The RYA Day Skipper Practical is designed for sailors ready to take on more responsibility. This course equips you with the skills to skipper your own boat safely and confidently on both tidal and non-tidal waters. With expert tuition from our highly qualified instructors, it continues to be one of our most valued courses.
Over five days, you’ll learn everything needed to skipper a cruising yacht. While more demanding than Competent Crew, the course still allows time to relax, enjoy the sea, and practice your skills in a supportive, fun environment.
We also offer a 7-day version nearly every week. This is ideal for students who haven’t yet completed the required theoretical knowledge. Combined with online preparation before your course, the extended version gives you seven full days of tuition on the water, allowing more time to apply theory in practice and gain a truly hands-on experience.
This course is perfect for anyone planning a flotilla holiday, bareboat charter, or sailing with friends and family.
Requirements:
Minimum age: 16 years old
Day Skipper Theory: completed (if not, consider our 7-day preparatory course)
Previous sailing experience: at least five days at sea, including 100 nautical miles and four night hours. If not, we recommend completing a Competent Crew course first.
Gain the skills to skipper a small yacht with confidence on both tidal and non-tidal waters. This intensive course covers:
Navigation and passage planning
Practical pilotage and seamanship
Boat handling, including Med-mooring
Assessment is based on your on-board performance — no final exam. Once your instructor confirms you are competent and safe, you will complete the course and be ready to take a small yacht to sea.
Depending on your citizenship and residency, you may also be able to convert your certificate to an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), opening opportunities to charter worldwide.
Your own yacht cabin on board (shared only with your partner if applicable( – fully equipped for your comfort with bedding, linens, towels, and pillows.
Your RYA course book – a hard copy will be provided upon arrival in Aegina. If you wish to receive an e-version beforehand, you can order it through the RYA webshop.
Your RYA logbook to track your progress and record your sailing experiences.
RYA Day Skipper Practical Certificate – upon successful completion, you’ll receive a photo-ID certificate, valid for chartering yachts in most areas worldwide.
The day begins with a shared breakfast on deck, enjoying coffee and pastries while the instructor briefs the crew on the route, weather, and key responsibilities.
Once underway, it’s hands-on sailing: trimming sails, steering under sail and power, and taking turns as skipper, making decisions confidently and managing the yacht with the crew.
At lunchtime, we drop anchor in a sheltered bay to enjoy a meal on board, with time to swim, snorkel, or relax in the sun. The afternoon continues with practising Med-mooring, navigation, and precise harbour manoeuvres.
As the day ends, we sail into a harbour, explore a nearby village, enjoy a drink at a terrace, and finish with dinner at a local taverna, featuring classic Greek dishes like moussaka, fresh seafood, and Greek salad.
“Learned a lot, gained confidence, and had an amazing week at sea. Didn’t expect it to be this fun and relaxed! 😎”
| High Season | Mid-Season | Low Season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun - July - August - September | May - October | March - April - November | |
| 5-Day RYA Day Skipper course (single cabin) | €1,495 | €1,395 | €1,150 |
| 5-Day RYA Day Skipper course (shared cabin) | €1,295 | €1,195 | €950 |
| Extras: | |||
| Add 2 days on the water for more theory | €1995 [single] €1795 [shared] | €1895 [single] €1695 [shared] | €1650 [single] €1450 [shared] |
| Start Yachting - Weekend | €450 | €450 | €450 |
All prices for practical courses include yacht expenses, breakfast, and lunch. All activities ashore and dinner are at your own expense, and travel costs to reach Aegina are not included.
We offer private versions of all our courses! Depending on the season, the type of boats, and the number of days, from €3,700 up to €7,950, you can book a yacht for yourself and friends/family to enjoy your time in a more intimate setting while learning the skills you want to complete. Your instructor will always be on board for safety but will respect your space.
You can contact us and ask for more info and/or select “private” when enquiring a course.
We have a 5-page course guide covering in detail what to expect on your course and, most importantly, what the prerequisite theory and practical knowledge is. We recommend you read this as it includes answers to the most commonly asked questions. Download our guide to The RYA Day Skipper Course.
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!