What sailing qualifications do I need to charter a bareboat yacht?

Whether you need formal certification or just a sailing resume depends on where you’re heading and the charter company’s policies. Here’s what to expect across major sailing regions.

General Requirements

To charter a yacht bareboat, you’ll need one of the following:

A formal sailing qualification (e.g. RYA Day Skipper, ASA 104, ICC)
A VHF radio licence (required in many destinations)
Or, a Skipper’s Sailing Resume demonstrating your skippering experience

We can provide a resume template and advise on what’s accepted at your chosen destination. Even if you don’t hold a certificate, you may still be able to charter—just get in touch and we’ll guide you through the options.

Mediterranean (Formal Certification Required)

In nearly all Mediterranean countries, a recognized certificate is mandatory. The most widely accepted are:

RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) (UK, NZ)
ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) (USA)

You must carry the original certificate on board and often a VHF licence too.

Mediterranean Country-Specific Requirements:

Country	ICC Accepted	VHF Required	Co-Skipper Required	Day Skipper Accepted
Greece	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes rejected
Croatia	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes (if practical)
Italy	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes	❌ No	✅ Yes (with caveats)
Turkey	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Spain (Balearics)	✅ Yes	⚠️ Often	❌ No	✅ Yes (some limitations)

In Greece, a qualified co-skipper is required. In Spain, extra experience may be needed for catamarans.

Caribbean (More Flexible)

In the Caribbean, requirements are generally more relaxed than in Europe. A sailing resume demonstrating prior skippering experience is often sufficient.

However, you should still have:

Practical boat-handling experience (ideally on similar-size vessels)
Confidence with navigation, anchoring, and safety procedures

Some charter companies may request a certification (e.g. ASA 104 or RYA Day Skipper), especially for higher-spec boats or catamarans. We can assess your resume and advise if you're good to go or recommend a local training provider.

What if I don’t have a formal qualification?

If you're sailing outside Europe, a well-documented Skipper’s Resume may be enough. We’ll help you complete it in a way that satisfies operator requirements.

Want to upskill before your trip?

We can recommend:

ICC and ASA assessments
Whole-family or partner prep courses
Crew and skipper training
Blue water or coastal navigation training

Training builds confidence—and is a great way to enhance your holiday experience.

Summary by Region

Region	Certification Required	Resume Accepted	VHF Required	Notes
Mediterranean	✅ Yes (ICC/IPC)	❌ Rarely	✅ Often	Legal requirement; original cert must be carried
Caribbean	❌ Not always	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes	Flexible; experience usually sufficient
Pacific / Asia	⚠️ Varies	✅ Often	⚠️ Sometimes	Resume accepted in many areas
New Zealand	❌ Not for domestic	✅ Yes	⚠️ Sometimes	Local experience usually sufficient

New Zealanders Chartering Abroad

Many Kiwi sailors have developed their skills in demanding conditions. That practical experience is often enough for destinations outside the Med. For Europe, however, the ICC is required.

We recommend Sailing Away School of Sailing in Auckland for the RYA ICC assessment. It’s a practical three-hour course covering:

Boat handling under sail and motor
Safety and man overboard drills
Mooring, docking, and navigation skills

Following assessment, you’ll apply for the certificate via NZ Coastguard. This process can take 6–8 weeks, so plan ahead.

Still unsure?

We’re here to help. Tell us where you want to sail and your experience level—we’ll match you with the right charter and help you meet the requirements.

One of the risks of booking through cheap quote engines is arriving at base and being told a skipper is mandatory. That does not happen when we pre-clear your resume properly. We confirm operator approval before your deposit is fully committed.

When chartering through a professional broker like Sail Connections, all regulatory requirements are clearly explained at the time of booking. If necessary we guide you through the qualification process, assist with any paperwork, and ensure you’re matched with destinations and boats that suit your skill level and certification. We help you have your approved skipper status before we hand over the deposit.

📖 Read our blog on Mediterranean sailing qualifications

Related FAQs

How can I avoid surprises on a yacht charter?

When booking a yacht charter through Sail Connections, you won't get any unpleasant surprises. While online platforms can be useful for browsing options, they can’t replace the value of experienced human guidance. Continue Reading...

How do I know the charter fleet operator you use is reliable?

At Sail Connections, we personally inspect fleets where possible and maintain long-term relationships with reputable operators worldwide. After 40 years placing bookings, we know which companies consistently deliver quality boats, honest pricing, and good base support. Continue Reading...

How does charter yacht provisioning work in Southeast Asia?

Provisioning your charter yacht in Southeast Asian sailing destinations is typically straightforward. It's also sure to be better value than stocking a boat in Mediterranean or Caribbean ports. Continue Reading...

Is the Gulf of Thailand suitable for first-time bareboat charterers?

Yes — with appropriate experience. Continue Reading...

Where can you charter in the Gulf of Thailand?

There are two primary charter regions in the Gulf - Koh Samui (Central Gulf) and Koh Chang (Eastern Gulf). Continue Reading...

How do I choose the best yacht charter destination for our group?

Choosing between Greece, Croatia, the BVIs, Tahiti, or the Whitsundays isn’t just about the scenery. Continue Reading...

How do I know the charter operator is reliable?

We personally inspect fleets where possible and maintain long-term relationships with reputable operators worldwide. After 30+ years placing bookings, we know which companies consistently deliver quality boats, honest pricing, and good base support. AI platforms cannot evaluate operator service standards. We can. Continue Reading...

Yacht Charter FAQs