Do you dream of sharing your passion for sailing and inspiring others on the water? The RYA Cruising Instructors Course gives you the chance to transform your experience into an internationally recognised qualification.
Over the course of seven intensive days, you’ll not only refine your technical sailing abilities, but also learn how to teach with confidence in a commercial environment. Safety, planning, seamanship, teamwork, communication, and maritime professionalism are at the core of the training.
Taking place in the beautiful setting of the Greek islands, the course combines practical instruction aboard modern RYA-certified yachts with expert guidance and plenty of hands-on experience. By the end, you’ll be fully prepared to take the helm as a certified Cruising Instructor.
Our RYA-qualified trainers deliver the course using modern classroom facilities and fully RYA-coded training yachts.
With two boats running, you’ll benefit from training alongside like-minded candidates, sharing experiences, and gaining insights into how a professional sailing school operates -perhaps even a place you’d like to return to as an instructor.
Saturday 29th of March – Wednesday 2nd of April
Sunday 16th of November – Thursday 20th of November
Saturday 3rd of May – Thursday 8th of May
The course fee of €1575 includes:
Expert tuition and online knowledge check.
Included expenses: yacht costs, breakfast, and lunch throughout your course.
RYA Yachtmaster and certified RYA sailing instructor on board.
The day begins with a shared breakfast on deck, followed by a briefing on the day’s teaching plan, weather, and learning objectives. Then it’s time for action: you’ll lead short instructional sessions on topics such as knots, navigation, or manoeuvres, while also observing and learning from your peers. This mix of teaching and observing helps you gain a full perspective on effective instruction.
Throughout the day, you’ll develop your teaching skills, including giving structured feedback, planning and evaluating lessons, and enhancing interpersonal communication. You’ll refine your own teaching style with a focus on clarity and creating a positive learning environment.
For lunch, we sail to a sheltered bay, drop anchor, and enjoy a relaxing break. Swim, snorkel, chill on deck, and enjoy a delicious meal while recharging for the afternoon.
Evening is reserved for relaxation and exploration: discover the island, enjoy a drink or ice cream, and share dinner at a local taverna with your fellow students, recharging for another day of learning and sailing.
“Great course, had so much fun along the way! Can’t wait to start teaching! 🤩”
To join the RYA Cruising Instructor Training Course, you must hold a valid commercial endorsement. This endorsement must remain current for your Instructor award to stay valid. To obtain it, several training courses and medical fitness certificates are required.
Your original certificate (see list above)
A valid Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) certificate
A Commercial Endorsement
Medical form: ML5, ENG1, or another RYA-recognised certificate
Copy of your RYA Basic Sea Survival or STCW Personal Survival Techniques certificate
Copy of your RYA Marine Radio SRC or acceptable GMDSS Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate
One passport photo (with your name on the back)
The application fee
All commercial endorsement holders are required to complete the online PPR. This course is divided into four modules:
Commercial Environment: understanding your role within the professional maritime industry.
People: the importance of proper manning, continuous skills development, and the safe management of a commercial vessel.
Vessel: legal requirements for carrying and maintaining safety equipment, plus creating and implementing risk control and operating procedures.
Purpose: ensuring your vessel is suitable and compliant for the work undertaken, fulfilling environmental responsibilities, effective planning, and situational awareness.
Course duration: 6–8 hours (online, self-paced)
Assessment: Two sections, total of 2.5 hours
To support your learning and prepare for your assessment, the RYA recommends studying the Yachtmaster Scheme Instructor’s Handbook (G27). This resource is invaluable for both the PPR course and your future work as a Cruising Instructor.
By ensuring all your certificates, endorsements, and training are up to date, you’ll be fully prepared to start your Cruising Instructor Course with confidence.
There will be a maximum of 5 students of each yacht, according the RYA regulations. Other students might follow the same course or a higher level. A mix of students allow everyone to fulfilled their respective syllabus while showing you what the nextcourse for you could be!
The instructor on board will be a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster and he/she will also have an RYA instructor’s certificate and be qualified to teach sailing. Instructors are selected for their personality and teaching skills, to provide a happy, safe and encouraging environment on board!
Read what some of our sailing students have to say, explore our course catalogue, and contact us for more information about each course and our availabilities to come and sail in Greece!