RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

EXPERIENCE | PROGRESSION | CONFIDENCE | COASTAL PASSAGES

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 based on 1000+ Happy Sailors

5 days 1000 Max 4 students

A course for those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night.

Upcoming Course Dates

August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026

Course date 1: Mon 25 Aug - Fri 29 Aug | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Note: You are supposed to meet the mini experience requirement sugggest by RYA before joining this coastal skipper practical course, as well as you shall have completed the Coastal Skipper/YM theory course before this CS practical course. If not, you can join our Coastal Skipper Pacakge course.

Course date 1: Mon 01 Sep - Fri 05 Sep | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 2: Mon 08 Sep - Fri 12 Sep | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 3: Mon 15 Sep - Fri 19 Sep | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 4: Mon 15 Sep - Sun 21 Sep | Fully Booked | €1200 per person | €4800 private group

Note: This is a special 7-Day Sail Around Malta & Gozo Sailing running as Coastal Skipper Practical course 🇲🇹 Over the course of 7 days, you’ll sail a full circuit around Malta and Gozo, stopping in scenic bays and vibrant marinas. You are supposed to meet the mini experience requirement sugggest by RYA before joining this coastal skipper practical course, as well as you shall have completed the Coastal Skipper/YM theory course before this CS practical course. If not, you can join our Coastal Skipper Pacakge course.

Course date 5: Mon 22 Sep - Fri 26 Sep | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 6: Thu 25 Sep - Wed 01 Oct | 2 places left | €1200 per person | €4800 private group

Note: This is a special 7-Day Sail Around Malta & Gozo Sailing running as Day Skipper Practical course 🇲🇹 Over the course of 7 days, you’ll sail a full circuit around Malta and Gozo, stopping in scenic bays and vibrant marinas. You are supposed to meet the mini experience requirement sugggest by RYA before joining this coastal skipper practical course, as well as you shall have completed the Coastal Skipper/YM theory course before this CS practical course. If not, you can join our Coastal Skipper Pacakge course.

Course date 7: Mon 29 Sep - Fri 03 Oct | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 1: Mon 06 Oct - Fri 10 Oct | Fully Booked | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 2: Mon 13 Oct - Fri 17 Oct | 1 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 3: Mon 20 Oct - Fri 24 Oct | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 4: Mon 27 Oct - Fri 31 Oct | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 1: Mon 03 Nov - Fri 07 Nov | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 2: Mon 10 Nov - Fri 14 Nov | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 3: Mon 17 Nov - Fri 21 Nov | 2 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 4: Mon 24 Nov - Fri 28 Nov | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 1: Mon 01 Dec - Fri 05 Dec | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 2: Mon 08 Dec - Fri 12 Dec | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 3: Mon 15 Dec - Fri 19 Dec | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €4200 private group

Course date 1: Mon 05 Jan - Fri 09 Jan | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Note: To join the Coastal Skipper Practical course, you should have the required RYA experience (details below) and completed the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course. If not, consider our Coastal Skipper Package or Coastal Skipper Fast Track course starting from beginner level. Click the buttons below for more details.

Course date 2: Mon 12 Jan - Fri 16 Jan | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 3: Mon 19 Jan - Fri 23 Jan | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 4: Mon 26 Jan - Fri 30 Jan | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 1: Mon 02 Feb - Fri 06 Feb | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 2: Mon 09 Feb - Fri 13 Feb | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 3: Mon 16 Feb - Fri 20 Feb | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 4: Mon 23 Feb - Fri 27 Feb | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 1: Mon 02 Mar - Fri 06 Mar | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 2: Mon 09 Mar - Fri 13 Mar | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 3: Mon 16 Mar - Fri 20 Mar | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 4: Mon 23 Mar - Fri 27 Mar | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 5: Mon 30 Mar - Fri 03 Apr | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3500 private group

Course date 1: Mon 06 Apr - Fri 10 Apr | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 2: Mon 13 Apr - Fri 17 Apr | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 3: Mon 20 Apr - Fri 24 Apr | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 4: Mon 27 Apr - Fri 01 May | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 1: Mon 04 May - Fri 08 May | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 2: Mon 11 May - Fri 15 May | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 3: Mon 18 May - Fri 22 May | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 4: Mon 25 May - Fri 29 May | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 1: Mon 01 Jun - Fri 05 Jun | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 2: Mon 08 Jun - Fri 12 Jun | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 3: Mon 15 Jun - Fri 19 Jun | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 4: Mon 22 Jun - Fri 26 Jun | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Course date 5: Mon 29 Jun - Fri 03 Jul | 3 places left | €1000 per person | €3800 private group

Please contact us if you're interested in private course (up to 5 students) or on a different date 😉‍

Send us an enquiry » Book now »

CS/YM Theory » CS Package » CS Fast Track »

Sail practical course boarding location

Our training yacht Bavaria 44 and Bavaria 46 Cruiser

Our training yacht Bavaria 44 and Bavaria 46 Cruiser

RYA Coastal Skipper is the next major step in your sailing journey after completing the RYA Day Skipper courses. If you're aiming for a professional sailing career or looking to advance your skippering skills, this is the essential course that bridges the gap to the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster™ qualification.

Designed for experienced RYA Day Skippers, the Coastal Skipper Practical course builds the skills and confidence needed to plan and skipper longer and more challenging coastal passages, including night sailing and watch-keeping systems.

You will learn to take full command of a yacht, managing both the boat and the crew over extended passages. With your RYA instructor on board for support and guidance, you'll gain hands-on experience in real-world scenarios.

Like the Day Skipper course, this practical training is based on a series of skippered passages, but at a significantly higher level. You'll develop advanced skills in passage planning, pilotage by day and night, yacht handling, and managing emergency situations.

This is an intensive but rewarding week, with each trainee expected to take full responsibility under various conditions. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate — an internationally recognised qualification used for yacht chartering and a critical milestone toward your Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence.

It is highly recommended that you complete the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore Theory course before joining the practical week, as there is not enough time to cover theory during the training.

By the end of this course, you’ll be capable of handling coastal passages by day and night, navigating in reduced visibility, executing advanced boat handling under sail and power, and anchoring in more demanding conditions. You’ll have the knowledge and confidence to skipper a yacht safely in coastal waters — and be well on your way to becoming a Yachtmaster™.

This certification can also be MCA-endorsed for commercial sailing purposes.

Pre-course Requirements and Recommendations

Minimum experience: 15 days at sea, including 2 days as skipper, 300 miles logged, and 8 night hours.
Assumed knowledge: Boat handling to the standard of RYA Day Skipper and navigation skills equivalent to the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore Theory course.
We strongly recommend completing the theory course before attending the practical week.
If you haven’t completed the theory yet, you can join our 10-day Coastal Skipper Combination Course:
- 5 days of theory (in our classroom)
- Followed by 5 days of practical training onboard our yacht
You don’t need the theory certificate to attend the practical course, but the course will be significantly more challenging without it.

Course Duration: 5 days (Monday to Friday)

Minimum Age: 17

The aim of this course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal passages by day and night.

Planning the passages

Can plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights, and tidal streams, publications required and strategy.
Customs procedures

Preparation

Is aware of safety equipment required for offshore passages
Can prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks

Pilotage planning

Can prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of surroundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerationsb.
Can pilot a yacht by day and night

Making passages and skipper ability

Can take charge of a yacht and direct the crew
Can organise the navigation, deckwork, and domestic duties of a yacht on passage Is aware of the significance of meteorological trends
Is aware of crew welfare on passage
Can use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes

Handle a yacht under power in wind

Can control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power
All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide

Handle a yacht under sail in wind

Can use the sails to control the yacht in a confined space
Anchoring and mooring in various conditions of wind and tide
Can sail efficiently on all points of sailing

Tough weather conditions

Preparation for heavy weather and yacht handling in strong winds
Navigation and general conduct in restricted visibility – without electronics!

Emergency procedures simulated

Recovery of man overboard under power and sail
Understands action to be taken when abandoning to the liferaft and during helicopter and lifeboat rescues

Supporting course books:

RYA Yachtmaster Handbook
RYA Navigation Handbook
Passage Planning

Skippering a yacht on longer coastal or offshore passages demands more than just basic skills—it requires advanced navigation, confident seamanship, and strong leadership. The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course is designed for experienced sailors looking to take command of a yacht on extended journeys, both by day and night.

Under the guidance of your RYA-certified instructor, you’ll refine your offshore navigation techniques (including in limited visibility), improve your weather forecasting and passage planning, and develop effective watch-keeping routines and heavy-weather preparation. Each student will take full responsibility for planning and skippering real passages—putting theory into practice while managing the crew and yacht safely and efficiently.

You’ll sharpen your boat-handling skills with frequent mooring practice and complete a minimum of 4 hours of night sailing. Weather permitting, we’ll undertake a longer coastal passage around Malta’s stunning coastline.

Our training yacht is “Lookfar”, a Bavaria 44 Cruiser, moored in Manoel Island Marina (Pontoon D, near Paparazzi restaurant). Your course begins at 09:30 on Day 1, and onboard accommodation is included (Monday to Friday). Sunday evening boarding or staying aboard Friday night can also be arranged.

Based in the heart of the Mediterranean, we sail throughout the Maltese Archipelago, often visiting the spectacular islands of Comino and Gozo, with time to relax ashore in the evenings and enjoy local food and culture.

With steady winds and sunny conditions year-round, Malta is the perfect place to build confidence and earn your RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate—a recognised step towards the RYA Yachtmaster™. Join us and take command of your sailing journey!

Our RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course is taught by expert instructors who are native English speakers, highly experienced, and committed to helping you take the next big step in your sailing journey. Instruction is clear, supportive, and tailored to help you master advanced coastal and offshore skippering skills with confidence.

The course fee includes all essential expenses—port fees, mooring fees, fuel, tourist tax, and general yacht maintenance—so you can focus on learning without worrying about hidden costs.

Students stay onboard our comfortable, well-equipped training yacht, Lookfar, which features three double cabins and one bunk bed cabin for accommodation during the course. You’ll live and learn aboard from Monday to Friday, with Sunday evening boarding and Friday night stays available by agreement.

We provide tea and coffee daily onboard (alcohol not included). For breakfast, we recommend the nearby Bus Stop Lounge, just 200 meters from the marina. You’re also welcome to bring a packed lunch or make use of the yacht’s fully equipped galley to prepare your own meals onboard.

When ashore, you'll have access to clean shower and toilet facilities located just by the marina gate. Our base at Manoel Island Yacht Marina is in one of Malta’s most vibrant and picturesque areas, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants—all within easy walking distance.

Upon successfully completing the course, you’ll be awarded the internationally recognised RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate. This qualification proves you’re capable of skippering longer passages by day and night in coastal waters—bringing you one step closer to becoming an RYA Yachtmaster™ and opening the door to more advanced sailing opportunities and professional endorsements.

If you choose for accommodation onboard, full bedding is supplied, sheets, pillows and blankets. Also, we provide towels for use on the yacht but not beach towels. If you should require more than one towel during the week, please do bring your own additional towel.

Packed lunch
Sunglasses
High factor sun cream
Deck shoes if possible, otherwise soft shoes with a non marking sole, or just barefoot
Shorts (Please be aware that these are liable to get dirty, so not your bestones!)
T-Shirts
Wash Kit
Fleece or jumper for the evenings and windy days at sea
Soft bag as opposed to a hard suitcase (we can store luggage if you are staying on)
Light long sleeved shirt if you need to cover up in the sun
Baseball/sun hat (preferably with a clip to stop it blowing overboard!)
Sea sickness tablets should you need them
Phone/ Ipod / lap top chargers – 12V (cigarette style chargers) if needed
RYA Log book if you have one
And above all, enthusiasm!

Please note that the temperatures in Malta are normally very warm during the day but it can be cold in the evenings and windy days at sea. It is a good idea to bring a small light rain mac if you have one and also a pair of long trousers and a warm fleece, just in case. Please note that We don't provide wet weather gear onboard.

It highly recommended to take RYA Marine Radio VHF course. VHF course will be useful if you want to do chartering in the future, because you are required to hold a VHF certificate for that purpose. The course is designed and created by RYA, and it will be given online. Once you complete the online course, you will have a 30 minutes exam with us during your stay in Malta. Usually it takes 1-2 days to complete. You can do it before, during, or after CSP course.

We also recommend you to take RYA First Aid course. The RYA First Aid course is designed to teach you exactly what to do in these situations. From the minor ailments such as headaches, sunburn and small lesions through to the immediate response to serious medical emergencies. This course covers the situations that a yachtsman is likely to encounter. This course is a must for all who sail, and skippers should encourage their crews to attend. Remember it may be you who needs attention! At the completion of the course you will be issued with the RYA Small Craft First Aid Certificate. This certificate is valid for 3 years from the time of issue and is a prerequisite for those taking the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Examinations.

To book VHF course and First Aid course, simply add it in the Course Booking Page, and we will send you a log-in and joining instructions after receiving your booking.

If you need a flight to Malta International, the airport code is MLA. There is only one airport.

Malta International Airport (MLA) is well connected to many European cities, especially major hubs. Low-cost carriers dominate many of the connections, especially from regional airports.

On arrival at Malta airport, there is a kiosk at the exit from the airport where you can pre pay the taxi to the boat. Destination: Manoel Island Yacht Marina Pontoon D.

The cost of this is usually 25 Euro. It only takes about 20 minutes to arrive our marina fron the airport. The taxi drivers speak good English.

Cheaper transport option would be use taxi app such as: Bolt and Ecab. There are plenty of taxi connected to these apps.

You will have a short safety brief on arrival to familiarise yourself with the boat and meet your crew mates!

For more details about course, logistics, accommodation, booking, and certificate, please refer to the FAQ's section.

At this stage of the RYA scheme it is really worthwhile consolidating what you have learnt by completing more sea miles. This could be achieved by joining our Malta-Sicily Mile Building Trip, or just coming along for another week or weekend of refresher/consolidation training. Following this you should look to join the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Preparation week followed by the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper examination.