RYA Day Skipper

Gain the skills and confidence to take charge of a small yacht in familiar waters, by day.

Take the next step towards confidently skippering a yacht with an RYA Day Skipper course.

The RYA Day Skipper Practical is the first skipper-level qualification in the RYA training scheme, often compared to gaining a Private Pilot’s Licence — but for sailing.

It also allows you to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for chartering yachts in destinations such as Europe, Croatia, the Greek Islands, and the Whitsundays.

Explore the course options below to find the right pathway for your experience and goals.

Approved RYA Sailing School Sydney
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Day Skipper course options

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RYA Day Skipper Practical - 5 days

The RYA Day Skipper Practical course teaches you how to take charge of a yacht and builds on the skills from Competent Crew. With an RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate, you can apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) – which is often required to charter a yacht in Europe.

5 days

A$1,995.00

View detail & dates
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RYA Day Skipper Practical - Whitsundays

This comprehensive skills development course based in the stunning Whitsunday Islands leads to the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate. RYA Day Skipper certificate holders are entitled to an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC), which is generally required for a European yacht charter.

5 days

A$2,290.00

View detail & dates
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RYA Day Skipper Practical Weekend

The RYA Day Skipper Practical course builds on Competent Crew and teaches you how to take command of a yacht. You’ll learn to plan and lead short passages, handle the boat under sail and power, and make safe, confident decisions on board.

2 days

A$795.00

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RYA Day Skipper / Watchleader Theory

The RYA Dayskipper shore-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, safety, and seamanship and provides the underpinning theory knowledge essential for recreational skippers. It will help you make informed decisions on the water and feel confident about being in charge.

5 days

A$1,495.00

View detail & dates
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Day Skipper Fast Track

Get Qualified to Skipper a Charter Yacht in Just 4 Weeks! Go from beginner to RYA Day Skipper with this intensive training program. Gain internationally recognized qualifications, including the RYA Day Skipper certificate and ICC (International Certificate of Competence), while sailing in iconic Sydney Harbour.

4 weeks

A$6,490.00

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International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

As a skipper, it is important to be aware of the qualification requirements when operating a vessel in foreign waters. For recreational boating—particularly when chartering in countries such as Greece or Croatia—the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is commonly accepted by local maritime authorities and charter companies as evidence of boating competence.

4 - 7 hours

Enquire for details

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ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC

1 day

A$395.00

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Marine First Aid

This course has been specifically designed for those working in the marine environment and is ideal for boat owners, watersports instructors, yacht skippers, and crew. The course leads to an internationally recognised first aid qualification.

1 day

A$395.00

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Essential Navigation and Seamanship - Online

This self-paced online course provides a beginner's introduction to the navigation theory and safety knowledge required to go boating safely at sea.

16 hours - self-paced

A$320.00

View detail & dates
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  • RYA Day Skipper Practical – 5 days

    5 days
    The RYA Day Skipper Practical course teaches you how to take charge of a yacht and builds on the skills from Competent Crew. With an RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate, you can apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) – which is often required to charter a yacht in Europe.
    A$1,995.00

  • RYA Day Skipper Practical – Whitsundays

    5 days
    This comprehensive skills development course based in the stunning Whitsunday Islands leads to the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate. RYA Day Skipper certificate holders are entitled to an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC), which is generally required for a European yacht charter.
    A$2,290.00

  • RYA Day Skipper Practical Weekend

    2 days
    The RYA Day Skipper Practical course builds on Competent Crew and teaches you how to take command of a yacht. You’ll learn to plan and lead short passages, handle the boat under sail and power, and make safe, confident decisions on board.
    A$795.00

  • RYA Day Skipper / Watchleader Theory

    5 days
    The RYA Dayskipper shore-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, safety, and seamanship and provides the underpinning theory knowledge essential for recreational skippers. It will help you make informed decisions on the water and feel confident about being in charge.
    A$1,495.00

  • Day Skipper Fast Track

    4 weeks
    Get Qualified to Skipper a Charter Yacht in Just 4 Weeks! Go from beginner to RYA Day Skipper with this intensive training program. Gain internationally recognized qualifications, including the RYA Day Skipper certificate and ICC (International Certificate of Competence), while sailing in iconic Sydney Harbour.
    A$6,490.00

  • International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

    4 – 7 hours
    As a skipper, it is important to be aware of the qualification requirements when operating a vessel in foreign waters. For recreational boating—particularly when chartering in countries such as Greece or Croatia—the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is commonly accepted by local maritime authorities and charter companies as evidence of boating competence.
    Enquire for details

  • ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

    1 day
    This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC
    A$395.00

  • Marine First Aid

    1 day
    This course has been specifically designed for those working in the marine environment and is ideal for boat owners, watersports instructors, yacht skippers, and crew. The course leads to an internationally recognised first aid qualification.
    A$395.00
Day Skipper

Choose your Day Skipper pathway

Building on RYA Competent Crew, the RYA Day Skipper Practical teaches the essential skills to confidently skipper a yacht and can be completed over five days or three weekends.

The RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course isn’t required for the practical qualification, but it provides important navigation and safety knowledge. If time is limited, the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship online course, together with pre-course learning, covers the essentials.

Many Day Skippers also choose to complete Marine First Aid and the Marine Radio Operator certificate for safe skippering.

For faster progression, the Day Skipper Fast Track offers an inspiring and intensive four-week pathway to a package of useful internationally recognised qualifications. 

Experienced Day Skippers who only need an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) can book a direct assessment with Flying Fish.

We run RYA Day Skipper courses year-round in Sydney, with a short Australian winter season in the Whitsundays.

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Continue your sailing journey

With an RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate under your belt, you’re ready to put your skills into practice, apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), and charter yachts in destinations such as Europe, Croatia, the Greek Islands, and the Whitsundays.

For many sailors, the next step is Coastal Skipper, where you build experience beyond familiar waters and learn to take charge offshore — a key milestone on the pathway towards Yachtmaster.

We also encourage developing skippers to build confidence through Dinghy Sailing, an excellent way to sharpen wind awareness, sail trim, and boat-handling skills.

From there, your training and experience can naturally progress towards Yachtmaster, the ultimate qualification for many sailors and the gateway to offshore and professional-level skippering.

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