General
What is Good Skipper?⌄
Good Skipper is an ISSA-certified sailing school and yacht charter based in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. We run eight ISSA courses — from the beginner Boat Master to the Master of Yacht, on both motor and sailing yachts — plus sailing cruises and private yacht charter aboard our Beneteau Oceanis 411 Clipper YOLO.
Who is the instructor?⌄
Marcin Głowacki — ISSA certified skipper and instructor with 14+ years based in Tenerife. He also holds dive instructor qualifications with 20+ years experience and runs diving and kayaking centres on the island.
What languages are courses available in?⌄
English, Spanish, Polish and Russian. All lead to the same internationally recognised ISSA certificate.
Where are you based?⌄
Our classroom is in Costa Adeje and we sail out of Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, Tenerife. Both are easily accessible from all south Tenerife resorts including Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas.
Courses & certification
What is the ISSA Offshore Skipper?⌄
The ISSA Offshore Skipper is an internationally recognised sailing or motorboat licence. It qualifies you to skipper vessels up to 24 m at distances up to 120 nautical miles offshore, day and night. The certificate never expires and is valid in 100+ countries.
Do I need prior experience?⌄
It depends on the course. Boat Master is open to complete beginners, no experience needed (16+, plus a VHF/SRC certificate that you can take during the course). The other courses require a number of logged days (from 7 to 28), and the offshore courses also require SRC and First Aid certificates. If you don't have them, you can complete the days and certificates with us.
How long does the course take?⌄
It depends on the course: Boat Master takes 2–3 days, Inshore Power Yacht Skipper 4 days, the sailing courses (Sail Yacht Crew, Sail Inshore, Sail Offshore, Sail Master) 6 days, Offshore Power Yacht Skipper 5 days, and Master of Power Yacht 6 days. The schedule adapts to your level.
Is the ISSA certificate valid in Croatia and Greece?⌄
Yes. The ISSA Offshore Skipper is accepted by the vast majority of charter companies in Croatia, Greece, the Caribbean, the Balearics, the Canary Islands and across Europe and worldwide.
What is the difference between Sail and Offshore Power Yacht Skipper?⌄
The Sail course qualifies you for sailing yachts, the Power course for motor yachts. At Offshore level both cover vessels up to 24 m and up to 120 nautical miles offshore. Both result in an internationally recognised ISSA certificate. Many students take both.
What does the course include?⌄
ISSA certificate and registration, all time aboard the training vessel, fuel and marina fees, course materials (printed notes, nautical charts) in your chosen language, and instruction from a certified ISSA instructor.
Where does practical training take place?⌄
On the Atlantic Ocean out of Marina del Sur marina in Las Galletas. You sail in genuine open-water conditions from day one — not a lake or a harbour.
Can I combine Sail and Power courses?⌄
Yes. Many students take both. Ask about combined course options when you enquire.
Sailing cruises
What cruises do you run?⌄
Six kinds: recreational, sea time, Course + Cruise, private, private with an instructor, and a cruise with diving. All of them run for seven days, Saturday to Saturday, sailing from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas. From €980 per person. See the
cruises page for the full programme.
How long is a cruise, and how does it start and end?⌄
Seven days, Saturday to Saturday. Boarding starts on Saturday at 16:00 and the Captain runs the briefing at eight the next morning. The journey ends back in our home port in Las Galletas, reporting in before midnight, and the boat is left by twelve noon the following day.
What does the price cover, and what is paid on top?⌄
In the price: your place aboard for the whole week, an experienced Captain or Instructor, 40 litres of fuel (10 hours of engine time), and the dinghy and SUP board. Paid on top: food (the boat budget, €60 per person to begin with), port fees of €30–45 a night split between the crew, fuel beyond 40 litres at €6.50 an hour, and transport from the airport.
Do I need sailing experience?⌄
Not for the recreational, private or diving cruises — you sail as a passenger in the care of the Captain. The sea time cruise is for beginner and advanced sailors alike, standing proper watches and building sea time.
Does a cruise count as sea time for the ISSA courses?⌄
Yes. The sea time cruise and the private cruise with an instructor both count as sea time for crew and/or skipper. Seven days covers the requirement for Sail Inshore Skipper exactly, and two cruises cover Sail Offshore Skipper. You can also take the course itself during the cruise — that is the Course + Cruise option.
What happens if the weather is bad?⌄
The rules say we do not plan a departure if Beaufort force 6 or above is expected (over 20 knots and/or 3 m waves). For safety a cruise may be cut short or called off; the club makes no refund on that ground, but will help the group arrange something else. A booking can be cancelled without losing the deposit up to 60 days beforehand.
Yacht charter
Do I need a licence to charter YOLO?⌄
No. All our charters include Marcin as professional ISSA certified skipper. You don't need any licence or sailing experience.
How many guests can come?⌄
YOLO can accommodate up to 8 guests. Minimum 2 guests required for most trips.
What charter options are available?⌄
We offer full day charters (6–8 hours), whale and dolphin watching trips (3–4 hours), and sunset cruises (2–3 hours). Custom and multi-day passages are available on request.
What if the weather is bad?⌄
Safety is the priority. If conditions are unsafe we will contact you and reschedule or issue a full refund.
Can I bring food and drinks?⌄
Yes. You are welcome to bring your own food, drinks and anything that makes the trip yours. There is a galley and fridge on board.
Booking & pricing
What is the exact price?⌄
Prices depend on the course type, schedule and group size. Contact us for an exact quote — we don't list flat prices online because we always tailor the course to you.
Do I pay a deposit?⌄
Yes — we ask for a deposit to confirm the booking. The balance is settled before the start of the course or charter. Full details when you contact us.
What is the cancellation policy?⌄
Contact us to discuss the cancellation policy before booking. We understand that travel plans can change and aim to be as flexible as possible.
About Tenerife
What is the weather like for sailing?⌄
Tenerife has over 300 sunny days per year and stable NE trade winds. The Atlantic off Costa Adeje offers varied conditions — ideal for building real offshore skills in a reliably warm, accessible environment.
Are there whales and dolphins in Tenerife waters?⌄
Yes. The waters off Costa Adeje are home to resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Sightings during courses and charters are common.
How do I get to Marina del Sur marina?⌄
Marina del Sur is in Las Galletas, easily accessible from Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje and all south Tenerife resorts. Tenerife South airport (TFS) is about 15 minutes away by taxi or bus.
Good Skipper
