Learn to Sail - Whitsunday Marine Academy

Are you seeking a professional sailing school with a sense of adventure and fun? 

The Whitsunday Marine Academy is for you. Your learn to sail courses are internationally recognized and can be combined with cruising the Whitsundays beautiful Islands, an adventure with a young, fun, like minded group of travelers, snorkeling coral reefs, beaches and island exploration. 

With over 10 years experience of sail training in the Whitsundays, Whitsunday Marine Academy offers a personalised sail training on high quality sailing vessels. 

The Australian Yachting Federation courses are designed for beginners through to advanced and you will learn to sail with a small group of like minded adventurers.

Courses:

Introductory - 2 types:

Contemporary - Conducted aboard one of the contemporary training vessels (Double O Seven) using modern sailing methods and equipment. 

Usually conducted on a one day sail out of Airlie Beach, or over three days on a longer cruise around the Whitsundays.

Traditional - Conducted aboard Alexander Stewart, Derwent Hunter or Defender, the fleet of traditional tall ships. Begin to learn to sail using skills now rare in this modern age.

Both include seamanship, passage planning, navigation, and nautical knowledge.

Competent Crew:

Complete this course on a 3 day 2 night cruising and learning course, or a 6 day 5 night cruising and learning course / coastal passage. 

Syllabus material you will study includes learning nautical knowledge, seamanship, boat handling, engineering, meterology, communication, passage planning, and navigation.

Marine Radio Operators License:

Please contact for details.

Senior First Aid Certificate:

If needing to complete your first aid certificate for Yachtmaster Offshore certificate, a local Airlie Beach provider can be arranged. Courses can be run over full days, or divided into evening courses. Refreshers available.

Sea Safety and Survival: - Course details being developed, please contact for details.

Learning Options:

Cruising and Learning: Introductory, Competent Crew or Inshore Skipper course is conducted on one of the Academy's approved Aussie Adventure Sailing vessels while you enjoy the adventure and discovery of a three or six day cuirse through the magnificent water of the Whitsunday Islands. 

In addition to learning to sail, you will be enjoying the fun of cruising, swimming, snorkeling or relaxing on a beach other like minded people. All cruising and learning prices include:

• Syllabus notes
• Yachting Australia logbook
• Certificate
• All meals and linen aboard the vessel
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Accommodation aboard one of your vessels

Live Aboard and Learn to Sail:

Similar to Cruising and Learning in that the course is live aboard while we cruise the Whitsunday Islands. 

The difference is that only limited numbers are available per cruise, and the total focus is on the course syllabus and learning to sail. On these cruises there is limited, if any time dedicated to other tourism activities such as snorkeling. 

Coastal passages:

The Marine Whitsunday Academy also regularly conducts coastal passages along the Queensland Coast on which we provide the opportunity for participants to complete thei Competent Crew, Inshore Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean Courses. 

These courses provide valuable sea time and offer an exceptional learning experience.

About the Whitsundays

Whitsunday Islands, the heart of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and one of Australia's most desirable holiday destinations. Centrally located of the Queensland Coast 150km north of Mackay and 300km south of Townsville the Whitsundays boasts 74 tropical islands and a amazing aquatic playground. Accessing the Whitsunday Coast is made easy with flights depart most cities daily offering direct access to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays or the Whitsunday Coast Airport.