British Virgin Islands
Intro to Sailing, Scuba, Service & Watersports
This is your voyage if you are looking for a high-paced adventure that offers you an opportunity to give a little back to the BVI while having the time of your life.
On the Quest Voyage, you will become a seasoned sailor, experience scuba diving, hike, paddleboard, sail dinghies, explore the islands and earn up to 10 hours of community service by participating in projects such as turtle population studies, mangrove reforestation, and beach clean-ups.
The Quest program sails between our fleets in the British Virgin Islands affording our students the opportunity to try a range of exciting sports and activities and many of the activities. Besides mastering sailing, you’ll also wakeboard, windsurf and explore the islands. On our sailing summer camp, you’ll sail the incredible waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, snorkel through the famous Coral Gardens and hang out at ‘Sydney’s Peace & Love’ with other AQ crews from around the world.
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Appropriate Age
13 - 17 (session dependent)
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Student Groups
Typically grouped aboard within +/- 24 months of age
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Students & Staff
12 students & 3 staff per vessel
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Vessel Type & Fleet Size
Monohull or Catamaran / 1 vessel sailing as part of our 14 boat fleet
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Flotilla Grouping
Quest is a unique program that bounces between our fleets, experiencing a range of activities and locations
| Dates | Days | Availability | Tuition | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 6/15/25 - 7/5/25 | 21 | Open | $7,370 | ||
| Session 2 | 7/7/25 - 7/27/25 | 21 | Open | $7,370 | ||
| Session 3 | 7/29/25 - 8/7/25 | 10 | Open | $3,970 | ||
The Adventure
It all starts here
ARRIVING TO ACTIONQUEST IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Your adventure begins! The majority of students will be flying to St. Thomas (STT) in the US Virgin Islands . For students flying via STT, ActionQuest’s professional staff meet them and assist with the beautiful ferry ride to Tortola then on to the entire camp which awaits you in West End, Tortola. There you will go through the formal check in process and make your way to your new comfortable and clean floating home. For those flying directly into the BVI (EIS), students are met by an airport representative.
Students then get to spend the rest of the first day of their community service summer program preparing for life aboard and getting to know one another while the sun sets behind the dock.
QUEST Itinerary (Days 6-10)
via Vixen Point, Anegada, and Mt. Point
- Day 6 – Now in the North Gorda Sound, spend an activity rotation day snorkeling, skiing/wakeboarding and windsurfing.
- Day 7 – Activity rotation day! Spend time with the GoBeyond group doing service projects. In the evening you get to practice your dance skills during the incredible ActionQuest Beach Party!
- Day 8 – Time for a real sailing passage! Spend your day sailing to the beautiful island of Anegada and play on its white sand beaches for lunch.
- Day 9 – Activity rotation day at Mt. Point! snorkel the swim through cave, dinghy sailing, and big boat handling practice.
- Day 10 – Activity rotation day! Skiing/wakeboarding, more big boat handling practice.
Quest Itinerary (Days 2-5)
via West End, Norman Island, Savannah Bay, and The Baths
After the first night spent sleeping in your new floating home alongside 11 other students, your community service summer program begins…
- Day 2 – Embark on your first sail to Norman Island, snorkel the caves. In the evening join GoBeyond and learn about service work!
- Day 3 – Long practical sailing day en route to the beautiful Savannah Bay on Virgin Gorda.
- Day 4 – Activity rotation day! Hike to windward side of island, ski/wakeboard, and windsurf.
- Day 5 – Explore “The Baths”, a truly world famous site, then enjoy your first time in port in Spanish Town. Afternoon sail to North Gorda Sound.
QUEST Itinerary (Days 17-21)
via Peter Island, Salt Island, Road Town, and West End
- Day 17 – Race #1 & #2. Test your skills in 2 high speed races against the rest of the fleet.
- Day 18 – Today you get to snorkel the famous wreck of the Rhone, hike to the top of Salt Island and finish with a movie night.
- Day 19 – Shore day in Road Town, Tortola’s capital!
- Day 20 – Begin the last full day of your community service summer program with your final race against the other boats, then spend the evening soaking it all in with a BBQ in West End.
- Day 21 – Fly Day!
QUEST Itinerary (Days 11-16)
via Muskmellon Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Sandy Spit, and Jost Van Dyke
- Day 11 – While other students scuba dive, the Quest students snorkel through epic shallow water canyons. Finish the evening with some time on shore with a Lifeworks Forum at Marina Cay.
- Day 12 – Laundry day. Explore the local artwork at Trellis Bay shops, and enjoy the quick sail to Muskmellon Bay on the north side of Tortola.
- Day 13 – Turtle Tagging! Join the GoBeyond fleet to help with some incredible service work. Finish the day with a camp wide beach BBQ!
- Day 14 – Back to Muskmellon Bay for your final activity rotation day! Finish the day with a relaxing downwind sail to Cane Garden Bay.
- Day 15 – Start the day with a camp wide hike up Mt. Sage, compete in a camp wide sand castle contest, and finish the day at Sydneys Peace and Love for dinner.
- Day 16 – Sailing Exam! Time to put all your sail training to the test as you take your IYT International Crew sailing exam.
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Time to Say Goodbye
There’s always a mix of emotions on departure day. The excitement to go home is always overwhelmed by the realization that the Adventure is over and that it’s time to say goodbye to the people you’ve grown so close to over the last few weeks. Day 1 will simultaneously seem like the day before and a lifetime ago as you and your crew take a private ferry for the last leg of your journey together.
“Lucy seems older and more mature even after only a few short weeks with ActionQuest. She has come back not only with great stories and insights, but she seems more independent and is focusing on things that matter. She seems more grateful and aware of her place in the world. What more could I ask for?!”
Need More Information?
Certifications
On top of all the other fun adventure sports and activities during the Quest water sports summer camp, you’ll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
Sailing Certifications
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IYT Introductory Sailing Skills
This sailing course is designed for students with limited previous experience with the goal of providing a well-rounded, introductory knowledge for crewing a sailing vessel (monohull or catamaran) up to 50-ft…
Learn More >
Discover Scuba
Have you always wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? If you want to try scuba diving but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is for you. While not a scuba certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world, and no prior experience with scuba diving is necessary!
Need to Know
Is this adventure right for me?
The Quest Voyage is very similar to the Vega Voyage (our biggest and broadest program). The primary difference between the Quest and Vega programs is that the Quest substitutes the PADI scuba diving certification for around 10 hours of community service by participating in established, local environmental projects. Quest students sail aboard one specific vessel so we can maintain a flexible itinerary and make the best of what’s happening within the BVI and AQ communities. On the water, we learn to sail during our exciting introduction to sailing course, water skiing, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding, and an introductory scuba class is also included. Off the water, we’ll visit the islands, explore the towns, cook out on the white sand beaches and hike to the top of the tallest mountain. Quest is a real all-rounder and has a lot for everyone.
How many people go on this adventure?
Quest sails as an individual vessel alongside our larger flotilla. It’s a lot of fun sailing as part of a larger fleet, where you can interact with many other teens and staff from all over the world, but it’s also great to be able to split off for a couple of days and explore on your own.
How do you split up the ages across the boats?
We berth teens aboard based upon their age and grade. We try to make this as appropriate as possible and typically you can expect to be aboard with other students within about a couple of years of your own age (plus or minus). Please contact us if you have any specific considerations in this regard.
What type of boat will I be on?
Quest typically runs exclusively aboard double-hulled yachts (catamarans), but we also use monohulls (single-hull vessels) when available. We use only the finest charter yachts available, all of which are in the 50-foot range. Each vessel has 5 cabins, a large salon that converts to a 6th cabin, and 4 full bathrooms (heads). The world’s largest charter company, Moorings/Sunsail, maintains all of our yachts to the highest standard.
Where do we sleep?
From the moment you arrive at our overnight sailing camp, you’ll move aboard your yacht and live on board full-time. It’s true to say that living on a boat is A LOT tighter than living at home. With up to 12 students and 3 staff living together, it can feel cramped for those not used to it, yet this close community environment is where so much of the experience is created.
All of our vessels have 5 cabins and a large salon that converts to a 6th. While there’s just about enough room for everyone to sleep down below should it rain, on our typical clear and dry evenings many of us like to sleep out on deck, swinging in a hammock under the stars.
Who will be my staff?
AQ is proud to attract and recruit the best in our field. Our summer staff includes professional maritime captains, professional PADI dive instructors and medical professionals. Above all, we hire responsible and experienced facilitators and educators. All members of our team are dynamic, multi-talented, and passionate individuals with a devotion and commitment to the safety and experience of our students.
Two or three staff members live with you aboard your vessel full-time. There will be your skipper, your first mate who is typically your diving instructor, and a third staff member who could also be a diving instructor, EMT, Marine Biologist or someone with other special skills.
What's the food like?
At AQ, we strive to provide meals that meet the fundamental needs of all members of our team, yet when considering our experience, it is important to remember that there are natural limitations when provisioning in remote places and cooking for a large group on board a small yacht.
We understand that each individual has personal preferences and that some students have specific dietary restrictions or limitations. While we strive to accommodate these as best we can, our meals maybe a little different from what you are used to at home. We design our menu around meals that are simple to prepare, quick to clean up, suit the majority of teenager’s palates, and deliver the calories needed for long, busy days on the water.
Mealtime is often a highlight of each day! Students prepare all of the meals with help from the staff using a combination of packaged and canned goods we import from the US and fresh produce we pick up locally about every four days. While we mostly eat all meals onboard the vessel, occasionally, students have the option to eat at a restaurant during shore time.
After enrollment, we ask families to inform us of all dietary restrictions and allergies. We can accommodate vegetarians, and vegans, as well as those with various food allergies. However, if you have a severe allergy or specific dietary expectations, please call our office before enrolling.
What do I need to bring?
Given that all students will be living aboard a sailboat for the duration of their adventure, we recommend that you keep things simple and avoid over packing. Students are given the opportunity to do laundry once in the middle of the trip, so there’s no need to pack several weeks’ worth of clothing.
Our hope is that families will have minimal purchases prior to the trip, so we’ve compiled our packing lists in a way that you’ll find most of what you need in your closet at home. Around mid to late March, we make available our Pre-Trip Packet to enrolled students, which contains a detailed packing list for this year’s adventures. If you’d like to see last year’s packing list as an example, you can download it here.
Nitty Gritty
Are flights included in the tuition?
Since students join us from all over the world, the cost of transportation to and from the British Virgin Islands is not included in the program tuition.
Who should we contact to book travel?
Helping to coordinate our students’ travel is of vital importance – and a mammoth task! For this reason, we strongly suggest that all families start by contacting our travel coordinator:
Leah Hernandez – AQ Travel Coordinator
Tel: +1.281.528.7727
Toll Free: 800.329.9000
Email: leahctn68@hotmail.com
Even if you are not originating in the U.S., Leah will be able to provide options and guidance.
How do we get there?
Our recommended route is via St. Thomas (STT) in the USVI although students also have the option of flying to Beef Island (EIS).
Does AQ provide support on travel days?
Yes. We understand that travel days can be stressful for both parents and students, so no matter what time of the day or night, our office team actively monitors and supports our participants during travel. We require students to travel with a mobile phone with domestic data capability so we can monitor their progress and communicate directly if necessary.
For students flying via St Thomas, ActionQuest arranges for a staff member to assist with the transfer to Tortola via ferry. After arrival in Tortola, students are met at the ferry dock by more of ActionQuest’s professional staff, then collectively continue onto a taxi that takes them to the boats.
Looking for more detailed information on travel?
AQ Tuition Covers the following:
- All accommodation and group meals once the adventure is underway
- Vessel charter and related government fees
- Staff, local guides, and tips
- The use of all sailing, snorkel and water sports equipment (except for wetsuits, if needed)
- Sailing certification costs
Not included in the AQ tuition:
- Travel expenses from home to the program start location in the British Virgin Islands – flights PLUS ferry, taxi, baggage, taxes, visas, etc. (est. add’l $235)
- Required emergency evacuation insurance & International SOS and MedAire Membership (est. $100) LEARN MORE >
- Medical insurance, and optional trip cancellation insurance
- PADI required course books and materials (est. $53)
- Spending money for souvenirs, drinks/meals ashore – We recommend $300 – $350.
- Emergency money for unanticipated events such as doctors visits etc. – We ask that all students bring $300, which is held by staff and returned at the end of the program.
Discounts and Savings
- A one-time total tuition fee deduction of 5% is granted for any two adventures or for two or more students from the same family.
- Any two consecutive programs may be joined to form one extended course. In the interim between programs, students stay with staff. The total cost is determined by combining the cost of each program and subtracting the 5% extended course discount. (This discount also applies toward any trips adjoining our sister program GoBeyond.) ActionQuest and/or GoBeyond enrollment for any two programs in the same summer will be considered as a single extended program in the event of withdrawal or dismissal from the trip at any time.
Travel Docs & Visas
All students traveling to the BVI need to have a passport which is valid for a minimum of three months after the date of departure from the BVI. Visitors from certain countries other than the US, UK, and Canada may require visas.
For the most up-to-date and thorough information, please visit travel.state.gov. Students traveling on non-U.S. passports should verify passport and visa requirements for your nationality by contacting your local British Embassy or consulate or the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office.
One important point to mention is that most students joining us in the BVI do so by flying via St. Thomas, which is part of the US Virgin Islands. This means that those students not flying on a US or Canadian passport need to consider whether they need to apply for a U.S. visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Please call us with any questions.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
We do not currently require proof of vaccination in order to enroll.
Other Immunizations
For visiting the BVI, the CDC recommends that all travelers are up-to-date on routine vaccinations that most of us had as children (measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine.
That said, we understand that families have varying opinions on vaccinations. Some greatly desire the precaution; others prefer to avoid possible side effects of certain medications. Coupled with the fact that each student has unique medical considerations known best by his or her doctor, AQ does not supply medical advice. For this reason, we recommend that all families refer back to the expertise of the CDC from time to time (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel), their health care providers, and/or a travel clinic to gain the most up to date information.
Living in the moment
Though the fundamentals of our adventures don’t change, specific logistics evolve as we get closer to the summer and then day by day based on weather. The animated map along with the adventure overview portions on this page should give all families a basic understanding of the kinds of activities we do on the voyage. We also suggest looking through last summer’s Trip Logs for a more detailed travel log created by the students.
With this in mind, we encourage all participants to “live in the moment”. Traveling by boat requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. We hope you’ll take any bumps in your stride, and enjoy the adventure!
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