Malta Sailing Blog
Blog
Written by
Yixin Qi
Published on
Introduction
Earning your RYA Yachtmaster certification is a major achievement that demonstrates your ability to skipper a yacht in a wide range of conditions. One of the key requirements for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore exams is logging qualifying miles and passages—but not all miles are equal.
Malta, with its strategic location in the Mediterranean, offers an ideal training ground for sailors looking to efficiently build the right kind of nautical miles while gaining valuable offshore experience. In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ How many miles you need for Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore
✔ The best routes from Malta to log qualifying miles
✔ Skills to develop while mile-building
✔ Tips for making the most of your time on the water
🚢 How Many Miles Do You Need for Yachtmaster?
Yachtmaster Coastal Requirements:
✔ 800 nautical miles (reduced to 400NM if you hold Coastal Skipper)
✔ 30 days at sea (20 days if Coastal Skipper)
✔ 2 days as skipper
✔ 12 night hours
Yachtmaster Offshore Requirements:
✔ 2,500 nautical miles
✔ 50 days at sea
✔ 5 passages over 60NM (2 as skipper)
✔ 5 days as skipper
✔ Night sailing experience
The best way to build miles for your Yachtmaster is through structured mile-building trips that focus on longer offshore passages, night sailing, and skippering opportunities.
🗺️ The Best Routes for Mile-Building in Malta
1️⃣ Malta → Sicily (Syracuse / Catania) – 90-120NM (Ideal for first offshore experience)
• A perfect qualifying passage for Yachtmaster candidates.
• Experience sailing in international waters and managing watch shifts.
• Learn to handle changing weather conditions and busy shipping lanes.
2️⃣ Malta → Lampedusa – 90-120NM (Overnight sailing and remote island approach)
• A longer offshore crossing, providing open-sea navigation practice.
• Limited safe harbors make passage planning and weather routing critical.
• Experience self-sufficiency at sea with fewer options to refuel or resupply.
3️⃣ Malta → Messina Strait (Taormina / Reggio Calabria) – 180-200NM (Challenging tides and currents)
• Learn to navigate the tidal streams and high traffic of the Messina Strait.
• Excellent for practicing passage planning, pilotage, and collision avoidance.
4️⃣ Malta → Aeolian Islands – 250NM+ (Multi-day offshore training with active volcano views!)
• Extended offshore sailing, requiring multi-day watchkeeping schedules.
• Stop in Stromboli, Vulcano, and Lipari, gaining experience in different anchoring techniques.
• Night sailing required, a great way to build confidence navigating in darkness.
5️⃣ Extended Passage: Malta → Greece (Lavrion) – 400NM+ (Ultimate Yachtmaster Offshore Challenge)
• A multi-day offshore passage, mimicking the demands of real-world skippering.
• Experience varied Mediterranean wind systems, night sailing, and self-sufficiency at sea.
• Log a 60NM+ qualifying passage as skipper, required for Yachtmaster Offshore.
Each of these routes logs real, qualifying miles while exposing sailors to offshore challenges, making them invaluable for Yachtmaster preparation.
⛵ Skills You’ll Develop While Mile-Building
Simply logging miles isn’t enough—you need to focus on practical skills that prepare you for the Yachtmaster exam.
✅ Passage Planning & Navigation – Using charts, tidal calculations, AIS, and pilot books.
✅ Night Sailing & Watchkeeping – Managing shifts, navigation lights, and collision avoidance.
✅ Heavy Weather Handling – Reefing, balancing sails, and managing high wind conditions.
✅ Emergency Procedures – Practicing man overboard recovery and engine failure scenarios.
✅ Boat Handling & Docking – Maneuvering in marinas and tricky mooring situations.
✅ Leadership & Decision-Making – Acting as skipper on long passages to develop confidence.
A structured mile-building course in Malta ensures you develop these essential skills alongside experienced instructors.
💡 How to Build Miles Efficiently
1️⃣ Join a Professional Mile-Building Trip
The fastest and most structured way to gain miles is by joining a mile-building program. These trips:
✔ Provide offshore experience with expert coaching.
✔ Ensure qualifying miles are properly logged for Yachtmaster exams.
✔ Allow you to practice skippering and decision-making in real conditions.
2️⃣ Take Advantage of Every Opportunity to Skipper
If you’re preparing for Yachtmaster, you need to log miles as skipper.
• Take charge of passage planning, crew briefings, and execution.
• Use shorter day sails to refine boat handling and pilotage skills.
• Ensure that at least two of your 60NM+ passages are done as skipper.
3️⃣ Focus on Quality Miles, Not Just Distance
✔ Aim for longer passages (60NM+) that require real passage planning.
✔ Incorporate night sailing to gain experience in low-visibility conditions.
✔ Practice real navigation skills—don’t rely on GPS alone!
4️⃣ Train in Different Weather Conditions
While it’s tempting to sail only in perfect conditions, Yachtmaster candidates must learn to handle strong winds, rough seas, and night passages.
✔ Use Malta’s seasonal variations to train in different wind strengths.
✔ Sail during Mistral or Scirocco winds to practice handling heavy weather.
✔ Learn to adjust sail trim and balance the boat for comfort and efficiency.
5️⃣ Track & Document Your Miles
✔ Keep an accurate logbook detailing all passages, roles, and conditions.
✔ Ensure your miles meet the RYA qualifying criteria for Yachtmaster.
✔ Use an instructor-signed mile-building logbook for credibility during exams.
🏁 Conclusion: Why Build Your Miles in Malta?
✅ Strategic location for easy access to Sicily, Greece, and North Africa.
✅ Great weather year-round, offering reliable training conditions.
✅ Ideal mix of coastal & offshore passages, perfect for Yachtmaster candidates.
✅ Professional instructors available to help sailors gain qualifying miles efficiently.
🚢 Ready to start your Yachtmaster mile-building journey? Join one of our Malta-based offshore training trips and take your sailing skills to the next level!