RYA Day Skipper Course
Guide price
From £445 for weekend courses and from £700 on weekday courses.
Who is this course for
Day Skipper Theory and RYA Competent Crew or equivalent experience.
Age Restrictions:
Age 16 Plus
About Course
Gain the skills to confidently skipper a short coastal passage under the guidance of a qualified instructor, who will provide expert tuition, practical advice, and ensure your safety throughout. The RYA Day Skipper qualification certifies that successful candidates possess the knowledge and competence required to skipper a yacht on daytime coastal cruises.
Upon completion of this course, you will be licensed to skipper your own vessel and charter yachts both within the UK and internationally. Prior to enrolling on the Day Skipper practical course, candidates should have completed the RYA Day Skipper Theory and RYA Competent Crew courses, or hold equivalent experience.
We also offer a selection of Fast Track Day Skipper Packages, combining these courses at discounted rates. Training takes place aboard our high‑performance Beneteau yachts, providing an exceptional learning environment.
Course Content
On the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course you will gain experience through planning and completing passages, including a night sail. You will practice lots of close quarter handling skills and mooring in a range of marinas – offering more interesting ways to tie up for the night! After the course you can apply for your ICC (International Certificate of Competence).
RYA Day Skipper course syllabus will cover:
- Preparation for sea
- Deck work
- Navigation
- Rules of the road
- Maintenance and repair work
- Emergency situations
- Engines
- Yacht handling under power and sail
- Passage making
- Night cruising
- Pilotage
- Meteorology
Course Structure
- Part one is day sailing out of Brighton, 0900 till 1700 and bring a pack lunch
- For the Part 2 and 5 Continuous days courses Lunches and breakfasts provided onboard, evening mains mainly ashore at own costs
- You will be involved in the planning of each day as this varies depending on the weather and tidal condition and it is an important skill to learn.
- Great opportunity to explore the English Channel, The Solent or trips to France. You can also choose to complete in Barcelona in the Mediterranean
- There is a night experience and the day will be selected during the Part 2 or Weekday course depending on the conditions
- Part of the course is to plan and execute a trip to another location and we have some excellent locations to practice these important skills.
- The courses are mainly practical and very hands-on, learning to sail in an enjoyable and relaxed environment.
Course Objectives
RYA Day Skipper certificate. You will be licensed to skipper your own boat and charter a boat both in the UK or abroad.
Number of places :
5 continuous days and 4 nights : Maximum of 4 people per course
Courses split into Part 1 & 2 : Maximum of 5 people per course
Pre requirements
Day Skipper Theory and RYA Competent Crew or equivalent experience.
Age Restrictions:
Age 16 Plus
Duration
Available as a five-day continuous course or split over two weekends, with Part 1 lasting two days and Part 2 three days.
Accommodation is provided onboard. Age 16 plus
Location
Booking
Book online from the dates on this page or call 01273 42 48 42 option 1 or email us.
If you cannot find a suitable dates please contact us.
Location
What to bring
- Be prepared for changeable weather, bring plenty of layers
- Quick drying clothes can be very practical, avoid jeans
- Gloves for warmth and rope friction protection
- Sunglasses, sunhat and suncream for summer months and woolly hats, thermals and layers for winter months
- Deck boots and non-slip deck shoes or trainers that don’t mark
- Waterproofs: We can supply waterproofs for hire, Musto BR1s. You will need to order these in advance so we can have them ready for your arrival. If you have your own waterproofs, please bring them, they are a necessity
- Deck boots and non-slip deck shoes or trainers that don’t mark
- Logbook, we can sign off the day of sailing and milage
- RYA Day Skipper requires a photo with the certificate so please bring two passport photographs
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FAQ's
How to Book
Courses can be booked directly through our website. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, our team is happy to advise.
Yes, availability is displayed on each experience page. If your preferred date isn’t shown, please contact us as we may still be able to accommodate you.
We recommend booking 4–8 weeks in advance, particularly for popular courses like RYA Day Skipper during the spring and summer season.
Course Information
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.
For most people, reaching RYA Day Skipper takes several months to a year, depending on availability and experience. A typical pathway includes:
- RYA Competent Crew (5 days)
- RYA Day Skipper Theory (online or classroom)
- RYA Day Skipper Practical (5 days)
Our Zero to Day Skipper Package is the fastest and most cost effective way to achieve the Day Skipper certificate.
There is no formal written exam during the practical course. Assessment is continuous and based on competence and confidence on board.
In the UK, the ICC is usually issued through the RYA. You can obtain one by:
Holding an accepted RYA qualification (such as Day Skipper) and applying to the RYA directly to convert it to an ICC, or
Passing an ICC assessment with an RYA-approved training centre
Yes. Once you hold RYA Day Skipper Practical, you can apply for an ICC without further testing.
During the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper courses you will be expected to stay onboard for:
Part 2 (3 days) & 5 Consecutive days
The boat will visit marinas during this course, if the boat is in Brighton Marina then you are welcome to stay at home.
Our Part 1 Yacht courses and Level 1 & Level 2 courses are run as non-residential and you are not expected to stay onboard.
Any other questions
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.
We generally recommend not taking part in our activities if you’re pregnant, as being on the water can involve movement and conditions that aren’t always predictable.
If you do feel comfortable taking part, we usually suggest no later than around 21 weeks, but this is very much a personal decision. Everyone’s pregnancy is different, so please go with what feels right for you and consider speaking to your healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
If you let our team know in advance, we’re always happy to have a chat and help you decide what’s best for you.