The programme begins with the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory course, where you’ll learn both traditional and modern methods of ocean navigation.

The syllabus includes celestial navigation, ocean meteorology, ocean currents, and offshore passage planning.

You’ll learn how to use a sextant and practise reducing sun and star sights to calculate your position at sea — one of the most rewarding and respected skills in offshore sailing.

Once the theory course is complete, the crew works together to prepare and plan the qualifying ocean passage.

Subject to weather and routing forecasts, the programme usually begins with a coastal passage from Sydney to Eden before heading offshore to the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island.

Depending on conditions and crew numbers, we often complete a second qualifying ocean passage back to Eden before returning to our base at Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney.

Course programme

• Week 1: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory
• Week 2: Ocean passage planning and begin offshore passage
• Week 3: Ocean qualifying passage
• Week 4: Ocean qualifying passage

December programme: Courses starting in September include a four-week Christmas break between Weeks 1 and 2.

For this programme, the ocean passage begins in Hobart, Tasmania, and finishes at Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney.

For all other course dates, the programme runs continuously, with the ocean passage both starting and finishing in Sydney.

Lord Howe Island

The Lord Howe Island passage is a genuine blue-water sailing adventure to one of the Pacific’s most spectacular destinations.

World Heritage-listed for its extraordinary natural beauty, Lord Howe Island is famous for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear lagoon, and dramatic volcanic peaks.

With visitor numbers limited to just 400 people at any one time, the island remains one of the most protected and unspoilt destinations in the Pacific.

The diving and snorkelling are world-class, and visiting by yacht is a rare privilege experienced by very few sailors.

During the passage, crew members rotate through positions of responsibility including Acting Skipper and Watch Leader.

This ensures everyone completes the required 600-nautical-mile qualifying passage while actively participating in navigation, watchkeeping, weather decisions, and offshore seamanship.

Expect dolphins, whales, flying fish, dramatic sunsets, and unforgettable offshore sailing experiences.

This is ocean sailing at its finest.

The yacht and instructors

Our Lord Howe Island passages are conducted aboard SV Arctos, our purpose-built offshore training yacht designed for serious ocean sailing and Southern Ocean conditions.

The passage is fully supervised by two experienced AMSA Sailing Masters and highly qualified RYA instructors.

You’ll receive ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support throughout the voyage.

Meals on yachts, safety equipment, publications, tuition

If you book our December course, you will need to factor in the cost of a flight from Sydney to Hobart to start the ocean passage.

Qualifications and experience

• 1,500 sea miles logged
• RYA YM Ocean Shore-based Theory
• RYA YM Ocean Qualifying passage

Meals on yachts, safety equipment, publications, tuitionIf you book our December course, you will need to account for the cost of a flight from Sydney to Hobart to begin the ocean passage.Qualifications and experience• 1,500 sea miles logged• RYA YM Ocean Shore-based Theory• RYA YM Ocean Qualifying Passage

• You are a confident yachtsman or woman who, as a minimum, has taken part in an RYA Coastal Skipper course or had equivalent offshore sailing experience. 
• We prefer if all crew members have completed an ISAF-recognized Sea Survival course 

Before your oral exam for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, you must

• Hold the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
• Have completed the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean shore-based theory course
• Have completed a Yachtmaster Ocean qualifying passage. 
• Have prepared a narrative of your qualifying passage including details of your navigational sights for submission to the examiner

If you intend to use your Yachtmaster Ocean qualification commercially, be prepared to go for a straightforward medical.

Consider following this course with a Cruising Instructor week to teach yachting at an RYA school like Flying Fish!