ISPA has been providing comprehensive, internationally recognized boating and sailing licenses since 1994. Each level of sailing course includes both lectures and practical exercises at sea.
Our skilled and experienced instructors have attended extra education to be accredited from ISPA in order to teach sailing according to this international high standard for sailing.
In 2024, ISPA has introduced Online theory courses and exams to facilitate the learning process for international students. You can now study theory at home before attending the practical course. The instructor will repeat important theory points on board and you can come ready to ask for clarifications.
Our sailing courses are held in English, however students can get support in other languages upon request (Croatian and French mainly)
ISPA shema napredovanja u jedrenju
Levels you can pass in Croatia :
- ISPA Competent Crew Sailing Course : this level is accessible without previous experience or knowledge but is also suited for students who have sailed before with friends or family, or in their childhood, but did not go through a structured week long learning process.
- ISPA Day Skipper Sailing Course: this level is designed to take charge of a sailing yacht in mild conditions (Sailing in summer in Croatia). Participant should have validated Competent Crew level or be able to justify equivalent sailing certification.
- Coastal Navigator Sailing Course: this level focuses on advanced navigation techniques and as a first step to building autonomy for coastal cruising and unfamiliar waters. It is accessible with a Day Skipper Sailing course completed.
- Coastal Skipper Sail Course : this is your final step to check your autonomy for coastal cruising and unfamiliar waters with the security of our instructors mentorship. This level is accessible with a Coastal Navigator Sailing course completed.
Further levels that you have to pass in Tidal waters / open Ocean
- ISPA Offshore Master Sail
- ISPA Ocean Master Certificate of Competence Sail
Sailing Licence for Bareboat charter
ISPA Day skipper certificate is recognized by the Croatian Ministry of Sea (Recognized certificates for operating boats and yachts ) and by many charter destinations around the world.
Internationally, other countries are recognizing ISPA Day Skipper certificate as equivalent to their national boating license (when they have one) : Canada, Germany, Queensland in Australia (no boating license exists in other states in Australia), USA, Bahama Islands, Thailand – Phuket.
For renting bareboat, it is the decision of each charter company to set their requirements. Some might require higher levels for weekly rentals, therefore we recommend continuing education to obtain ISPA Coastal skipper certificate, especially if you intend to be sailing the open ocean.
Up this date, ISPA Certificate holders have reported successfully chartering bareboat in the following countries:
- Canada
- USA
- Japan
- UK
- France
- Germany
- Norway
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Spain
- Croatia
- Greece
- Mexico
- Caribbean (BVI, Cuba, etc.)
- Tahiti
- Seychelles
- Queensland in Australia
- Bahama Islands
- Thailand – Phuket
When renting bareboat, you should always check with the charter agency your licence before confirming booking.
In any case, we always recommend that our students with ISPA Day skipper certificate start their bareboat sailing journey in Croatia or similar destinations, with closed sea and/or a lot of shelters and islands. Then with experience, work their way up to more challenging seas by getting more training.
More information about ISPA you can find here : https://www.ispa.com/
