Ready to take the next step in your sailing journey? The RYA Day Skipper course is designed for aspiring skippers who want to develop the skills and confidence to take charge of a yacht. Whether you’re learning to skipper for the first time or refining your sailing knowledge, this course provides the perfect mix of theory and practical training on the beautiful waters of Moreton Bay and the stunning Whitsundays.
Departing from Manly Harbour, Brisbane’s premier sailing location, or exploring the breathtaking Whitsundays, you’ll gain hands-on experience under the guidance of our expert instructors. Learn essential navigation, passage planning, and skippering techniques while exploring Queensland’s most idyllic sailing destinations.
This is very much a hands-on course designed to teach practical skippering and seamanship techniques. It is therefore a requirement that you complete either RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship or RYA Day Skipper theory course prior to joining the boat as the knowledge learned in the books comes to life on-the-water.
Your experienced RYA instructor will guide you through the necessary steps to taking charge and manage all aspects of sailing a yacht on short passages, including; navigation, meteorology, seamanship, sail handling, crew management and much more. Fellow crew members may be working towards their RYA Competent Crew qualification, giving you the perfect opportunity to showcase your leadership skills and demonstrate your ability as the skipper of the vessel.
This is a live aboard course, experiencing life at anchor and night sailing. Upon successfully completing the course, you will be fully equipped to skipper a cruising yacht on short daytime passages with confidence. Graduates are awarded the RYA Day Skipper certificate, a qualification recognised worldwide, enabling you to charter sailing yachts in many countries. It is also a highly recommended certification for yacht owners, as well as being a ‘must have’ for many insurance companies.
This course will also enable you to apply for the ICC (International Certificate of Competence); a requirement by most European countries as validation of your competence to own or charter a boat. The ICC, obtained by presenting your RYA Day Skipper certificate directly to RYA head office, will cover sailing yachts up to 24 meters in length in coastal waters.
Prior experience needed: To the level described in our RYA Competent Crew course.
5-day liveaboard (Mon 9am – Fri 4pm) –
$2250/person inc GST & meals onboard (excluding 1 crew meal ashore) or $2100/person when booking for 2 or more.
Cabin sharing possible (especially during peak seasons)
OR
3 x weekends (Sat 9am – Sun 4pm), all 3 must be complete to gain certification.
The weekends do not need to be consecutive but preferably completed within a 6-month period for information retention.
$800/weekend/person OR $750/weekend/person when booking for 2 or more.
RYA course eBook and logbook provided.
Cabin sharing possible (especially during peak seasons)
Useful Links
Packing list
General Joining Instructions – Brisbane, QLD: 2 & 3 day weekends
General Joining Instructions – Brisbane, QLD: 5-day course
The RYA Day Skipper syllabus combines theory with practical on-the-water training. By the end of this course, you will have the skills and confidence to skipper a yacht during daytime passages, including:
With a mix of theory and practical sailing, this course ensures you’re ready to skipper with skill and confidence.
Additional subjects include:
Your RYA Day Skipper course takes place in two of Queensland’s most stunning sailing regions: Moreton Bay and the Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays, known as Australia’s premier sailing destination, offers pristine turquoise waters, secluded anchorages, and world-famous islands, including:
Whether training in Moreton Bay or the Whitsundays, you’ll enjoy world-class sailing conditions perfect for building skippering confidence.
Both locations offer an ideal mix of practical challenges and scenic beauty, perfect for those looking to learn to skipper and advance their sailing skills.
Sailing ability: 5 days onboard a sailing vessel, 100 NM logged and 4 night hours. Can be obtained by participation in RYA Competent Crew.
Navigation and theory knowledge to Day Skipper Theory or RYA Essential Navigation Theory
5 days consecutively (Mon-Fri)
OR
3 weekends (not necessarily consecutive and can be spanned out to a maximum duration of 12 months)
RYA Day Skipper with eligibility to apply for ICC directly with the RYA
Day Skipper certification is awarded only to those who meet the RYA syllabus requirements. Attendance does not guarantee certification.