and multi-day cruises. Our skippers promise an unforgettable experience on the water. Looking to book a charter? Learn more and book here.
Booking is a snap! Just reserve your spot through our website. If you need help or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Ready to get started? Book your spot today!
Absolutely! Sailing is a fantastic activity for people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re new to sailing or have some experience, our courses are fun and accessible for everyone. Curious if sailing is for you? Get in touch and ask us more!
Your next adventure is just a click away. Whether you’re ready to learn the ropes or explore the stunning Gulf Islands, we’ve got the perfect course or charter for you. Let’s make it happen!
Hear from those who’ve sailed with us and discovered the joy of adventuring on the water.
EXCELLENT Based on 67 reviews Hanne Devreese2024-10-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a fantastic first-class experience! We did a one-day trip for our 20th anniversary and truly enjoyed our sailing experience with Paul! We enjoyed learning how to sail and being on the boat through the Gulf Islands. Paul is passionate, kind, patient, professional, and a fantastic trainer. Thank you very much for this memorable experience, Paul! Allan Helton2024-10-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul Bull is calm and knowledgeable. He is a good teacher, patient, and explained concepts well. His passion for sailing and educating others shone through! Paul has competent seamanship beyond just being a sailor. He is very personable and friendly and a great cook. We have been on guided trips (hiking, biking, kayaking) and on this sailing trip we had lots of input and choice. Paul taught us sailing skills appropriate to our expertise and comfort level. Michael Prytula2024-08-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Spectacular learning, sailing, sights, awesome anchorages, good food. well worth it on all levels. We were even blessed with seeing 3 killer whales. Paul is a very gifted instructor and very patient. We will be back for more! Diane Cruickshank2024-08-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The 5 day live aboard course with Paul was a great experience. I would definitely recommend it. Paul is very knowledgeable and patient. He’s also a great cook. The food was very wholesome, tasty and plentiful(especially the chicken satay). The French Press coffee in the morning was something I looked forward to. Thank you Paul for a wonderful week. Jos Devo2024-07-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I signed up for the 5 day basic crew course without any knowledge of sailing whatsoever. Paul is an extremely knowledgeable, confident, and patient instructor who is clearly passionate about passing on the joy of sailing. The trip was absolutely wonderful! From the minute we boarded until the minute we disembarked, it felt like we were with family. The boat is very clean and comfortable, large enough to move around freely without feeling like we are on top of each other. The food was well planned out and absolutely delicious (Paul you are a great cook!). The introduction to the Salish Sea as a playground was exactly what I was hoping for, having spent a night anchored in a different location all within a short distance from "home". I wouldn't hesitate to do this again, and I am looking forward to becoming more proficient and following a progression of more advanced courses every year! Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy the area! Amy C2024-07-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had the most amazing 5 days with Paul! I had some dietary restrictions and he met them with ease. It was the perfect balance of learning and enjoyment. Would highly recommend Big Blue to anyone considering a sailing course. Radek Stepan2024-07-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul is a treasure as a sailing instructor! His patience and expertise made my first keelboat experience truly incredible. He even seemed to have "planned" a surprise orca sighting for us - talk about going above and beyond! I'm eagerly looking forward to more courses with Big Blue. If you want to learn sailing from the best, Paul's your guy! Wendy Erlanger2024-07-03Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Big Blue Sailing is the place to go! An amazing experience! We recently hosted a small family birthday party for an afternoon of sailing on board their 36’ sailboat. Captain Paul could not do enough for us to make this event memorable. Planning the event was easy. We were all invited to help manage the boat if we felt comfortable. And Paul provided enough instruction to make “boat and ocean life” interesting and so enjoyable. We would highly recommend Captain Paul and his chartering company to anyone who is looking for a well-rounded day (or days) at sea. Grant Diener2024-06-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We took the Start Keelboat Weekend format course and it was excellent. Paul was very knowledgeable and very patient with us with all our questions. He tailored the weekend to our needs while at the same time ensuring that we covered all the course objectives over the weekend. We look forward to taking the next course with Paul. Chris Welsh2024-06-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an absolutely first class trip. Paul’s sailing expertise is palpable, and he teaches in a very relaxed, laid back and engaging manner. It was always a pleasure to sail and learn from him. His knowledge of the area is vast and so we always found beautiful, secluded and sheltered anchorages. He is a hugely personable character. Even though I was the only student on the course, he still ran the full 5 days, and we never ran short of conversation, especially as we were joined by his brother. He tailored the trip as I wanted it, and was happy to prioritise mileage, scenery, whale watching or anything else that fit with the time available. It was very easy to get to from Vancouver; just a 15 minute walk off the Swartz Bay ferry. I learnt so much in 5 days, enjoyed it immensely and wouldn’t look anywhere else if I was to come back for another sailing course.
Have questions, concerns, or feedback? We’re here to help! Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Let’s make your sailing dreams a reality!
Sail Canada Certified Sailing School & Charter Company Canoe Cove Marina, Sidney, BC | Vancouver Island