To gain the RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor qualification and progress to RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore, you’ll need solid sailing skills, strong theory knowledge, safety awareness, and an effective coaching style. Our 12-week Fast Track program is designed to rapidly develop your seamanship and teaching skills in one of the world’s finest sailing locations.

You’ll build confidence on the water, learn to deliver safe and inspiring sailing sessions, and develop the technical knowledge needed to coach others. By the end of the course you’ll have an imaginative approach to teaching, a clear understanding of the theory behind it, and the experience required to launch a career in yachting and watersports.

Flying Fish has been training professional Yachtmasters for more than twenty years. Our customers include men and women of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. Our innovative course programme provides an exhilarating mix of training and a reliable route to certification. We promise expert tuition, a stimulating learning environment and a great Australian sailing adventure.

Course programme

The programme combines practical training, instructor development, and Yachtmaster preparation in a progressive and balanced schedule. Training time is divided between live-aboard passages, dinghy coaching, day sailing, and shore-based theory classes.

Weekends are generally free, but we encourage you to join our dinghy sailing and windsurfing sessions (at no cost) to sharpen your boat handling. You may also assist our qualified instructors on weekend Yacht courses or join Middle Harbour Yacht Club racing.

Please refer to our FAQ section below for a detailed week-by-week schedule.

An unmatched sailing location

Training takes place at the Flying Fish Sail Academy, based at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney — one of the world’s premier sailing locations. You'll sail on Sydney Harbour past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and venture offshore along the New South Wales coastline.

Destinations may include:

✅ Jervis Bay – pristine beaches and sheltered waters
✅ Pittwater & Seal Rocks – stunning scenery and perfect training conditions
✅ Coffs Harbour – ideal for offshore passage experience

Expect varied conditions, marine life and exhilarating offshore passages — this is real-world sail training at its best.

Top-quality yachts & equipment

We train on a versatile fleet including:

⛵ Beneteau 40.7 and Beneteau First 40 performance yachts
⛵ SV Arctos (Radford 55) – Southern Ocean-ready expedition yacht
🚤 Laser Bahia & RS Zest dinghies for instructor skills
🚤 Highfield RIBs for support and coaching practice

Our waterside classroom at Middle Harbour Yacht Club is fully equipped for shore-based learning and instructor development.

Expert instructors

Our experienced and highly qualified team guide you through every step with the friendly, professional coaching style Flying Fish is known for.

Where to stay ashore

If you're coming from outside Sydney, we offer limited accommodation in Flying Fish crew apartments in Manly, close to the beach and transport links. Alternatively, you are welcome to arrange your own accommodation.

Full details can be found in the FAQ section below.

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading, training resources, and certification. 
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided, and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• Shared cabin accommodation and meals onboard on live-aboard passages 
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Fast-track customers can join our weekend dinghy and windsurf classes at no extra cost 
• RYA YM exam fees (approximately $465) are not included and are payable directly to the RYA on the exam day. 

Qualifications and experience

For a full list of the qualifications and experience acquired on the programme, see the FAQ section below.

This course welcomes complete beginners as well as those who have sailed before and want to refresh their skills in an incredible training environment. No experience is necessary — but if you’ve spent time dinghy sailing, windsurfing or out on yachts, you’ll find that background a helpful head start.

• If you leave the course as a qualified Dinghy Sailing Instructor and commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal, you will be ready to start work as a skipper and instructor.
• This combination of qualifications makes you highly versatile and well suited for a wide variety of roles — from teaching sailing at watersports centres to working on yachts in both coastal and offshore environments.
• Yachtmaster Coastal is a great starting point, but operations are limited to 20 miles from port, so most graduates choose to upgrade to Yachtmaster Offshore as their experience builds.
• Check out Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track for an ab-initio pathway to the Yachtmaster Offshore / Master of Yachts 200 certification and the AMSA Sailing Master Offshore (NC).

• Booking information
  • To secure your place in the course, please pay a 10% holding deposit via the links provided above. This deposit will reserve your position until sixty days before the course start date, at which point the remaining balance of the course fees will be due. Please be aware that the deposit is non-refundable; however, it can be transferred to any other course or event offered by Flying Fish. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited.
• Course programme
  • Week 1 - RYA Competent Crew (5 days aboard)
  • Week 2 - RYA Powerboat Level 2 (2 days) / Dinghy Sailing Level 1/2 (2 days) / Marine First Aid (1 day) / ACMA Marine Radio Operator (1 day)
  • Week 3 - RYA Day Skipper Practical (5 days aboard)
  • Week 4 - RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory (5 days shore-based)
  • Week 5 - RYA Level 2/3 sailing skills
  • Week 6 - RYA Dinghy Race training / Spinnaker handling
  • Week 7 - RYA Dinghy Seamanship Skills / Day Sailing
  • Week 8 - RYA Dinghy Instructor
  • Week 9 - RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (6 days shore-based)
  • Week 10 - RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (5 days live-aboard)
  • Week 11 - Yachtmaster Practical Skills (5 days) / Safety and Sea Survival (2 days)
  • Week 12 - Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week (5 days live-aboard)
  • The above programme may be run in a different order, but the training units are correct.
• Qualifications and experience
  • Approx 900 sea miles logged
  • RYA Competent Crew
  • RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
  • RYA Day Skipper Practical
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • TCP Marine First Aid
  • RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor
  • ACMA VHF/HF GMDSS Marine Radio Operator Licence
  • RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory
  • RYA Coastal Skipper
  • AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival
  • RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)
  • RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (Sail)
  • AMSA Sailing Master Coastal NC - subject to meeting medical fitness requirements
  • AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 - subject to meeting medical fitness requirements
• Where to stay ashore
  • Flying Fish crew apartments - stay with other Flying Fish customers on one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Our crew apartments in Manly are comfortably furnished for shared living and conveniently located, just a short bus ride or Uber ride away from our Middle Harbour Yacht Club training centre. These apartments offer a sociable and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for building friendships. Room share (twin): A$790 per week / single room: A$1190 per week. Book your accommodation package when you book your course. We only offer accommodation packages for the whole duration of the programme.
  • Book your stay at Backpackers in Manly, which offers basic accommodation for those on a budget, with rates starting at approximately A$60 per night for a 4-6 berth mixed dormitory. Popular hostels include Manly Backpackers, Boardrider Backpackers, and Stoke Beach House. But be sure to do your research and check the latest Google reviews.
  • Book your room or apartment on Airbnb for flexibility and privacy, with various options available in Manly, Fairlight, Balgowlah, and Mosman. All are an easy bus ride to the Flying Fish training centre at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
  • Check out Flatmates.com.au, which has listings across the Northern Beaches and Mosman for shared living—an excellent choice for a cost-effective, community-focused stay.
  • It’s also worth checking Facebook groups like Manly Living for additional rooms and recommendations on living in the area.
• Visas for international students
  • Apart from Australians and New Zealanders, everyone travelling to Australia must apply for a visa in advance. Don’t apply for a student visa. These are only available for government-sanctioned higher education courses at universities and other tertiary establishments. Tourist visas or working holiday visas (for those seeking employment) are acceptable.
• What happens if I fail the Yachtmaster or Dinghy Instructor exams?
  • We do our best to make sure that you don't. However, if the worst comes to the worst, you'll leave with an action plan to complete. Typically, this involves revising any missing skills or knowledge and then retaking the exam.
  • Over 90% of our Yachtmaster candidates pass the first time.
• Can I customise the course or complete the programme over a longer period?
  • Yes, if you would like to complete a personalised course programme by omitting specific training units or spreading the course over a year or more, please contact us with your requirements.
• What are the work opportunities once I am qualified?
  • Find out more about job opportunities on yachts here.