LEARN TO SAIL
Personalised 1-on-1 sailing course ideal for anyone interested in sailing, even if never stepped on a boat before
If you don’t know where to start then you have come to the right spot . This private course is all about learning the basics and building your confidence through understanding how a sailing yacht works. All levels of skill will walk away with something from this compact and exciting lesson. Some of the keys features include correct sheet handling, perfect winching technique, the dynamics of how a sail boat sails and learning how to tack. After 3 hours we are sure you’ll be looking to book a follow up to build on your newly gained skills.
3-Hour Lesson
$595 / Private lesson
up to 4 people
This 3 hour course is designed to “whet your appetite for sailing’ and is conducted in a mono hull yacht, similar to those you would hire in the Whitsunday Islands,
All the necessary safety aspects
Essential rope handling and important yachting terms
Basic understanding of navigational markers
Hands on Sail trimming and boat handling
What an absolutely wonderful 5 star experience. We had such an amazing time on our 6 hour sailing trip, and it was honestly one of those experiences we will never forget. Terry the owner was fantastic from start to finish and made everything feel so easy, comfortable and relaxed. His friendly and calm nature allowed us to just switch off, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and really make the most of the day. I booked the sailing trip as a birthday gift for my partner, and it turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate his special day. We both loved every minute of it and came away with such beautiful memories. Thank you so much, Terry, for making the experience so enjoyable and memorable. We would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a special, relaxing and unforgettable day out on the water ⛵️❤️Posted on Google
Fatima6 September 2026Terry provided the perfect fundamentals in sailing lesson for a couple of dads and their 10 year old sons. Safety, technical then some fun on the sheets and helm. Highly recommended!Posted on Google
Jon Llewellyn10 July 2026Terry is a very likeable and easy going instructor with a lot of expereince and knowledge. We had a refresher course with him for 4 hours before our sailing trip to Greece and will most likley do the same again next year.Posted on Google
Michael Fricker23 March 2026We booked the Prepare for Bare Boating course feeling really nervous about handling a boat on our own. Terry was fantastic and taught us all the skills we needed (handling the sheets, helming, navigating, anchoring, etc). He was also very patient and made sure we understood what he was saying before continuing. By the time we finished our lessons, we couldn't wait to start our bareboating adventure! The trip itself was incredible, and we are so glad we took the course first; it made such a difference. Thank you so much Terry!Posted on Google
Caitlin Willmot15 March 2026We did the 3‑hour Learn to Sail course with Terry and absolutely loved it. Terry was incredibly focused on safety and made sure we had the right foundations from the very beginning, which gave us a lot of confidence on the water. His calm, clear teaching style turned it into a really fun and enjoyable learning experience. Highly recommend Sail Gold Coast and Terry to anyone wanting to start sailing.Posted on Google
Azucena Coronel7 February 2026Absolutely the most relaxing and enjoyable afternoon the moment the motor cut out and we were on full sail it was full serenity, being there with my wife and parents was just a beautiful experience to share together. Thanks so much for your hospitality Terry we loved it!Posted on Google
Tim Spargo17 January 2026Had a very chilled 3 hours cruising with Terry and my 6 besties! Was simply a relaxing, refreshing and revitalising way to spend an arvo evening. Take your own nibbles and drinks, remembering to take all your rubbish afterwards.....what could beat 3 hours sailing/cruising up and down our beautiful north GC coastline. Terry was very accommodating. Would definitely do it again! Thanks 😊Posted on Google
Paula11 January 2026We absolutely loved our sailing class with Terry. We did it as a family with our 12, 11 and 6 year old, and he kept all of the kids fully engaged. It was relaxed, fun and incredibly well run, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Terry has a wonderful way of teaching that works for both adults and children and has instilled a new love of sailing within us all. We would recommend it to anyone.Posted on Google
Emma Nicholls9 January 2026Absolutely love my time lerning the ropes with Terry. He is patient, full of knowledge and a fantastic teacher. I've had 3 private lessons and I'm sure I'll be back for more. Highly recommended. Thanks again TerryPosted on Google
Emily Kay8 January 2026Had an awesome experience learning to sail with Terry!! Terry gave really interesting lessons (both theory and practice) about sailing, and everything is easy to understand! He’s super patient and makes learning feel really fun and approachable. Sailing is a very different experience as a learner (vs passenger), and the whole experience was very chill. I went solo, had a great time out on the waters, and will definitely be back to learn more! Thanks for the awesome day!Posted on Google
Stephanie K9 October 2025The four of us recently completed the pre-charter course with Terry over 2 days. He is a very competent trainer with an extremely easy manner and is a pleasure to be around. The way that he explains things, is very logical and easy to understand and he does not rush. He also talks very visually which makes it simple to remember things. The pre-charter course initially covers safety on board, the basics of using the winches and trimming the sails, which really put us all at ease, as we all have different abilities and experience, and none of us had sailed together before. We then moved on to mooring, dropping the anchor, and making sure that the boat is secure in the event of high winds or overnight. He even threw in 1 hour charting and mapping which we had only touched on before for free. Over the 2 days we learnt to work together as a team, and were all allocated default positions around the boat, so we all knew where we were going to be working and where to jump to when we needing to manoeuvre. Terry’s boat was stunning and impeccably looked after, we felt like we were in luxury even though we were not sleeping on board. Next time Terry! We would not hesitate to recommend Terry to anyone either wanting to learn to sail, have a refresh or for the pre-charter course and will be using him in the future for a fun sail up to Jumping Pin. Thanks so much Terry!Posted on Google
Nicky Douglas25 September 2025Verified
A fabulous refresher course and pre-charter team building session The four of us recently completed the pre-charter course with Terry over 2 days. He is a very competent trainer with an extremely easy manner and is a pleasure to be around. The way that he explains things, is very logical and easy to understand and he does not rush. He also talks very visually which makes it simple to remember things. The pre-charter course initially covers safety on board, the basics of using the winches and trimming the sails, which really put us all at ease, as we all have different abilities and experience, and none of us had sailed together before. We then moved on to mooring, dropping the anchor, and making sure that the boat is secure in the event of high winds or overnight. He even threw in 1 hour charting and mapping which we had only touched on before for free. Over the 2 days we learnt to work together as a team, and were all allocated default positions around the boat, so we all knew where we were going to be working and where to jump to when we needing to manoeuvre.Terry’s boat was stunning and impeccably looked after, we felt like we were in luxury even though we were not sleeping on board. Next time Terry!We would not hesitate to recommend Terry to anyone either wanting to learn to sail, have a refresh or for the pre-charter course and will be using him in the future for a fun sail up to Jumping Pin. Thanks so much Terry!Posted on Tripadvisor
Nicky Douglas-Jones25 September 2025Had our first real sailing lesson with Terry, what can I say other than how great it was. His teaching style is outstanding and made everything flow and helped us piece together the process whilst safety was his priority. We’ve had motorised launches previously and had many hrs on the water traversing the east coast of NZ but never had a desire to understand sailing. The lesson gave my wife confidence that she wants to learn more and now more aligned to my desire to sail the Med for a few yrs. Would highly recommend this to anyone who loves the water and wants to understand the principles of sailing a boat.Posted on Google
Andrew Poore11 September 2025What an awesome experience. Terry was an amazing captain full of knowledge, my kids and I loved it.Posted on Google
Luke Farnsworth16 August 2025Exceptional training, we had limited time to prepare for our Whitsundays bareboat charter and have left our double session with so many new skills and zero apprehension about the challenges to come.Posted on Google
Sanatana Mishra24 May 2025Had the most amazing experience with SailGoldCoast. Terry was so professional and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend Terry to anyone who is looking for some fun sailing or learning how to sail.Posted on Google
Wilson Georgia23 March 2025Perfect afternoon on our sunset sail . Terry was unreal held our booking for 2 years as the weather kept spoiling our day. Thanks Terry highly recommendPosted on Google
Kylie Meyers25 February 2025Thank you so much Terry. Everybody really enjoyed our Christmas party cruising on your Yacht. Just so relaxing.💛😃😃🥳Posted on Google
Douglas Hart13 December 2024Terry was fantastic. Very enjoyable afternoon.Posted on Google
Christopher Vertullo12 November 2024We had “ THE BEST “ time on our 2 days Learn to Sail with Terry . We took our 2 boys - 12 & 16 - They loved it!! Terry was very engaging , supportive and a great teacher. The whole experience was great for our family To work together , have a few laughs and gain some new skills . We are hooked and can’t wait to do it again 😊Posted on Google
Roxanne Novak23 October 2024Amazing afternoon spent on the water with Terry on his beautiful sail boat. Even the bad sailor in the family was fine and everyone could not stop raving about it all weekend. I can highly recommend this to a family ir as a team building exercise. Magic.Posted on Google
Denise Kennerley8 October 2024Another great sailing lesson with Sail GC. Thanks a lot Terry . Cant wait to score a A+ and get out to the open water 🤙Posted on Google
Adam Frauenfelder7 September 2024I highly recommend the sailing lessons with “Sail Gold Coast”. Terry is an excellent teacher and explains everything clearly. We had so much fun doing this lesson as a family!"Posted on Google
Kristina McIntyre10 August 2024I had a great sailing lesson with Terry aboard his 38ft yacht. Terry's patient instruction and hands-on approach made learning a breeze (pun intended). If you're looking for a top-notch sailing course with a knowledgeable instructor, give Terry a buzz. 5 stars!Posted on Google
Nathan Harding23 April 2024Our family thoroughly enjoyed the sailing cruise. We also learnt a lot about sailing. Terry was a great host and we’ll definitely be back for more.Posted on Google
Ben Greaves19 April 2024Very good communication, down to earth and an absolute BLAST!! Thank you Terry, we will be back.Posted on Google
Kirsty ORourke18 April 2024Amazing way to spend a third wedding anniversary, would highly recommend. Wonderful skipper and host.Posted on Google
Joe Steele16 April 2024Fabulous day sailing with Terry @Celebrate by Sail Gold Coast. The entire day was seamless, beautiful weather, great company and the perfect host/skipper. Highly recommend a day out aboard the Stella Maris III. Can’t wait to do it again.Posted on Google
Suzanne Horkings30 March 2024What a perfect day! We are so grateful 🙏🏻. We decided to take my mother in law for her 80th birthday and she absolutely loved it! Terry and Helen went above and beyond, played her favourite music and made the experience, which was a surprise gift, a unique memory she will have forever. Well worth every cent and more. Can’t recommend highly enough.Posted on Google
rosario fernandez cotapos17 March 2024We had a great lesson and experience with Terry, clear instruction and practical experience was compelling. We look forward to our next lesson when back in Gold Coast.Posted on Google
Tim Magill7 March 2024What a way to spend the day... out on the water where some of us just chilled while Terry guided and taught the others to sail his beauitful sail boat. We have lived on the Goldie for decades and we are still learning the local history. Terry was great with passing on this knowledge of both the waterways and sailing. Highly recommend getting out there and embrace the experience....Posted on Google
Tina Quirke22 February 2024I had a wonderful time learning to sail! The session was a good mix of theory and hands on sailing and was great for an absolute beginner like myself. Terry was a great instructor- patient , knowledgeable, and let you try what you were comfortable with. I would definitely recommend it!Posted on Google
Alexandra Benham12 January 2024what a great experience An absolutely amazing yacht and a truly great captain. Fun and educational in equal measure Would highly recommendPosted on Google
Stephen Farr3 January 2024Had an amazing morning sailing with Terry today. The boat was beautiful and Terry was a great host. Would highly recommend this experience.Posted on Google
peter jones30 December 2023Great day for the family, the perfect intro to sailing. We have 3 kids aged 5/7/10, Terry was accomodating and full of knowledge. I’d highly recommend and look forward to future lessons with Terry.Posted on Google
Rafer Hart27 December 2023Thank you Terry on the amazing afternoon, perfect conditions for sailing! With your knowledge and teachings we have the sailing bug and looking forward to doing it again soon. If you’re looking to learn to sail whilst taking in the gorgeous views of the Broadwater this is a must.Posted on Google
Marc Vukobratovich13 December 2023Terry was an excellent host on his beautiful sailing boat Stella Maris III. Stunning sunset sail, where we had the opportunity to ask questions and learn the basics of sailing. I would highly recommend this experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Posted on Google
Jacqueline van Alphen6 December 2023Learning to sail is made easy with a great teacher. So fun and also happy sailing teacher instructor Thank you. Learn to sail, its the best mental health and mindfulness practice.Posted on Google
Bianca Sengos10 August 2023What an awesome day! Thank you Terry for your expert tuition, patience & for making it so much fun. Your explanation on how sailing works was spot on especially with the physics & vectors lesson. I even learnt about Bernoulli's principle - WOW.Posted on Google
R Kossy10 August 2023
Terry was extremely helpful in showing us the basics of sailing and made the whole experience very enjoyable.Posted on Trustindex
Silas Kelly8 July 2023My family had an amazing day out with Captain Terry yesterday, weather slightly overcast but it was perfect, nice cruise and just enough wind to sail back in. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to spend time with family on the water around Stradbroke island absolutely beautiful!! Go the Stella Maris 3 and thanks again Captain Terry!!Posted on Google
J OTOWN2 July 2023We can’t thank Terry enough! My partner and I have enjoyed numerous lessons with Terry and they are informative and tailored to our requirements. We feel confident leaving SailGoldCoast that we are able to charter a boat and begin our sailing dream. Thank you again Terry and we hope to see you out on the water one day soon.Posted on Google
Jedd Ingles25 March 2023Fabulous day with Terry. I learnt a lot about all things sailing and really enjoyed putting theory into practice. A fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Highly recommendedPosted on Google
Jennifer High9 March 2023An enjoyable two (2) part course, that delivers a comprehensive overview to the introduction to sailing. Terry was a great instructor!Posted on Google
Lisa Shaw16 February 2023Great service No question. But I would like to say thank you to Kim for the amazing job on my face, she is so lovely and welcoming. Your guys customer service is awesome keep up the great job. Will be back to see you guys on our next holiday.Posted on Tripadvisor
Joey L14 February 2023Terry was very good at explaining the ins and outs we enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone planning on learning to sailPosted on Google
Matt30 January 2023I did a tour with Terry in January and it was wonderful. I could say it was magical. I had the opportunity to bring my family together, who were visiting us. They loved the experience. During the sailing we could see how peaceful and enjoyable this kind of activity can be. The playlist needs no comments, we watched the sunset to the sound of popular Brazilian music. It was just perfect. We recommend it to all our friends! ❤️❤️❤️Posted on Google
Dharah Puck29 January 2023Fantastic afternoon on the water with Terry. It was a really hands on sailing experience and lots of fun for our whole family.Posted on Google
Samantha Moloney21 January 2023What a great introduction to sailing. Terry was an awesome skipper, happy to let the ‘crew’ be as much or as little involved as we wanted. Thanks for showing us the ropes!Posted on Google
Stuart Tod20 January 2023Amazing experience here with Terry! My partner and I booked 3 hrs lesson, Terry is very friendly and professional on sailing knowledge. If you interested in sailing, don’t hesitate, call Terry! We definitely will come back ;)Posted on Google
wang yajing11 January 2023Terry was amazing. He got it going on. Yoda of the sea world. Thanks 😊Posted on Google
Callum Fraser29 December 2022We had a great sailing experience with Terry. His teaching was precise, clear and engaging. It was practical and a great start to our sailing journey. Would highly recommend.Posted on Google
Meredith Gardiner11 December 2022Terry did a great job of teaching us some of the boating basics we will need for our Bareboating holiday in the Whitsundays. The course has no doubt provided us with the basic skills we will require while travelling the islands and has removed a lot of the trepidation we felt about managing a large vessel in unfamiliar waters. A great experience.Posted on Google
Eugene Du Toit2 November 2022Enjoyed a 3 hour sailing lesson with Terry who is a very accommodating instructor adapting his knowledge to the students current competency level. He not only teaches the fundamentals but also ensures you know why each action or control is carried out. After this lesson you will walk away with a lot more confidence to sail your own bareboat charter. Terry is a patient and top all round bloke who will make you feel comfortable with your learning to sail experience. Don't hesitate to book your lesson as you wont be dissapointed! Thanks Terry!!Posted on Google
Dunc Mcvilly26 October 2022Very good lesson and terry is a good teacher will be back again for a second lesson before buying my own sail boatPosted on Google
Glenn Smith20 October 2022From 10% confidence to 80% in 3 hours. Can't wait to use our new Catalina how it should be used. Best money ever spent. Thanks Terry. I look forward to my next lesson.Posted on Google
David Wallace10 June 2022Terry from Sail Gold Coast is absolutely amazing. From the very first contact, communication was excellent. The sailing lesson combines various stages of gaining knowledge and we took away so much information and practical skills from our first lesson. Terry is knowledgeable, practical and very friendly. He makes you feel relaxed and enables you to handle the sails and helm. I would highly recommend Terry from Sail Gold Coast.Posted on Google
Lyndell Daniel28 May 2022We had a great morning learning to sail with Terry. He is a great teacher, giving instructions that are easy to remember and follow. We had fun, learnt a lot and are keen to book our next lesson. Don’t hesitate, Terry is a great teacher.Posted on Google
Mary Steele18 May 2022Great Day, learnt a lot from Terry in a way that we could understand. Also took the opportunity to propose to My partner. Highly recommend.Posted on Google
Tom Graham26 March 2022I had done a bareboat charter previously but felt very underprepared when it came to putting sails up and turning off the engine. This time my family and I did a couple of sessions with Terry before going, felt much more confident and had a great time - couldn’t wait to get the sails up. Also good for planning trip and anchoring without stress. Recommend to anyone planning on doing a charter with minimal experience, thank you! .Posted on Google
Tim Slattery4 January 2022A crucial introduction to sailing. Our small group ranged from a seasoned power boater to never having stepped on a boat, we all got what we needed. Terry combined clear instruction and hands on experience to give us a solid foundation. Within 3 hours, our group walked away feeling confident and excited to sail. Will absolutely be coming back for a more in-depth lesson.Posted on Google
Jody Lock23 December 2021The perfect introduction to sailing! Really informative and a lot of fun. Will definitely be back ⭐️Posted on Google
Shelly Fitzgerald26 October 2021Did a learn to sail course with the family, Terry was exceptional in his knowledge and managing low confidence with our inexperience. He focused on the practical aspects of sailing and demonstrated everything in a way that was easy to understand and even easier to learn. Highly ecommended for a great day out.Posted on Google
Mick Robinson19 September 20214 of us decided to organise a bare boat catamaran sail charter in the Whitsundays so we could experience sailing. We are all boaters but have not sailed before. Wanting to make the most of the experience I contacted Terry from Sail Gold Coast and organised a sailing lesson to give us a head start. Our initial booking saw us at the marina on Terry’s yacht learning the basic do’s and do nots which with Terry’s guidance and explanations was easy to understand and follow. Unfortunately as we moved from the Marina into the Broadwater a vicious Gold coast storm came rushing at us and it was decided to postpone the rest of the lesson for another day. Several months later and just in the nick of time we managed to get the second half of the lesson done and dusted. Again with Terry expert knowledge and explanations we had a most enjoyable and informative afternoon sailing. We are by no means experts but we do feel confident that we will now be able to enjoy our planned excursion next weekend with some degree of confidence. Thanks for all your help Terry. I highly recommend your services to anyone wanting to learn to sail Kind regards Peter and Sue RussellPosted on Google
Peter Russell14 August 2021We had a awesome day sailing with Terry his instruction was very practical and he really got us sailing , his delivery was not overwhelming and we felt very safe and comfortable Looking forward to rebooking for more lessons Highly recommendedPosted on Google
Karen Carswell18 July 2021Verified
Brilliant The 3 of us had limited sailing experience but after Terrys course we all felt reasonably confident. Along with our partners we hired a 40 foot catamaran and confidently sailed around the Whitsundays for 7 days- full sail and Jib - winds ranging from 5 - 25 knots from either the SW SE - we had a blast.Posted on Tripadvisor
Jane T4 July 2021Our sailing experience with Terry was awesome , we did the lesson as part of getting experienced for a bare foot boating holiday in October !!! Terry was very professional and taught us a lot in our 3 hour lesson , from safety. Using the winches, putting up sails and sailing , in a fun and easy to understand manor ! It was a great experience and we will definitely be doing another couple of lessons !!! Such a nice guy and very knowledgeable !!! Thanks Terry x, Rob and Jane WeaverPosted on Google
Jane Weaver21 April 2021My husband and I had a wonderful time learning to sail with Terry. He was a great teacher and gave us plenty of opportunity to practice out on the water. We can't wait to go back and do another lesson. Highly recommend!!Posted on Google
Kayla Kieseker18 April 2021Thank you for this wonderful experience, we loved it!!!Posted on Google
gaston arguello17 April 2021We had an absolutely fantastic morning Learning to Sail with Terry! He is extremely knowledgeable and offers everything we expected as absolute beginners from a “Learn to Sail” course. Would highly recommend!Posted on Google
Laura Beaumont2 April 2021We had a great afternoon learning to sail. Terry was easy to communicate with in the lead up. He explained the process of sailing really well and by the end of the lesson we were tacking. We learned a lot in one lesson and I can’t wait to practise it all again. Highly recommendPosted on Google
Monica Liston30 March 2021Took the family - 2 young kids - on the 3hr learn to sail lesson. Absolutely fantastic experience! Terry is amazing, great to teach and to build your confidence, and the Broadwater is a very good place to learn the basics. the kids had a great time - definitely something to do on a weekend, and now very keen to go to the next level and sail the Whitsundays!! Thanks Terry for the experience and the fun!Posted on Google
Jonathan Delannoy28 March 2021Best sailing experience ! Absolutely amazing experience, probably one of my best so far in the Gold Coast! Perfect to learn the basics of sailing - step by step - and in a fun way! I’ve always been scared of sailing, but after this, I know my next holiday will be on the Whitsundays!Did this with 2 kids (10yo), and they learnt a lot too and had lots of fun. Thanks Terry for the day!Posted on Tripadvisor
jona_delannoy27 March 2021Our family of 5 went for a private sailing lesson with Terry on his beautiful yacht this morning. We had an amazing time together and learned so much. Terry is a very knowledgeable and experienced sailing teacher. We highly recommend his hands on lesson.Posted on Google
Annemarie Davies4 March 2021My partner spoilt me on my birthday and organised a 6 hr sail on the Broadwater. We went sailing with Terry on the Broadwater sailing up to the tip of South Stradbroke and back to Runaway Bay. Our day was awesome. Terry is a great guy, respectful of our privacy, knowledgeable and very approachable on all levels. We will be sailing with Terry again in the future. Thanks Terry. We had an awesome time. Shaun & KazumiPosted on Google
Kazumi Fujimoto4 March 2021It was a very enjoyable experience very informative and well planned out, definitely recommend if you want to get into sailing!Posted on Google
Amanda Bowles19 February 2021We had a such wonderful learn to sail. Terry is such a great teacher who made the experience incredibly enjoyable and unforgettable. We’ll be back again soon.Posted on Google
April J13 February 2021The training was great fun, easy to understand and it set you up to want to sail more. Just awesome. Thanks again Terry. LoganPosted on Google
Logan Courtney3 February 2021Had a great introduction to sailing. Terry has years of experience knowing what first timers require to grasp the concepts and successfully sail within a few hours!Posted on Google
Samuel Kruger31 January 2021Great experience and practical sail training! Really appreciated the sharing of handy and practical advice. Would recommend this event to all aspiring yachties!Posted on Google
A M28 January 2021
