Find a Boating Course

Safe Boating Education & Training

Whether you are new to boating or already have some experience, we recommend you undertake safe boating education or training. A course, such as those offered by Coastguard Boating Education, will ensure that you have that essential boating knowledge to ensure your safety, as well as compliance with all maritime rules and associated legislation

While your boat does not need to be surveyed or inspected and you do not need any “official” qualification or licence to operate a pleasure boat (other than a radio operator qualification if you own a marine VHF radio), ignorance of the rules is not accepted as an excuse.

There are many training and education opportunities available to recreational boaties, including courses that can be studied by correspondence. You should aim for a combination of theory and practical training if possible

Coastguard Boating Education

Coastguard Boating Education offers a wide range of theoretical and on-water practical courses nationwide, from beginner to advanced, to suit all types of boating. These include:

Day skipper – an introductory course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. Applies to a wide range of vessels, including yachts, launches, powerboats, jetskis, sea kayaks and waka

Boatmaster – a comprehensive course for boaties with some existing knowledge and experience

Marine VHF radio

Specialty courses, such as the sea kayak and engine maintenance modules

Sea Kayak
A short course covering sea kayaks, equipment, communication, emergencies, planning, weather, rules, and navigation

Engine Maintenance
Outboard and Inboard courses that cover care, maintenance and trouble-shooting

Royal Yachting Association courses for sailing and power craft, eg, here’s a snapshot of RYA practical courses:

Personal Water Craft
A comprehensive course for PWC Users (Jet Skis)

Powerboating
(Runabouts, RIBs, and other outboard-driven craft) Introductory through to advanced courses covering practical boat handling skills.

Sail Cruising
(Keelers and Multihulls) Introductory through to advanced courses to develop sailing competence as crew or skipper in inshore, coastal, and ocean waters.

Motor Cruising
(Launches) Introductory through to advanced courses to develop motor cruising competence as crew or skipper in inshore, coastal, and ocean waters.

Joining your local coastguard is a great way to gain experience and local knowledge.
Coastguard New Zealand

For more information, or to find your nearest Coastguard Boating Education tutor:

• Call freephone: 0800 40 80 90
• Visit the website Coastguard Boating Education

Learn to Sail

Learn to Sail is a national programme developed by Yachting New Zealand.  The programme covers the basic skills and is offered in both a Dinghy sailing option and a Keelboat sailing option. While the programme is taught mainly at Yacht Clubs it is increasingly offered by Commercial Sailing Schools.

Learn To Sail Programme – For Dinghies

Course Content and Levels

Learn To Sail Programme – For Keelboats