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.Ahoy, fellow sea wanderers! If the smell of salt in the air, the rhythmic slap of waves against the hull, and the endless horizon call to your soul, you’ve found the right place. The Salty Sea Blog is a place for musings on sailing—whether it’s the thrill of a stiff breeze filling the sails, the quiet magic of a sunrise at anchor, or the camaraderie found in harbours worldwide.
From 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.
Fair winds and following seas! ⛵
When you’re at sea, understanding the weather isn’t just about checking your app — it’s about reading the sky, feeling the wind, and spotting pressure trends. These natural signs often give you far more warning than a digital forecast. In this post, we’ll explore how to identify common cloud types, interpret wind shifts, and understand…
So, you’ve completed the theory and booked your Day Skipper Practical Course. But what’s it actually like to live, learn, and sail as skipper for the first time? Whether you’re feeling excited or a bit nervous, this guide walks you through what to expect from day one to your final sail. ⛵ Welcome Aboard: Your…
Mastering Tidal Precision for Sailing and Motoring Ferry gliding is a brilliant technique that harnesses the tide’s power to move your boat smoothly across the water without battling the current head-on. It’s a vital skill for mooring under motor or sail, navigating tight spaces, working with (rather than against) the elements. What is Ferry Gliding?…
Chart plotters have revolutionised how we navigate, making real-time position tracking, route planning, and decision-making more accessible than ever. Central to this technology are waypoints—specific geographic points you plot on your electronic chart. By linking waypoints together, you can plan a passage and monitor your performance using data like Bearing to Waypoint (BTW), Distance to Waypoint (DTW), and Cross…
We’ve compared the best Online RYA Day Skipper Theory Course Providers Updated for 2026. Are you ready to take the helm? If you’re planning to skipper your own yacht or want to gain confidence with coastal navigation, an RYA Day Skipper Theory course is an essential step. We’ve checked course pricing, syllabus format, access options,…
From Overwhelmed to In Control – Stress-Free Passage Planning with APEM If you’re new to navigation and planning your first cross-Channel trip, the process can feel overwhelming. That’s where the acronym APEM comes in—Appraise, Plan, Execute, Monitor. These four steps help ensure your passage is safe, legal, and enjoyable. Let’s walk through each stage, using…
Thinking of a family sailing holiday in Greece? Here’s why the Ionian is perfect for beginners—and how to get qualified in time for summer. 🌴 Why the Ionian Is Perfect for First-Time Sailors 🛥️ Do You Need a License to Charter a Boat in Greece? Yes—but it’s simpler than you might think. To charter a…
Don’t just sail—speak the language. Master key nautical terms before you hit the water. Sailing isn’t just a sport or a way to travel—it’s a world of its own, full of colorful language rooted in centuries of maritime tradition. If you’re new to sailing, some of the vocabulary might feel like a foreign language. Why…
How a Maritime Signal Became the World’s Most Iconic Peace Symbol The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) logo is one of the most recognisable symbols of peace in the world today. Often referred to as the “peace symbol,” it has transcended its original purpose and become a universal emblem of non-violence, anti-war movements, and global…
The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is an internationally recognised qualification that certifies an individual’s ability to operate a pleasure craft safely. It is particularly useful for those who wish to hire or operate boats abroad, as many countries require proof of competence before allowing access to their waters. This guide outlines the steps necessary…
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.
Most students do not. You only need invigilation if you want a commercial endorsement or your employer requires it. The standard online assessments are included and marked by an instructor.
For more details about exam invigilation, read our full article here: RYA theory exam invigilation, explained
Yes. We can invigilate at our own assessment centre or arrange a session with a partner centre. Availability varies by location. Let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.
You will sit two papers, 90 minutes each. Bring photo ID. You may use a 2B pencil, eraser, Portland plotter, dividers, a non-programmable calculator, the RYA Training Almanac, RYA Charts 3 and 4, and scrap paper.
Fees apply for invigilated exams and vary by partner or venue. We will confirm the price before you book.
Please contact us before you enrol so we can confirm the best option, dates, and costs for you.
Yes. You can start the course now and book an invigilated exam later if you need one for commercial endorsement.
Yes, we do! If you want to sign up with more than one person, you get a 10% discount on the total enrollment cost.
Each student requires a login, so to get the multi-person discount, add the course to your basket, then add the additional person by selecting the ‘Additional Enrollment’ option. This will automatically discount the total course price in your basket and generate a voucher code for the extra person (or people) to enrol themselves.
Our instructor support is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, using any channel you choose. From Email to WhatsApp to Messenger, you can get help on whatever channel works for you. We’ll even schedule a call if that’s how you want to chat with us.
We love talking with people! Call us on +44 23 8000 0270
Send us an email, we are here to help you 7-days a week. [email protected]
Send us a text; we are here to help you 7 days a week. +44 23 8000 0270
Send us a WhatsApp; we are here to help you 7 days a week. +44 23 8000 0270
Instagram Messaging: we are here to help you 7 days a week. @mysailingcourse
Facebook Messenger: we are here to help you 7 days a week. @mysailingcourse
Book a video call to chat through your options.Everything is logged in your briefing room, so you can go back, ask for more details and track all your conversations with an instructor.
The Day Skipper theory certificate is valid for life. However, like many things, brushing up and learning new skills is continuous. Anyone who thinks they’ve completed their learning is probably not best suited to skipper a boat!
The Day Skipper theory course involves a minimum of 40 hours of teaching and two assessment papers, each lasting 1½ hours.
You can complete the online course at your own pace. Everything is stored, so you can take a break and return anytime. There isn’t a time limit, and you get 12 months of instructor support spread over any timeframe you like.
However long it takes you to complete the course, you will retain access to the content, which will allow you to revise before your practical course.
No! Any progress in Sailing Essentials is migrated to your Day Skipper progress, so you won’t have to do it again.
Most students ask for help when doing the navigation modules, so your 12-month instructor support time only starts once you start the ‘How to read the map!’ module of the Day Skipper theory course.
You have access to the course content for life!
Once enrolled, you get 12 months of instructor support, but you are in control of when this starts and can pause it should you need a break.
The course includes everything you need to earn the Day Skipper theory certificate successfully. The only thing you need to provide is your time.
You’ll receive a course pack (dispatched the same day if ordered before 3 p.m. on weekdays) that contains everything you need to complete the course.
You’ll get 12 months of unlimited support from RYA-qualified instructors 365 days a year, all managed using your briefing room.
You’ll have immediate, lifetime access to over 50 hours of engaging, interactive teaching content, including practice exercises that provide debriefings and support.
You’ll have immediate access to the Day Skipper social group, where you can meet and connect with like-minded people at the same stage of their journey as you.
You’ll have access to our downloadable & support content. We have over 50 supplementary downloads to help you learn the topics and techniques.
See the ‘What’s included?’ tab on the Day Skipper theory enrolment page for more details.
The Day Skipper Theory course includes the learning, equipment and support needed to work through the syllabus and complete the standard assessments.
Orders placed before 3pm are scheduled for same-day dispatch. The RYA describes Day Skipper Theory as 40 hours plus exam time. See the official RYA course information.
Day Skipper theory is an RYA shore-based qualification and the required level of navigational & sailing theory for anyone intending to take the Day Skipper Practical course. It provides an excellent foundation and platform for learning how to put out to sea safely.
RYA Day Skipper Theory is designed for prospective skippers and inexperienced crew who want the knowledge needed to make safe decisions aboard a small vessel in familiar waters. It is also valuable preparation for an RYA Day Skipper practical course. Some practical experience is helpful, but it is not required and the RYA sets no minimum age.
The course involves about 40 hours of learning plus assessment time. It covers seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, electronic navigation, position fixing, course-to-steer calculations, weather and meteorology, tides, passage planning and collision regulations.
Our online course uses short, interactive sessions and includes the two theory assessment papers. See the official RYA Day Skipper Theory course page for the current syllabus.
We’ve taught the RYA Yachtmaster scheme in classrooms for over ten years, earning consistent 5-star reviews. We’ve poured that experience into our online course — it’s as close to the classroom as you can get online.
It’s easy to say online provides ‘flexibility’ and ‘you can do it in your own time’, but it’s harder to construct engaging course content to overcome specific digital learning challenges and keep students motivated. Through thorough testing, using our classroom students as guinea pigs*, we have structured a course to support how you learn online, building confidence in each topic, tool and skill at every stage.
* No students were harmed in the testing of our content!
We questioned why the other providers put so much emphasis on their instructor support. Our view is simple: the better the content, the less support a student should need. We are here to support you at every step of your journey but have fed ten years and hundreds of students’ worth of understanding into building content that teaches, supports, reaffirms and checks the knowledge of a topic, tool or technique. And, above all, fun!
We are the only provider that has no hidden extras. Everything you need to complete and pass the course is included.
Scan this code with your phone to start a conversation.
Open WhatsApp 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.
