What qualifications do I need to join the course?

Participants must have the following prerequisites: A valid VHF/SRC operator certificate A current first aid certificate Relevant skippering experience For Coastal Yachtmaster: A minimum of 20 days at sea, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, and 12 night hours For Offshore Yachtmaster: A minimum of 50 days at sea, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, and 12 night hours All sea time must have been logged within the last 10 years. It’s also highly recommended that you complete the Yachtmaster theory course to ensure you are well-prepared for the exam.

RYA Yachtmaster – Coastal/Offshore Preparation & Exams in Barcelona

Prepare to take the next step in your sailing career with expert guidance in a beautiful location. This course combines intensive practical preparation with the final exam for the RYA Yachtmaster qualification. Whether you're aiming for the Coastal or Offshore certification, you'll receive tailored tuition and invaluable experience that will help you succeed on the water.

Key Details

Duration: 5 days practical preparation followed by the exam
Location: Marina Vela, Barcelona
Max Ratio: 4 students per instructor
Difficulty: Advanced
Exam Fee: Excluded
Certification: RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore (depending on qualifications)

Key Skills

Chart work and passage planning
Collision regulations and safety procedures
Boat handling in harbour and at sea
Night-time passage making and navigation
Meteorology and radar usage
Crew management and briefing
Engine checks and maintenance
Practical and theoretical application of tidal knowledge

Itinerary

Over the five days of preparation, you’ll focus on refining your skills in a variety of areas essential for the Yachtmaster exam. The first four days are dedicated to intensive training, with a heavy focus on chart work, collision regulations, boat handling, and night-time passage making. You’ll practice piloting the boat through harbour and open waters, simulating real-life conditions to give you the experience needed for the exam. Passage planning will be a key part of your training, allowing you to understand tides, weather, and navigation techniques essential for successful sailing.

On the final day, you’ll take the RYA Yachtmaster exam, which includes practical and theoretical assessments, such as day and night time driving, passage planning, and emergency procedures. Your instructor will guide you through the day, ensuring you feel confident as the examiner arrives to assess your skills. Following the exam, a debrief will highlight any areas of improvement and ensure you are fully prepared for the next steps in your sailing career.

Location

This course takes place in the prime location of Marina Vela, situated in the vibrant heart of Barcelona. Just opposite the iconic W Hotel and within easy reach of the famous Barceloneta beach, the marina is conveniently located with easy access to various sailing routes.

With Barcelona's favourable Mediterranean climate, the region enjoys reliable winds, sunny weather, and calm seas, creating the perfect environment for both practical training and examination. The marina is surrounded by beautiful coastal areas, providing ample opportunities to practise your passage planning and boat handling in real-world conditions.

Prerequisites

To join this course, participants must meet certain requirements: a VHF/SRC operator certificate, a valid first aid certificate, and relevant skippering experience. For the Coastal qualification, you need 20 days at sea, including 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, and 12 night hours.

For Offshore, this increases to 50 days, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, and 12 night hours. All qualifying sea time must be within the last 10 years. It is strongly recommended that you complete the Yachtmaster theory course in advance to ensure you are fully prepared.

Why Choose Us

Our team of professional and friendly instructors are highly experienced and dedicated to ensuring you have a successful and enjoyable time on the water. With English-speaking skippers and instructors, you’ll benefit from expert guidance throughout the course. The location of Marina Vela offers ideal conditions for sailing, with consistent winds and beautiful coastal locations to practice your skills.

Our boats are maintained to the highest standards for performance, comfort, and safety, ensuring you have the best tools to succeed. Whether you’re preparing for the Coastal or Offshore qualification, you’ll receive the support and resources you need to achieve your Yachtmaster certification.

5 days of practical preparation
Fuel for training sessions
Lunches and snacks onboard
Berthing fees and examiner travel
Use of training boats during the course
Drinks, tea, coffee, and biscuits onboard

RYA Yachtmaster exam fee
Any pre-existing qualifications (VHF, Medical, etc.)
Personal kit for varying weather conditions
Transport to and from the meeting point

The course includes 5 days of practical preparation with an experienced instructor, use of our training boats, fuel for training sessions, berthing fees, and the travel costs for the examiner.

Lunches, snacks, tea, coffee, and biscuits are provided onboard throughout the course.

Our pass rate is excellent, but it’s important to ensure you meet the RYA pre-requirements regarding mileage and experience. We recommend checking that you have logged the necessary miles and hours, as well as completing any required theory beforehand.

Throughout the course, our instructors will debrief you each evening, providing feedback and guidance on any areas that need improvement, to ensure you're fully prepared for the exam.

While the course takes place in non-tidal waters, the RYA Yachtmaster qualification covers both tidal and non-tidal knowledge. Therefore, it's crucial that you have a good understanding of tidal waters, which is why completing the RYA Yachtmaster theory course beforehand is highly recommended.

During the exam, the examiner will ask questions related to tides, so it’s essential to be well-prepared.

You should bring any relevant qualifications, such as your VHF/SRC operator certificate, first aid certificate, and any other maritime qualifications you may hold, like STCW or medical certificates.

You’ll also need to bring a passport photo for your certification and any personal sailing kit suitable for a variety of weather conditions. We provide all food onboard, but make sure to pack personal items such as clothes for all conditions, including sunscreen, waterproofs, and suitable footwear.

Participants must have the following prerequisites:

A valid VHF/SRC operator certificate
A current first aid certificate
Relevant skippering experience
For Coastal Yachtmaster: A minimum of 20 days at sea, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, and 12 night hours
For Offshore Yachtmaster: A minimum of 50 days at sea, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, and 12 night hours

All sea time must have been logged within the last 10 years. It’s also highly recommended that you complete the Yachtmaster theory course to ensure you are well-prepared for the exam.

Sebastian's Centre offers RYA-accredited sailing and powerboating courses, private charters, and boat trips, all set against the stunning backdrop of Barcelona. From beginner courses like Competent Crew to advanced qualifications such as Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster, we cater to all experience levels. Our RYA Powerboat Level 2 course, recognised internationally, is a hands-on, two-day programme ideal for anyone looking to gain practical skills. In addition to training, we provide private charters for small groups and individuals, perfect for celebrating special occasions or enjoying a sunset cruise with drinks like cava, wine, and beer. Whether you're learning to sail or relaxing on the water, we combine expert instruction with unforgettable experiences.