Sail the Sea of Cortez

Rise with the sun and prepare your boat for an adventure on the sparkling waters of the Sea of Cortez. Feel the wind fill your sails as you glide across the clear blue sea, and later, fall asleep beneath a starlit sky on a quiet desert beach. This course offers the chance to learn the fundamentals of sailing while building teamwork and leadership skills. You’ll navigate by nature’s rhythms, exploring a vibrant marine environment teeming with life.

Photo credit: Aidan Cummings

All NOLS students arriving in Baja are met at the airport and transported to the campus by NOLS staff. Let us welcome you to Baja!

Starting with the basics, you’ll learn to sail the unique Drascombe longboats—mastering skills like reading the wind, managing sails, and charting your course. Each evening, you’ll camp on the pristine desert beaches, surrounded by tide pools, desert plants, and wildlife. Along the way, you’ll gain practical knowledge about camping, environmental stewardship, and how to live in harmony with nature as you move from one stunning destination to the next.

As you travel along Baja California’s coast, you’ll also have the opportunity to engage with local fishing communities, practice your Spanish, and immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture.

Photo credit: Alisha Bube

At the heart of this journey is the development of your leadership abilities. Every part of the course, from sailing in challenging conditions to making group decisions and communicating effectively, is designed to foster your growth as a leader. By taking on different leadership roles each day, you’ll gain experience in decision-making, teamwork, and cultural awareness. These experiences will help you discover your own leadership style, preparing you to lead with confidence in any future endeavor.

Photo credit: Alisha Bube