British Virgin Islands
Intro to Sailing, Scuba* & Marine Biology with Watersports
Our most popular summer adventure program for good reason, Vega is the perfect choice for those with limited to no previous experience in sailing, scuba diving*, and marine biology.
Under the guidance of our licensed sailing experts and scuba diving instructors, you’ll have the opportunity to earn internationally recognized certifications in sailing and scuba diving* and immerse yourself in the world of tropical marine biology. And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll also carve out time for you to go wakeboarding, waterskiing, and paddleboarding.
Although the Vega program emphasis is on everything above and below the water, you and your crew will also get the opportunity to explore ashore. Whether it’s hiking Salt Island, exploring the Baths, or taking in a fiery sunset during a beach barbecue, you’ll discover the best parts of the British Virgin Islands. On completion of your scuba certification, you’ll also dive on the famous wreck of the RMS Rhone and see first-hand why it was voted best wreck dive in all of the Caribbean.
Get set for the summer adventure of a lifetime!
*While 98% of students select to scuba dive as part of their experience, we will substitute with other activities such as snorkeling and water skiing for those who do not dive.
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Appropriate Age
All teens
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Student Groups
Typically grouped aboard within +/- 12 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 / 6-8 vessels
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Flotilla Grouping
Vega shares a basic itinerary with Polaris, Carina, Quest, Aquarius, Divemaster & Barracuda
| Dates | Days | Availability | Tuition | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 6/17/24 - 7/7/24 | 21 | Limited | $7,370 | ||
| Session 2 | 7/9/24 - 7/29/24 | 21 | Limited | $7,370 | ||
| Session 3 | 7/31/24 - 8/16/24 | 17 | Open | $6,670 |
The Adventure
It all starts here
Vega Overview
Below you will find all the specific details about our Vega voyage, but there’s no better way to learn more about our summer adventure programs than to watch for yourself!
Vega Itinerary (Days 2-5)
via West End, Norman Island, Savannah Bay, and The Baths
After the first night in your new floating, your summer adventure program begins…
- Day 2 – Embark on your first sail to Norman Island, snorkel The Caves.
- Day 3 – Continue your sail training en route to beautiful Savannah Bay on Virgin Gorda.
- Day 4 – Activity rotation day! First scuba dive, waterski, wakeboard, and windsurf.
- Day 5 – Explore The Baths National Park, a geological wonder comprised of awe-inspiring granite boulders, then enjoy your first time in port in Spanish Town. Afternoon sail to Gorda Sound.
Vega Itinerary (Days 11-16)
via Muskmelon Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Sandy Spit, and Jost Van Dyke
- Day 11 – Time for your first open water dive! Finish the evening with some time ashore during a Lifeworks Forum at the top of Marina Cay.
- Day 12 – Explore the local artwork at Trellis Bay shops and enjoy some sail training to Muskmelon Bay on the north side of Tortola.
- Day 13 – Activity rotation day! Open water diving, dinghy sailing, and skiing/wakeboarding. Finish the day with a camp-wide beach BBQ!
- Day 14 – Become a certified diver on your final activity rotation day! Finish the day with a relaxing downwind sail to Cane Garden Bay.
- Day 15 – Start the day with a hike up Mt. Sage, compete in a camp-wide sandcastle contest, and finish the day at Sydney’s Peace and Love for dinner.
- Day 16 – Practical Sailing Exam! Time to put all your sail training to the test as you take your IYT International Crew practical sailing exam.
ARRIVING TO ACTIONQUEST IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Your international summer camp begins! The majority of students will fly into St. Thomas (STT) in the US Virgin Islands. For those arriving via STT, ActionQuest’s professional staff will greet you at the airport and assist with the beautiful ferry ride to West End, Tortola where the rest of the staff awaits you. From there we’ll take you through our formal check-in process and introduce you to your new floating home. You’ll spend the rest of the day unpacking and getting to know your fellow shipmates and staff, all while the sun sets behind the dock.
For those flying directly into the BVI (EIS), students are met by an AQ representative and taken to West End via Taxi.
Vega Itinerary (Days 6-10)
via Vixen Point, Anegada, and Mt. Point
- Day 6 – Now in Gorda Sound, spend an activity rotation day snorkeling mangroves, skiing/wakeboarding, dinghy sailing, and windsurfing.
- Day 7 – Activity rotation day! In the evening enjoy a BBQ and display 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 Mountain Point! Confined water scuba dives, dinghy sailing, and man-overboard drills.
- Day 10 – Activity rotation day! Final confined water dive, skiing/wakeboarding, and more big boat handling practice.
"*" indicates required fields
Learning to scuba dive!
Submerged in a completely different world – a world where “exotic” doesn’t begin to describe what’s in front of your eyes, that’s AQ Scuba…
Vega 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 dive 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 the 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!
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 your summer adventure camp 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.
“Wow, another truly unforgettable summer with AQ. I still remember back when I was first a Vega shipmate and shuddered at the very idea of living on a boat with a bunch of strangers. I believe that to this day my best decision was letting go of my reservations and giving this amazing place a chance. ActionQuest has truly changed every aspect of my life and I cannot thank you enough for facilitating that. I cannot think of who I would be if I had never come down here as a Vega. I hope that one day I might be able to come back as staff and change others' lives the way AQ has changed mine.”
Need More Information?
Certifications
On top of all the other fun adventure sports and activities during the Vega adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
Scuba Certifications
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Open Water Diver Certification
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba certification. Millions of people have started diving as certified PADI Open Water Divers…
Learn More > -
Coral Reef Conservation Specialty
Everyone likes to scuba dive in warm, clear water on a vibrant coral reef, yet many people know little about what they’re seeing or the importance of reef ecosystems, this course teaches you more…
Learn More >
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 >
Need to know
Is this adventure right for me?
Vega is our biggest and broadest summer adventure program, not just in the number of students who join us, but also in the range of activities we do and certifications we offer. It is the perfect program for teens with limited or no previous experience in sailing and scuba diving who are looking for an exciting introduction to these as well as marine biology and a range of other water sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, and wakeboarding. Off the water, we’ll visit the islands, explore the towns, cookout on the white sand beaches and hike to the top of the tallest mountain.
How many people go on this adventure?
You’ll sail with up to eight boats in a flotilla, each with 10 to 12 students aboard. 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.
How do you split up the ages across the boats?
Given that we have a number of yachts sailing together, this allows us to berth teens aboard based on their age and grade. Typically you can expect to be aboard with other students within about a year 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?
The Vega summer adventure program typically runs exclusively aboard traditional 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 which 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, 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, 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. Your staff will consist of a Skipper, Scuba instructor, and typically a third staff member from a variety of different roles (SCUBA instructor, EMT, Marine Biologist, etc.).
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, scuba and water sports equipment (except for wetsuits, if needed)
- Sailing and scuba diving 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.
Flotilla Sailing
Beyond the strong friendships that naturally form while living aboard a sailing vessel, one of the truly great and unique parts of AQ is the experience of sailing as part of a larger fleet, or ‘flotilla’ of boats.
A flotilla is defined as a group of yachts that voyage together and there are many reasons why sailing this way may be preferable for both a novice and more seasoned sailor. While 90% of all activities are done with your tight-knit team of 10 to 14 aboard, being part of a larger group is a ton of fun when we are ashore to explore, for a beach BBQ or party night! Plus, we’ll get some friendly competition going between all the boats on our race days! Flotilla sailing also offers the big advantage of having backup support if necessary. It allows us to have our advanced medical staff travel with the group full-time. It also allows our directors to interact with all of our students and staff, ensuring our high level of professionalism, instruction, and safety standards are being met.
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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