RYA Day Skipper Course | Manly & Whitsundays, Queensland

Take Charge and Learn to Skipper a Yacht

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.

 

Location(s):
Brisbane year round & Whitsundays June - Oct

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2-day weekend
3-day weekend
5-day

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Yacht

Catamaran

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Manly, Brisbane
Whitsundays

Select a Boat


Yacht

Catamaran

Select Location

Manly, Brisbane
Whitsundays

Select a Boat


Yacht

Catamaran

Select Location

Manly, Brisbane
Whitsundays

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How to complete the 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


What will you learn: 

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:

  • Navigation and Chart Work: Learn to plot courses, read charts, and use electronic navigation tools.
  • Passage Planning: Plan and execute short coastal passages.
  • Pilotage: Navigate harbours, marinas, and anchorages safely.
  • Yacht Handling Under Sail and Power: Maneuver a yacht in a variety of conditions.
  • Safety and Seamanship: Understand onboard safety protocols and best seamanship practices.
  • Leadership and Crew Management: Learn how to confidently lead and manage a crew.

With a mix of theory and practical sailing, this course ensures you’re ready to skipper with skill and confidence.
Additional subjects include:

  • Meteorology – Forecasting and barometer reading
  • Collision Regulations/Rules of the ‘Road’
  • Maintenance/Engine Checks, fuel, basic troubleshooting
  • Victualling – food preparation
  • Handling Under Power and Sail
  • Emergency Situations – radio usage, life raft, securing a tow
  • Night cruising

Learn to Skipper in Queensland’s Best Sailing Locations

Your RYA Day Skipper course takes place in two of Queensland’s most stunning sailing regions: Moreton Bay and the Whitsundays.

Moreton Bay

  • Moreton Island: Enjoy crystal-clear waters and iconic shipwrecks.
  • North Stradbroke Island: Experience beautiful coastlines and abundant marine life.
  • St Helena Island: Navigate to this historic site and practice pilotage skills.

The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays, known as Australia’s premier sailing destination, offers pristine turquoise waters, secluded anchorages, and world-famous islands, including:

  • Whitehaven Beach: Sail to the iconic white sands and turquoise seas.
  • Hamilton Island: A perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
  • Hook Island: Discover stunning coral reefs and protected bays.

Whether training in Moreton Bay or the Whitsundays, you’ll enjoy world-class sailing conditions perfect for building skippering confidence.

Why Manly and the Whitsundays?

  • Manly Harbour: Just 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD, Manly provides easy access to Moreton Bay’s calm waters and coastal scenery.
  • The Whitsundays: Experience world-class sailing in turquoise waters, surrounded by tropical islands, offering the ultimate sailing adventure.

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.


  • Previous Experience

    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

  • Course Duration

    5 days consecutively (Mon-Fri)
    OR
    3 weekends (not necessarily consecutive and can be spanned out to a maximum duration of 12 months)

  • Certificate Upon Completion

    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.

An incredible adventure! The experienced owners Carly & Jamie of SCY were fantastic in booking & organising, the instructor was incredibly knowledgeable & professional, and the boat was amazing. Can’t rate Southern Cross Yachting highly enough- I’m already planning my next lesson
Jemma - July 2023 
Jemma - July 2023

Massive thank you to Jamie and all the staff and other instructors at Southern Cross Yachting! 10/10 experience from booking to sailing to instruction to food whilst onboard.
Absolutely one of the best things I’ve ever done and now I’m addicted to sailing!

Alex 
Alex

A great place to learn all things about sailing, experienced Captains who are only to happy to answer any and all questions, a great experience,

Michael MacCormack 2021
Michael MacCormack

Well organized with a wonderful team and instructors. Completed my Comp Crew and looking forward to doing the Day skipper next.

N Dashti 2020
N Dashti

We were lucky enough to spend a day with Jamie on Moreton bay and can’t speak highly enough about it. Three of us with varied previous experience of sailing joined with a father and son to share in a day of learning the ropes. The day was tailored to our varied needs and at all times we were able to ask questions and glean experience from Jamie’s wealth of knowledge. We would highly recommend signing up for a course if you’re interested in getting back on the water after a hiatus. Thanks so much guys! It was a priceless day!

Maria Bukala 2021
Maria Bukala
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