Available Courses

Day Skipper Day Skipper

Gain essential boating knowledge relevant to all boat types.

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Online Self Directed Study
Duration4 Weeks Self Directed Study
LevelAvailable Courses
QualificationCoastguard Education Qualification
Price$350.00 (includes assessment fee)
Classroom Study
Duration4 Weeks Inclusive of 2 Days in Class
LevelAvailable Courses
QualificationCoastguard Education Qualification
Price$550.00

The Day Skipper - CBE Certificate course is an introductory Coastguard Education course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. It is particularly suited to those who are new to the responsibility of being a skipper on their own vessel.

Course purpose:

This course is for recreational pleasure craft operators and crew and covers general knowledge required to operate a pleasure craft in familiar waters during daylight hours, at an introductory level.

Learning outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge of:

  • the components of a boat and its equipment
  • basic boat handling techniques
  • the use of navigational charts
  • basic tide and weather terminology
  • navigational marks
  • Maritime Rules and Regulations
  • the causes of and preventative actions to be taken in emergency situations
  • common marine knots and their application.

Certification:

On successful completion of this course, you will have achieved Coastguard Education's Day Skipper Certificate. This is an internal certification only and is not recognised by any qualification authority or standard setting body, i.e. NZQA unit standards do not apply.

Course Type and Duration:

Classroom Study with Online Resources: This is a face-to-face classroom course delivered by a tutor. This course is usually run over a weekend or over multiple nights. You will have 4 weeks to complete the course inclusive of 2 days in class and including an online assessment. You will need to bring a wifi-capable laptop with you.  From August 2025, all course resources are delivered digitally.  No printed materials will be provided in class.

(Note: Due to technical issues, Day Skipper cannot be completed on an iPad.)

Virtual Classroom: This is a virtual classroom course with a tutor but you attend virtually via your computer or laptop. This course would run over a weekend or over multiple nights. You will have 4 weeks to complete the course inclusive of 16 hours of online face to face tutoring through a link and including an online assessment. Look under the Classroom Study tab below to find dates of upcoming virtual study courses.

Online Self-Directed Study: This is where you enrol on an online course which is self-directed from home. You will have 4 weeks from the date of enrolment to complete the course including an online assessment. After the 4-week duration, your enrolment ends and you will be withdrawn from the course.

Day Skipper Unit Standards: This is an 8 week self-directed learning including an online assessment.

Course Requirements

We welcome all domestic learners who are 16 years and older.

A NZ citizen or permanent resident, and an Australian citizen or permanent resident are considered domestic learners.

If you are an international learner and the course is required for work purposes, or you are a learner studying outside of New Zealand, please email the team at [email protected] prior to enrolling, to determine if you are eligible to enrol in this course.

Course Certificates

Learners can expect to receive their certificates up to 4 weeks after they have completed a classroom or home study course with us. 

Coastguard Membership Offer

Become a Coastguard member for only $150 and receive $75 off an online or classroom Day Skipper course in your first year.  Click HERE to join.



Course Options

Coastguard New Zealand can now enrol international students but they must apply through our International enrolment process. For more information contact [email protected]

Online Study165 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland
Email
Phone0800 40 80 90
Price$350.00 (includes assessment fee)

Coastguard welcome domestic learners onto all courses. Domestic learners are those who are NZ citizens, NZ permanent residents and Australian citizens. International students are now eligible to enrol in our courses but must apply through our International enrolment process. Please contact [email protected]


Studying for the Day Skipper - CBE Certificate online gives you an opportunity to study when and from where you want, in your own time. The course can be completed on desktop computers, laptops and some tablets. Note: Due to technical issues, Day Skipper cannot be completed on an iPad.

As the course includes audio, you will require speakers, headphones or ear plugs to fully engage with the course.

The online course covers the same knowledge as that provided in the classroom courses, delivered through engaging interactive modules. It also provides you with the Day Skipper Handbook, as a printable PDF. This handbook is the same resource as that used in the classroom courses.

Taken as Online Study your course enrolment is valid for 4 weeks from the date of enrolment. This commences as soon as you book the course.



Timetable of Tutorials

No courses listed or can't find a course that suits? Contact Coastguard Boating Education

Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting December 2026 (Virtual)
Virtual Classroom
08:30 - 17:00
This is a virtual classroom Day Skipper course. You get to study with other students and an in-person tutor through an online live meeting platform from the comfort of your own home. You will need a wifi-capable laptop to access your course, the resources and the assessment. In the week prior to the course, you will be sent an email with login information. On the first day of the course, you will use your laptop to log into the online classroom and access your digital course resources when prompted by your tutor. At the end of the classroom session, you will have up to 3 weeks to sit your assessment online. Enrolments close on Thursday 26 November 2026.
Sat 5th - Sun 6th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$550.00
16 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2026 (Northland)
Whangarei Coastguard Marsden Cove
08:30 - 17:00
This is an introductory Coastguard Education course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. It is particularly suited to those who are new to the responsibility of being a skipper on their own vessel. You will need to bring a wifi capable laptop to the course to access the online resources. (Note: Due to technical issues, Day Skipper cannot be completed on an iPad.) There will be no paper resources available on the day. This course runs for both days of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The last day for enrolling is Thursday 19 November 2026.
Sat 28th - Sun 29th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$550.00
12 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting December 2026 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This is an introductory Coastguard Education course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. It is particularly suited to those who are new to the responsibility of being a skipper on their own vessel. You will need to bring a wifi capable laptop to the course to access the online resources. (Note: Due to technical issues, Day Skipper cannot be completed on an iPad.) There will be no paper resources available on the day. This course runs for both days of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The last day for enrolling is Thursday 26 November 2026.
Sat 5th - Sun 6th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$550.00
14 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2026 (Central North Island)
Hawkes Bay Coastguard Operations and Education Centre - Napier
08:30 - 17:00
This is an introductory Coastguard Education course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. It is particularly suited to those who are new to the responsibility of being a skipper on their own vessel. You will need to bring a wifi capable laptop to the course to access the online resources. (Note: Due to technical issues, Day Skipper cannot be completed on an iPad.) There will be no paper resources available on the day. This course runs for both days of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The last day for enrolling is Thursday 19 November 2026.
Sat 28th - Sun 29th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$550.00
8 places left

Lots of content  - quite intense but hugely informative. The practical component was very valuable and I gained lots of experience for the future. Great to have a course tutor with so much experience and knowledge that kept us all engaged. Excellent.
Sea Survival Course

Which course format is right for you?

Online Study

Online Self-Directed Study: We have a range of online courses; Beginning Boating, Day Skipper, Maritime VHF, Boatmaster, Engine Maintenance, MRROC and MSROC. These courses are designed to be studied online using your own computer and have great content and illustrations, are interactive and easy to navigate.
Home Study: This is a paper based distance learning option which we mail out to you for you to complete at home. This is currently not online. Both options allow you to study at your own pace giving the flexibility to schedule learning around busy lifestyles and commitments. You can also complete the course in blocks and can come back to it on a weekly basis until it is completed.
VS

Classroom Study

Classroom Courses offer the student the ability to study intensely over a finite period of time (usually a weekend) to complete a boating course. It is a chance to meet up with other like-minded boaties and learn from their experiences. Having an educated teacher with years of boating knowledge enables the student to be taught face-to-face and ask any questions that may come up. 
Tutor Led Classroom Course offers the student the ability to study with a classroom course and tutor but virtually from their own home on their own device. They can interact with the tutor and study at the same pace as the other students in the classroom.
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DISCOUNT CODES

New Member Day Skipper Course $75 discount: 
- Use membership number for discount

To use your National Coastguard NZ new member discount for $75 off a Day Skipper course, please in put your membership number in the Discount Code field below (e.g. 123456). Do not use CGM in front of the number.  This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, and can only be redeemed once. 

10% Membership discount: 
- Use CGM + membership number for discount

To use your National Coastguard NZ 10% membership discount on other selected courses, input "CGM" and your Coastguard membership number (e.g. CGM78091) into the  "Discount Code" field below. This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The courses included in this discount offer are: Day Skipper (Not to be used in conjunction with $75 discount), Boatmaster, Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, Inboard Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance and GPS Operator.


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