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Learn to sail
Compare reviewed programmes, delivery formats, upcoming sessions and provider-published prices.
Course information
Understand recognised sailing courses first, then find schools that offer them.
Information library
Authoritative course outlines maintained once by YouSail. Each page can point you to schools that offer it.
A five-day IYT course for experienced sailors who want to charter and command a yacht of up to 24 metres on their own, in fair weather within sight of land, needing 200 nautical miles and 10 days at sea by the end of the course.
Read the full outline →Schools to contact
Every training provider in the directory, including the many whose courses are not listed above. Ring them or use their own page — that is where the full picture is.
Sailing academy / training
Adventure SailingGeographe, WAA Port Geographe sailing and maritime school with a 14-boat fleet, immersive catamaran liveaboards, women-only training and commercial pathways taught through real life at sea.
IYT's International Crew certificate trains people to be active crew or watchkeepers on a sailing yacht, covering seamanship, safety, sail handling and basic rules of the road; no previous experience needed, minimum age 16.
Read the full outline →A five-day IYT course preparing sailors to skipper a charter yacht within a flotilla or act as a watchkeeper; the sail certificate also qualifies the holder for an ICC.
Read the full outline →A recognised recreational skipper certificate from International Yacht Training (IYT) for command of sailing or power yachts up to 24 m in coastal waters up to 60 nautical miles offshore. Sail courses run six days and power five, including an exam made up of an oral and practical test aboard plus a written theory paper. Recreational use only.
Read the full outline →Sailing academy / training
Flying Fish SailingMosman, NSWA long-established Middle Harbour training centre where complete beginners can start hands-on and progress through RYA Yachtmaster, AMSA Sailing Master and professional yacht-career pathways.
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Mainstay SailingAirlie Beach, QLDLiveaboard sailing training from Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, with RYA and Australian Sailing courses, cruising yachts and practical learning through the Whitsunday islands.
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Atlas SailingMosman, NSWA Sydney Harbour sailing school with a clear pathway from first-time crew to confident skipper through Australian Sailing, RYA and NSW boat-licence training.
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AusSea Sailing SchoolSans Souci, NSWFlexible, small-school IYT training on sheltered Botany Bay waters, with a seven-level pathway from an easy first sail to offshore, racing and bareboat-skipper skills.
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Blue Water Sailing SchoolDocklands, VICAn IYT school based in Melbourne with short introductions, liveaboard skipper training, private coaching and online theory for sailors heading from Port Phillip to the Whitsundays.
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Liquid Edge Sailing SchoolBalmain, NSWPersonal IYT tuition from Balmain on monohulls and catamarans, taking small groups from their first sail through Bareboat Skipper, ICC and coastal Yachtmaster goals.
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NAVatHOME AustraliaComo, WAFully online, Southern Hemisphere-focused RYA navigation and seamanship courses with animated lessons, instructor support and a pathway from first chartwork to Yachtmaster Ocean.
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Oceanwest RYA Sailing SchoolBusselton, WAInternationally recognised RYA sail training from Port Geographe, with practical monohull and catamaran pathways from first-time crew to capable coastal skipper.
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Pacific Sailing SchoolDarling Point, NSWAustralia's long-running Sydney Harbour school, offering Australian Sailing and RYA pathways, liveaboards, racing, safety and online theory from beginner to Yachtmaster.
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Paper Sailors RockManly, QLDA thoughtful RYA school blending practical and shorebased courses, focused workshops and skippered coastal passages for sailors who want knowledge that travels.
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Sailing EventideFremantle, WARelaxed small-group catamaran sailing from Fremantle, with practical training, private charters and team experiences aboard a spacious Lagoon 38.
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SisterShip TrainingEden, NSWConfidence-building online boating and cruising courses from experienced mariners, plus NSW licences and commercial pathways on the Far South Coast.
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Smooth Sailing SchoolWilliamstown, VICA welcoming mobile Victorian sailing school delivering Australian Sailing programs for children, teenagers and adults through partner venues including Williamstown.
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Southern Cross YachtingManly, QLDA complete RYA centre in Brisbane offering practical sail, power and theory courses on Moreton Bay and in the Whitsundays, from first crew to Yachtmaster.
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Sunshine Sailing AustraliaMooloolaba, QLDRYA and American Sailing training from Mooloolaba across keelboats, monohulls and catamarans, with Queensland cruising grounds providing the perfect practical classroom.
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Sydney By SailSydney, NSWIYT sailing courses, mile-builders and unforgettable Sydney Harbour experiences from Darling Harbour, backed by a modern fleet and more than 30 years on the water.
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Whitsunday Sailing SchoolAirlie Beach, QLDLiveaboard IYT training from Airlie Beach, taking students from beginner foundations to skipper-level confidence among the islands and anchorages of the Whitsundays.
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Yachting DirectionsPalm Beach, NSWFocused RYA theory, exam preparation and coastal mile-building in Sydney and Newcastle, guided by experienced Yachtmaster Instructor Brien Daniel.
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Yachtmaster Sailing SchoolMiddle Brighton, VICPractical Melbourne sailing and navigation education from beginner to advanced, with liveaboards, shorebased theory, private tuition and memorable group sailing days.
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Compare reviewed programmes, delivery formats, upcoming sessions and provider-published prices.