Our professional Skippers will quite literally show you the ropes so you can help sail our 24ft yacht around the harbour.
Come on your own or with some friends. We offer great discounting for groups of three or more and we have great family pricing too!
It’s a great way to try sailing and spend some time on stunning Sydney Harbour.


A great gift for those who sail at home and want the amazing experience of helming on Sydney Harbour!


Note: Maximum of four participants per boat. Sessions will only go ahead if there are two or more individual participants enrolled. Should there not be enough participants to run a course our staff will contact you and offer you an alternative date.

Southwinds is a stunning classic sailing yacht designed and built in Sydney. This 3 hour experience can be hands on, an entry to see if you like sailing larger yachts, or a laid back sail in the beautiful Sydney Harbour.


Do as much or as little as you would like. No experience is necessary.


If you are onboard for the leisurely cruise, you might want to BYO drinks and snacks to enjoy while you are out.


Pickup and drop off at Manly Sailing via powerboat/short tender ride.

Southwinds is a beautifully presented unique classic sailing yacht. Designed and built in Sydney, constructed with Huon Pine.

Come aboard and enjoy the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and hear the local history.


Relax while our attentive, experienced crew serve you refreshments as we start the cruise and take in Sydney Harbour's magnificent sights, including the iconic Opera House and beautiful Harbour Bridge.

When we are ready, we will roll out the sails and enjoy a gentle sail around the harbour. Get behind the helm and experience the thrill of sailing a stunning, one of a kind, 1950's classic sailing yacht.

* This is a small group cruise. Maximum 16 onboard
* We will meet at Rowntree's Wharf in Baranagroo and travel by powerboat to Southwinds waiting in the bay. Return to Rowntree's Wharf by powerboat.
There are a few steps up / down from powerboat to Southwinds.

Day time cruise:
* Cruise includes non alcoholic beverage and light refreshments
Adult $225, Child $100, Family $600


Sunset cruise:
* Cruise includes a glass of French champagne/non alcoholic beverage and locally sourced canapés. Additional drinks may be purchased on board.
Adult $250, Child $150, Family $700





(early pickup/late drop off in Manly may be feasible. Get in touch)

Start Crewing: this is the exciting start of the journey into keelboat sailing. No experience? No problem, the first step is a weekend course, Start Crewing to familiarise you with the vessel and the responsibilities associated with being a crew member. Your experienced Instructor will introduce you to the basics of sailing on a small boat, including boat handling, safety and sailing theory. You will cover basic sailing terminology and rules, basic knots, tacking and gybing and man overboard recovery.


Start Helming: Already completed Start Crewing? Great, the next step in the Australian Sailing pathway is Start Helming. The Start Helming course is designed to develop both your theory and practical skills to be able to confidently take control of the helm. Throughout this course we will cover preparation of the boat, helming, trim on all points of sail and recovery of man overboard whilst at the helm. It's the ideal introduction to the basics of steering a boat and will equip you with the key responsibilities of being a helmsman.



The crew and helm course are 12 hours in duration each. This option is for one course 2 x 6 hour lessons over one weekend 9am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.


All of our instructors are qualified by Australian Sailing with years of experience. We will provide life jackets, don't forget to bring sun safe clothing, sun cream, wear non marking shoes and take a bottle of water.
Come along and enjoy sailing here in Manly, one of the best locations to sail in the world!

This 4 day course (usually over spread out over two consecutive weekends), with a night sail is perfect for expanding your sailing skills as you learn to sail on the tranquil waters of Sydney Harbour.


This course is for those fairly new to sailing or with a little sailing experience. I t will allow you to develop the skills and knowledge to be an active crew member on board a yacht and to achieve your International Crew Certificate.


All courses consist of both theory and practical modules (theory elements to be completed online prior to the practical).

This 4 day course (usually spread over two consecutive weekends at), with a night sail is aimed at developing your skills and getting you ready to skipper your own boat or for bareboat charters in fair weather, daylight hours and within sight of land.


To qualify for your IYT International Certificate of Competency (ICC) you need 10 days sea service and 200nm as well as a VHF radio licence. We can help arrange a radio course for you, but recommend that you have 10 days sea service or very close to this prior to starting.


All courses consist of both theory and practical modules (theory elements to be completed online prior to the practical).

Fulfil your sailing dreams, and gain an internationally recognised qualification to crew yachts! Stay in Manly for four days, with the option to live onboard.


This course is for those who already have experience. The pre-requisite is 100 nautical miles and 10 days' sea time (please get in touch if you have any questions about the requirements).
Itinerary (Thurs-Sun) Thursday 9am-5pm: Meet at Manly Boatshed, Fairlight . Board Solace, our 40ft Jeanneau yacht, and complete a full day of training, applying your new skills to the larger yacht. Friday 9am-5pm: Continue with your skipper course onboard Solace. Saturday 9am-9pm: Continue onboard Solace, with a night sail included to cover sailing fundamentals necessary at night, including buoyage and navigation. Sunday 9am-4pm: Finish the International Bareboat Skipper course content with your instructor.

Live-aboard Live-aboard is available on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights, free of charge. If you don't want to live onboard, we can help you sort alternative accommodation options
All courses consist of both theory and practical modules (theory elements to be completed online prior to the practical course.


Please get in touch if you need any help with your course selection.

Fulfil your sailing dreams, and gain an internationally recognised qualification to crew yachts! Stay in Manly for six days, with the option to live onboard.


This course is for those with no sailing experience. I t will allow you to develop the skills and knowledge to be an active crew member on board a yacht and to achieve your International Crew Certificate.
Itinerary (Tues-Sun)
Tuesday 9am-4pm: Meet your instructors and fellow students at Manly Sailing. Join us on a 24ft keelboat as we teach you the fundamentals of sailing, including wind awareness, safety, tacking, gybing and anchoring procedures. Wednesday 9am-4pm: Continue your training on a 24ft keelboat, getting comfortable with crewing procedures on the smaller yacht. Thursday 9am-5pm: Meet at Manly Boatshed, Fairlight . Board Solace, our 40ft Jeanneau yacht, and complete a full day of training, applying your new skills to the larger yacht. Friday 9am-5pm: Continue with your crew course onboard Solace. Saturday 9am-9pm: Continue onboard Solace, with a night sail included to cover crewing fundamentals necessary at night. Sunday 9am-4pm: Finish the International Crew Certificate content with your instructor.

Live-aboard Live-aboard is available on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights, free of charge. If you don't want to live onboard, we can help you sort alternative accommodation options
All courses consist of both theory and practical modules (theory elements to be completed online prior to the practical course.


Please get in touch if you need any help with your course selection.

Southwinds is a magnificent 61ft vintage sailing yacht. She has been on an exciting journey around the world and now calls Sydney home. She has been completely refurbished and available for private charters in Sydney harbour and further afield.
Cruise the harbour, stop and enjoy a swim, relax onboard with your feet up, get involved sailing the boat, the choice is yours. Your own private venue for celebrating special occasions or getting away for the weekend.
We offer various options for departure times, wharf pickups/drop offs.
Catering: Various options are available or you can arrange your own.
Drinks: Southwinds is fully licensed. A full range of drinks packages to fit every budget are available. BYO is not allowed. We will contact you to organise catering and drinks packages separately.