WELCOME TO SAILING

Why are we the Best Choice?                   

Pacific Sailing School commenced in 1977 and we have taught over 60,000 people how to sail on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Harbour is our classroom and our expert instructors not only share their knowledge, but their deep passion for an exciting and challenging sport. We encourage our students to join the CYCA where we are based and we have sponsored over a 1,000 people thus far.

At Pacific Sailing School you'll learn to sail in a safe, friendly and supportive atmosphere. There are only four students per instructor and we focus on hands-on teaching. You'll get to try everything as we rotate you through the positions on board each lesson.

What we have to offer

We’re based in Rushcutters Bay, home to the prestigious but welcoming Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA).

After an exciting day on the water, we’ll return to the Club’s sundeck to share a drink, a casual meal and some tall tales of the day’s exploits.

Whether your dream is to crew on a yacht on Sydney Harbour, hire a yacht in the Whitsundays or Skipper a yacht in the Mediterranean and/ or stand on the podium in Hobart, we have programs designed just for you to learn to sail in a safe and fun environment.

Our skilled and knowledgeable instructors will cover all of the fundamental aspects of sailing, safety and fun here on Sydney.

Courses that we offer - please see our Sailing Pathways 

Australian Sailing Program: 

For Beginners we initially teach on exciting International J24 yachts (24’ Yachts) and we teach skippering skills from day one & progress you through to our larger 38’ and 45’ Yachts or Catamarans. Ie. Similar to learning how to drive a car before attempting to drive a semi-trailer truck.

From day one: You will have hands on instruction on helming (steering the boat), main sheet (controlling the power of the boat), winches (turning the boat through tacks and gybes etc.) and the foredeck.

Our Sailing Lessons are available every day except Thursdays and you can choose your lesson times. Session times are 9:00am to 12:00pm or 12:30pm to 3:30pm and weekend sessions extend to 4pm to 7pm during daylight saving. As we have several training yachts, booking in is really easy and flexible – all you need to do is give us a call. You can even do 2 lessons in one day if you wish.

1. Fast Track Competent Crew - This is the best way to start sailing – On board from lesson one! A great way to see the Harbour and meet lots of new people
2. Keelboat Start Crewing
3. Keelboat Start Helming
4. Keelboat Start Skippering
5. Keelboat Spinnaker

RYA Courses

1. RYA Competent Crew  on either Monohulls or Catamarans 
2. RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Online  - Online and virtual classroom options 
3. RYA Day Skipper  - Online or virtual options plus practicals on either Monohulls or Catamarans 
4. RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/ Offshore  virtual options plus practicals on either Monohulls or Catamarans

Specialist Courses: 

• World Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Course (Includes refresher course)  
• Marine Radio (LROCP) - VHF + HF + DSC 
• ICC - International Certificate of Competence

Short Courses - These include: 

• RYA Diesel 
• RYA Radar 
• Marine First Aid