YACHTMASTER COASTAL OR OFFSHORE – WHICH EXAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Choosing the correct Yachtmaster exam level is essential. The right choice improves your chances of success and ensures the qualification accurately reflects your experience.

Use the guide below as a starting point — final suitability is always confirmed during Prep Week or a free consultation.

Choose RYA Yachtmaster Coastal if most of the following apply:

• You regularly skipper yachts on coastal passages
• Your experience is primarily within 20–60 miles of the coast
• You are confident navigating by day and night in familiar waters
• You have logged coastal passages, including night sailing
• You want formal recognition of your ability to skipper safely in coastal waters
• You meet the RYA’s minimum requirements:
  • 30 days at sea
  • 800 nautical miles (including 400 miles where tidal streams played a significant role in passage appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring)
  • 2 days as skipper
  • 12 night hours
• If you already hold a RYA Coastal Skipper Practical certificate, please contact us, as this may reduce these requirements)

Typical candidate profile:

Confident coastal skipper, chartering or cruising regionally, seeking formal certification before stepping offshore.

Choose Yachtmaster Offshore if most of the following apply:

• You skipper yachts on longer passages, often out of sight of land
• You are comfortable planning and executing extended passages
• You have experience making decisions over longer periods with limited support
• You are confident managing fatigue, navigation, and crew over multiple days
• You meet (or are close to meeting):
  • 50 days at sea
  • 2,500 nautical miles (including 1,250 miles where tidal streams played a significant role in passage appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring)
  • 5 passages over 60 miles (including night hours)
  • 5 days as skipper

Typical candidate profile:

Experienced passage skipper preparing for offshore cruising, professional roles, or progression toward Ocean certification.

Not Sure Yet? That’s Normal.

Many strong candidates sit between Coastal and Offshore.

That’s exactly why our RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week exists.

During the week we assess:

• Decision-making under pressure
• Navigation clarity and confidence
• Command presence and leadership
• Consistency and safety margins

We’ll give you honest, professional guidance on whether:

• You’re ready for Offshore
• Coastal is the smarter step right now
• Or you need a short consolidation plan before either exam

Our Recommendation

If you are unsure:

• We offer a free consultation with one of our instructors
• You can book the RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week before you book the exam.
• Let instructors assess your real-world performance.
• Sit the exam that best reflects your ability — not just your ambition.

This approach leads to higher pass rates, less stress, and better long-term outcomes.