RYA Day Skipper

RYA Day Skipper Sailing Course for Bareboat Yacht Charter and Flotilla Sailing Holidays in Greece

To charter a yacht bareboat or sail a yacht in a flotilla in Greece you ideally need either an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or the RYA Day Skipper qualification. With the RYA Day Skipper practical qualification you can also be issued with the ICC but with either one you can enjoy the freedom of bareboat yachting in the beautiful waters of the Greek Ionian.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Day Skipper course can be taken at one of the many RYA training centres in the UK or at schools abroad, including from Lefkas in the Greek Ionian with one of Island Sailing's affiliated training schools.  For more information about taking an RYA Day Skipper practical course in Greece click here.

The Day Skipper qualification is in two parts, theory and practical. The theory course is usually taken first and teaches you the navigation skills required to skipper yacht and is classroom based, although you are also able to take the course on a correspondence basis. 

You can also now choose to take the new online RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course instead of the Day Skipper theory course.

By taking the theory course you learn all the theory of navigation (including use of GPS and electronic charts), meteorology, collision regulations and safety needed to skipper a yacht. Courses can be taken in a variety of different ways and over different time periods. 

The RYA Day Skipper practical course is about learning to Skipper a yacht and is the usual  minimum standard required to charter a boat. The RYA Day Skipper practical course in the UK is a five day course and is usually carried out over two weekends or five consecutive days. 

You can also take the RYA Day Skipper practical course in Greece around the beautiful Ionian islands in the sunshine. The practical course runs over 6 days and as the Mediterranean waters here have no (or minimal) tides you will take the non-tidal version of the qualification.  

The course covers preparation for sea, safety, navigation, rules of the road, maintenance, pilotage, yacht handling, passage making, victualling and all that might be considered good seamanship.

On completion of the theory and practical RYA Day Skipper course you will be qualified to charter and skipper a yacht in Greece including the fantastic new Bavaria Cruiser 32 sailing yachts, free to explore the beautiful Greek Ionian Islands at your own pace.

With an Island Sailing yacht charter you will still have the support and assistance of our dedicated team throughout your yachting holiday.

You have 24/7 communication with us via radio or mobile phone and in the unlikely event of you needing support, backup is provided by a large rib we are always available should you ever need our assistance.

Whist you plan your own routes we are happy to offer any suggestions and can provide advice on the sailing area from the best anchorages and beaches to great restaurants and tavernas. We also offer free stern to mooring assistance at the start of your sailing holiday in Greece. We are also on hand if you would like a little help mooring up on your first couple of evenings in the Ionian.

You may need to take a practical Competent Crew course before taking the Day Skipper practical course, for more information on RYA courses in the UK please call or email us or click here for RYA courses in Greece or visit the RYA website.

If you have previous sailing experience but no qualifications another option would be to attend a short ICC assessment with an RYA sailing school or RYA affiliated sailing club. For more information about getting the ICC click here.

For information about training centres offering RYA courses or ICC assessments in the UK or if you would like to have a general chat about your experience or qualifications call us on 0844 840 1968 or email jonny@island-sailing.com