Courses - Type

Introduction to Sailing (1-day)

This popular, 1-day course provides an introduction to sail cruising for novices.  By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety onboard. 

RYA Start Yachting (2-days)

This 2-day course provides a short, live-aboard introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board.

RYA Competent Crew (5-days OR 3 weekends)

For beginners wishing to learn the ropes, gain confidence on a yacht who have no prior experience.  Become acquainted with sleeping at anchor and how life on-the-water truly feels.   With weekends and weekday courses, it's possible to work around any busy schedule.

RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship

This course is the perfect stepping stone to the more in-depth Day Skipper shore-based course or to courses on the water such as the Start Yachting and Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses.

RYA Day Skipper

A hands-on course designed to teach practical skippering and seamanship techniques that will cement the learnings from the compulsory prior theory course: RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship or RYA Day Skipper.

RYA Day Skipper Theory Online & Classroom

This course gives students sufficient knowledge to undertake the RYA Day Skipper practical course and assessment. It is also ideal for anyone contemplating a bareboat charter holiday or considering buying their own boat. 

RYA Powerboat Level 2

This course provides intensive training in the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed by the small boat driver. You will learn to drive our rigid inflatable rescue craft.

RYA Powerboat Level 2 is regarded as a small boat driving licence in much of Europe and is a legal requirement for anyone driving the tender to a superyacht or working as an RYA windsurfing or dinghy sailing instructor. The qualification entitles the holder to an International Certificate of Competence for Europe.

RYA Coastal Skipper

Skippering a yacht on coastal and offshore passages demands strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills. The coastal skipper practical course prepares those with previous skippering experience to undertake longer voyages. 

RYA Coastal Skipper Theory Online or in Classroom

This is an intensive course covering advanced coastal navigation techniques including – position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge and use of charts and other navigational publications and the correct, safe use of the GPS. 

Own Yacht Tuition

Have you recently purchased a yacht, wishing to refresh your skills and become more confident onboard your own vessel?  Under the calm and experienced guidance of our skippers, you will gain confidence and skills to make the most of your own yacht. 

VHF/HF Marine Radio Operator’s License - Classroom or Online

A course and exam for anyone who owns or will be operating a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

RYA Diesel Engine Course

The aim of the course is to give you an awareness of the main systems of a marine diesel engine and the ability to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support.

Marine Electrics

Get up to speed with marine electricals and become the expert of your vessel's systems.

Ropework

Learn the ropes and take charge of your vessel's maintenance and upkeep.

Bareboat Charter Preparation

This one-day, nil experience required course will have you on your way to the most enjoyable sailing holiday imaginable.  You will gain knowledge to safely and competently charter your own desired yacht by providing practice picking up moorings, planning your trip, advice on what to expect and what to pack and take.

Sailing Adventures and Mile Building Passages

These voyages are ideal for completing qualifying passages for Yachtmaster exams or for simply gaining experience offshore with an experienced instructor.

One-Day Boat Handling

A ‘must do’ one day course for any yacht owner, soon-to-be purchaser or those embarking on a bareboat adventure. The boat handling course offers expert tips and advice on docking, maneuvering and mooring practice.

Sailing in the Whitsundays

Have you ever dreamt of learning to sail around one of the world's most iconic heritage sites and natural wonders of the world? If the answer is yes, then Southern Cross Yachting has the perfect combination of experienced instruction and amazing locations. Between April and October the Southern Cross Yachting team operates out of Shute Harbour, conveniently close to the amazing Whitsunday Islands.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

The RYA Ocean Yachtmaster theory course is for those who have a passion for sailing and navigation. It is a wonderful course that will keep you occupied for hours on end.

RYA Yachtmaster - Preparation and Exam

To attain the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates must pass a practical examination of their skippering ability. A Yachtmaster is capable of skippering the yacht on extended offshore passages by day or night.

Yachtmaster Fast-Track

Australia's original FAST-TRACK course - designed to take the novice yachtsperson from the basics of yachting through to the RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate and then onto the internationally recognised RYA Yachtmaster.

International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC) & CEVNI

International Sailing Qualifications required for chartering in Europe are the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) and CEVNI (required for inland waterways such as the French Canals). Southern Cross Yachting is one of the first training centres in Australia to be accredited to test for the ICC & CEVNI.

Sea Survival and Safety at Sea

Essential safety course for any yacht owner, skipper or crew. Mandatory for those wishing to work on yachts or participate in offshore racing.

Ladies Exclusive Sailing Course

The ladies weekend and 5-day courses are held on board one of our training yachts and includes meals on board (except for one evening meal ashore on a 5-day course).