NSW North Coast Course
Bareboat Skipper & Yachtmaster Coastal — Sydney to Mooloolaba
From $2,490 pp
Book Your Place →The NSW north coast is both beautiful and challenging. This 500-nautical-mile passage delivers a genuine offshore experience — overnight watches, the ever-present East Australia Current, whale sightings, and anchorages at places like Pittwater, Nelson Bay and the Gold Coast.
Complete your Yachtmaster Coastal or Bareboat Skipper certification on this passage, or join as a mile builder. Either way, you will finish with a lasting and significant improvement in skill and confidence.
Expert instruction throughout, with 500 miles to fill your logbook and an offshore passage unlike any course you will do in sheltered waters.
Byron Bay
NSW Coast
Port Stephens at night
Choose Your Course
All three options sail the same passage on the same boat. The difference is the qualification you work towards — and the theory you complete beforehand.
Yachtmaster Coastal
The internationally respected qualification for skippers wanting to take command in coastal and offshore waters. Demanding, rigorous, and hugely rewarding. This passage is the ideal practical assessment environment.
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal CertificateBareboat Skipper
Build the skills and confidence to skipper a yacht independently in coastal waters, and qualify for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) — required to charter in the Mediterranean and much of Europe.
IYT Bareboat Skipper + ICC eligibleMile Builder
Join the passage for the experience and the miles. No theory requirement, no exam — just 500 nautical miles of genuine offshore sailing on your logbook and an unforgettable week on the water.
500 NM offshore logbook entryChoose Your Berth
All berths include 7 nights aboard, fuel and marina fees, PFD, jacket, sunscreen, and most meals.
Master Cabin
1 or 2 people
Fully private cabin with queen-sized bed. Best comfort and space on board — ideal for couples or solo travellers who want their own sanctuary.
V-Berth Cabin
1 person
Private cabin in the bow with door, hatch, and storage. Bed tapers from full-size aft to narrower forward — comfortable and private for offshore passages.
Semi-Private Sea Berth
1 person
Cosy bunk with privacy curtain, tucked starboard-aft. A proper sailor's berth — comfortable and secure at sea.
Saloon Berth
1 person
Single berth in the communal saloon with shelf storage. The most economical option — suited to easy sleepers who spend most of their time on deck.
Exclusions: Flights and transfers, personal items, alcohol, and dinners ashore.
What to Expect
This is a genuine offshore passage, not a sheltered-water course. Conditions vary, but you can expect the following.
The Passage
- Seas of 2–3 metres and overnight watch-keeping
- Typically southerly winds — can make for a lively ride against the EAC
- Two or three overnight sails
- Possible stops at Nelson Bay and/or the Gold Coast, depending on conditions
- Departure from Sydney (Rushcutters Bay or the Spit) at noon on Day 1, overnighting in Pittwater
- Arrival Mooloolaba on the evening of Day 8
What You Will Learn
- Passage planning and sail plans
- Pilotage, bar crossings and anchoring
- Night watches, fixes and offshore navigation
- Tides and tidal streams
- Meteorology — reading weather for offshore passages
- Victualling and resource management
- Heavy weather preparation and crew welfare
- Emergency procedures and survival at sea
- Docking practice where opportunities arise
📚 Theory Preparation — Required Before Departure
Both Bareboat Skipper and Yachtmaster Coastal students must complete the online theory material before the trip. You will be enrolled in the relevant courses on our learning management system. There are approximately 18 hours of learning — please begin as soon as possible after booking.
You will complete a written exam during the passage. The LMS is at courses.bluewatersail.com.au
What to Bring
We provide a lifejacket and harness. This is a winter offshore passage — appropriate gear is not optional.
Clothing & Safety
- Sailing boots and salopettes (bib & brace)
- Ocean-rated jacket — BR2-level or equivalent
- Thermal base layers — they make a significant difference in winter
- Sun hat with chin strap; strap for glasses
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) — recommended, not mandatory. The ACR ResQLink 400 is one suitable option.
⚠ Please do not bring hiking or outdoor gear — it is unsuitable for coastal sailing in these conditions. See Tim's article: Sailing Gear for Under $1,000
For Your Cabin
- Sleeping bag
- Sheet and pillow slip
- Towel
- Toiletries and personal items
Alcohol
- Alcohol is not provided. You are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy at anchor or in port. There is no drinking underway.
Book Your Place
Select your preferred departure and berth below. Questions first? Get in touch — we're happy to help.