ERIE ISLANDS SAILING SCHOOL IS THE PREMIER ASA ADULT LEARN TO SAIL COMPANY ON LAKE ERIE. WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 14 YEARS, TEACHING THE JOY OF SAILING TO UNFURL YOUR DREAMS.

WE OFFER CERTIFIED AMERICAN SAILING CLASSES, NSBC ON-WATER TRAINING, SAILING CHARTERS, SUNSET SAILS, BOAT DELIVERY, MOVES AND NEW BOAT ORIENTATION.

WE ARE THE ONLY BOAT US FOUNDATION ON-WATER TRAINING FACILITY IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION. JOIN US ON OUR GREAT LAKE ERIE!

A Message from Erie Islands Sailing School

September 19, 2024

Join us in 2025 in the British Virgin Islands for our 2nd Annual BVI Teaching Event!

Picture yourself taking classes with your favorite Erie Islands Instructor on the crystal clear waters of the British Virgin Islands. Explore famous BVI destinations, walk on white sandy beaches, snorkel warm and clear waters teaming with sea life. Registration will begin at 10:00AM on Saturday, September 21, 2025. We expect boats to fill up quickly again this year.

If you have questions please give us a call or sign up online

Fair Winds,

Tricia & Kent and all of our Instructors

  Relax and unwind! – This was such a relaxing day on the water! Very easy to find and easy to access. I will definitely do this again hopefully soon!

Jana S
August 26, 2024

  A great place to learn to sail! – We have taken 4 classes now through Erie Island Sailing School and can’t say enough good things about our experiences with them. When we took our first courses with them… read more

Carliezdad
July 12, 2024

  Amazing sailing adventure! – My husband and I had an amazing time learning to sail with Erie Islands Sailing School. Captain Rick was an excellent teacher, and by the end of our class we… read more

Lindsay W
July 10, 2024

  Erie Islands Sailing School – 5 stars! – This school is amazing. The instructors are top notch and the owners are fantastic to work with. If anyone is interested in learning how to sail, Erie Islands Sailing School… read more

D3471CTmarkk
June 8, 2024
  I highly recommend this school. I took the ASA 106 class with them. Captain Bobby was very attentive and was able to add extra information and practice for skills that… read more

nolan11111
October 13, 2023

  Educational ASA106 was fun and practical – I enjoyed the ASA106 class very much and appreciate the information provided to prepare me for travel to Put In Bay.

Captain Bobby has tremendous experience and I… read more

Joe M
October 13, 2023

  The sailing/ learning experience was super ! Mike did an outstanding job explaining and sharing his knowledge in a very kind and professional manner.

Dave A
September 8, 2023

  Sailing lessons – My husband and I took the 101 and 103 sailing courses through Erie Islands Sailing school. We had a fantastic experience and learned so much from Capt Mike. … read more

Beth F
August 30, 2023
  Excellent – Took the ASA104 in August and it was great! Captain M. Olmstead has a wealth knowledge and was a great teacherhighly recommend Lake Erie Sailng School!

Y6090ZUjamesk
August 18, 2023

  Wonderful place to start or continue your sailing adventures! – My wife and I had the pleasure of starting our sailing journey with Erie Island Sailing school this past weekend. Tricia, Kent, Kerim, Captain Mike, and all the staff at… read more

Carliezdad
August 15, 2023

  Terrific sail with Erie Islands! Powered by wind, aboard Majestic with Captain Alan— everyone learned sailing techniques: setting dock lines, raising sails, tacking and trimming, setting the winch to… read more

RossReef
July 21, 2023

  Outstanding ASA 104 Class – I just completed the ASA 104 class thru Erie Island Sailing School. It was outstanding! This was my 4th ASA course from this school (101, 103, 105 and… read more

DougMcCann
July 15, 2023

     Excellent  
     Based on 26 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Jeff Brown 
 2024-09-04
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a wonderful night to have a sunset cruise.  The captain is very knowledgeable and was interesting to talk to.  Beautiful sail boat with some interesting history.  If you have the opportunity, please book a charter!  Thank you!
  
 
       
   Kevin 
 2024-09-02
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Captain and crew great. Price was listed lower at first and went up on reservation.
  
 
       
   Lori Yanosich 
 2024-08-27
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Black Pearl Sunset Sail’s First Mate Tricia was an awesome host and Captain Kent was just as personable sharing insights, landmarks and history as we sailed. We were a group of 6 celebrating turning 60 and our hosts did everything possible to make us feel special - from the Happy Birthday sign, to a Bundt Birthday Cake and chocolates, to navigating the boat around the sunset for the ideal photo opp. Tricia was very responsive and helpful in providing suggested apparel and lodging recommendations as Kent was for dining ones. The sailboat was clean, comfortable and accommodating for walking around and seating. It truly was a memorable time for all of us, especially when one said he isn’t “WOW-ed” easily but this indeed exceeded his expectations. Thanks for the incredible experience - something to be talked about for years to come, bringing us all smiles.
  
 
       
   Jana Schultz 
 2024-08-26
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was such a relaxing day on the water. Very easy to find. Brought out our snacks and drinks. I will definitely do this again hopefully soon!
  
 
       
   Christian C. 
 2024-08-26
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 5 stars for sure, what a great experience! This past weekend we completed ASA 101.  I had zero previous sailing experience, our instructor Captain Mike was a wealth of knowledge and his decades of experience really underscored his passion for sailing.  He made this learning experience not only fun but ensured we really understood the foundational concepts that will set us up for future success.  If you've been thinking about learning to sail, look no further!  I'll definitely be back to continue my learning at Erie Islands Sailing School.
  
 
       
   S W 
 2024-08-25
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ASA 101 was a really great movie experience here! Thanks Tricia, and Captain Mike for a great time!
  
 
       
   Andrew Foley 
 2024-08-13
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful experience. The sailing instruction was great! I learned a lot. Highly recommend if you want to learn how to sail well.
  
 
       
   John Smith 
 2024-07-15
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a great experience and learned so much and feel so much more confident on handling the sail boat. Mike was the instructor and he is awesome and a great person to learn from.
I also stayed to the black pearl, wow, that's a cool place and Tricia and Kent were so accommodating. The boat was stocked with all you would need! Thanks Erie Island for a wonderful experience!!
  
 
       
   Carliezdad 
 2024-07-13
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I had the pleasure of starting our sailing journey with Erie Island Sailing school this past weekend. Tricia, Kent, Kerim, Captain Mike, and all the staff at Safe Harbor really made it an excellent experience! The amenities at Safe Harbor are amazing and the school staff made us feel comfortable and confident as we took our ASA 101 and 103 classes. Getting to stay on the boat in the harbor helped us gain insight to the sailing community/lifestyle we’re so excited to have joined. Can’t thank them enough for the experience and looking forward to continuing our education through them ASAP!

OUR PARTNERS

Customers can receive discounts at some partners with Erie Islands Sailing School. Ask for details.

Erie Islands Sailing School has partnered with SEA BAGS as a sail recycling drop off location at Safe Harbor Sandusky Marina. Help us reduce the impact in our landfills. We have recycled over 750lbs of sails. The drop box is located by the office/pool area.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN TO SAIL. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN A SKILL THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. IMAGINE THE FEELING OF FREEDOM AS YOU GLIDE THROUGH THE WATER - POWERED ONLY BY NATURE!

Erie Islands Sailing School

With our main location at Safe Harbor Sandusky in Sandusky Bay, Erie Islands Sailing School is the ideal place to begin your sailing dream. The protected waters of Sandusky Bay offer the novice sailor a great place to learn the basics. The proximity of Lake Erie and the island destinations of Kelleys, the Bass Islands, and Put-in-Bay offer fun and challenging sailing for those taking our Bareboat Chartering and Advanced Coastal Cruising classes.

We look forward to sharing the world of sailing with you.
Our focus is on Sailing: Education, Safety, Fun.

Learn to Sail. . . Live the Dream!