Intimate voyages for the modern mariner, where immersive learning meets breathtaking horizons.

Adventure,

Redefined.

Chart Your Course

We built Saltline with a simple idea: learn by doing, not by watching.

A black and white illustration of a compass.
  • Aerial view of a lush green island in the BVI with a sandy beach, surrounded by blue ocean water with shallow turquoise areas near the shoreline and a boat leaving a white wake in the water.

    Our Destinations

    Sail everything from Pacific Northwest fjords to Caribbean island chains, each handpicked for real-world challenge, beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

    Explore Locations
  • Two men on a boat, one at the steering wheel looking at a map, the other standing in the background holding a mug, over the ocean with a cloudy sky.

    Our Captains

    Get to know the instructors at the helm, working captains who coach, mentor, and share the hard-won lessons that never make it into a textbook.

    Meet the Crew
  • View from a sailboat's deck overlooking a river at sunset, with surrounding trees and distant mountains.

    Our Fleet

    Step aboard modern, well-equipped yachts designed for serious learning, featuring top-of-the-line systems, layouts, and safety gear.

    See the Boats
  • Person in a blue jacket using a smartphone on a marine navigation chart with navigational tools, papers, and a radio on a boat navigation console.

    ASA Courses

    Follow a clear, certified pathway from first sail to advanced skipper, building real seamanship through hands-on practice and international adventure.

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Meet the Captains

  • A man wearing an orange jacket and a black cap steering a boat on the ocean. The sky is cloudy with sunlight breaking through.

    Drew Bell

    FOUNDER

    Sailing since 2005

    Drew is an experienced sailor with a long history of training in the Caribbean and beyond, having sailed in over 15 countries with co-founder Matt. His early years on the water fostered a deep respect for the ocean and a strong commitment to helping others build their confidence and capabilities. With a calm, supportive teaching style, he guides students through real-world conditions and develops practical, dependable seamanship.

  • A man steering a boat at sea, wearing a black Arc'teryx jacket and white shorts, with cloudy sky background.

    Matt Hillhouse

    FOUNDER

    Sailing since 2005

    Matthew brings a background in aviation instruction to his work on the water, having trained and examined more than 125 pilot candidates before shifting his focus to sailing. His analytical approach, structured teaching style, and extensive sailing experience across multiple regions help students build competence through clear guidance and hands-on practice. His goal is to make learning organized, safe, and confidence-building.

  • Eric Penn

    INSTRUCTOR

    Sailing since 2010

    Eric Penn took a deep dive into sailing in 2010, starting with a World Cruising Club offshore seminar and later coming full circle by crewing a 56-foot monohull from Virginia to the BVI in the Carib 1500 with his friend Captain Matthew Hillhouse. A trial lawyer by trade and teacher by instinct, he loves passing on the skills and judgment needed to cross oceans safely, and finds that instructing keeps his own seamanship sharp. For the past decade he has kept a boat in the British Virgin Islands, where steady trade winds, warm water, and a chain of diverse islands make it his favourite place to sail.

Read Our Story

Our Waters

  • View of a lake with small islands and trees, surrounded by a forested mountain landscape, seen through a gap in tree trunks.

    Vancouver Island, Canada

    Navigate emerald islands and tranquil cedar coves before breaking into open coastal waters. One moment, you're gliding into a secluded harbour; the next, you're steering through ocean swells with mountains as your backdrop. Humpbacks rise, orcas cruise in formation, sea lions lounge on rocks, and eagles soar above. When the hook is down, hike shoreline trails, beachcomb quiet bays, or settle into a harbour pub.

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  • Aerial view of a coastal area with lush green forests, sandy beaches, and vibrant turquoise waters.

    British Virgin Islands

    Sail among more than 50 islands, moving from white-sand beaches to coral gardens alive with colour. Spend the day snorkelling reefs, swimming through sea caves, coasting over glass-calm lagoons, hiking the boulder mazes at the Baths, or beachcombing quiet coves. After a long day of sailing, drop an anchor near a beachside bar as music drifts across the water and the sky goes gold. Here, sailing is effortless, immersive, and unforgettable.

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  • Aerial view of a coastal resort with luxurious white buildings, surrounded by palm trees, overlooking clear turquoise water and a sandy beach under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

    Antigua and Barbuda

    A sailor’s dream, where steady trade winds fill your sails and turquoise bays shimmer against miles of white sand. Drop anchor in glass-clear coves once navigated by British fleets, wander the storied walls of Nelson’s Dockyard, then set your own course along coral-fringed shores. Snorkel Cades Reef, hike to Shirley Heights for sunset, or try a downwind kite or paddle on breezy beaches. Here, every gust carries whispers of old voyages, a living rhythm of skill, adventure, and discovery beneath an endless blue sky.

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  • A large rocky cliff with sparse cacti beside a body of water under a blue sky.

    La Paz, Mexico

    In La Paz, the desert meets the sea in a blaze of gold and turquoise. Sail through calm waters alive with dolphins and rays, past crimson cliffs and untouched islands where sea lions bask in the sun. Drop anchor on white-sand shores to snorkel coral shallows, swim with gentle whale sharks, and hike cactus-lined ridges to sunset viewpoints. Here, every horizon in the World’s Aquarium hums with wild, untamed beauty.

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  • A harbor with multiple boats floating on clear blue water and a coastal town with houses and palm trees on a hillside in the background.

    Croatia

    Croatia’s Adriatic is a chain of more than 1,200 islands where stone villages meet glass-clear bays. Sail reliable afternoon breezes, practice stern-to docking in lively harbours, then slip to quiet anchorages to sharpen your seamanship. Modern marinas open onto promenades lined with cafés, seafood tavernas, and wine bars. Wander medieval lanes, browse markets and galleries, rent bikes or paddle boards, then return to the quay as the evening lights come up on the water.

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  • An aerial view of a coastal area with lush green islands, a bay with sailboats, and a residential area on hilly terrain under partly cloudy skies.

    Grenada

    The Island of Spice is your gateway to the southern Caribbean, where emerald peaks rise over turquoise sailing lanes and anchorages scented with nutmeg and sea air. Ride steady trade winds along Grenada’s rugged coast to quiet bays, then head north toward Carriacou and the Grenadines, where palm-ringed cays and glass-clear water reward each passage. Between sails, explore forts and markets, snorkel the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, and enjoy the beach under the stars.

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Our Boats

Dufour 470 luxury sailing yacht at sunset in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, showing teak deck, sails, and rigging on calm coastal waters during an ASA certified liveaboard sailing course.

Dufour 470

Lagoon 55 luxury catamaran docked at a marina with a modern waterfront home and partly cloudy sky, ideal for ASA certified liveaboard sailing training and adventure charters.

Lagoon 55

A sailboat with black sails moving through the ocean water on a sunny day.

Charter Boats

You can have both.

View from a sailboat looking toward the ocean with a large cargo ship in the distance, showing the boat's deck, rigging, and the waves splashing against the side.
Saltline Sailing captains training onboard in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, with one captain charting a course on a nautical map and the other on deck at the helm holding a mug on open water under a cloudy sky.

Learn the Ropes

Master real-world seamanship and earn ASA certifications that prove you’re ready to take the helm.

Start Training
A person swimming underwater in a rocky natural waterway or cave, viewed from below the water surface with rocks at the top and sunlight filtering through.
Four people standing on a rocky cliff edge overlooking the ocean during sunset in La Paz, Mexico.

Chase the Horizon

Island-hop under full sail, snorkel coral gardens, hike ridge trails, and drop anchor in quiet coves before exploring harbour towns by night.

Start Exploring

Learn it.

Live it.

View from a sailboat during sunset, showing the deck and sailboat rigging, with water and forested hills in the distance.
View from a sailboat deck looking out at the open ocean with a clear blue sky, showing sailing rigging, ropes, and part of the cockpit with electronic instruments.
A small sandbar with a person and a boat surrounded by clear turquoise ocean water under a partly cloudy blue sky.
View from a sailboat showing the deck, sails, and the blue sky with scattered clouds over the ocean.
Aerial view of three sailboats docked at a marina, viewed from above, showing the decks and masts.
A man standing at the steering wheel of a boat on the open ocean under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a stainless steel grill mounted on a boat with the ocean and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A sailboat docked at a marina during sunset with other boats in the background and colorful flowers in the foreground.
Two men on a boat, one sitting at a table with coffee mugs, a snack, and a map, the other standing at the helm, with an ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
A person in a blue jacket is using a smartphone over nautical charts, on a table with navigational tools and documents, with a radar and other equipment visible in the background.
Close-up view of a boat's bow with its metal anchor windlass, ropes, and the water surrounding the boat.
A man wearing sunglasses and a white shirt taking a selfie on a boat, with the ocean and another boat visible in the background.
Three men in a tropical setting taking a selfie with clear blue water and palm trees in the background, all smiling.
Two sea lions engaging in playful behavior on a rocky surface.
A marina with sailboats and yachts docked at sunset, with calm water reflecting the boats and a warm, colorful sky.
A whale's tail emerging from calm water with a forested shoreline, mountain range with snow-capped peaks in the background, under a pinkish sky.
A man sitting on the bow of a white sailboat docked at a marina, adjusting his sunglasses with a pinkish sky in the background.
A scenic landscape featuring a lake with rippling water, surrounded by forested hills and mountains, with a waterfall cascading down rocks into the lake, under a colorful sky with clouds.
Sunset over the ocean with a rocky beach in the foreground, clouds in the sky, and an island on the horizon.
The photo shows the deck of a boat at sunset, with a colorful sky of pink, purple, and orange reflected on the water. The boat's steering wheels and part of the canopy are visible.
Three people on a sailboat at sunset, with a colorful sky and calm water in the background.
View from a boat overlooking a lake at sunset with mountains in the distance.
View from a sailboat showing the ocean, a distant shoreline with palm trees, and a colorful sunset sky.
View from the deck of a sailboat showing calm water, a partly cloudy sky with sunlight breaking through, and land with trees in the distance.
A view from the deck of a sailboat looking up at the mast and sails against a sky with pink, white, and blue clouds, with water visible in the background.
Three men standing on a white sailboat at a marina dock, smiling with arms around each other. The boat has a blue canopy, yellow life preserver, red backpacks, and a steering wheel. The dock and other boats are visible in the background.
Person in a blue jacket and cap sitting on a sailboat looking through binoculars at the ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
A modern sailboat with white sails moving across a calm body of water during sunset, with a distant shoreline and mountains in the background.
A scenic view of a calm green lake surrounded by forested hills under a partly cloudy sky with pink and blue hues.
A scenic view of a calm blue bay with a sailboat, surrounded by rocky cliffs and dense green trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Our Stories

  • A person snorkeling underwater, wearing a black mask and snorkel, with their arm extended towards the camera, in a clear blue ocean.

    "Our captain was extremely competent and did a great job developing my skills and knowledge.  He also included some incredible snorkeling experiences and anchoring near beaches that most people will never see in the Sea of Cortez."

    Derek, 2025, La Paz Mexico

  • A narrow waterway with large, smooth rock formations on either side, some with visible water streaks and moss, and sunlight reflecting off the water's surface.

    "Matt's personalized instruction was a game-changer! He not only helped me sharpen my existing skills but also introduced me to exciting new techniques. I came out as a more confident sailor and gained a fresh outlook on life."

    Brady, 2024, British Virgin Islands

  • Tropical beach scene with a stone pathway leading to a small thatched hut over the water, mountains in the background, and a partly cloudy sky.

    "I had a fantastic experience learning to sail with Matt. He knows his stuff inside and out and explains every concept clearly and patiently. Even when I made mistakes, I always felt completely safe. He was calm, composed, and totally in control. Matt's calm, confident coaching greatly impacted my comfort and progress on the water. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to learn sailing the right way."

    Nathan, 2024, Antigua and Barbuda

  • A person relaxing on a sailboat during daytime, with one leg stretched out and the ocean in the background, sunlight reflecting on the water.

    "I could really tell my instructor has spent years helping students build real skills and confidence. I’d recommend them to anyone.”

    Marcus, 2025, Granada Spain

  • A large body of water with small ripples, forested land in the background, and a mountain with clouds surrounding its peaks under a blue sky.

    "I was absolutely thrilled and pleasantly surprised by how much time we dedicated to practicing all the practical elements we were learning!"

    Monica, 2025, Vancouver Island

View All Testimonials
Close-up view of the tall ship's rigging and folded sails against a light sky.

  • Certification: ASA 101 Basic Keelboat

    Prerequisites: None

    New to the helm or coming back after a break? This course teaches the essentials that matter most: trim, tacks, gybes, docking, rules, and practical safety. It’s the ideal first step for ASA certification and progression to 103 and 104.

  • Certification: ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising

    Prerequisites: ASA 101

    This course moves you to independent coastal cruising. You’ll skipper 25 to 35 ft auxiliary keelboats by day in moderate conditions while planning multi-day trips, anchoring, docking, managing systems, reading weather, and practising basic coastal navigation and seamanship.

  • Certification: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising

    Prerequisites: ASA 101 & 103

    Ready to take command? This course is for sailors prepared to lead a crew, plan routes and provisions, and run the boat stem to stern while practising sail trim, coastal navigation with GPS, docking, anchor and mooring, auxiliary engine use, weather interpretation, and emergency drills in moderate conditions. If your goal is confident bareboat chartering and truly self-reliant cruising, this is your course.

  • Certification: ASA 105 Coastal Navigation

    Recommended Prerequisites: ASA 101 & 103 (Optional)

    Ready to move beyond day sails and chart your own passages? ASA 105 Coastal Navigation is for sailors who want to develop their navigational theory, plan multi-day routes, read and interpret charts, tides, and currents, plot and correct positions, convert true and magnetic, run dead reckoning, take bearings, set a course to steer, and apply the Navigation Rules with confidence. If you still lean on GPS for everything or are early in the basics, wait. If your goal is safe, accurate coastal passages you can execute even when the screen goes dark, this is your course.

  • Certification: ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Navigation

    Prerequisites: ASA 101, 103, 104, & 105

    For sailors ready to turn coastal miles into true passages, this course pushes you beyond fair weather into confident command day or night. You’ll practise advanced sail handling, heavy weather tactics, night navigation, man-overboard recovery, emergency response, and managing a vessel’s systems underway, with longer runs that demand real decision-making and leadership. Finish ready to plan and execute extended coastal passages under all conditions.

  • Certification: ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran

    Prerequisites: ASA 101, 103, & 104

    Ready to take the helm of a multihull? This course teaches the why and the how of catamarans, then proves it on the water. You’ll learn what sets two hulls apart, master twin-engine handling, spin a boat in its own length in tight marinas, and dock with precision. We also focus on safety and seamanship: jacklines, man-overboard recovery, capsize risks and avoidance, heavy-weather habits, and smart crew management. By the finish, you’ll understand hull design, rigging, and onboard systems, trim for performance under sail and power, and run a cruising catamaran with confidence on coastal routes and beyond.

Course Overview

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Course Overview *

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  • Absolutely! Many of our Saltline students start with little or no experience at the helm. Our expeditions are perfect for curious, motivated individuals who want to gain genuine sailing skills, not just go for a ride. You’ll learn hands-on, with expert ASA-certified instructors by your side, aboard a live-aboard training boat in some of the world’s most beautiful cruising destinations. It’s all about real learning, real confidence, and real adventure.

  • At Saltline, our students are spirited explorers and curious adventurers from all walks of life. Whether you’re dreaming of captaining your own bareboat charter, leading unforgettable family voyages, or simply seeking the calm confidence to enjoy the open water, you’ve found your crew. Together, we share a week aboard a real cruising yacht, learning hands-on and embracing the magic of sailing. It’s an exciting journey where every age and background comes together with one goal: to discover, connect, and take the helm with pride.

  • The American Sailing Association is an international standard-setting body for recreational sail training. ASA creates the curriculum, textbooks, and skill benchmarks that schools like Saltline teach to. When you earn an ASA certification, you are completing a clearly defined level of knowledge and hands-on ability that is recognized by sailing schools and charter companies around the world. In practical terms, that means your Saltline training does not just stay on the boat you learned on. It follows you when you go to charter in new countries, continue your education elsewhere, or eventually buy your own boat.

  • You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be reasonably mobile and comfortable moving around a boat that may be heeling, rolling, or at anchor. Expect to handle lines, step on and off docks, and spend days outdoors. If you can manage a flight of stairs and walk a few kilometres, you are likely fine. If you have any concerns, contact us and we can discuss the best course and expedition for you.

  • Feeling comfortable in the water greatly enhances your confidence and overall enjoyment during our sailing expeditions. While lifejackets are always provided to ensure your safety, our top priority, it's important to embrace the dynamic ocean environment you'll encounter. Activities such as swimming, snorkelling and the occasional splash are natural parts of the journey, offering you immersive experiences and unforgettable moments. Embracing these elements helps deepen your connection with the sea and enriches your learning aboard.

  • Many new sailors worry about this. Conditions vary by location and time of year, but your instructor will plan routes with comfort and safety in mind. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, talk to your doctor in advance about options such as medication or patches. Simple habits help too, such as staying hydrated, eating lightly, and spending time up on deck with your eyes on the horizon.

  • Weather is part of learning to sail. Light rain or stronger winds can create valuable teaching moments, and instructors will adjust the day’s plan to keep things safe and educational. In extreme or unsafe conditions, sailing plans may be reduced or altered. Learning how to read forecasts and make those decisions is part of your training.

FAQ

View Our Full FAQ
Close-up of a sailboat's rigging and sail with a body of water in the background.
View from a sailboat showing the boat's bow, with a sail and the open ocean in the background.

Let’s plan your next voyage

Tell us how you like to learn, who is coming with you, and where you want to sail. We will outline options, answer questions, and help you choose a program that feels both challenging and achievable.

Get in touch with us anytime at info@saltlinesailing.ca