RYA Sailing Courses · Croatia

Seafarer Training
Croatia

Learn to sail in Croatia. Island-hop along the Dalmatian Coast with expert RYA instruction, crystal-clear Adriatic waters — from beginner to qualified skipper.

RYA accredited
Adriatic Sea · Split
From £1,095pp
ATOL protection
Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00  ·  Sat 09:30–17:00
0208 324 3118
Adriatic Sea · Split · Dalmatian Coast

Learn to Sail in Croatia

Learn to Sail and Qualify as a Skipper in the Dalmatian Islands

Learn to sail in Croatia, where the crystal-clear Adriatic and vibrant island life make training feel like an adventure. Seafarer’s RYA-accredited courses combine expert instruction with a genuine holiday atmosphere.

Based in Split, you’ll island-hop along the stunning Dalmatian Coast — discovering hidden coves, historic towns and charming villages while building the skills to skipper your own yacht.

6

Days of tuition per course

5:1

Max student to instructor ratio

£1,095

Courses from per person

May–Oct

Season runs May to October

Why Croatia

Why Learn to Sail in Croatia

Island Hopping Every Day

A different harbour every night — from Hvar and Brač to Vis and Trogir, each day brings a new discovery.

Reliable Sailing Winds

The Maestral — a steady northwesterly — builds through the afternoon, giving learners ideal, progressive conditions every day.

Vibrant Base City

Split is one of Europe’s most exciting cities — a UNESCO World Heritage Roman palace you can explore on your first and last evening.

Expert Guidance

Seafarer’s RYA-accredited instructors teach in small groups, building skill and confidence at your pace.

Learning That Feels Like a Holiday

Crystal-clear water, great food ashore and stunning scenery make every training day one to remember.

Feefo Reviews

★★★★★

“An absolutely brilliant week sailing the Dalmatian Coast. Our instructor struck the perfect balance between professional RYA teaching and making the whole experience genuinely fun. We island-hopped every day, discovered incredible places, and came away with our qualifications — and the sailing bug. Cannot recommend Seafarer Croatia highly enough.”

Seafarer Training Guest, 2025

RYA Courses

Courses Available in Croatia

Filter Categories
All Levels
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
  • RYA Start Yachting
    Beginner
    RYA Start Yachting
    RYA Start Yachting
    For beginners wanting a taster of yachting or for budding sailors too young for Competent Crew. Normally a 2-day course in the UK, we run this over a week in our Mediterranean Schools - with time for learning and time for fun!
  • RYA Competent Crew
    Beginner
    RYA Competent Crew
    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. This is a fun and immersive course aimed at anyone who wants to formalise their crewing experience.
  • RYA Sailing Courses RYA Day Skipper Practical
    RYA Day Skipper Practical
    Intermediate
    RYA Day Skipper Practical
    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 destinations. A course for aspiring skippers with yachting experience and essential theoretical and sailing skills.
  • RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
    Intermediate
    RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
    RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
    The Day Skipper Shorebased course is a comprehensive introduction to sailing theory. The course covers coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, weather forecasting and meteorology, collision regulations and electronic navigation.
  • RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
    Advanced
    RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
    RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
    The Coastal Skipper practical takes your practical skills to the next level. Includes passage planning, advanced yacht handling under sail and power, heavy weather sailing techniques and emergency situation management.
  • RYA Coastal / YM Offshore Shorebased
    Advanced
    RYA Coastal / YM Offshore Shorebased
    RYA Coastal / YM Offshore Shorebased
    Ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course & Yachtmaster Offshore exam. Some revision of the Day Skipper shorebased course plus more advanced skills in offshore & coastal navigation by day & night, pilotage & meteorology.

Feefo Reviews

★★★★★

“Our instructor was patient, knowledgeable and great company. Sailing from Split with a new island every night was the most incredible way to learn. I came back a competent crew member and already planning my Day Skipper for next year.”

Feefo Reviews

★★★★★

“The Dalmatian Coast is simply stunning. Seafarer’s Croatia course gave me the confidence to skipper properly and the experience of a lifetime. Small group, brilliant instructor, and unforgettable sailing.”

Sailing Area

Explore the Dalmatian Coast

Based in ACI Marina Split, you’ll sail south through the central Dalmatian islands — Brač, Hvar, Vis and beyond. Historic towns, hidden coves and UNESCO World Heritage sites make every passage memorable.

Temperature

Mid-20s to Low-30s °C

Mid-20s °C in May and October, rising to the low-30s °C in July and August.

Winds

Maestral — Force 3–5

A reliable northwesterly building through the afternoon — consistent, learner-friendly and great for building confidence.

Sea State

Sheltered Island Channels

Sailing between islands provides natural shelter, with open Adriatic passages available for more advanced practice.

Weather & Sailing Conditions

The Adriatic offers excellent, learner-friendly conditions throughout the season. Calm mornings are perfect for harbour manoeuvres; the afternoon Maestral provides reliable wind for sailing practice.

  • Temperature: Mid-20s °C in May and October, rising to low-30s °C in peak summer.
  • Winds: The Maestral — typically Force 3–5, building through the afternoon.
  • Sea state: Sheltered between islands, with open water options for more advanced practice.
  • Training value: Calm mornings for manoeuvres; afternoon breezes build confidence under sail.

Dalmatian Highlights

Highlights of the Sailing Area

Training Fleet

Training Yacht

Our RYA-coded training yacht in Split is the Dufour 44 Performance Pyrolyse — a versatile 14-metre yacht offering easy handling, comfortable living space, and great sailing performance. Your home for the week.

Our training yacht in Split is the Dufour 44 Performance ‘Pyrolyse’. This versatile 14-meter (44ft) yacht is perfect for beginners and experienced sailors alike, offering easy handling, comfortable living space, and exciting performance in all wind conditions. Master stress-free maneuvers and experience the joy of sailing on this exceptional training yacht.

Dufour 44 Performance Pyrolyse Cockpit

Dufour 44 Performance Floor plan

Cabins & Sleeping

Three Cabins On Board

Two aft cabins with a shared heads/bathroom, plus a larger ensuite bow cabin with a double bed and two bunks. The starboard aft cabin is reserved for the instructor. All cabins have hatches and fans for ventilation, with full bedding throughout the season. The saloon converts to a double bed at a £50 discount, no single supplement.

Shared Spaces

Light & Airy Interior

A generous saloon seating area, fully equipped galley and chart/navigation station. 12v charging in the saloon plus 220v shore power when berthed. Soft bag storage is available under the seating area.

Exterior

Cockpit & Sails

Comfortable cockpit seating with a single steering wheel. A bimini provides sun shade and a sprayhood offers foul-weather protection. Sailing power comes from a fully battened mainsail with lazy bag plus a large roller genoa.

Safety

Fully RYA Compliant

Pyrolyse meets all RYA and local safety coding requirements. Equipment includes inflatable lifejackets for all crew, a liferaft, multiple VHF radios, jackstays, gas and smoke detectors, and other specialist safety gear.

Book Your Course

Dates and Prices

Seafarer Training Split - 2026 Prices

Course DatesSharing a cabin for 2Special OfferSingle occupancy of a cabinSpecial OfferCourses
2-May£1,095£1,595SY, CC, DS, CS
9-May£1,095£1,595SY, CC, DS, CS
16-May£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
23-May£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
30-May£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
6-Jun£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
13-Jun£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
20-Jun£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
27-Jun£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
4-Jul£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
11-Jul£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
18-Jul£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
25-Jul£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
1-Aug£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
8-Aug£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
15-Aug£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
22-Aug£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
29-Aug£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
5-Sep£1,295£1,795SY, CC, DS, CS
12-Sep£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
19-Sep£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
26-Sep£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
3-Oct£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
10-Oct£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
17-Oct£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS
24-Oct£1,195£1,695SY, CC, DS, CS

10% multiple course discount applies when 2 or more courses are booked for an individual at the same time. An additional compulsory charge of £120 per person per week covers mooring fees and tourist tax.

What’s Included

Everything in Your Course Fee

6 Days Tuition with an RYA Instructor
Fuel & other yacht running costs
Mooring Fees
Bed Linen & towels
£50 discount for RYA Day Skipper Theory
Provisions for breakfast & a light lunch

Optional Extras

Enhance Your Course

Ensuite Cabin — £50pp
Private yacht (4 pax) — 50% of 5th person price
ICC Assessment — £100pp (standalone)
Cruising Scheme Logbook — Available here
Competent Crew Skills Book — Available here
Day Skipper Course Notes — Available here

Along with shared courses, we can also offer private tuition on a yacht of your choosing at any point during the season. Price for the instructor is £1,295 for the week plus their own cabin on the yacht and food. Get in touch with our team for a bespoke private tuition quote.

Travel

Getting There and Away

Our base is ACI Marina Split, right in the heart of the city and 15 minutes’ walk from the historic Roman palace centre. Courses run Saturday to Saturday. Embarkation from 17:00 on arrival day, disembarkation around 09:00 on departure day.

ATOL-150

ATOL Protection

Your flight-inclusive holiday is ATOL protected. We’ve been trading since 1995 — book with total confidence.

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Flights

Direct Saturday flights to Split Airport from London (Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton & Stansted), Manchester and Bristol, plus a wide range of other European airports.

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Bus & Taxi

Seafarer transfers from Split Airport to the marina take around 45 minutes. Local buses serve the city and wider metropolitan area including Trogir.

Ferry-150

Ferry

Regular ferries from Split to all nearby Dalmatian islands and to Dubrovnik. International ferries available to various Italian ports including Ancona and Bari.

Common Questions

FAQs About Learning to Sail in Croatia

Do I need any sailing experience?

No. Our RYA Competent Crew and Start Yachting courses are ideal for complete beginners who want to learn to sail in Croatia for the first time.

How long is the course?

Courses run for six training days, Saturday to Saturday. You’ll sail to a different harbour each night, exploring the Dalmatian islands while building your skills.

Will I earn an RYA qualification?

Yes. All courses are RYA-accredited, so you’ll receive the correct certificate once your instructor confirms your competence.

Where will I stay?

You’ll live on board the training yacht during your course, moving to a different harbour each night. Everything is included, making it a comfortable and authentic sailing adventure.

When is the best time to learn to sail in Croatia?

The season runs from May to October. Early and late months are pleasantly warm, while July and August offer the warmest water and the most consistent Maestral winds.

Which airport should I fly to?

Fly to Split Airport (SPU). Seafarer transfers take approximately 45 minutes to reach the ACI Marina Split base. If Seafarer arranges your flights, your entire package is ATOL-protected.

What's included in the price?

Your course fee covers tuition, yacht accommodation, fuel, mooring fees, bed linen, breakfast and light lunches, and all essential training materials.

Is the course suitable for solo travellers?

Yes, absolutely. Many students join alone — small groups and shared on-board life quickly create a friendly, supportive atmosphere that makes solo travel a real pleasure.

Book Your Course

Ready to Sail in Croatia?

To book or check availability, get in touch with our experienced team.

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Seafarer Training Croatia