The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course is designed for experienced sailors ready to take command and skipper a yacht through coastal passages. If you want to make the Mediterranean Sea your oyster – and gain the skills to sail confidently anywhere in the world – this is the course for you!
Over several days, you’ll learn to skipper a yacht by day or night, with expert guidance from our highly qualified instructors. You’ll also complete a Yachtmaster qualifying passage of at least 60 nautical miles, gaining the confidence and skills to handle any situation, both in the Mediterranean and far beyond.
But it’s not all work! You’ll sail alongside fellow participants, explore the stunning Greek islands, swim in crystal-clear bays, wander charming streets, enjoy ice cream, and relax on sunny terraces. It’s the perfect blend of advanced sailing training, adventure, and the Greek island lifestyle.
Not sure if you’re fully ready for the Coastal Skipper Course? You can join our 9-day Coastal Skipper Training to brush up on your skills and gain more hands-on experience first
The Coastal Skipper course is for sailors ready to move beyond sheltered waters and take on longer passages, stronger weather and waters, and the open Mediterranean.
To join, you’ll need:
Minimum age 16
Day Skipper Practical certificate
Solid sea experience, including watch-keeping and night hours (if not yet, we recommend completing the Day Skipper Course first)
Knowledge of Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory to put into practice on the water
The RYA Coastal Skipper course develops your skills as a confident skipper, combining solid theory with practical experience. This advanced sailing course covers passage planning, day and night pilotage, boat handling, safety procedures, heavy weather sailing, and emergency management.
You’ll practise Mediterranean-style mooring and manoeuvring in tight spaces, building expertise and confidence.
Assessment is continuous and based on your practical and navigation skills: there’s no final exam. When your instructor deems you competent and safe to skipper in challenging conditions, you’ll complete the course.
Included expenses: yacht costs, breakfast, and lunch throughout your course.
The day begins with breakfast in the cockpit and a detailed skipper’s briefing: checking the charts, planning the passage, and preparing the yacht. Once underway, it’s hands-on from the start: navigating, pilotage, and handling the boat under sail and power, always taking turns as skipper of the day.
Around midday we drop anchor in a quiet bay for lunch on board. It’s a moment to slow down and enjoy good food together, with time to swim, relax in the sun, or simply chat with your crew. It feels as much like a holiday as it does a training course!
The afternoon brings more advanced practice, such as man overboard recovery, sail handling in stronger winds, and precision anchoring or mooring.
By evening, the yacht docks in harbour. Together with the crew, you step ashore for a well-earned drink and enjoy dinner at a local taverna, with Greek favourites like souvlaki, tzatziki, and fresh seafood rounding off the day.
“Learned more in a week than I ever imagined, but it still felt like a holiday with great people 🌞⛵”
Not sure if you’re fully ready to take the step into the Coastal Skipper Course? Or maybe you’d prefer to refresh your knowledge, fine-tune your skills, and get more practice before starting? Then our Coastal Skipper Training might be the right choice for you.
This 9-day course is designed for sailors who have completed their Day Skipper and want extra experience before taking on the full Coastal Skipper Course.
We only run this course twice a year, so if you want to join, be sure to book your spot on board early:
Price List Coastal Skipper Course
High Season Mid-Season Low Season June - July - August - September May - October March - April - November 5-Day RYA Coastal Skipper course (single cabin) €1595 €1495 €1295 5-Day RYA Coastal Skipper course (shared cabin) €1350 €1250 €1050 Extras: SRC Marine Radio €175 €150 €150 Start Yachting - Weekend €495 €495 €450
The 9-Day Coastal Skipper Training costs €2195 for a single cabin or €1850 per person in a shared cabin, so you can choose the option that suits you best.
All prices include yacht expenses, breakfast, and lunch. Activities ashore, dinner and travel to Aegina are at your own expense.
We offer private versions of all our courses, where you and your friends or family can enjoy a more intimate learning experience on your own yacht, with your instructor always on board for safety. Prices range from €3700 to €7950 depending on season, boat type, and course duration. Just select “private” when enquiring.
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!
Coastal Skipper is the final step before reachting the RYA Yachtmaster level. If you’d like to refresh your knowledge beforehand, there are books and e-books available from the RYA shop. Click here to see more details and to order your copy.
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!