Available Courses

Boatmaster Boatmaster

Extend your knowledge with this comprehensive course.

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Classroom Study
Duration30 hours + 2 hour assessment
LevelAvailable Courses
QualificationCoastguard Education Certification
Price$1010.00

Aim: To gain detailed boating knowledge. 

Duration: 30 hours (classroom) plus self-study, followed by a written and oral assessment. 

Qualification: NZ Boatmaster Certificate

Course Requirements: We welcome all domestic learners who are 15 years or older.

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

We can only accept international learners if:

  • You are employed by a company in New Zealand; and
  • Your work requires you to do the course; and
  • The course is completed within 10 days.
Enrolment options for international learners are currently pending. For more information, please email info@boatingeducation.org.nz 

Course Certificates: Learners can expect to receive their certificates up to 4 weeks after they have completed a classroom course with us.

Course:
The Boatmaster course is a comprehensive programme designed for boaties with some existing knowledge and experience (minimum age: 15 years).  The Day Skipper course is a strongly recommended prerequisite.

It applies to a wide range of vessels including yachts, launches, and powerboats.  As part of the pathway of Coastguard Boating Education courses, this course builds on your knowledge of chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea.  

The course also uses the latest edition of Safety in Small Craft in digital form: a practical guide packed with full-colour illustrations. 

Classroom Study: 
This is a face-to-face classroom course delivered by a tutor. You will need to bring a wifi-capable laptop or tablet with you.  From August 2025, all course resources are delivered digitally.  This includes Rules of the Road at Sea and nautical flash cards, and other learner materials.  No printed materials will be provided in class.

You will also need a chartwork plotter to complete the exam.  Please bring your own with you to the course.  If you would prefer printed resources or need to purchase a chartwork plotter, these are available through Boat Books or via the Resources page on our website. 

Online Self-Directed Study: 

The home study course is being replaced by the Boatmaster Online course which will be ready late August 2025.  

Course Options


Timetable of Tutorials

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

Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2025 (Northland)
Whangarei Coastguard Marsden Cove
08:30 - 17:00
This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 21 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
14 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting October 2025 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 18 & 19 October and 1 & 2 November 2025 at Coastguard Education, Westhaven. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 7 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 18th Oct - Sun 2nd Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
10 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 22 & 23 November and 6 & 7 December 2025 at Coastguard Education, Westhaven. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 11 November 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 22nd Nov - Sun 7th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
13 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2025 (Waikato / BOP)
Tauranga Coastguard
08:30 - 17:00
This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 21 October 2025.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
10 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting October 2025 (Lower North Island)
Mana Cruising Club
08:30 - 17:00
This Boatmaster course will run for 2 full weekends on 11-12 & 25-26 October 2025 from 8:30am-5pm. Oral examinations will be scheduled at a later date. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 30 September 2025.
Sat 11th - Sun 26th Oct
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
14 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2025 (Upper South Island)
Coastguard Marlborough (Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton)
08:30 - 17:00
Coastguard Marlborough (Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton) 08:30 - 17:00 This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 21 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
11 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting September 2025 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Coastguard Sumner - Christchurch
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8.30am-5.00pm) - 13/14 September & 27/28 September. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 2 September 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the assessment. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 13th - Sun 28th Sep
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
6 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Coastguard Sumner - Christchurch
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8.30am-5.00pm) - 22/23 November & 6/7 December. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Tuesday 11 November 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the assessment. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 22nd Nov - Sun 7th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$1010.00
9 places left

The course was really great and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others
Harbourmaster

Which course format is right for you?

Online Study

Online Self-Directed Study: We have 3 online courses; Beginning Boating, Day Skipper and Maritime VHF. 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. 
Virtual Study 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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