Master the Seas: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep Course in Denia, Spain

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail Prep Course

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification is globally recognized as the gold standard for sailing qualifications. For amateur sailors, it's the pinnacle of their career, allowing them to navigate and skipper a yacht on coastal and offshore passages without restrictions. For professionals working as charter skippers or on superyachts, it's a crucial step in career progression, opening doors to jobs that would be impossible without this certification.

Led by an experienced RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, this 5-day course is specifically designed to get you ready for the intensive 2-day practical exam that takes place right after.

The course is an advanced-level training program, and you are expected to arrive with a solid foundation of sailing skills. Our goal is to assess and refine your existing abilities, identify and fill any gaps in your knowledge, and ensure you are confident and fully prepared to pass the exam.

Key Course and Exam Information:

• Course Structure: The 5-day prep course is followed immediately by the 2-day practical exam.
• Advanced Level: This is not a beginner's course. You should already have good sailing skills. The course is to hone your abilities and prepare you for the exam.
• Theory Knowledge: You must come to the course with a very solid knowledge of yachtmaster theory. For example, you must have an expert level for tidal calculations, passage planning, pilotage, and COLREGS (including lights and shapes). If you don't already have substantial theory knowledge, we very seriously recommend that you complete the Yachtmaster Offshore Online Theory course. You will need at least 50 hours of study to complete it.
• Important: Please read the requirements very carefully. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure you have the required experience. We will not be able to make any reimbursements once the course is planned and your attendance is confirmed.

---

What's Included and What's Not Included

The course price includes 5 days of training with a Yachtmaster Instructor and the use of the training vessel for both the prep course and the exam. You are welcome to sleep on the vessel for the duration of the 7 days.

What's not included:

• Meals aboard: You will need to bring your own food for the duration of the course and exam.
• Exam fees: You are responsible for paying the examiner's fee directly. For 2025, the Yachtmaster Offshore exam fee is £256.00. You can confirm the most current fees on the RYA website.
• Examiner's expenses: You will also need to cover the examiner's travel fees to and from the exam venue, which are currently €190 per day (usually for 2 days), plus their travel expenses. While the examiner will normally sleep on the boat, candidates will contribute to a joint fund to pay for the examiner's meals.

---

Prerequisites

The examiner will check all prerequisites at the start of the exam, and if any are incomplete or do not meet the required standards, the exam cannot proceed. Please ensure you have the following before the course begins:

• Age: Minimum of 18 years old at the time of the exam.
• Sea Time: Documented sea time completed on a seagoing sailing yacht within the last 10 years, including:
  • 50 days at sea.
  • 2,500 miles.
  • 5 passages of over 60 miles, including 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper.
  • 5 days as skipper.
  • At least half of the qualifying sea time must be in tidal waters.
• Certifications:
  • RYA SRC (Short Range Certificate) or equivalent.
  • Valid First Aid certificate.
• Identification: A valid form of ID with a photograph.
• Language: The course and exam are conducted entirely in English. You must be able to understand and be understood in English.

---

Vessel

• Vessel: You will train on a standard training vessel. Contact us if you would like to conduct the course on your own vessel, provided it meets the RYA's standards for length and seaworthiness.

---

Additional Endorsements

• Commercial Endorsement: If you plan to work on a British-flagged vessel, you can apply for a commercial endorsement once you have passed the exam. This requires additional certifications, including an RYA First Aid certificate, an RYA Sea Survival certificate, a Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) online course, and a valid medical fitness certificate.
• STCW Endorsement: If you intend to work on vessels under non-UK maritime authorities, you may also need an STCW endorsement. This requires you to complete a basic safety training course.

For a full list of prerequisites and exam requirements, please refer to the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158) or the RYA web page: Yachtmaster Offshore Exam.