Skip to content
The Nautical Directory
  • Our Courses

      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. Work with 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.
  • Directory

      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.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      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 & Terminology
        Understanding 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 Flashcards
        Flashcards 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 Blog
        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.
  • Chandlery
Sign In Join now—it’s Free
The Nautical Directory
  • Our Courses

      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. Work with 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.
  • Directory

      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.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      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 & Terminology
        Understanding 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 Flashcards
        Flashcards 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 Blog
        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.
  • Chandlery
Sign In Join now—it’s Free
RYA SCHEME:
Motor Cruising Powerboat Sail Cruising

Day Skipper Theory

The RYA Day Skipper Theory course provides aspiring skippers with the knowledge to navigate safely in coastal waters. This comprehensive program covers chart work, tidal calculations, meteorology, and collision regulations. Delivered over approximately 40 hours, the course prepares participants for practical Day Skipper qualifications and builds confidence in passage planning ...see more
Favourite
Course
  • Overview
  • Fundamentals
Day Skipper Theory

Course Overview

The RYA Day Skipper Theory course provides aspiring skippers with the knowledge to navigate safely in coastal waters. This comprehensive program covers chart work, tidal calculations, meteorology, and collision regulations. Delivered over approximately 40 hours, the course prepares participants for practical Day Skipper qualifications and builds confidence in passage planning and navigation.
DSSCC Carousel 1 2 300x218
DSSCC RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course Carousel 4 2 300x218
DSSCC Carousel 2 2 300x218
DSSCC Carousel 3 2 300x218
Previous Next

Fundamentals

Course Content

Seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, tides, collision regulations, seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, tides, collision regulations.

Minimum Age

None (contact individual centres for under 16s).

Minimum Duration

40 hours plus exam time.

Certificate Issuing Criteria

A two-paper assessment is undertaken to demonstrate the core knowledge and principles required to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.

Course Format

Classroom Online

Places running this course

Sea Survival Course 1 768x427

Example Listing

Welcome to OceanStar Sailing School — Your Gateway to Confident Coastal Cruising Based in the heart of the Solent, OceanStar Sailing School offers expert-led RYA courses for beginners through to aspiring yachtmasters. Whether you’re looking to gain your Day Skipper qualification, brush up on navigation skills, or enjoy a weekend ... read more
Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
: 09:00 - 17:00
Mon
09:00 - 17:00
Tue
09:00 - 17:00
Wed
09:00 - 17:00
Thu
09:00 - 17:00
Fri
09:00 - 17:00
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
Favourite
Social-Cover

Alderney Sailing Club

Alderney, Alderney, Guernsey
Favourite
Social-Cover

Skilltrack

London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

London School Of Navigation

London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Wembley Sailing Club

London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre

London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Sea For Yourself

London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

City Sailing

City Sailing helps you enhance your sailing by organising group and individual theory courses in London and further afield. We are the London Sailing Experts here to help you with your sailing needs. We specialise the RYA Theory courses and offer MCA STCW First Aid, Sea Survival Courses, MCA BML ... read more
London, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Outward Bound Aberdovey

Aberdovey, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Zephyr Training

Antibes, Antibes, France
Favourite
Social-Cover

Blue Sailing

Arzon, Brittany, France
Favourite
Social-Cover

Seafarer Training – Theory

Ashley Road, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club

Axbridge, Somerset, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Sail School NI

Bangor, County Down, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

SMC Marine

Bangor, County Down, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Ballyholme Yacht Club

Bangor, County Down, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

North Devon Yacht Club

Bideford, Devon, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Royal Northumberland Yacht Club

Blyth, Northumberland, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Babcock Training

Borthwick Street, London, United Kingdom
Favourite
Social-Cover

Brixham Yacht Club

Brixham, Devon, United Kingdom
Favourite

Quick Links

  • Join NowJoin now and get access to great content and free courses.
  • Nautical Know HowEverything nautical, explained simply.
  • Marine DirectoryFind Courses and Course Providers.
  • Community Views & NewsNews, views, tips’n’tricks.
  • Contact UsGet in touch, we love talking to people on our wavelength.

RYA Recognised Training Centre No: 920567214

Crafted with

Made with love

by My Sailing Course

Follow us:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Running on

Powered by

© 2025 – My Sailing Course (Part of The Sailing Business Ltd) | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Partnership Programme

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on X
  • Email this Page
  • Sign In
  • Register
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Enter your email address and you will receive a unique code enabling you to create a new password.
body::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 7px; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-track { border-radius: 10px; background: #f0f0f0; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { border-radius: 50px; background: #dfdbdb }
Change Your Location
Find awesome listings near you!