Marine Tourist Route Design Course
This course teaches you to design marine tourist routes that are attractive, safe, viable and sustainable. You will learn how to define the route's value proposition and safety criteria, how to move from the chart to an operable itinerary, how to design the experience on board and ashore through interpretation and memorable moments, how to organize logistics, suppliers and permits and how to measure the impact of the route on the destination.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Marine Tourist Route Design Course?
This short course covers the full design of coastal, island, estuary, offshore and mixed routes. You will study route types and value propositions, route structure and decision points, go/no-go criteria and redundancies, service integration, chart reading and aids to navigation, selection of points of interest, legs and time windows with currents and tides, route hazards and restricted areas, anchoring and embarkation points, interpretive scripts, moments of truth, integrated activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and wildlife watching, inclusive care, operating plans and checklists, vessel logistics, supplier management, permits and protected areas, emergency management, impact indicators, carrying capacity, codes of conduct and route dashboards.
What sets this course apart: it joins two worlds that are usually taught separately, tourism product design and nautical planning; every attractive idea is tested against weather limits, navigational hazards and operational logistics; interpretation and storytelling are built on the real heritage and biodiversity of the destination; sustainability is measured with indicators rather than declared; and it ends with an applied project in which you design a complete marine tourist route ready to operate.
Program highlights
- Route types and value propositions for coastal, island, estuary and offshore experiences.
- From chart to itinerary: legs, time windows, currents, tides and shelter.
- Points of interest selected for scenic, cultural, historical and biodiversity value.
- Interpretive scripts, memorable moments and integrated activities on board and ashore.
- Logistics, suppliers, permits, protected areas and emergency procedures.
- Applied project: a marine route with carrying capacity, codes of conduct and a KPI dashboard.
Syllabus of the Marine Tourist Route Design Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of marine route design: tourism value, safety, viability and experience focus
- 1.1. Types of marine routes: coastal, island, estuary, offshore and mixed, with different objectives
- 1.2. Defining the value proposition: theme, target audience, level of exclusivity and experience promise
- 1.3. Structure of a route: milestones, sequences, timings, alternatives and operational decision points
- 1.4. Safety and go/no-go criteria: weather limits, risk profiles and minimum redundancies
- 1.5. Integration of services: vessel, crew, guides, catering, activities and customer service
Charts, navigation and selection of points of interest: from the map to an operable itinerary
- 2.1. Reading charts and aids to navigation: references, bearings and planning by legs
- 2.2. Selecting points of interest: scenic, cultural, historical and biodiversity value and uniqueness of the destination
- 2.3. Designing legs and time windows: distances, times, currents, tides and shelter conditions
- 2.4. Identifying route hazards: shoals, breaking waves, traffic, restricted zones and sensitive areas
- 2.5. Anchoring, mooring and embarkation points: selection criteria, rotation, capacity and operational compatibility
Designing the experience on board and ashore: storytelling, interpretation and high-value moments
- 3.1. Interpretive script: the narrative of the sea, the destination, heritage, science and local culture
- 3.2. Architecture of moments: moments of truth, micro-rituals, rhythm of the experience and controlled surprise
- 3.3. Integrated activities: snorkelling or diving, responsible wildlife watching, kayaking or SUP, guided visits and workshops
- 3.4. Inclusive care: accessibility, safety of vulnerable people and reasonable adjustments en route
- 3.5. Managing expectations: prior briefing, rules, variable conditions and transparent communication
Operations, logistics and coordination: resources, suppliers, permits and quality control
- 4.1. Route operating plan: roles, checklists, timings, briefing and debriefing and operations log
- 4.2. Vessel logistics: fuel, water, provisions, preventive maintenance and critical consumables
- 4.3. Supplier management: guides, transport, catering, activities and quality SLAs
- 4.4. Permits and regulatory compatibility: public use, anchoring, protected areas, insurance and liability
- 4.5. Emergency management: procedures, communications, evacuation, external coordination and documentation
Impact assessment, destination sustainability and final project: marine tourist route
- 5.1. Impact indicators: environmental, social and economic, with baselines and monitoring
- 5.2. Managing carrying capacity: visitor limits, rotation, seasonality and control of overcrowding
- 5.3. Codes of conduct and environmental education: good practice, responsible wildlife watching and footprint minimization
- 5.4. Managing reputational risk: incidents, communication, traceability and lessons learned
- 5.5. Route dashboard: operational, commercial and experience KPIs with periodic reporting
Duration and format of the Marine Tourist Route Design Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Marine Tourist Route Design Course
Career opportunities after the Marine Tourist Route Design Course
Questions about the Marine Tourist Route Design Course
To offer attractive, safe and sustainable experiences at sea that are also viable to operate for the company and beneficial for the destination.
Safety first, including weather, navigability, equipment and proximity to emergency services, followed by the value of the points of interest, logistics, permits and the impact on the environment.
No. You will learn to read charts and plan legs as a route designer, but the vessel itself must always be commanded by someone holding the license required by the competent authority.
Yes. It covers permits, anchoring rules and codes of conduct in protected and sensitive areas, as well as carrying capacity and responsible wildlife watching.
You design a complete marine tourist route, with itinerary, interpretive script, operating plan, permits, emergency procedures and an impact and KPI dashboard.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Tourism and water sports
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at tourism and hospitality professionals, nautical business owners and tour operators, tour guides and travel agents, public administrations and destination managers, and tourism or geography students; a background in tourism, geography, heritage or marine biology, or proven experience in the tourism, maritime or marine conservation sector, is recommended, together with basic notions of navigation and safety at sea.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser, software to read and edit documents and spreadsheets and access to free online chart viewers.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.