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.An RYA online course covering the legal and professional responsibilities associated with commercially endorsed RYA certificates. It addresses regulation, duty of care, vessel and crew responsibilities, environmental considerations, contracts and the practical expectations placed on professional skippers and crew. PPR is one component of commercial endorsement requirements; medical fitness, sea survival or other evidence and…
An RYA intermediate racing course developing the skills needed to compete effectively at club level in a multihull. It builds boat handling, speed, starting, rules knowledge, tactics and the ability to make a race plan from the conditions and course. The course follows introductory racing experience and precedes the more advanced regional-racing level; current entry…
An introductory RYA shorebased or online course covering basic navigation, safety and seamanship for small-craft users. Topics include charts, buoyage, position, course, tides, weather, collision avoidance, pilotage, safety equipment and passage planning at a foundation level. It is a knowledge course and does not assess practical boat handling. Current delivery format and assessment arrangements depend…
An RYA shorebased navigation course providing the theory needed to plan and conduct coastal passages at day-skipper level. It covers charts, position fixing, course shaping, tides, weather, buoyage, collision regulations, pilotage, safety and passage planning. The course develops underpinning knowledge but does not replace practical skippering experience or the Day Skipper practical course.
An advanced RYA shorebased course in ocean navigation, celestial techniques and worldwide passage planning. It covers position by celestial observations, time, sextant use, sight reduction, ocean meteorology, routeing, communications and management of an ocean passage. The theory certificate is not the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence; that requires separate eligibility, a qualifying passage and an…
An advanced RYA shorebased navigation course supporting coastal skippering and preparation for Yachtmaster examinations. It develops chartwork, tides, meteorology, collision regulations, electronic and traditional navigation, pilotage, passage planning and emergency decision-making. The course certificate records theoretical achievement and does not itself award a Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence or replace qualifying sea time.
An RYA practical course teaching safe and responsible operation of a personal watercraft. Training covers controls, low- and higher-speed handling, stopping, manoeuvres, collision avoidance, local restrictions, safety equipment and emergency action. The certificate may be requested by operators or authorities but legal requirements vary by location; it is not permission to disregard local age, licensing…
An advanced RYA practical powerboat course for planning and conducting demanding coastal passages by day and night. It develops pilotage, navigation, boat handling, weather decisions, crew management, collision avoidance and emergency response in a suitable planing or displacement craft. The course-completion certificate is distinct from the RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat examination and Certificate of Competence.
An introductory RYA practical course providing supervised experience of basic powerboat handling. It covers preparation, personal safety, controls, steering, stopping, low-speed manoeuvres and awareness of other water users. It is a basic participation-level award with operating limitations, not the broader Powerboat Level 2 certificate commonly used as the foundation for independent handling.
An introductory RYA practical course for newcomers participating in the handling and operation of a motor cruiser. It introduces onboard safety, basic controls, engines, ropework, securing, steering and crew tasks during a short practical experience. The course is a first step into the Motor Cruising Scheme and does not qualify the holder to take independent…
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.
