We always get asked about which sailing licenses you need when embarking on a yacht charter or boat rental.

Generally, most operators in the 60+ destinations we work in just require evidence that you can manoeuvre the boat, sail on short passages and have basic navigation and safety knowledge. The easiest way to show this is to have a certification.

We recommend double checking with the operator in the country of choice before booking if you’re in doubt. If you have any questions, our team of Charter Advisers are always available to help.

Read on to see our full guide about which sailing certifications are required in both the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Russell Stevens, Sales Manager

What sailing certifications are there?

There are many certifications issued by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in the UK. If chartering a boat in another country’s waters, you are required to show evidence of competence under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). There are several courses and exams to take which will give you the right level of certification.

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft – to give it its official name – or International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is the most widely recognised certification worldwide. In the UK, the RYA is authorised to issue the ICC on behalf of the government.

The RYA offers a free ICC to all of its members, but to get it you need to either hold – at a minimum – the RYA Day Skipper, Powerboat Level 2 licence or take an assessment to prove your sailing experience. If you are not already a RYA member, it costs £45 for an ICC.

The ICC is most widely accepted for our destinations, but in rare instances there can be restrictions if the boat is over a certain size or gross tonnage. Always check with our Charter Advisers if you have the correct certifications before booking a boat.

RYA Day Skipper

The RYA Day Skipper course is for those who already have some basic skills and knowledge, and is the minimum proof of competence accepted for a yacht charter in most Mediterranean countries.

RYA Yachtmaster

The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is the highest level of certification offered by the RYA.

The RYA has a handy online translator tool for each of its qualifications to help port officials in other countries understand your level of competence.

What license do I need to rent a boat in the Mediterranean?

Assos village in Kefalonia, Greece

Most countries in the Mediterranean will accept the ICC or Day Skipper for a bareboat or flotilla charter. There can be exceptions depending on the country and the boat, so please make sure you check with us.

Greece
Croatia
Italy
Spain
Turkey
France
Greece

ICC or RYA Day Skipper (and above)

| Greece Yacht Charters |

Croatia

ICC or RYA Day Skipper (and above)

Croatia is quite strict about making sure people have the right certifications when renting a boat. For a full list of qualifying certifications accepted in Croatia, see their comprehensive list.

| Croatia Yacht Charters |

Italy

ICC or Day Skipper (and above)

There can be flexibility in Italy as some charter companies will accept sailing CVs. As always we recommend checking before booking.

| Italy Yacht Charters |

Spain

Spanish charter companies do not recognise Day Skipper and require a higher level certification, or an ICC.

| Spain Yacht Charters |

Turkey

ICC or Day Skipper (and above)

| Turkey Yacht Charters |

France

ICC or RYA Day Skipper (and above)

| France Yacht Charters |

Find boats in the Mediterranean

What license do I need to sail in the Caribbean?

Jost Van dyke, British Virgin Islands

A sailing CV is generally accepted as proof of competence to skipper a boat in the Caribbean, but we recommend you take your certificates with you as well.

British Virgin Islands
Antigua
Grenada
British Virgin Islands

Sailing CV, ICC or Day Skipper (and above)

| BVI Yacht Charters |

Antigua

Sailing CV, ICC or Day Skipper (and above)

| Antigua Yacht Charters |

Grenada

Sailing CV, ICC or Day Skipper (and above)

| Grenada Yacht Charters |

Find boats in the Caribbean

Frequently asked questions

I have lots of sailing experience, but I don’t have a certificate

You will still need to meet the requirements of the country where you’re chartering a yacht so will need to contact the RYA to get an ICC. You will need to show evidence that you are eligible for an ICC.

I lost my sailing certification, is that a problem?

You will need to ask the RYA to re-issue your certification. If you can’t show acceptable proof of your qualification, you may need to hire a skipper for your charter.

Are flotillas different?

Although you follow a lead boat on a flotilla, you will still need evidence of competence to captain your own boat as part of the flotilla.

What if I hire a skipper?

If you want to sit back and enjoy the sail, without the responsibility of captaining the boat, we always recommend hiring a skipper. Both sailing novices and experienced sailors can benefit from having a skipper on board to plot a route and take responsibility for the crew.

The country I want to sail in isn’t listed

We have shared information about our most popular destinations, but please contact us on 01227 479900 if you want to ask about another country.

Get in touch

With a combined 50 years of experience, our team knows all there is to know about the world of boat chartering.

If you want to know more about bareboat, flotilla, or by-the-cabin charters, speak to one of our experts who will be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Use our price comparison tool to search for charters by date or destination, request a quote or contact our team on 01227 479900.

We love being on the water and it’s our ambition to enable others to share our love of sailing.

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2020-02-18 11:53:18.000