Spend five unforgettable days living and learning aboard a yacht in the spectacular Whitsunday Islands.

This practical course is designed to build real confidence through hands-on sailing, short passages, and expert coaching.

You’ll develop skills in yacht handling, seamanship, pilotage, navigation, and skipper decision-making in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

Wherever possible, you’ll take charge as skipper, helping you build leadership, confidence, and practical command experience.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to skipper a small sailing yacht confidently in familiar coastal waters by day.

RYA Day Skipper — key skills

• Preparing a yacht for sea and managing life on board
• Reefing, sail trim, and yacht handling under sail and power
• Mooring, anchoring, and picking up buoys
• Navigation using charts, GPS, visual fixes, and pilotage techniques
• Understanding tides, course to steer, DR, and EP navigation
• Basic meteorology and collision regulations (COLREGS)
• Engine checks, maintenance awareness, and fault finding
• Emergency procedures and man overboard recovery
• Passage planning, watchkeeping, and night sailing exercises

Sailing location and conditions

The Whitsunday Islands offer warm trade winds, crystal-clear waters, sheltered anchorages, and some of the world’s best cruising conditions.

It’s the ideal environment for learning, building confidence, and enjoying relaxed tropical sailing.

You may also encounter dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish during the week.

The yacht and instructors

Training is delivered by experienced RYA-qualified instructors using Flying Fish’s supportive and professional teaching style.

Groups are limited to five students to maximise hands-on experience and individual coaching.

You’ll train aboard one of our Beneteau 40 cruiser-racer yachts and take part in all aspects of yacht operation and daily life on board.

Private course option

Private courses are available for groups of up to five people, with only four places charged.

This is an excellent option for families or groups of friends, and children are welcome with parental supervision.

Please use the enquiry button at the top of the page for more information.

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading.
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided, and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
• We provide tea, coffee and water.  

Qualifications and experience

• 150 sea miles logged
• RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate
• On successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper Practical, you will be able to apply for the International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC) from the RYA for a cost of approximately UK 50 pounds. You will then be able to Skipper/Charter vessels in the Mediterranean and other countries worldwide.

• You have completed the RYA Competent Crew course or have at least one week’s experience on a sailing yacht and are confident as a crew member under supervision. Experience on dinghies or keelboats is helpful.
• You have a basic understanding of pilotage and are familiar with navigation using paper charts.
• If your knowledge of navigation and safety is limited, we recommend completing the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course. Alternatively, you can take the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course online before you start.
• For a deeper understanding, you may also wish to complete the COLREGS (IRPCS) Rules of the Road online course, which, combined with Essential Navigation, covers much of the Day Skipper theory syllabus.
• The minimum age for RYA Day Skipper certification is 16.

• We recommend anyone operating as a Day Skipper should also hold a First Aid certificate and a Marine Radio Licence
• Your next Flying Fish course should be RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Shore-based Theory.

• William Jamieson - Sydney, Australia
• RYA Day Skipper Practical 
• 
• "My wife and I had an absolutely amazing experience with Mathew on Let Loose. His kindness, patience and teaching methods helped us build the confidence we needed to tackle our next adventure - bareboat skippering in Gippsland in a few weeks time. We’ve worked with several RYA instructors, but we founds Mathew’s gift for teaching beyond compare.  Thank you so much. We will be back!"
• Rob Scott - Queensland, Australia 
• RYA Day Skipper Practical
• 
• "I cannot speak highly enough of the RYA Day Skipper course Flying Fish offers. The combination of expert instruction, practical hands-on experience, a world-class boat, and a stunning environment made this a truly unforgettable experience. I am confident about taking on the responsibilities of a Day Skipper, and I owe it all to Jim and your fantastic team. Thank you once again for providing such an outstanding course. I look forward to levelling up with the Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track soon."
• Lyndsay Barnes - UK
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ Joining the Flying Fish Yachtmaster programme was one of the best decisions I ever made, My new office is floating on Sydney Harbour. If you’re considering doing the course, sign up now and don’t give it a second thought. But be warned, it could change your life ”