A two-week holiday where you learn to sail? If that sounds like your kind of adventure, you’re in the right place. Our very popular 12-day course combines the RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical courses, including integrated theory, so you’ll return home refreshed, confident, and proudly carrying a handful of certificates. By the end, you’ll have the skills to skipper your own yacht safely in calm waters.
With guidance from our qualified instructors, you’ll gain hands-on sailing skills while enjoying the beautiful Greek weather, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and exploring local harbors and villages with your fellow students.
In preparation for this course, you’ll need to complete a short theory prep online before arriving in Greece: the Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course. We’ll provide all the details and support you need to complete it easily.
You’re excited to learn all the basics of sailing and quickly gain the confidence to skipper your own small yacht on calm waters.
You are 16 years or older.
You’ve completed the Essential Navigation and Seamanship theory prep and are ready to put your skills into action. We’ll provide all the details about this to get you prepared.
On the water, at the helm, or on deck – you’ll learn by doing. With a qualified skipper and a group of enthusiastic sailors, you’ll build knowledge and confidence step by step.
There’s no final written exam. Your instructor will assess your progress as you go, based on your practical and navigation skills. If they consider you safe and competent to take a small yacht out to sea in calm conditions, in both tidal and non-tidal waters, you’ll complete the course successfully.
Your own cabin on board – only to share with your partner if applicable, complete with bedding, linens, towels, and pillows.
A hard copy of your RYA course book waiting for you in Aegina (or order an e-version in advance via the RYA webshop).
Your RYA Logbook to track your progress and sailing experiences.
For the theory course: a complete course pack, navigation tools, and a simulation chart plotter.
Certificates: succeed and receive the RYA Competent Crew certificate and the Day Skipper Practical photo-ID certificate, valid for chartering a yacht in most areas worldwide.
Included expenses: yacht costs, breakfast, and lunch throughout your course.
The day begins on deck with coffee, a briefing, and a look at the weather. After breakfast, it’s time to learn to sail in Greece with real hands-on practice: trimming sails, using winches, and steering the yacht under sail and power. You’ll also cover the essentials every crew member needs: rope work, knots, nautical terms, and how to live afloat.
Midday we practise man overboard, yacht handling under power, leaving and entering harbours, anchoring, and keeping a lookout – a mix of teamwork, seamanship, and confidence building.
In the afternoon, there’s time to explore with the dinghy or enjoy a swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Back on board, we review the day, share tips, and answer questions – so everything you practised really sticks.
The evening is for relaxing ashore. A walk through a harbour village, a cold drink, and dinner at a local taverna round off the day perfectly. Learning, laughter, and a taste of Greek island life – that’s what it’s all about.
“I did my Competent Crew and Day Skipper with these guys. Brilliant sailing school and fantastic people. Stunning island. ❤️😊”
Price List 12-Day Packages
High Season Mid-Season Low Season June - July - August - September May - October March - April - November 12-Day RYA CC+DS package (single cabin) €3,290 €3,090 €2,750 12-Day RYA CC+DS package (shared cabin) €2,890 €2,690 €2,350 Extras: 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.
Between the two course elements, you will only need to book your own accommodation for the night after completing the 5-day Competent Crew course and before starting the 7-day Day Skipper course the following morning.
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 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 guides to the RYA Competent Crew Course and the RYA Day Skipper Course.
Between the two course elements, you will only need to book your own accommodation for the night after completing the 5-day Competent Crew course and before starting the 7-day Day Skipper course the following morning.
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!