Future Liveaboard / Bare boat Skipper Training
Luperón to Marina Cap Cana- Explore North Coast of Dominican Republic
Depart Luperón and work east along the Dominican Republic’s north coast before rounding the island’s eastern tip and finishing at Marina Cap Cana. This route blends coastal sailing, short offshore stretches, and carefully chosen stops along one of the Caribbean’s most varied shorelines.
The passage is broken into manageable daylight legs, with no night sailing planned. Crew gain hands-on experience with navigation, weather routing, anchoring, sail trim, docking, and coastal seamanship while keeping a steady, sustainable rhythm each day.
The north coast offers rugged scenery and a string of useful stopovers including Sosúa, Río San Juan, Playa Bonita, and Cayo Levantado. Farther east, Punta Macao introduces more exposed Atlantic conditions before the final approach into Cap Cana.
When conditions line up, there may also be opportunities for foiling, winging, and surf sessions along the way. These additions depend on wind, swell, and timing but can turn transit days into water-time days.
Each stop is used for rest, exploration, and systems reset, keeping the focus on learning without fatigue buildup or overnight watches.
This route is ideal for crew who want steady progression, practical seamanship, and a full eastward crossing of the Dominican Republic without the demands of night sailing. 🌊🏝️
⛵ Who It’s For
This trip is ideal for:
- Sailors aiming to strengthen their resume to meet bareboat charter or insurance requirements
- Sailors looking to gain the experience required to earn certifications, licenses, or endorsements
- Aspiring cruisers looking to build confidence in offshore conditions and/or transition to full-time liveaboard life
- Crew looking for the unique experience of crossing the Gulfstream
- Crew looking for an introduction to international operations and the realities of checking in and out of foreign countries
Whether you're preparing for your own bluewater journey or simply curious about the realities of life aboard, this offshore adventure offers hands-on training and real-world experience along one of the most iconic stretches of the U.S. coastline.
🌊 What You’ll Learn
This journey is more than just sea miles — it’s a hands-on, real-world training program covering:
- Passage planning & navigation
- Weather routing & offshore decision-making
- Sail handling & trimming for ocean conditions
- Watch rotation & night sailing
- Anchoring techniques & safe harbor selection
- Liveaboard routines: systems, provisioning, and vessel care
You won’t just observe — you’ll be part of the crew, participating in all aspects of the voyage.
⛵what you can earn
All SV Indie Sky expeditions are led by a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain and NauticEd Certified Instructor to ensure safety and top-tier instruction.
Crew Members Receive:
- Hands-on training in all aspects of offshore sailing — navigation, sail handling, anchoring, docking, weather routing, and more
- Logbook endorsements for those building sea time or working toward NauticEd or other sailing certifications
- Certificates, licenses, and endorsements awarded to crew who meet proficiency and experience requirements during the expedition
🏄 Adventure Support
- 🛶 Ashore Access: Flexible shore transfers via chase boat for beach exploration, hikes, provisioning runs, or local cultural stops—even in remote anchorages.
- 🚤 Chase Boat Support: On-the-water assistance for surfing, freediving, foiling, and other water sports—launch, recovery, and safety coverage included.
- 🐟 Spearfishing & Lobstering: Dive in for sustainable seafood—where legally permitted and in season, we provide the tools, guidance, and safety protocols to do it right.
- 🎯 Condition-Driven Flexibility: We adjust daily plans based on weather and crew goals to maximize time on the water, whether that’s riding swell or chasing dinner.
- 🤝 Crew-Led Adventure: No hand-holding here—you’ll be actively involved in planning, prepping, and executing your next mission.
What's Included
🛏️ Accommodations
Your accomodations are included in your crew fees. You can choose to have your own cabin or share one (they are all double occupancy).
- Port Forward & Port Aft Cabins
Features a queen bed, chest of drawers, closet, and an en suite (private) bath with a full-sized sink, shower, and head.
- Owner’s Suite – Entire Starboard Hull
Features a queen bed, two dressers, two closets, an office, extra sofa, and a private library. It also has:- A private head with a full-sized sink
- A separate private bath with a walk-in shower
- Additional Comforts
- Bedding, bath towels, soaps, and shampoos provide
- Cleaning supplies included
- Cabins are intended for rest and downtime during training and expedition activities
- Connectivity & Entertainment
- Unlimited Starlink high-speed internet (available at anchor, moored, or in marinas)
- 50" TV in Salon for streaming NauticEd training materials or entertainment
- NAS server with 2,000+ movies, TV shows, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu videos
- Library stocked with sailing books
What's Included
🍳 Provisioned Galley & Communal Meals
- Galley stocked with fresh, local ingredients
- All onboard meals and snacks included (except for offshore food and drinks)
- LPG Range & Oven, Full-Size Microwave, 3 Large refrigerators, 1 Large Freezer, Ice Maker
- Meal prep is a shared experience — crew members collaborate on cooking
- No alcohol provided
What's Included
Puerto Blanco Marina – 2-Night Crew Stopover
Spend two nights at Puerto Blanco Marina in Luperón, a practical and well-known sailor hub inside one of the Caribbean’s best natural hurricane holes. This stop is ideal for settling into life aboard SV Indie Sky, handling logistics, and preparing for the miles ahead.
The marina offers protected dockage, shore power, water access, fuel coordination, and a secure place to organize the boat before departure. It’s an excellent setting for crew to get familiar with onboard systems, safety routines, provisioning flow, and marina operations.
Clean showers, restrooms, laundry access, and nearby services make it easy to recover from travel and get expedition-ready. Local markets, groceries, produce stands, and restaurants are close enough for provisioning runs and a taste of real Dominican coastal life.
Crew can also use this time for boat prep, gear checks, route planning, and a slower introduction to the rhythm of cruising before heading offshore.
This stop is less about luxury and more about usefulness—safe harbor, working infrastructure, and two days to turn travel mode into sailing mode.
What's Included
Marina Cap Cana – 2-Night Crew Stopover
Spend two nights at Marina Cap Cana, one of the most developed and comfortable marina hubs in the Dominican Republic. After a full coastal run east, this stop is designed for recovery, provisioning, systems maintenance, and a proper reset before continuing onward.
The marina is set within Cap Cana, a private resort community with a polished, secure feel and full shore-side infrastructure. Dockside access is straightforward, with power, water, fuel, and support services available for boat upkeep, refueling, and turnaround work.
For crew, the experience goes well beyond the dock. Cap Cana offers access to resort-style amenities including swimming pools, beach clubs, restaurants, cafés, and bars within walking or short transport distance. Multiple dining options range from casual waterfront meals to higher-end restaurants inside the resort zone.
Showers, laundry facilities, and marina services make it an ideal place to clean up after days underway, reset gear, and get everything back in order. It’s also a good window for provisioning, checking systems, and handling any maintenance that’s easier done alongside.
Outside the marina, crew can explore nearby beaches, walk the waterfront, or simply unwind in a more structured, resort-style environment compared to the more remote anchorages along the coast.
Disclaimer: The planned two-night stay at Marina Cap Cana is dependent on conditions and schedule. Reserve Days 1 and 2 may be used earlier in the trip for weather delays, route adjustments, or maintenance needs if required.
What's Included
⛑️ Safety Equipment
- USCG-approved inflatable life jacket for you to use; or we can order you inflateable life jackets for a significant Crew Discount.
- SV Indie Sky crew T-shirts — customized for the region you’re sailing (looking cool adds to safety)
- 2 independent satellite tracking systems
- 2 EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)
- 8-person life raft
- Multiple man overboard recovery systems
- Multiple subscribed sources for trip planning and weather routing
💵 What's it cost?
Port Forward Cabin: ⚠️ Join Waitlist ⚠️
- 10 day expedition total: $3041.00 per person for double occupancy
- 10 day expedition total: $6082.00 per person for single occupancy
Port Aft Cabin: 🟢 Available 🟢
- 10 day expedition total: $3041.00 per person for double occupancy
- 10 day expedition total: $6082.00 per person for single occupancy
Owner's Cabin: ⚠️ Join Waitlist ⚠️
- 10 day expedition total: $3730.00 per person for double occupancy
- 10 day expedition total: $7460.00 per person for single occupancy