Work as a Skipper on a Yacht
Take the Helm of the Best Job in the World.
As a Yacht Week Skipper, you'll command sailing yachts and catamarans up to 56ft, leading crews through some of the world's most beautiful sailing routes while acting as the ultimate anchor of their experience.
It’s more than sailing — it’s leadership, active problem-solving, and bringing people together for an unforgettable adventure.
Every skipper begins their journey at the Quarterdeck Skipper Academy. This professional, highly-focused training course transitions you from a recreational sailor to a confident commercial charter professional. You'll gain the advanced boat-handling skills, safety protocols, and guest leadership experience needed to take charge of a yacht full of guests.
Your mission
To command yachts safely and professionally, navigating dynamic coastal waters while acting as a trusted leader and guide for your crew of 6 to 12 guests. You will bridge the gap between technical maritime safety and high-end guest hospitality, ensuring your yacht operates smoothly and your crew experiences the trip of a lifetime.
Key responsibility
- Safety & Navigation: Take absolute responsibility for the physical safety of your guests, crew, and vessel under all sailing and weather conditions.
- Vessel Operations: Manage all yacht mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; troubleshoot issues calmly; and oversee mooring, docking, and anchoring procedures.
- Logistics & Planning: Cooperate with port authorities, marina staff, and water taxi services to organize smooth entries, exits, and transits.
- Team Leadership: Partner seamlessly with your onboard Host to run the yacht, support crew dynamics, and handle passenger expectations professionally.
- Route Navigation: Guide your crew through beautiful coastal routes, recommending the best swimming bays, historical sights, and evening shore venues.
The ideal candidate
- Minimum Age: 20 years old by the start of the charter season.
- Sailing Credentials: Hold a valid, commercially recognized skipper license (ICC, RYA Day Skipper / Yachtmaster, or country-equivalent) plus a valid VHF radio operator license (SRC or equivalent).
- Practical Experience: Comfortable handling mid-to-large-sized sailing yachts competently in normal coastal conditions before joining training.
- Leadership Traits: Exceptionally calm, decisive under pressure, and highly capable of making critical safety decisions.
- Communication Skills: Socially confident, service-minded, and fluent in English to coordinate with international port staff and diverse guest groups.
- Availability: Ready to work multiple weeks during the peak Mediterranean season (June–August).
Your weekly schedule
Popular venues
The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia: Navigate the intricate channels surrounding Split, Hvar, and Vis, coordinating flotilla formations and anchoring in crowded harbors.
Saronic Gulf, Greece: Sail across open, breezy stretches to reach historic island ports like Hydra and Poros.
British Virgin Islands (BVI): Command large catamarans through deep-blue channels, shifting between tropical sandy anchorages and famous offshore bars.
Life onboard
Life as a skipper is demanding, active, and deeply rewarding. You will live onboard in dedicated crew quarters, working side-by-side with your host. This lifestyle requires high adaptability, physical fitness, and excellent social stamina. You must balance being an accessible, friendly guide with maintaining the authority necessary to keep your vessel safe. In return, you'll live on the water, sharpen your commercial maritime skills daily, and spend your summer with an incredible international crew.
What you get
- Weekly Competitive Pay: Earn a competitive, contracted day/weekly rate for every charter week completed.
- All-Inclusive Living: Your onboard accommodation, food, and basic onboard living expenses are fully covered.
- Elite Quarterdeck Training: Intensive training at the Skipper Academy, focusing on high-stress boat handling, marina maneuvering, and leadership.
- Career Advancement: A trusted seal of approval within the maritime industry, connecting you to top global charter networks.
Travel + destination
Your summer office stretches across the world's premier sailing grounds. From navigating narrow Mediterranean canals to traversing open Caribbean island chains, your career takes you exactly where the wind blows.
| Destination | Airport |
|---|---|
| Croatia (Split) | Split St. Jerome Airport SPU |
| Greece (Athens) | Athens International ATH |
| British Virgin Islands | Beef Island / Tortola EIS |
Frequently asked questions
What is a skipper job?
A skipper job is a professional role responsible for operating a yacht safely, including navigation, guest safety, docking, passage planning, and crew coordination. In charter and flotilla environments, the skipper is also responsible for guest management throughout the charter week.
What qualifications do I need for skipper jobs?
Most charter operations require a recognised sailing licence (RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore is preferred), a VHF radio licence, and a valid First Aid certificate. National equivalents from EU and other countries may be accepted depending on the operator and region.
Can beginners get skipper jobs?
Not directly. Professional skipper roles require demonstrated competence with 40–60ft yachts. Candidates who are qualified but lack charter experience should progress through Sailing Academy and Skipper Academy before applying for placements.
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Beyond Yacht Week
The Quarterdeck Skipper Academy is a highly respected gateway to the broader professional maritime industry. Once you have successfully completed your seasons with Yacht Week, you'll join the vetted Quarterdeck network. This opens direct pathways to lucrative, high-end assignments, including luxury private catamaran charters, yacht delivery transits, superyacht deck positions, and corporate sailing events across the globe.