Coastal/Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence: Prepweek + Exam

Course information

Levels:

Duration:

7 days

Master the Yachtmaster in Greece

Want to take your sailing to the next level and achieve the RYA Yachtmaster (Coastal) Certificate of Competence? Our Prep Week + Exam gives you a focused, expert-led training week followed by the official exam – all set against the stunning backdrop of the Greek islands. This is your chance to test your skills, refine your seamanship, and gain a qualification respected worldwide.

RYA Certificates of Competence are internationally recognised. Unlike other RYA qualifications, they aren’t awarded after a course but by passing a practical exam that proves your ability, knowledge, and experience.

So whether you’re a passionate sailor wanting to prove yourself, or you need a professional qualification and commercial endorsement to work at sea, this course gives you the preparation and the confidence to succeed!

Details

The preparatory course begins with an arrival briefing outlining the 5-day practical program. This is followed by 5 days of hands-on practical training, where you’ll also apply your theoretical knowledge in real-life sailing scenarios. The course concludes with a 2-day practical examination, typically lasting 10–12 hours per candidate, depending on the number of participants.

During the exam, you will be assessed not only on your practical skills, but also on seamanship, advanced navigation, meteorology, signals, and theory, aligned with the RYA Yachtmaster / Coastal Skipper Shorebased syllabus.

 

Available Dates 2025 & 2026

2025:

Prep: November 9th – November 13th
Exam: November 14th & 15th of

2026:

Prep: February 16th – 20th
Exam: February 21st & 22nd
Optional follow-up: Cruising Instructor course from February 23rd – 27th 

Prep: May 3rd – 7th
Exam: May 8th & 9th

Prep: November 9th – 13th
Exam: November 14th & 15th
Optional follow-up: Cruising Instructor course from November 16th – 20st

 

What It Costs

The Yachtmaster preparatory course costs €1575 per person for a single cabin. This includes all yacht expenses such as fuel, electricity, water, and mooring fees, as well as bedding, towels, RYA tuition, and breakfast and lunch.

The exam fee of £240 is payable directly to the RYA.

If you need to study theory, we offer 5-day classroom courses for €850 per person, which include the course book and certificate. Alternatively, you can complete the theory online through Urban Truant (Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory) or Navathome (Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Shorebased).

 

Requirements

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Coastal

To take the practical exam for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore, candidates must hold:

  • Radio Operator’s Qualification – GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC)

  • Valid First Aid Certificate

Key terms used to define exam requirements:

  • Passage: A non-stop voyage from a departure port/safe haven to a destination port/safe haven. Minimum distance is measured along the shortest safe route; artificially extended passages are not accepted. Planned and logged distances must meet requirements. Recognised races may be submitted to the RYA for consideration.
  • Skipper: The person responsible for planning and executing the passage, including vessel and watch management. If the role is transferred, neither person can claim to have skippered the passage.
  • Mate: Any person solely responsible for a navigational watch during a passage, actively engaged in planning and execution.
  • Tidal: An area is tidal if published stream, current, or tidal range data is available and significantly affects passage planning and execution.
  • Days on board: A day counts as eight consecutive hours living on board, mostly at sea. Periods under eight hours cannot be combined, and only one period counts per 24 hours.

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal

The RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal is designed for sailors with the knowledge to skipper coastal passages, but who may not yet have the experience for longer offshore trips.

To be eligible, you must be 17 or older and meet the following requirements on a vessel under 24 metres (78 feet):

  • 800 miles sea time, with at least half in tidal waters (reduced to 400 miles if you hold an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical certificate).

  • 30 days at sea living on board (reduced to 20 days with a Coastal Skipper Practical certificate).

  • 2 days as skipper.

  • 12 night hours.

RYA Yachmaster Offshore

The RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore qualifies you to skipper a cruising yacht on passages up to 150 miles from harbour. During the exam, you’ll be asked to demonstrate your practical ability and answer questions on any part of the RYA syllabus (except Yachtmaster Ocean).

To be eligible, you must be 18 or older and have logged the following on a vessel under 24 metres (78 feet):

  • 2,500 miles sea time, with at least half in tidal waters

  • 50 days at sea living on board

  • 5 passages over 60 miles, acting as skipper for at least 2 of them, including 2 overnight passages

Take the next step to Yachtmaster?

Ready to discover the joy
of sailing in Greece?

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!

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