Sydney sailing lessons: Learn to sail on Sydney Harbour
Sailing lessons in Sydney are available through Sydney By Sail. Weekend Introduction to Yachting courses take place on Sydney Harbour, teaching tourists the basics of sailing aboard Dufour 310 yachts.
Cruising around Sydney Harbour under sail is a much more romantic experience than taking a ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay. Sydney By Sail offers daily harbour yacht cruises that allow you to do just that. The bonus is that they also allow you to have a go at being crew.
If taking the wheel and working the ropes really appeal, Sydney By Sail also offers sailing courses. These Sydney sailing lessons, fully accredited with International Yacht Training Worldwide, take place aboard Dufour 310 yachts.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲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.
There are several more advanced courses. These including courses devoted to getting an international crew certificate, night sailing and bareboating on Sydney Harbour. Lessons also help would-be sailors wishing to get their radio operator’s certificate and International Certificate of Competence. There’s an international bareboat skipper course, too.
Sydney sailing lessons: Introduction to yachting course
For those wishing to dip their toe in the water of sailing, the Introduction to Yachting course is most helpful. This Sydney Harbour sailing course is held over two days – usually at a weekend from 10am to 4pm each day. It covers the first module of the International Crew course, and is a mix of theory and practical.
Over the course of the weekend, participants will be taught how to understand the wind and weather. They’ll also learn how to get a yacht ready to sail, the rules of the ‘road’ and basic navigation techniques.
Theory covered includes trip planning, safe passage, weather forecasts, the effects of tides and currents, plus keeping track of progress. There’s also a detailed safety briefing covering suitable clothing, life rafts, first aid kits, bilge pumps and flares.
On the practical level, these sailing lessons in Sydney will include manoeuvring and rope work. You’ll also learn commands for tacking and gybing plus hoisting and lowering sails.
Cost of Sydney sailing lessons
The total cost for the twelve hour course with Sydney By Sail is $595. The course is designed to be something that visitors to Australia can do as well as Sydney residents. You can also take a sailing course on Pittwater, behind Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Alternative ways to explore Sydney Harbour include scenic flights in a seaplane or kayaking tours. But if you’re still in the mood to learn new skills, why not try a surfing lesson at Bondi Beach?
Elsewhere in Australia, you can learn to sail at the Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne.
More New South Wales travel
Go walking in the Cocoparra National Park near Griffith.
Feast at the Junee Chocolate Factory in Junee.
Hit the surf at Bilgola Beach or Avalon Beach in northern Sydney.
Swim in the Hawkesbury River from Cattai National Park.
Choose between Garie Beach and Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park.