This course is intentionally non-certificated and flexible, catering to various skill levels and aspirations.

If you're new to sailing, you'll learn essential boat handling skills, including steering, sail trimming, and safety management. By the end of the week, you'll be a confident crew member ready for short passages.

For aspiring or returning skippers, this course offers a great opportunity to refine your boat handling and seamanship skills with the guidance of our friendly instructor before you set sail on your own.

Course content

• Knowledge of sea terms, parts of the boat, etc
• Sail handling (bend on, set, reef, trim, flake)
• The use of winches, clutches, and halyards 
• Ropework (coiling, stowing, use of cleats, knots)
• The points of sailing, upwind and tacking, downwind and gybing
• The five essentials of sailing, helming, and trimming on all points
• Steering to a compass under power and sail. 
• Crew duties during mooring, berthing, and anchoring. 
• Personal safety, man overboard, and other emergencies. 
• Rules of the road, basic meteorology, and chart-work

Locations and sailing conditions

You will sail from our base at Hamilton Island Marina around the stunning Whitsunday Islands, which provides an absolutely fabulous training ground. 

We plan the detailed itinerary on the first day to take the best advantage of the weather and tides.

The Whitsunday Islands scenery and anchorages are magnificent, and the weather is generally superb at this time of year, with tropical trade winds sailing the order of the day.

You can expect to see dolphins, whales and of course Flying Fish!

The yacht and the instructor

Our experienced, RYA-qualified yachting instructor will guide you and your fellow crew members through the week in a friendly and relaxed manner.

You sail on board one of our Beneteau First 40 cruiser-racer yachts with your fellow students and take part in all aspects of running the boat. 

The group is limited to five students to ensure you get maximum hands-on experience. 

Private course - great fun, great value 

Why not arrange your own group of up to 5 people, and save money too! 

A private course is a great thing to do with a group of family or friends, and kids are welcome, too.

If you are interested in a private course, contact us using the enquiry button at the top of the page. 

You book the whole yacht and pay for 4 places but can bring up to 5 people. 

• Shared cabin accomdation on board (or pay extra for a private cabin) for 5 nights.
• The weeks is partly catered but expect to eat ashore at your own cost for one or two nights. 
• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading.
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided, and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.

• No prior experience is needed. This week is suitable for newcomers to sailing.
• Also ideal for competent sailors looking to refresh their skills in a stunning location

• Once you have completed the week, you are ready to start taking control and learning the role of the Day Skipper. 
• Join Day Skipper Shore-based, for all the underlying theory knowledge you will need as a Day Skipper. Then, go on to the Day Skipper Practical course. 
• If you don't have time for the full shore-based theory course, complete the Essential Navigation and Seamanship self-paced online course, and then go on to Day Skipper Practical.
• Once you have your RYA Day Skipper you are ready to charter your own yacht.