Learn to sail with RYA sailing courses Lefkas
RYA sailing courses Lefkas tend to operate alongside the Lefkas South Ionian flotilla. The Ionian Sailing School is based in Nikiana on the island of Lefkas. If you are taking either the Competent Crew or Day Skipper course, our tuition yachts generally head south, with protected waters and plenty of harbours and bays for mooring and pilotage. Additionally we link up with our flotilla on most evenings, so you will be sailing in a beautiful area and meeting like-minded sailors. For Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Preparation, then the waters to the north of Lefkas offer open seas, longer passages and busier waters around Corfu.
Most RYA courses are 5 days, but by conducting them over a week, we can create the right balance of tuition and fun. Learning alongside the Flotilla can be a real confidence boost, with an extra pair of hands to help when needed. While you learn to sail, you will meet other skippers who have already benefited from sailing with a flotilla. You’ll see how our flotillas work and see the benefits and flexibility this can offer you as you progress beyond tuition into the world of sailing.
Courses start on Sunday where you will be greeted by your instructor and welcomed onboard. The tuition starts the next morning, and by Monday evening you’ll be away from base and ready to explore your first destination.
Join the Flotilla at the punch party, and you can share stories from your first day on the water. The evening flotilla activities are entirely optional, and during the day, your instructor and fellow students will focus on the course syllabus. Breakfast and lunches are included giving you the time to focus on learning and having fun.
By the end of each day, you will be able to treat yourself to a well-earned drink and a meal.
Sailing is a social sport, and an RYA sailing course can be a perfect way to make new friends. Our RYA instructors have been chosen for their friendly approach as well as their expertise. The time you spend with us is as much about fun as it is a learning experience.
Courses offered:
RYA Competent Crew
This course is ideal for beginners to learn the basics and for those who would like to become active crew members rather than passengers.
Minimum age: 12 (Minors under 16 should be accompanied by an adult).
Previous experience: none
RYA Day Skipper practical
This is the most popular course in the syllabus. This certificate represents the standard required to skipper a yacht in numerous worldwide destination. A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Minimum age: 16
Experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht
Assumed knowledge: Theory to the level of Day Skipper. It is recommended you obtain the Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand or do an online theory course before you come.
RYA Coastal Skipper practical
Advanced skippering techniques requiring considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, aimed at those skippers wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night.
Minimum age: 17
Experience: 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed Skills: Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore
An RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete to become a Yachtmaster™. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. We can provide a range of training and preparation courses for you, please contact us for more information.
Yachts
Our fully coded RYA Training Yachts in the Ionian are a Harmony 42 (3 double guest cabins and 2 shower/WC’s )and then a Sun Odyssey 469 (4 double en suite cabins). With an ample cockpit, wheel steering and spacious saloon, there is room for everyone to spread out and relax. The yachts are fully equipped with deck shower, hot water and all the safety equipment required to make your course safe, secure and relaxing. Tuition yachts are regularly inspected and comply with RYA / MCA guidelines and Codes of Practice for Sail Training Yachts. All instructors for both RYA and Non RYA courses advertised are RYA qualified commercially endorsed Yachtmasters and cruising instructors as a minimum. You can be reassured that safety procedures and equipment are regularly monitored and inspected to comply with both the British RYA and Greek maritime authority regulations.
For those looking for private tuition, we have a selection of suitably equipped yachts available, including newer model yachts from 33 to 45 foot, plus larger yachts for “big boat” experience.
2023 Prices
| Course period | Price per person sharing | Price per single occupant |
| 2 April – 20 May | £795.00 | £1095.00 |
| 21 May – 1 July | £845.00 | £1255.00 |
| 2 July – 2 September | £895.00 | £1345.00 |
| 3 September – 30 September | £845.00 | £1255.00 |
| 1 October – 22 October | £795.00 | £1095.00 |
*Please contact us for special offers and remaining availabilities.
£50.00 / €65.00 extra for en suite cabin (if available). All other cabins share a WC/shower.
10% multiple course discount when 2 or more courses are booked by an individual at the same time.
ICC Assessment (3-4) hours: £100.00 per person
£50 / €65.00 discount when you buy an online Navathome theory course
£995.00 / €1250.00 private instructor per week
What’s Included on a tuition yacht course:
- Instruction from RYA qualified instructors
- Provisioning for breakfast & light lunch
- All mooring fees and local port taxes
- Diesel, water & gas
- Participation in flotilla activities
- End cleaning
- Bed linen
- Course completion certificate (if successful!)
Not included – evening meals and personal expenses.
For more information about Royal Yachting Association courses please visit their website.
