Not necessarily. RYA Start Yachting and RYA Competent Crew are designed for beginners. If you’re considering Day Skipper or a more advanced course, some prior sailing experience is recommended.

If you’re completely new to sailing, Start Yachting or Competent Crew are great places to begin. If you already have sailing experience and want to progress towards skippering, Day Skipper is the natural next step. From there, you can progress to Coastal Skipper and eventually Yachtmaster.

Yes. RYA qualifications are internationally recognised and are widely used by sailors and charter companies around the world.

Our RYA courses depart from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, right in the heart of the Whitsundays.

A lot! Our courses are practical and hands-on. You’ll be involved in helming, sail handling, navigation, anchoring, rope work, safety and other aspects of running a sailing yacht.

We keep our courses small so you get plenty of time at the helm and meaningful one-on-one guidance throughout your sailing experience.

Absolutely. Private RYA training can be tailored around your experience, goals and confidence on the water. It’s particularly popular with couples, families, friends and sailors who want a more personalised experience.

Yes. We also offer private sailing experiences for those who want to experience the Whitsundays without undertaking an RYA qualification.  

You’re learning in a genuine cruising environment, sailing between islands, navigating anchorages and experiencing real-world conditions — all surrounded by the spectacular Whitsunday Islands.

You can continue your sailing journey through the RYA pathway: Competent Crew → Day Skipper → Coastal Skipper → Yachtmaster.