Can I learn to sail on Pittwater? Northern Beaches sailing lessons

It’s possible to learn to sail on Pittwater on a weekend sailing course with Club Sail. The Pittwater sailing course operates from Newport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Sydney is one of the world’s most beloved sailing destinations. The flitting white sails of hundreds of yachts are part of what makes Sydney Harbour special. You can’t miss them as you travel on the ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay.

It’s possible to go on a Sydney Harbour sailing cruise where guests can take part in working the yacht. It’s also possible to take sailing lessons on Sydney Harbour.

But a major part of what makes Sydney such an excellent sailing destination is that the yachting isn’t confined to the harbour.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Newport, Sydney: Learn to sail on Pittwater

Pittwater is a drowned estuary that joins Broken Bay between the West Head of Ku-Ring-Gai National Park and the Barrenjoey Headland. It runs behind Sydney’s Northern Beaches from Newport upwards. The usually calm waters are ideal for sailing, with the splintery crags jutting into the national park providing amble scenery.

Yachts on Pittwater, Sydney — Learn to sail on Pittwater, and you’ll have the company of several other yachts. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

If you want to learn to sail on Pittwater, sailing courses are available via the Club Sail Sailing School. Operating out of Newport, the introduction to sailing courses last a weekend. During that weekend, there are 18 hours of on-board tuition and three hours of theory.

This Pittwater sailing course includes the basics of tying knots, steering a vessel and using the wind and sails to manoeuvre a yacht.

Pittwater sailing lessons: Sailing course knowledge

It also includes important knowledge on what constitutes suitable clothing on board, preparing a yacht so that it’s ready to sail and using safety equipment. Oh yes, and rather vital things such as knowing who gets right of way when two expensive boats are ploughing headlong towards each other.

Numbers are limited to five students per yacht, so the crew can pay sufficient attention to each wannabe sailor.

If you want to learn to sail on Pittwater, it’s not cheap. The overnight course, leaving from Newport, costs $690 per person.

Elsewhere in Australia, you can learn to sail at the Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne.