Where to Start
LEARN TO SAIL WITH IYT
Since 1997, International Yacht Training has been the world’s leading provider of internationally recognized yacht training courses. With schools in over 60 countries, we empower aspiring sailors and yachting professionals to learn the skills they need to sail confidently or work aboard the finest vessels worldwide. Our flexible, comprehensive programs meet the highest industry standards—because your success on the water is our ultimate mission.
Before deciding which courses to pursue, take a moment to determine your goals. Are you looking to start or advance your career in yachting? If so, professional courses are your gateway. If you simply want to sail and enjoy the water, then recreational courses are the right choice for you.
If you take recreational courses and later decide to pursue a career in yachting, you will have built up mileage and experience, allowing you to transition into the professional superyacht industry. Always log your miles on every passage. We recommend the SailTies app for logging miles and passages, but a simple logbook will suffice.
Having recreational experience and completing recreational courses will make it easier for you to pass professional courses and exams.
RECREATIONAL
Whether you’re brand-new to sailing or want to sharpen your skills, IYT offers a wide range of courses that make learning to sail both fun and accessible. From basic dinghy sailing to mastering the helm of a cruising yacht, you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience under the guidance of qualified instructors. Our recreational courses ensure you leave every session more confident, capable, and excited to set sail again.
PROFESSIONAL
Dreaming of an exciting career at sea? IYT’s professional track equips you with the certifications and know-how to work on a yacht across the globe. Whether you’re starting as a deckhand or aiming for a captain’s license, our step-by-step programs help you build a robust skill set, meet industry regulations, and stand out in a competitive job market. Get ready to take the helm of your maritime career.
WHY IYT
1
No other yacht certification authority is as internationally recognized.
2
No other yachting company offers such a diverse range of courses.
3
Every IYT (COC) course requires a practical on-the-water examination.
4
Backed by over 20 years of maintaining a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS).
5
No other organization offers its courses in multiple different languages.
6
No other yachting organisation has been built by professional mariner.
7
No other yachting company offers high security certificates with QR code, hologram, photograph and signature strip.
8
No other yachting organisation offers its approved instructors & examiners the opportunity to work in 56 different countries.
9
IYT has been built on a “can do” attitude where nothing is too much trouble and every opportunity is explored.

