All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.
Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning, secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.
We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.
Nautical Terms & TerminologyUnderstanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
Why do we have tides?Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
What causes our weather?A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
Buoyage FlashcardsFlashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
The Salty Sea BlogFrom salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.Courses and exams run by RYA Training Centres, following an RYA syllabus and structure.
The fourth RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, consolidating independent sailing and introducing more advanced techniques. It develops rigging, launch and recovery, efficient sailing, manoeuvres and practical seamanship across a broader range of situations. Stage 4 completes the core youth progression but does not represent competence in every boat or condition; advanced, racing and foiling modules…
The third RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, developing independent sailing in light conditions. Training consolidates sailing in all directions, manoeuvres, stopping, basic safety and decision-making with less direct instructor input. The award is condition and craft specific; Stage 4 extends techniques and independence rather than removing the need for appropriate supervision.
The second RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, developing basic steering and sail control on more points of sail. Young sailors build confidence in rigging, launching, tacking, gybing and responding to instructions while remaining within an appropriate supervised environment. Progress depends on demonstrated skills rather than age alone. Stage 3 moves towards sailing independently in light…
The first RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, introducing young sailors to basic boat control and safety. Training is practical and normally covers getting under way, steering, sail awareness and returning under close supervision. It is a staged achievement rather than proof of independent sailing; age, boat, weather and supervision arrangements are set by the recognised…
An RYA advanced practical module developing versatile boat handling and problem-solving in a dinghy. Exercises may include stopping, sailing backwards, reducing sail, anchoring, picking up a mooring, recovering a person overboard, and launching or recovering in different circumstances. The aim is controlled seamanship across varied situations, not simply higher speed. Content and techniques are adapted…
An RYA introductory racing course for sailors beginning to take part in organised dinghy races. Training introduces starting, course sailing, basic rules, boat handling, speed and simple tactics so the sailor can complete a race and understand the sequence of an event. It assumes basic sailing control and is the first step in the RYA…
An RYA practical module developing the planning and execution of a short day passage in a dinghy. It combines pilotage, weather, local hazards, equipment, crew preparation and decision-making with sailing away from the immediate training area. The certificate records course completion, not unrestricted command competence. Conditions, operating area and supervision remain subject to experience, centre…
An RYA advanced practical module developing efficient boat handling, sail trim and performance in a dinghy. Training applies the five essentials, balance, trim, sail setting, centreboard or keel effects and tactical handling to improve speed and control across a range of conditions. It develops existing sailing ability rather than serving as an introduction. The exact…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
Our 1% commitment
My Sailing Course contributes 1% of every Stripe payment to help promising carbon removal technologies move from the lab into the field.
Stripe Climate commitments fund the development and purchase of carbon removal. They are not carbon offsets or credits attached to an individual order.
Welcome to My Sailing Course. Where's this adventure going to take you?
Ahoy there, Visiting Sailor! Ask us anything—whether you need help choosing a course, have a sailing question, or want to speak to the crew.
Scan with your phone to open the My Sailing Course WhatsApp service. You can review or edit the prepared message before sending it.
Your conversation stays with My Sailing Course so our Support team can respond securely.
Enter at least two characters to explore.
Welcome back aboard. Sign in with the email address connected to your My Sailing Course account.
Your account details are encrypted in transit and your password is never displayed or stored by this form. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Join free to save your favourites, unlock bonus learning resources and keep everything nautical close at hand.
Join the My Sailing Course community with one secure account for your courses, profile and support.
We've successfully created your account. Hold station for a few moments and you will be returned to the page.
Already have an account? Sign in
Enter your account email and we will send you a secure reset link.
This reset link is invalid or has expired.
Your new password is saved securely. We are confirming it across My Sailing Course before you sign in.
Please keep this window open. It will change to the sign-in form as soon as every service confirms the update.
