Online courses
Learn from the Comfort of Your Home. Whether it's freezing outside or there's no water in sight, our online courses bring you back on board your favorite boat—no matter where you are
Course overview
RYA online courses give you access anytime for at least 6 months. It is entirely up to you what pace you choose – when you log in and how long you want to study
Short Range certificate
Become a VHF radio operator with the most popular RYA online course. You will cover everything from routine communication to emergency calls. The course also includes a real radio simulator as well as recordings of different types of calls.
RYA Day Skipper Theory
An invaluable course for anyone planning to take the RYA Day Skipper practical course. Learn the basics of seamanship, navigation, meteorology, and many other areas that every good skipper must know.
RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster theory
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory™ is almost essential for candidates preparing for the Yachtmaster exam. It provides all the necessary knowledge and skills in great depth.
Essential navigation and seamanship
An introductory theoretical course on safe sailing, covering theoretical knowledge at the Competent Crew level. Also useful as a resource for learning basic English terms used in sailing.
FAQ
What is the validity of the RYA certification?
Each country has the sovereign right to determine which certifications it recognizes for sailing within its waters. However, RYA is widely regarded as the best certification for recreational sailors—not only due to its renowned emphasis on high-quality education but also because it is a certification from a British maritime powerhouse with a long history of sailing achievements and a training methodology refined over more than 150 years.
What is the difference between RYA and other certifications (C,B,A)?
The RYA training scheme assumes that you want to learn, so it has little need to restrict you. No restrictions on distance from the coast, RYA certificates contain information about what you can do, not what you can’t. But of course they appeal to common sense and that you are aware of your limits and want to improve.
RYA instructors undergo extensive training, and earning this qualification is not only a testament to their high-level sailing skills but also to their ability to teach effectively with a human approach. They must renew their certification every 5 years, ensuring that the knowledge they pass on is always up-to-date and technically correct.
The RYA is also known for its emphasis on the quality of education, and as a certification from a major British maritime authority, it is globally accepted and recognized.
What can I expect from RYA courses?
- A truly individual approach – there is always a maximum of 5 students on our practical courses
- Great emphasis on practice – all manoeuvres are fully in the hands of the students, the instructor takes the helm only in necessary or illustrative moments
- Emphasis on safety – not only personal but also for the entire crew
- Thorough training of not only basic but also emergency manoeuvres
- Logical, easy to follow and remember procedures for performing individual actions
- All activities and procedures in accordance with best maritime practice.
When do online course lessons take place?
Whenever it suits you. This isn’t about an instructor talking to you through a webcam, but rather highly interactive online modules, including various recordings and simulations, which you can access whenever you have the time and motivation. The learning pace is entirely in your hands—you have six months to go through the entire course and take the exam whenever you’re ready. Only the SRC exam must be taken in person—but even in that case, we do our best to accommodate your schedule.
What does the exam consist of?
Simply put—the exam covers the content of the course. The goal is to check whether you truly understood the topic, not to catch you out on minor details.
What is the difference between the RYA SRC radio operator certificate and the one issued by our national institutions?
- The RYA SRC courses are practically led. RYA SRC courses are highly practical. Theory is covered only to the necessary extent, with a strong focus on real-life usage, such as calling marinas, communicating with other vessels, and sending emergency messages when needed. Throughout the course, you will train on VHF radio simulators identical to those used on boats.
- RYA SRC courses include training on DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), allowing you to operate all modern radio stations.
- The course (not the exam) can also be taken online. It is a highly interactive online module, including a radio simulator and real recorded calls, to which you will have access for a full calendar year. This allows you to study at your own pace whenever it suits you.
- RYA SRC certificates are valid for a lifetime—renewal is optional, not mandatory.
Why choose an RYA education?
The path you take is entirely up to you, but if you choose RYA, you are guaranteed high-quality, structured education focused on practical skill development from the very start. This approach prevents the need to unlearn bad habits later in your sailing career. Why take a gamble when you can choose a proven system that ensures success?