Sandringham Yacht Club: Learn to sail in Melbourne

It’s possible to book sailing lessons in Melbourne at the Sandringham Yacht Club. The club also offers introductory sailing experiences.

What is Sandringham Yacht Club?

Sandringham Yacht Club on Port Phillip Bay is one of the most prestigious sailing clubs in Australia. It’s based at the marina between Sandringham Beach and Sandringham Dog-Friendly Beach in Melbourne.

The Sandringham Dog Friendly Beach: Not as impressive as Sandringham Beach proper. Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria

It’s a member’s-only club, which hosts numerous regattas and recreational sailing experiences. What non-members might be more interested in is the sailing lessons. This is where you can learn to sail in Melbourne.

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Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
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Sandringham Yacht Club sailing lessons

The dinghy sailing lessons in Melbourne cost from $220 each. They form a programme that can train you to be a competent sailor.

The beginners’ section of the programme covers important steps such as being able to leave and return to the beach. It also teaches would-be sailors to avoid other boats, recover crew in a ‘man overboard’ situation, sail without kneeling and right a capsized boat. You’ll also learn to identify dangerous situations around the marina, steer and control the mainsail at the same time, and know where to have the sails set.

These beginners’ sailing lessons cost from $220, and are open to everyone – not just members of the Sandringham Yacht Club. There is a discount for members, however.

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Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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Sandringham Yacht Club sailing experiences

If you just want to dip your toe in the water – or, rather, keep your toe out of the water – the Sandringham Yacht Club also offers sailing experiences.

These are largely about fun and doing as much or as little as you want on the boat. Qualified sailing instructors are in charge, but everyone else gets a practical, hands-on experience, hopefully learning a few of the basics on the way. You can book to have a go with a partner, family or group of friends.

The Discover Sailing Experiences at Sandringham Yacht Club take place on 7.5 metre keelboats. The experience lasts three hours and costs $220.

It’s also possible to learn to sail on Sydney Harbour and take sailing lessons in Pittwater, Sydney.