Prove your competence as a skipper on coastal passages, day and night.
The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam is an internationally recognised practical assessment of your ability to skipper a yacht safely and confidently on coastal and offshore passages. It demonstrates that you can take command, make sound decisions, manage crew, and navigate effectively — including after dark.
Taking your exam in Antigua offers warm waters, varied pilotage, and realistic coastal conditions, making it an excellent environment to demonstrate true seamanship.
What You Will Be Examined On
The Yachtmaster Coastal Exam is a practical assessment, not a training course. Over the exam period, the RYA examiner will assess your ability to skipper a yacht safely, responsibly, and confidently.
You will be examined on:
- Preparation for sea — passage planning, safety checks and crew briefing
- Navigation and pilotage — including coastal navigation and position fixing
- Boat handling under power and sail — close-quarters manoeuvres and general handling
- Rules of the Road (COLREGs) — applied correctly in real situations
- Seamanship and deck work — anchoring, mooring, ropework and lookout
- Skippering and leadership — decision-making, communication and crew management
- Emergency situations — man overboard, emergency procedures and problem solving
- Night navigation — practical ability and confidence after dark
The emphasis is on sound judgement, safety, and calm command, not perfection.
Who Is This Exam For
The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam is for experienced sailors who:
- Regularly skipper yachts on coastal passages
- Want formal recognition of their competence as a skipper
- Are progressing toward professional or advanced sailing goals
- May be planning chartering, deliveries or offshore cruising
- Want a respected qualification accepted worldwide
Many candidates take this exam as a stepping stone toward RYA Yachtmaster Offshore readiness, while others use it as a standalone qualification demonstrating high-level coastal competence.
Eligibility & Pre-Requisites
To be eligible for the Yachtmaster Coastal Exam you must meet the RYA minimum requirements:
- Minimum age: 17
- Sea time within the last 10 years:
- At least 30 days at sea
- 800 nautical miles logged, with at least 400 of those in waters where tidal streams played a significant role in passage appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring
- 2 days as skipper
- 12 night hours
- Required certificates:
- Knowledge to the level of RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
All sea time must be logged and available for inspection by the examiner.
Exam Format & Preparation
Exam Duration: Typically 6–14 hours (may vary depending on conditions and number of candidates)
Examiner: Independent RYA examiner
Vessel: Cruising yacht fully equipped to RYA exam standards (this is normally a Second Star Sailing School yacht, or contact us to arrange exams on your own vessel)
Most candidates choose to take part in a RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week beforehand. This allows you to:
- Practise exam-style scenarios
- Refresh navigation and boat handling
- Identify and close any skill gaps
- Build confidence before assessment
Preparation weeks are optional but extremely strongly recommended, especially if you don’t have significant experience on the exam vessel, in the area in which the exam will take place, and with RYA courses and training.
Price and Availability
Taking only the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam with us costs USD $1,000 per person, which includes the use of the Second Star Sailing School boat for the exam, including on-board accommodation, and the examiner (who must be flown in to the island, normally from Europe)
If you choose to do the RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week and exam, the fee above is waived.
Exam Fee: Paid separately to the RYA (currently GBP £230 for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam)
If you would like to do the prep week and exam on your own boat, please contact us for pricing.
Prep Weeks are aligned with examiner availability and exam dates. Stand-alone exams can take time to arrange so early booking is strongly recommended.
If your preferred dates aren’t listed, contact us — we may be able to organise an exam for you.
Why Take Your Exam with Second Star Sailing
- Experienced instructors who understand how examiners think
- Warm-water coastal conditions with real pilotage challenges
- Calm, professional exam preparation environment
- Small candidate numbers and personalised support
Whether this is your first RYA Yachtmaster qualification or a step toward RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, we’ll help you approach the exam with confidence and clarity.
After Your Exam
Achieving the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence proves you can take responsibility for a yacht and crew on coastal passages, day or night. It’s a respected milestone in any sailor’s progression.
You can now:
- Apply for an RYA commercial endorsement, allowing you to work professionally on yachts up to 24m (subject to additional requirements such as ENG1 medical, PPR and Sea Survival).
- Take on paid skippering and crew roles, including charter skipper, delivery skipper, flotilla support, and seasonal coastal work in the UK, Caribbean and Mediterranean.
- Progress within the MCA professional pathway, using RYA Yachtmaster Coastal as a stepping stone toward RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and higher commercial qualifications.
- Skipper yachts confidently on coastal passages, by day and night, in familiar and moderately challenging waters.
- Build logged sea time and experience toward RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification, whether privately or professionally.
