Transatlantic Crossing
Alumni Invitational Transatlantic Crossing, Blue Water Sailing, 6 College Credits
This summer, we’re going to embark on an adventure that few people can even imagine — sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
Picture this: you’re part of the crew on the S/Y Argo, a 112-foot schooner, navigating open seas, conquering new challenges, and earning college credits while doing it. Normally, this incredible opportunity is reserved for gap year and college students, but this summer, we’re offering an invitation-only voyage to ActionQuest alumni ages 16 and up who are ready for something truly epic.
It all kicks off on June 15th, when 26 students meet in the British Virgin Islands. For the first five days, you’ll be adjusting to your new home on the water, diving into the crystal-clear waters for some recreational Scuba, and even starting your college courses. But that’s just the beginning. From there, you’ll set sail across 3,500 miles of open ocean, heading for the historic city of Málaga, Spain, with stops in the Azores and Gibraltar along the way.
This isn’t your typical AQ voyage. It’s full-on blue-water sailing, where leadership, teamwork, and real-life adventure take center stage. You and your team will be running the show while you cross the Atlantic Ocean, an accomplishment few can claim. The sense of achievement you’ll feel will be unmatched. And let’s be real, telling people you’ve sailed across the Atlantic is a flex that will stick with you forever.
Whether you’re thinking about college applications or just want a summer that’s truly next-level, this experience will shape you in ways you can’t even imagine. The skills you’ll learn, the bonds you’ll form, and the challenges you’ll crush will stay with you long after the trip ends. After all, we’re the sum of our experiences, and this one is going to be unforgettable.
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Appropriate Age
16-19 16-19 (Must turn 16 by September 1st)
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Students & Staff
26 students & 6 professional staff
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Vessel Type
S/Y Argo, 112ft. Schooner
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College Credit
6 Credits - Seamanship & Student Leadership Development
Dates | Days | Availability | Tuition | |||
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Session 1 | 6/15/25 - 7/24/25 | 40 | Closed | $13,970 | ||
The Adventure
It all starts here

See For Yourself!
Normally, our sleek, modern schooners are reserved for Seamester’s Gap Year & Study Abroad adventures, but this summer, it’s your turn to take the helm with AQ! Want a sneak peek of what’s waiting for you? Check out the video above and get ready for an epic summer you’ll never forget!
Arrival Day - British Virgin Islands
Your adventure is about to kick off in the most epic way! The moment you touch down, AQ’s pro staff will be there to meet you at the airport and take you straight to your new home—a 112-foot school ship waiting for you in West End, Tortola. Once you step aboard, you’ll go through the check-in process and claim your spot on this massive floating adventure.
From there, it’s all about settling in, meeting your crew, and getting prepped for the transatlantic voyage of a lifetime. As the sun sets over the dock, you’ll already feel the excitement building—this is the start of something unforgettable.
Voyage Itinerary
Crossing the Atlantic
Entering the open ocean can be daunting but once life at sea starts to become your new normal after you’ve gone through your station drills, man overboard scenarios, fire drills, etc. – it will be time to put your new skills to the test on this transoceanic passage. From here on out, the time at sea outweighs the time on land. You’ll cross the prime meridian, experience time slowing down, navigate the tradewinds, and make the currents work for you as you learn to soak in passage life. Make no mistake, as a student aboard one of our ocean going school ships you are not a passenger, you are the crew responsible for making the ship sail. You’ll be an integral part of a watch team sharing the responsibility of navigation, bow watch, engine checks, sail trim, and steering the ship to its intended destination.
Sample Trip Itinerary*
Area | Ports of Call |
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The Caribbean | British Virgin Islands |
Atlantic | The Azores (Portugal) |
Mediterranean | Gibraltar (UK), Malaga (Spain) |
*Please note that all destinations are weather dependent and subject to change. |
Transatlantic Itinerary
Learning The Ropes
Early on day two, we cast our lines and the journey begins. As with all voyages, the first few days of the program are a crash course on how to be successful in your new environment. With the guidance of our staff, you’ll learn the ins and outs of how to live, work, and learn in such close quarters with others – from sailing to cooking and everything in between.
We will spend our days in the BVI going out for day sails which will provide the perfect playground for sail drills and applying the theory of sailing. During our time in the BVI, you’ll also have your first discussions for the seamanship and leadership classes.
A Typical Day…
There’s no such thing!
When you’re crossing the Atlantic on a traditional sailing vessel, “typical” isn’t in the vocabulary. Every day is a new adventure, packed with surprises and challenges.
Living aboard means you’re part of everything—there’s no sitting on the sidelines. You’ll be up at 2 AM, standing watch under a sky full of stars, keeping an eye on the ship’s systems, and making sure everything is running smoothly. You’ll be planning, provisioning, and cooking meals for your crew, pulling your weight as an essential part of the team. By the end of this journey, you won’t just feel like a passenger—you’ll know you played a crucial role in the success of an incredible expedition.
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 depart to the airport for the last leg of your journey together.
“The Atlantic crossing was an adventure I still talk about to this day and even became an integral part of my story in my medical school application. It was a thrilling experience to be such an integral part of a diverse team working together to navigate across an entire ocean. I saw so many things, big and small, that I would never have been able to experience in any other setting. For example, I watched satellites zoom across a sky filled to the brim with stars, swam in dead-calm water that was thousands of feet deep, made dolphin sightings part of my daily routine, and discovered a love for the Azores hundreds of miles off the coast of Spain.”
Need More Information?
Certifications
On top of the cultural exploration and epic ocean crossing during the Transatlantic voyage, you’ll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
Sailing Certifications
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IYT International Crew
The IYT International Crew course is designed for students with limited previous experience, who are looking to become an active and competent crew member aboard a power or sailing yacht…
Learn More > -
IYT VHF Radio
The IYT VHF Radio Communications course is designed to ensure a thorough understanding of the entire spectrum of maritime radio communication…
Learn More > -
IYT Navigation Master
The Navigation Master Certification is a stand-alone course designed to enable the offshore mariner to safely navigate extended passages using traditional methods. It includes practical navigation exercises and sample chartwork calculations.
6 College Credits - USF
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Student Leadership Development
The purpose of this course is to encourage students to carefully analyze their responsibilities and commitments in the context of leadership for the common good and for purposeful change. Students will come to understand the concept of relational leadership and how it differs from traditional leadership theories. The course includes the study of leadership as well as the application of leadership theories, concepts, and skills. Students will also develop their own leadership potential through the completion of personal and leadership self-assessments, values exploration, and leadership skill applications through program activities.
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Seamanship
The Seamester Nautical Science course consists of both theoretical and practical modules and gives a basic understanding of the knowledge that is required to be an active crew member on board a yacht, whether power or sail. More advanced modules are aimed at increasing a student’s nautical knowledge sufficiently to be a watchkeeper on board a bareboat yacht, or a flotilla skipper in fair weather, in daylight hours within sight of land. Students will become safe boaters and be prepared to meet boating challenges. With this knowledge, they will have a lifelong source of recreation with safe, environmentally-friendly activities.
Need to know
Is this adventure right for me?
The Transatlantic is an epic sailing voyage that will take you from the British Virgin Islands all the way to Malaga, Spain. The main focus of this outdoor adventure camp is on cultural exploration and sail training. Over the 40 days, we visit multiple different countries and each landfall provides a totally different experience, as the ports of call are as varied as the local traditions, currency or languages spoken. This voyage is a perfect adventure for those with limited or no previous experience in sailing as well as for more seasoned sailors looking to do advanced sailing. For all students signing aboard, this voyage has a strong expeditionary feel. Onshore, we’ll visit the islands, explore the towns, cookout on the white sand beaches, and hike to the top of some of the tallest mountains.
How many people go on this adventure?
This Transatlantic voyage is one of our most exclusive programs, by nature of their being a very finite number of spaces available. On this adventure, you’ll sail aboard one of our 112 ft. schooners S/Y Argo or S/Y Vela alongside 26 students and 6 professional staff. It’s quite the adventure sailing on a modern rigged schooner, where you can get to know each of your fellow students and staff from all over the world.
What type of boat will I be on?
This voyage takes place aboard our very own sail training vessel S/Y Argo.
Argo is an expertly designed 112-ft two-masted staysail schooner with room for 26 students and 7 staff.
This vessel was designed and built to circumnavigate the world on our sailing adventures. This means that every sailing camp she embarks upon, a fresh batch of students face the challenge of spending many days or weeks at sea while crossing one of the world’s oceans. For those looking for a genuine blue water experience, then this is the perfect vessel.
When we built her we did so with safety, dependability, and ‘trainability’ in mind. We often refer to her as a “Big, Little Boat” meaning that we designed her systems in such a way that they are easy for students to understand and operate. Since our goal is to have students quickly reach the point where they are running the vessel, trainability is an important factor
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.
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 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 may be 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. 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 this outdoor adventure camp, we recommend that you keep things simple and avoid over packing. Students are given the opportunity to do laundry in the middle of the trip and are able to hand wash and hang clothes on deck to dry, 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.
Nitty Gritty
Where does the trip start and end?
- Trip start date – June 15th
- Vessel embarkation point – Tortola, British Virgin Islands (airport code EIS or STT)
- Trip end date – July 24th
- Vessel disembarkation point – Malaga, Spain (airport code AGP)
Are flights included in the tuition?
Since students join us from all over the world, the cost of transportation to the British Virgin Islands and from Malaga, 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: [email protected]
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 or direct 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. For students arriving into Tortola, a staff member assists with the taxi transfer to the dock.
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, 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, taxi, baggage, taxes, visas, etc. and travel expenses to return home.
- Required emergency evacuation insurance & International SOS and MedAire Membership (est. $175 – $250). LEARN MORE >
- Medical insurance, and optional trip cancellation insurance.
- 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.
Travel Docs & Visas
All students traveling to the British Virgin Islands need to have a passport which is valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from Malaga. Visitors from certain countries other than the US, UK, and Canada may require visas.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
We do not currently require proof of vaccination in order to enroll.
Other Immunizations
For visiting the British Virgin Islands and the Mediterranean, 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.
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 previous 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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