Yacht Skipper & Captain Theory & Practical Classes

Become A Qualified Sailor 

Welcome to our Estepona Sailing School, your gateway to mastering the seas with our Yacht Captain and Skipper Theory and practical yacht sailing courses. 

The Yacht Captain Theory course is designed for those aiming to command boats over 24 meters in length, with no distance limits from the coast. In contrast, the Yacht Skipper License course focuses on navigating motor and sailboats up to 24 meters within 150 miles of the coast. 

With our expert guidance and Estepona’s stunning maritime setting, we provide the ideal platform to achieve your yachting aspirations. Join us to embark on a comprehensive learning journey and take command of your nautical future.

Yacht Captain Theory Course

This course is 40 hours of presential classes, two days a week, 2 hours a day. It allows you to captain:

• 24-meter-long boats/unlimited
• Any distance from the coast
• Day and night navigation

Requirements

• Short bandwidth radio-operator course: 12 hours (4 hours of theory + 8 hours practice)
• 48 hours’ practice sailing (36 hours in journey)
• Practice can be done at Alavela Nautical and Charter Academy
• Official Exam by the Junta de Andalucía and psycho-physical Exam
• Must be over 18

Pricing

Yacht Captain Theory: €700

Yacht Captain Practical – Ask for the price

Yacht Skipper Theory Classes

With 40 hours of presential classes taught in our school in Estepona, you will be able to pass the theory exam for your Yacht Skipper License that will allow you to drive motor and sailboats up to 24 meters, 150 miles from the coast.

Yacht Skipper Theory: €650 

Please note that these courses are only given in Spanish. The local Spanish government gives the Exam and is ONLY in Spanish. Please check out our Spanish page for more information.

Yacht Skipper Practical Classes

The primary regulatory safety and navigation practices for yacht skippers last 48 hours. Of these, we will spend 36 hours on a voyage. Each student will perform a complete day navigation watch and another night watch. The training is conducted on a sailboat over 12 meters long, equipped with several cabins, to enhance the comfort of the participating students. 

Onboard, we will practice offshore navigation exercises, dead reckoning, and night navigation.

Students from yacht skipper and yacht captain courses can participate in the practices simultaneously.

The practical training for the Yacht Skipper (PY) and Yacht Captain (CY) can be done before or after the Exam. The validity period for both the practical training and the theoretical Exam is 24 months.

Yacht Skipper Practical Classes: €550