Learn to Sail Sydney Harbour: 2-day Australian Sailing Start

Master the fundamentals of crewing a keelboat over two full days on the water.

This 2-day sailing course on Sydney Harbour in Manly teaches the basics of crewing a keelboat through two 6-hour lessons with Australian Sailing–qualified instructors. You'll learn boat handling, safety, sailing theory, basic knots, tacking, gybing and man overboard recovery. No prior experience is required. Children are welcome from age 12.

What’s included

• Life jackets and sunscreen.
• professional instructors qualified by Australian Sailing.
• all equipment necessary for the course.

Times

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• Every day except Thursday and Friday 09:00

Information

Two-day sailing course on Sydney Harbour in Manly teaches boat handling, safety and crew basics with Australian Sailing–qualified instructors.

Group Up to 4

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (16 and older) · Child (12 to 15 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Confirmation Confirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 10 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The course is built around hands-on instruction in a small keelboat, starting with the vessel itself: how to move around it safely, how it responds to the crew's actions, and what each role demands. Your instructor covers sailing terminology, the rules of the water, and the specific techniques that keep a boat moving efficiently: tacking and gybing (the turns that change direction), knots that hold under load, and the recovery drill for when someone goes overboard. All instructors are qualified by Australian Sailing and bring years of working experience to the water.

The two 6-hour lessons spread across two days, so you're not trying to absorb everything in one marathon session. Manly Harbour itself is one of the best sailing locations in Australia, which means consistent conditions and the kind of working water where the theory you learn actually matters. You're not practicing in a sheltered bay, you're sailing where real sailors work. Life jackets and sunscreen are provided. Bring sun-safe clothing, non-marking shoes and water to drink.

This is the entry point on the Australian Sailing Keelboat training pathway, so if you want to progress further, the course sets you up to move into intermediate and advanced certifications. If you're just curious about sailing or want to know what crewing actually involves before committing to more training, two days gives you enough time to find out without a major time commitment.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 15 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need any sailing experience to take this course?

No experience is necessary. The course starts with the basics of boat handling and sailing theory, so it's designed for complete beginners. Children are welcome from age 12.

What exactly will I learn over the two days?

You'll learn boat handling, safety procedures, sailing terminology and rules, basic knots, tacking and gybing (the maneuvers that change direction), and man overboard recovery. The two 6-hour lessons let you practice these skills on the water with an instructor.

What's included and what do I need to bring?

Life jackets and sunscreen are supplied, along with all equipment necessary for the course. Bring sun-safe clothing, non-marking shoes, and a bottle of water. You'll also want to bring lunch and water for the two days.

Where does the course take place?

The course runs on Sydney Harbour in Manly, one of Australia's best sailing locations. The yacht club has wheelchair and stroller access, though the boat itself is not accessible to wheelchairs.

How do I get to Manly for the course?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The course does not include hotel pickup or transport to and from the attraction, so you'll arrange your own way to the yacht club.

Operated by Manly Sailing Pty Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago