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Learn to sail
Compare reviewed programmes, delivery formats, upcoming sessions and provider-published prices.
Course information
Understand recognised sailing courses first, then find schools that offer them.
Information library
Authoritative course outlines maintained once by YouSail. Each page can point you to schools that offer it.
An internationally recognised certificate of competence for skippers of pleasure craft, issued under UNECE Resolution 40 and often required by charter companies and authorities in Europe; Australians can obtain one via the RYA or IYT after a course or assessment at a recognised training centre.
Read the full outline →Schools to contact
Every training provider in the directory, including the many whose courses are not listed above. Ring them or use their own page — that is where the full picture is.
Sailing academy / training
Adventure SailingGeographe, WAA Port Geographe sailing and maritime school with a 14-boat fleet, immersive catamaran liveaboards, women-only training and commercial pathways taught through real life at sea.
An online multiple-choice RYA test on CEVNI, the rules for navigating Europe's inland waterways; passing it is required for an inland endorsement on the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
Read the full outline →An intermediate-level RYA practical course that teaches the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal passages by day and night. It is the practical training level above Day Skipper and is recognised within the RYA Yachtmaster pathway; successful candidates receive a course completion certificate which can reduce the qualifying sea time for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam.
Read the full outline →An advanced shorebased navigation and weather course that brings theory knowledge up to the standard needed for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore practical exams, with 40 hours of study plus exam time.
Read the full outline →A hands-on, live-aboard introduction to sailing a cruising yacht for complete beginners, turning passengers into useful crew members; no previous experience is needed.
Read the full outline →The RYA Day Skipper practical course develops the practical skills and confidence to skipper a small cruising yacht on day passages in familiar waters. It covers pilotage, practical navigation, seamanship and boat handling under both power and sail and is intended to be taken by someone with Day Skipper shorebased-level theory knowledge or equivalent.
Read the full outline →A shorebased RYA theory course for future skippers and newer crew, giving a thorough introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and basic seamanship, with 40 hours of study plus exam time.
Read the full outline →A one-day classroom course for beginners on how marine diesel engines work, covering basic maintenance and how to prevent and fix common breakdowns; no experience or minimum age needed.
Read the full outline →An introductory shorebased navigation and safety-awareness course from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), covering charts, buoyage, tidal awareness, pilotage, rules of the road and basic passage planning. Available as a 16-hour classroom course or about 8–10 hours online, with no entry requirements.
Read the full outline →A two-day practical RYA course teaching the skills and background knowledge of a competent powerboat driver; it forms the basis of the ICC and is open to people aged 12 and over.
Read the full outline →A compulsory self-paced online RYA course for anyone applying for or renewing an RYA Commercial Endorsement, covering the legal duties and safe working practices of commercial skippers.
Read the full outline →A two‑day practical introduction to sailing on a cruising yacht for complete beginners, covering steering under power, basic sail handling, ropework, safety and living aboard.
Read the full outline →Official RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Yachtmaster certificates of competence are awarded following practical examinations (Coastal, Offshore, Ocean) that assess a candidate's ability to skipper and navigate a yacht to the standard set out in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158). There is no single mandatory RYA 'preparation course' — many RYA training centres offer voluntary preparation courses (typically short practical revision courses) followed by the formal RYA exam which is conducted to the published Yachtmaster exam syllabus and requirements.
Read the full outline →An advanced shorebased RYA course for blue-water cruising, covering astro navigation, sextant use, ocean passage planning and worldwide meteorology, with 40 hours of study plus exam time.
Read the full outline →Sailing academy / training
Flying Fish SailingMosman, NSWA long-established Middle Harbour training centre where complete beginners can start hands-on and progress through RYA Yachtmaster, AMSA Sailing Master and professional yacht-career pathways.
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Mainstay SailingAirlie Beach, QLDLiveaboard sailing training from Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, with RYA and Australian Sailing courses, cruising yachts and practical learning through the Whitsunday islands.
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Atlas SailingMosman, NSWA Sydney Harbour sailing school with a clear pathway from first-time crew to confident skipper through Australian Sailing, RYA and NSW boat-licence training.
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AusSea Sailing SchoolSans Souci, NSWFlexible, small-school IYT training on sheltered Botany Bay waters, with a seven-level pathway from an easy first sail to offshore, racing and bareboat-skipper skills.
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Blue Water Sailing SchoolDocklands, VICAn IYT school based in Melbourne with short introductions, liveaboard skipper training, private coaching and online theory for sailors heading from Port Phillip to the Whitsundays.
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Liquid Edge Sailing SchoolBalmain, NSWPersonal IYT tuition from Balmain on monohulls and catamarans, taking small groups from their first sail through Bareboat Skipper, ICC and coastal Yachtmaster goals.
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NAVatHOME AustraliaComo, WAFully online, Southern Hemisphere-focused RYA navigation and seamanship courses with animated lessons, instructor support and a pathway from first chartwork to Yachtmaster Ocean.
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Oceanwest RYA Sailing SchoolBusselton, WAInternationally recognised RYA sail training from Port Geographe, with practical monohull and catamaran pathways from first-time crew to capable coastal skipper.
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Pacific Sailing SchoolDarling Point, NSWAustralia's long-running Sydney Harbour school, offering Australian Sailing and RYA pathways, liveaboards, racing, safety and online theory from beginner to Yachtmaster.
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Paper Sailors RockManly, QLDA thoughtful RYA school blending practical and shorebased courses, focused workshops and skippered coastal passages for sailors who want knowledge that travels.
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Sailing EventideFremantle, WARelaxed small-group catamaran sailing from Fremantle, with practical training, private charters and team experiences aboard a spacious Lagoon 38.
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SisterShip TrainingEden, NSWConfidence-building online boating and cruising courses from experienced mariners, plus NSW licences and commercial pathways on the Far South Coast.
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Smooth Sailing SchoolWilliamstown, VICA welcoming mobile Victorian sailing school delivering Australian Sailing programs for children, teenagers and adults through partner venues including Williamstown.
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Southern Cross YachtingManly, QLDA complete RYA centre in Brisbane offering practical sail, power and theory courses on Moreton Bay and in the Whitsundays, from first crew to Yachtmaster.
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Sunshine Sailing AustraliaMooloolaba, QLDRYA and American Sailing training from Mooloolaba across keelboats, monohulls and catamarans, with Queensland cruising grounds providing the perfect practical classroom.
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Sydney By SailSydney, NSWIYT sailing courses, mile-builders and unforgettable Sydney Harbour experiences from Darling Harbour, backed by a modern fleet and more than 30 years on the water.
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Whitsunday Sailing SchoolAirlie Beach, QLDLiveaboard IYT training from Airlie Beach, taking students from beginner foundations to skipper-level confidence among the islands and anchorages of the Whitsundays.
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Yachting DirectionsPalm Beach, NSWFocused RYA theory, exam preparation and coastal mile-building in Sydney and Newcastle, guided by experienced Yachtmaster Instructor Brien Daniel.
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Yachtmaster Sailing SchoolMiddle Brighton, VICPractical Melbourne sailing and navigation education from beginner to advanced, with liveaboards, shorebased theory, private tuition and memorable group sailing days.
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Compare reviewed programmes, delivery formats, upcoming sessions and provider-published prices.