This Is by far our most popular course! This intense course combines the RYA Competent Crew, RYA Day Skipper Theory and RYA Day Skipper Practical courses to offer the fastest route to chartering and skippering yachts in locations all over the world.
Although no prior experience is required, many people who take this option already know that they will love being on a yacht. This course offers the very best value for money and is the fastest route to gaining the complete RYA Day Skipper qualification.This popular course is also the first module on our Professional Yachtmaster Fastrack Program so if you are looking to become a pro-sailor you are on the right track with this course.
Why not conside getting your VHF licence whilst you're here with us? Just complete your VHF course online before you arrive, and have your face to face assessment whilst you're with us. VHF online course
What experience do I need?
None – just a sense of humour and a desire to learn how to sail! You must be over 16.
What's covered on this course?
RYA Competent Crew:
In this first stage you'll get to know the yacht and learn how to be a useful member of crew on board. Your instructor will provide you with a basic knowledge of how things work. You'll get a chance to practice some rope work, helm the boat and learn about the equipment that helps to keep you safe. You'll also be introduced to important 'rules of the road' and man overboard recovery techniques.
After five days on board you'll have first-hand experience of how a yacht is managed and you'll be ready to start learning how to take charge yourself.
RYA Day Skipper Theory:
With a taste for sailing, you'll then spend four days in our Gibraltar classroom. You'll cover the basics of navigation – including tidal calculations, chart reading and navigation, collision regulations, meteorology and electronic navigational aids. At the end of the course, you'll be well prepared to take the RYA Day Skipper theory tests. You will need to bring your brain, a notepad, a pen, a 2B pencil, a rubber and a calculator with you.
The RYA currently have a production issue with their hard copy RYA Day Skipper Theory packs and are only able to provide training centres with digital packs. Therefore, please ensure you bring an electronic device as you will need to download and install the RYA e-books app. https://www.rya.org.uk/shop/ebook-info/devices
RYA Day Skipper Practical (tidal):
After completing the theory element, you'll re-join a yacht to put it all into practice over the final five days. Under the guidance of our RYA instructor, you'll take on all aspects of skippering the yacht – including sail trim, stern-to mooring, pilotage, passage planning, anchoring and safety management on board. As part of the course, you'll have the chance to develop your leadership skills by taking charge of a short passage. But don't worry, our instructor will remain on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety.
Check out our Novice to RYA Day Skipper Itinerary to see what you can expect on this 14 day course.
What's included?
- Accommodation on board throughout the whole course
- A generous weekly budget to cover the food provisioning of the yacht
- Complimentary accommodation on board during the theory element of the course -the theory element of this course is self catering
- Waterproof clothing
- Bedding and towels
- Safety equipment
- Mooring fees & Fuel
- All charts and publications
- RYA Competent Crew Course
- RYA Day Skipper Theory course
- RYA Day Skipper Practical course
- Fun!
Upon successful completion you will have gained the RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper Theory & Practical (tidal) qualification. The Day Skipper practical qualification also enables you to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) to enable you to charter a yacht internationally.
Course schedule:
If starting with Competent Crew : Sunday 18:00 onwards until Sunday 16:30 (14 days).
* Please note, the earliest return flight you could make from Gibraltar Airport is from 17:00
- If starting with DS Theory : Saturday 09:30 until Friday 16:30 (14 days). Accommodation on board is available on the Friday evening by prior arrangement at a cost of £60 (this can be booked online).
- IMPORTANT: If opting for the Saturday start you will start the course with 4 days in the classroom followed by 10 consecutive days on the water. You should only consider this option if you have prior sailing experience.
We are aware some easyJet flights arrive into Gibraltar around 9pm on a Sunday which means you'll miss Meet & Greet at 18:00 and won't get to Queensway Quay Marina until around 21:00. Just let us know in advance if this is the case for you so that we know when to expect you.
Course cost:
Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from: £1699
High Season (1st April - 31st October) from: £1799
Option for own cabin:
To guarantee your own cabin for the duration of your training course, please select available dates below
Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from: £1999
High Season (1st April - 31st October) from: £2249
Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth. Read our blog article, what is a saloon berth?
If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.
What's next?
Being a qualified Day Skipper will allow you to charter yachts all around the world and sail within the charter company's specified range from a safe haven. Although this is enough for many people, the next step is the RYA Coastal Skipper Combined course or our Extended Yachtmaster Preparation Course. The RYA Coastal Skipper qualification will allow you to undertake more difficult/longer passages by day and night, handle the yacht in more demanding conditions and progress along your journey to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore.
How to book:
It's easy! Just select the training course date you want below. Click on book, confirm that this is the course and date that you want and then complete your details on our secure online booking system. A 25% deposit is all that's needed, with the balance payable 45 days before your course starts.
SELECT YOUR COURSE
Book online now
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Course cost:
Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from:
£1699
High Season (1st April - 31st October) from:
£1799
Option for own cabin:
To guarantee your own cabin for the duration of your training course, please select available dates below
Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from:
£1999
High Season (1st April - 31st October) from:
£2249
Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth.
If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.
Have a question?
If you have any questions please email us or call on +44 7925 784407 or see our Frequently Asked Questions.
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See what our clients say
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Great week with Jolly Parrot our instructors Ian and Lissie were excellent and prepared us above and beyond for our Yachtmaster assessment at the end of the week. Would definitely recommend for any of your training.
Ben
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Amazing 10 days with my instructor Ian working on my yacht master coastal prep course, which I successfully passed the day after the course. Great company couldn’t recommend them enough booking was easy and very well informed thanks to Rachel working behind the scenes.
Greg
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Absolutely incredible! Recently, I completed Jolly Parrot’s ‘Novice to Day Skipper’ course, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Not only did I learn to sail, but the course also improved my confidence massively. The instructors were all so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable. Greg was my instructor for the Day Skipper portion and I couldn’t imagine anyone better suited for the job - An excellent instructor with impeccable humour. I met some amazing people during this course (namely my crew mates Bene, Doug and Flo), and overall had a wonderful time :)
Georgia
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Novice to Day Skipper course with Alex & Jason I was eager to learn to sail and at the same time to have relaxing time (holiday-like). It worked well for me, the instructors were cool and I was lucky to meet good colleagues sailors and have good time on the way. Keep rocking Jolly.
Nikola
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16-week Fast-Track I completed the 16-week Fast-Track program with Jolly Parrot, starting as a complete beginner with no prior sailing experience. From the moment I stepped aboard, the instructors—Ian, Greg, Rob, and Jason—became my guides, transforming my raw inexperience into something far more seasoned and confident. With their patience, skill, and unshakable belief in every student, they taught me far more than I could have imagined. If you’re considering joining, I can wholeheartedly recommend Jolly Parrot. The program is well-structured, and the instructors are highly knowledgeable, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop their sailing skills.
Tobias
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We spent a wonderful 11 days in November 2021 with Jolly Parrot. I completed the Coastal Skipper Combined course and my wife the Comp Crew. Instructors Flipper, IanG, Hailey, and Tom were all exceptional in their own unique way and we came away with more rounded skills and knowledge as a result of their patient teaching methods. Clive and Rachel did a fabulous job of shuffling schedules and boats to accommodate our different experience levels. Expect to be challenged on the Coastal Skipper course! We made some abiding memories, some long-term connections and friends, and hope to return soon for the next challenge maybe a mile-builder.
James
