Course Overview
Enjoy the yacht as a private group while an RYA instructor adapts the pace, responsibilities and cruising plan around your family. Different people can train at different levels during the same programme rather than being forced into one shared syllabus.
One family member may work toward RYA Competent Crew while another follows RYA Day Skipper Practical or RYA Coastal Skipper Practical objectives. A parent can take the skipper role while a child learns safe crew skills, or the whole family can treat the seven-day programme as a guided Andaman cruise or Mile Builder.
The instructor coordinates the mixed programme, balancing structured tuition with steering, sail handling, swimming, island stops and time together aboard. Anyone seeking certification must complete the relevant syllabus and demonstrate the required competency; certificates are awarded individually.
Choose a two-day weekend introduction, a five-day practical course or a seven-day private programme. We confirm the suitable training goals, yacht, route, accommodation and certification objectives through an enquiry before quoting.
Who Is This Course For?
Families, couples and private groups who want exclusive use of the training yacht, mixed-level tuition and a schedule shaped around their objectives.
Prerequisites
- No previous experience required for beginner programmes
- Age, mobility, swimming confidence and any medical considerations must be disclosed before confirmation
- Participants seeking a specific RYA certificate must meet that course's prerequisites and required standard
One yacht · different goals
Your family does not need to train at the same level
The instructor coordinates one safe programme while giving each person responsibilities suited to their experience. A parent may practise as skipper while a child or partner works toward Competent Crew; another experienced family member may follow Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper objectives. The seven-day option can also be arranged as a guided cruise or Mile Builder.
Competent Crew
A first-time sailor or younger family member can learn to steer, handle sails, use ropes and become a safe, useful member of the crew.
Day Skipper
A suitably prepared adult or older teenager can take the skipper role and practise pilotage, yacht handling, leadership and short-passage decisions.
Coastal Skipper
An experienced sailor who meets the prerequisites can work on more advanced passage planning, command, pilotage and yacht handling.
Cruise or Mile Builder
Family members who do not want a formal course can enjoy the cruise, take part at a comfortable level and build useful sea time during a seven-day programme.
Each person seeking an RYA certificate must meet that course’s prerequisites, complete its syllabus and demonstrate the required competency. Certificates are awarded individually, not automatically to the whole group.
Compare your private family sailing options
A family course combines a private yacht experience with structured, individual coaching. A skippered or bareboat charter serves a different purpose.
| Feature | Family sailing course | Skippered charter | Bareboat charter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional onboard | Dedicated RYA instructor | Professional skipper; not necessarily an instructor | No instructor or skipper supplied |
| Mixed-level learning | Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper or guided cruising on one yacht | Normally a leisure charter rather than structured tuition | Independent sailing with no coaching |
| RYA certification | Available individually when the relevant syllabus and competency standard are completed | No course certificate | No course certificate |
| Children participate | Age-appropriate steering, sail handling, ropework and crew routines | Usually participate as guests | Participation depends entirely on the family skipper |
| Training plan | Instructor balances each person’s level, goals and confidence | Skipper leads the trip, with leisure as the priority | Family plans and manages the yacht independently |
| Route flexibility | Training and Andaman cruising shaped around the family, weather and progress | Flexible within the charter and skipper’s operational plan | Flexible, but without instructor guidance or local coaching |
Typical Itinerary
There is no fixed itinerary. The instructor agrees the learning priorities and suitable cruising plan with your group, then adjusts it for weather and progress.
- Two-day weekend: an accessible introduction to steering, sail handling, safety and teamwork
- Five-day programme: a complete private practical week with liveaboard routines and Andaman cruising
- Seven-day programme: more time for progression, passages, anchorages and a flexible private itinerary
Typical family sailing routes
These routes illustrate what may be possible from Phuket. Your instructor chooses the final passage around the programme length, weather, sea state, crew experience and the balance between training and family time.
Two-day possibility
Five-day possibilities
Seven-day possibilities
Sailing Yachts for Your Private Course
Your private programme may operate aboard Andaman Cruise 2 or Andaman Cruise 1. We confirm the yacht after reviewing your family size, accommodation needs, training levels and preferred itinerary.
Catamarans are also available for families seeking additional living space and comfort. Availability and pricing must be checked and quoted separately. Browse our yacht collection, then tell us which style you prefer.
Private-yacht course prices
These prices are per monohull sailing yacht for up to five training participants. Your written proposal confirms the duration, yacht, training objectives, route and inclusions before payment.
2-day weekend
High season
€1,800
Low season
€1,400
A private introduction or focused family skills weekend.
5-day private course
High season
€5,000
Low season
€4,000
A complete liveaboard training week with an Andaman itinerary.
7-day private programme
High season
€6,000
Low season
€5,000
More time for passages, mixed-level development and relaxed family cruising.
High season is October–April; low season is May–September. Final routes remain subject to weather, sea conditions and the family’s objectives. Catamaran availability and pricing must be checked and quoted separately before booking.
What Is Included
Included
- Exclusive use of the nominated training yacht for up to five training participants
- Professional instructor and an agreed training plan
- Yacht safety equipment and normal operating costs
- Onboard accommodation for the agreed five- or seven-day liveaboard format
- Prepared bedding and one onboard towel for liveaboard programmes
- Simple breakfast and lunch during liveaboard programmes
- Course material and certificate where expressly included in the written plan
- Drinking water, tea and coffee during liveaboard programmes
- Simple onboard dinner provisions when the itinerary makes dining ashore impractical
Not included
- Flights, transfers, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Accommodation before or after the agreed programme
- A certificate where prerequisites or the required standard are not met
- Dinner ashore, soft drinks, alcohol, snacks and additional personal provisions
- Non-home marina, park, customs and immigration charges or optional activities unless quoted
Optional extras
- Airport pickup€30 per trip
- Onboard air conditioning€5 per generator hour
Bookable extras can be selected on the booking page.
AC charge covers extra fuel, generator running hours and maintenance; settled onboard according to actual use.
Delivery dates and final inclusions are confirmed before payment. External examination or certification fees remain separate unless your written quote explicitly includes them.
Recommended to Bring
- RYA logbook and evidence of prerequisite sea time
- Relevant theory notes, charts and navigation tools
- Quick-drying clothing and non-marking footwear
- Sun protection, waterproof layer and soft luggage
Local Information
Flights and Arrival
Yacht Haven Marina is approximately 20–30 minutes by road from Phuket International Airport in normal traffic. Exact boarding, checkout and examination arrangements are confirmed in the written joining instructions.
Typical Weather
Phuket is warm throughout the year, but the monsoon seasons influence wind, rainfall and route planning. These are typical patterns rather than a forecast.
Mid Oct–Jan
24–31°C
Drier northeast-monsoon period with more sunshine and generally comfortable cruising conditions.
Feb–May
25–33°C
Hot, mostly dry weather. Winds can become lighter and more variable as the season progresses.
July–Aug
24–32°C
Southwest-monsoon sailing with tropical showers, fresher winds and more swell on exposed routes.
Sep–Mid Oct
24–31°C
Typically the wettest and most changeable period, with squalls and routes adjusted to conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can family members work at different levels?
Yes. Private delivery lets the instructor vary tasks and coaching. Any participant seeking a specific certificate must still meet that course's prerequisites and assessment standard.
Is the price per person?
No. The indicative tariffs are per private yacht for up to five training participants. We provide a written quote after confirming duration, vessel, group and objectives.
Can children join?
Often yes, but the right arrangement depends on age, mobility, swimming confidence and family supervision. Share the children's ages in your enquiry so we can plan safely.
Can one parent train as skipper while a child learns crew skills?
Yes. A parent may follow RYA Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper objectives while a child or partner works toward RYA Competent Crew or participates at an appropriate level. The instructor coordinates the exercises so the yacht operates as one safe crew.
Will everyone receive an RYA certificate?
Certificates are awarded individually when a participant meets the relevant prerequisites, completes the required syllabus and demonstrates the required competency. Joining the private programme does not automatically guarantee certification.
Can we make the seven-day programme a Mile Builder or family cruise?
Yes. The seven-day option can place more emphasis on an Andaman passage, useful sea miles and family cruising. Tell us who wants formal training and who prefers a guided sailing experience so we can propose the right balance.
How are meals and provisions arranged?
For a five-day liveaboard plan, A simple breakfast and lunch are provided onboard each sailing day, together with drinking water, tea and coffee. Dinner is normally enjoyed ashore at the student's own cost. If the itinerary requires an evening at anchor, provisions for one simple onboard dinner are included. Soft drinks, alcohol, snacks and additional personal provisions are not included. Students share simple meal preparation, washing-up and normal yacht housekeeping as part of cruising-yacht life. For a seven-day plan, A simple breakfast and lunch are provided onboard each sailing day, together with drinking water, tea and coffee. When a longer passage or anchorage makes dining ashore impractical, provisions for a simple dinner onboard are included. Other dinners ashore, soft drinks, alcohol, snacks and additional personal provisions are not included. Students share simple meal preparation, washing-up and normal yacht housekeeping as part of cruising-yacht life.
How are cabins allocated for a private family course?
The nominated yacht is exclusive to your family or private group, but everyone still sleeps within that yacht's published cabin and berth layout. Tell us who should share in your enquiry. We confirm the vessel, sleeping allocation and capacity in the written plan before payment.
