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DaySkipper

*provided in association with RYA recognised Training Centres

RYA Day Skipper Course

● be the skipper of a sailing yacht ●

The RYA Day Skipper Practical Course is the essential qualification for aspiring skippers who are ready to take the helm. Designed for people with foundational navigation knowledge and basic sailing experience, this course transforms you from a crew member into a confident skipper of a cruising yacht.

    • Hands-On Command: Take charge of a yacht on short coastal passages. Under the expert guidance of an RYA-certified instructor, you will practice decision-making, crew management, and safety protocols in a supportive environment.

    • Navigation & Pilotage: Put your theoretical knowledge into practice. Master deck work, pilotage, and boat handling under both sail and power.

    • Accountability & Leadership: Experience the reality of being a skipper. Learn to take credit for successful maneuvers and take responsibility for the safety of your vessel and crew.

    • Global Recognition: The RYA Day Skipper certificate is one of the most respected maritime qualifications worldwide. It is the standard requirement for chartering yachts in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and beyond.

  • To get the most out of your RYA Day Skipper training, candidates ideally should have:

    1. Sailing Experience: 5 days at sea, 100 miles, and 4 night hours.

    2. Theoretical Knowledge: Navigation skills to the level of the RYA Day Skipper Theory course.

    Getting the DAY SKIPPER license will grant you the qualification to sail vessels up to 45ft in length, operating in category 5 and 6 waters - that is up to 20 miles from a nominated departure point.

    • Charts & Pilotage: Master the art of coastal navigation, including the use of transits, clearing lines, and planning entry into unfamiliar ports.

    • Tidal Awareness: Learn to calculate tidal heights and streams to ensure safe passage.

    • Meteorology: Gain the ability to interpret weather forecasts and understand how local conditions affect your sailing plan.

    • Passage Making: Execute a complete coastal passage from start to finish, including an introductory night passage to experience navigation after dark.

what to expect

The most important part: a friendly and professional instructor, open to teach you everything you need to know to build up the confidence of sailing in familiar waters.

Check our offer in the pricing section below!

A professional trainer on board of a yacht with its sails in the wind
A trainee observes the trainer who is throwing a fender from the back of the boat

what you will learn

    • Charts & Pilotage: Master the art of coastal navigation, including the use of transits, clearing lines, and planning entry into unfamiliar ports.

    • Tidal Awareness: Learn to calculate tidal heights and streams to ensure safe passage.

    • Meteorology: Gain the ability to interpret weather forecasts and understand how local conditions affect your sailing plan.

    • Passage Making: Execute a complete coastal passage from start to finish, including an introductory night passage to experience navigation after dark.

    • Handling Under Power: Practice close-quarters maneuvering, berthing, and unberthing in various wind and tide conditions.

    • Handling Under Sail: Refine your sail trim, tacking, gybing, and reefing techniques.

    • Deck Work: From anchor handling to efficient rope work, become proficient in all on-deck operations.

    • Onboard Systems: Basics of engine maintenance and minor repair work to keep your vessel operational.

    • Victualling: Learn the essentials of provisioning a yacht for a crew and managing life at sea.

    • Seamanship: Preparation for sea, ensuring the yacht is "stowed for sea" and ready for the elements.

    • Rules of the Road: A deep dive into the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS).

    • Emergency Situations: Hands-on training for Man Overboard (MOB) recovery, distress signals, and safety briefings.

A friendly and professional trainer talking about his experiences at twilight

where & when

30 March -03 April 2026 FULLY BOOKED

21-26 September 2026 FULLY BOOKED

03-08 May 2026 FULLY BOOKED

25-30 October 2026 NOW BOOKING

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Logo of Corfu Sea School featuring a sailboat with a yellow sun and blue sail.
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Logo for Aegeas Yachting in Kavala, Greece, featuring a sailboat icon and text.

We are partnering with two of the best sailing schools in Greece.

Our collaboration allows us to provide an easy access to RYA certification courses to our Monohull Training, Catmaran Training & STM participants, ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills needed to fully enjoy their sailing experience all over the world. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a beginner, our sailing trainings offer courses that cater to all levels of experience - you can go as high as Yachtmaster(TM) Ocean if you study hard.

So come join us on an unforgettable sailing adventure in Greece and take advantage of our partnership with these exceptional sailing schools.

ok, ok, but how much is it?

We believe that sailing is an investment in yourself and your future. By learning to sail, you'll gain a whole new set of skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. You'll also have the opportunity to join a passionate community of sailors who share your love of adventure.

The RYA Day Skipper course is 900€* payable in two installments. Use the form below to get in touch with us when you’re ready to learn something new.

*When completing the course you’ll get a voucher of 50€ , for your next training or holiday with Sailing Xperience!

RYA Day Skipper Course

Essential Facts & Requirements

If you are planning your journey to becoming a qualified skipper, here are the critical details regarding the RYA Day Skipper (Sail) certification and course logistics.

  • The minimum age for the RYA Day Skipper qualification is 16 years old. Please note that candidates under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a designated responsible adult for the duration of the course.

  • To ensure high-quality, hands-on coaching, we maintain a maximum student-to-instructor ratio of 5:1. This ensures every student receives the dedicated attention required to master complex maneuvers.

    A minimum of 2 students is required to run a scheduled course, ensuring a collaborative learning environment.

  • Unlike the theory levels, there are no formal written exams for the Practical Day Skipper course.

    Your RYA instructor uses continual assessment throughout the week. This means you are evaluated on your practical performance, decision-making, and safety skills in real-time, allowing for a more relaxed and effective learning experience.

  • Upon successful completion, you will be qualified to skipper a small to medium-sized sailing yacht on short coastal passages.

    You will receive the internationally recognized RYA Day Skipper (Sail) certificate, your passport to independent yacht chartering worldwide.

FAQs

    • All-Inclusive RYA Course Pricing: No Hidden Fees, Just Sailing

      We believe your focus should be on the water, not your wallet. Our RYA Day Skipper course fees are 100% transparent and fully inclusive. When you book with us, the price you see covers every essential for your week at sea.

      What’s Included in Your Tuition?

      • Professional Instruction: All RYA-certified tuition and expert coaching throughout the course.

      • Onboard Accommodation: Your "home on the water"—comfortable lodging on a modern school yacht for the duration of the training.

      • Full Provisioning: All meals served while at sea, ensuring you stay energized for your lessons.

      • Operational Costs: We cover all fuel, gas, and mooring fees, so there are no "end of week" surprises.

    • Transport to and from the departure marina

  • We recommend monohulls between 38-44ft. The smaller the boat, the faster it responds to your commands and the easier it for us to teach all sorts of maneuvers. The bigger boats are more comfortable to live in but you’re compromising on feedback.

  • Most people do but you’ll soon find out that it’s not as easy as it looks. Worst case scenario you’ll receive a competent crew qualification and you can start working in the industry the next day:

    • competent crew (you’re not a skipper yet so the best thing moving forward would be to help other skippers and gain some confidence in your ability to handle any boat)

    • a sleeping bag (for spring sailing)

    • warm clothes that you can wear in layers (it’s better to take a layer off than not having anything else to put on)

    • enough money to feed and keep you hydrated for a week

  • We put on foul weather gear and keep learning. And if the weather is terrible with a lot of rain and no sunshine, we double down on theory and master marina maneuvers and cheer ourselves up with rum at the end of the day.

  • Minimum age is 16.

  • If you have to cancel last minute there’s not much we can do about it. The payments are non-refundable. But we’re here to make sure everyone is going to have the best experience so we’ll start an accelerated process of finding you a replacement. If we manage to do that we’ll only keep the reservation (100 Euro).

    And the best part is we can discount the reservation if you want to reschedule.