Learn to sail in 2026: Sailing license, basics & costs

Learn to sail — My experience report on obtaining my RYA sailing license in Greece. In May 2023, I took the course at the Aegean Sailing School in the Greek Aegean Sea, my RYA Day Skipper I did it. A week on a sailing yacht, learning navigation, practicing maneuvers, and visiting some of the most beautiful bays in Greece. In this guide, I share my honest experiences, the cost of a sailing license, and whether it's worth it.

Sailing had been on my list for a long time. As someone who travels the world with a drone and camera, I wanted the freedom to be out on the water myself—not as a passenger on a cruise, but as a skipper with my own boat. RYA Day Skipper is the internationally recognized entry-level certificate that allows you to charter yachts in most countries.

Why RYA in Greece?

 

There are sailing schools all over the world. But Greece has three unbeatable advantages:

• Perfect conditions: Consistent winds (Meltemi in summer), little current, hundreds of sheltered bays. Ideal for studying.
• Price-performance: An RYA Day Skipper in Greece costs approximately €1,200-1,800 — significantly more in England or the Caribbean.
• Picture-perfect scenery: Instead of practicing in the grey Solent, you sail through turquoise bays with Greek islands on the horizon. Your motivation stays high all week.

The Aegean Sailing School The sailing school on Poros has an excellent reputation. Small groups (max. 5 students), experienced RYA instructors, and a modern fleet of yachts. My instructor was a Brit with 20 years of sailing experience in the Aegean – he knew the best anchorage in every bay.

Sailing basics: From beginner to day skipper in one week

 

Day 1-2: Basics. Sailing terms, knots, maneuvers (tacking, gybing), man-overboard drill. On the first day you think: "I'll never learn this." On the second day you realize: "This isn't so difficult after all."„

Days 3-4: Navigation. Reading nautical charts, planning a course, calculating tides, GPS vs. traditional navigation. We planned and navigated the course from Poros to the islands of Hydra and Spetses ourselves. Navigation at a chart table is completely different from Google Maps — but extremely satisfying when you arrive where you wanted to go.

Days 5-6: Independent sailing. Each student takes turns being the skipper. You plan the route, give the commands, and dock in the harbor. Docking is actually the most stressful part—wind, current, other boats, and 50 spectators on the dock watching as you (hopefully not) crash into the neighboring catamaran.

Day 7: Exam. Theoretical and practical exams. The theory is doable if you paid attention during the week. The practical part: You have to execute a maneuver flawlessly—docking, man-overboard, navigation. I was nervous, but I managed it.

RYA Day Skipper vs. Sport Boat License: Exam Questions & Costs

 

Money-saving tip: Early booking discounts (2-3 months in advance) save €100-200. And: Cooking on board is significantly cheaper than eating in the taverna every evening. We took turns — everyone cooked a bit.

Who would benefit from a sailing license?

 

Honest answer: Not for everyone. But absolutely for these people:

• Travelers seeking freedom: With a sailing license you can charter a yacht in Croatia, Greece, Thailand or the Caribbean and be completely independent.
• Content Creator: The perspectives from a sailboat are unique — and drone footage of your own yacht in a secluded bay is content gold.
• Adventurer: Sailing is physically and mentally demanding. Night watch alone at sea, maneuvering in strong winds — these are experiences you won't forget.

Who NOT for: If you need comfort, get seasick, or simply want to be on the beach — then a hotel vacation is the better choice. On a sailing yacht, you share cramped bunks, shower with saltwater, and the "bathroom" is a toilet the size of a suitcase.

Drone on a sailboat — tips

 

I have my drone Had it on board all week. Drone footage of sailboats in turquoise bays — that's the stuff viral reels are made of.

My tips:

1. Nur im Hafen oder in ruhigen Buchten starten/landen. Auf offener See bei Wellengang ist das Risiko zu hoch.
2. Practice hand landings. There's no flat surface on a sailboat. I land the drone by hand — it takes some practice, but it works reliably.
3. Waterproof bag For the drone. Saltwater and electronics are not friends.
4. Protect batteries from sunlight. Temperatures of 40°C+ on deck are normal. Overheated batteries will refuse to start.

More on this topic Flying a drone abroad You can find it in my separate guide. How I, as Sailing boat adventure I also described there how to make the best of every situation.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about the Sailing License

 

Do I need prior knowledge for the RYA Day Skipper course?

No — the course starts from scratch. Sailing experience is helpful, but not required. You can also skip the RYA Competent Crew (preparatory course) if you are athletic and a quick learner.

Is the sailing license valid worldwide?

The RYA Day Skipper certificate is accepted as proof of competence in most countries — Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Caribbean. In some countries (e.g., Croatia) you also need a local license, which you can obtain locally for a fee.

Can I charter a yacht immediately after the course?

Theoretically, yes. Practically speaking, I recommend sailing as co-skipper 2-3 times before taking on sole responsibility. Night sailing and strong winds, in particular, require practice.

What happens in bad weather?

You'll still sail — within safe limits, of course. Sailing in bad weather is actually extremely important for learning. In truly dangerous conditions, you'll stay in port.

My conclusion

 

The week on the sailboat was one of the best investments I've made in my freedom to travel. For under €2,000, I got a license that allows me to charter yachts worldwide. The combination of sailing and drone photography opens up content opportunities you'd never get as a regular tourist.

If you're considering it: Do it in Greece, do it in May or June (warm weather, moderate winds), and do it with a small, personal school. You won't regret it.

You can find more adventure travel reports on my E5 Alpine Crossing or my Albania travel report. For Cooperation requests I am available at any time.

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