Courses - Level

Introduction to Sailing (1-day)

Moreton Bay, Brisbane, QLD

Either Saturday or Sunday every 2 weeks

This popular, 1-day course introduces the world of sailing to anyone wanting to learn yachting basics .  By the end of the full day (9-4pm) you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and become aware of safety onboard. Beware, you'll leave with a feeling of wanting more!

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RYA Start Yachting (2-days)

Brisbane year round & Whitsundays June-Oct

Sat 9am - Sun 4pm each weekend

This 2-day course provides a short, live-aboard introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board.

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RYA Competent Crew

Brisbane year round & Whitsundays June - Oct

Ongoing

For beginners wishing to learn the ropes, gain confidence on a yacht who have no prior experience.  Become acquainted with sleeping at anchor and how life on-the-water truly feels.   With weekends and weekday courses, it's possible to work around any busy schedule.

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RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

This course is the perfect stepping stone to the more in-depth Day Skipper shore-based course or to courses on the water such as the Start Yachting and Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses.

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RYA Day Skipper

Brisbane year round & Whitsundays June - Oct

Ongoing

A hands-on course designed to teach practical skippering and seamanship techniques that will cement the learnings from the compulsory prior theory course: RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship or RYA Day Skipper.  Holders of this certificate are eligible for ICC application in order to bareboat charter in the EU.

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RYA Day Skipper Theory Online & Classroom

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

This course gives students sufficient knowledge to undertake the RYA Day Skipper practical course and assessment. It is also ideal for anyone contemplating a bareboat charter holiday or considering buying their own boat. 

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RYA Powerboat Level 2

Moreton Bay, Brisbane QLD

Ongoing

Gain knowledge and experience over two days with this intensive training program involving practical and theoretical upskilling needed for capable and safe powerboating. You will learn to drive our ex-police, rigid inflatable rescue craft.

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RYA Coastal Skipper

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

Skippering a yacht on coastal and offshore passages demands strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills. The coastal skipper practical course prepares those with previous skippering experience to undertake longer voyages. 

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RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory Online or in Classroom

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

This is an intensive course covering advanced coastal navigation techniques including – position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge and use of charts and other navigational publications and the correct, safe use of the GPS. 

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VHF/HF Marine Radio Operator’s License - Classroom or Online

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

A course and exam for anyone who owns or will be operating a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

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RYA Diesel Engine Course

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

The aim of the course is to give you an awareness of the main systems of a marine diesel engine and the ability to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support.

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Marine Electrics

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

Get up to speed with marine electricals and become the expert of your vessel's systems.

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Ropework

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

Learn the ropes and take charge of your vessel's maintenance and upkeep.

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Bareboat Charter

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

This one-day, nil experience required course will have you on your way to the most enjoyable sailing holiday imaginable.  You will gain knowledge to safely and competently charter your own desired yacht by providing practice picking up moorings, planning your trip, advice on what to expect and what to pack and take.

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Sailing Adventures / Mile Building

East Coast of Australia

Ongoing

Live the dream of sailing the East Coast of Australia.  These voyages are ideal for completing qualifying passages for Yachtmaster exams or simply gaining experience offshore with an experienced instructor.   6-7 day passages available. Booking now for 2025!

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Learn to Sail Whitsundays

Whitsundays, Queensland

June to October

Have you ever dreamt of learning to sail around one of the world's most iconic heritage sites and natural wonders of the world? If the answer is yes, then Southern Cross Yachting has the perfect combination of experienced instruction and amazing locations. Between June and October the Southern Cross Yachting team operates out of Shute Harbour, conveniently close to the amazing Whitsunday Islands.

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RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

The RYA Ocean Yachtmaster theory course is for those who have a passion for sailing and navigation. It is a wonderful course that will keep you occupied for hours on end.

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RYA Yachtmaster - Preparation and Exam

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

To attain the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates must pass a practical examination of their skippering ability. A Yachtmaster is capable of skippering the yacht on extended offshore passages by day or night.

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Yachtmaster Fast-Track

Moreton Bay

December

Australia's original FAST-TRACK course - designed to take the novice yachtsperson from the basics of yachting through to the RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate and then onto the internationally recognised RYA Yachtmaster.

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International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (RYA ICC) & CEVNI Assessment

Wynnum-Manly, Brisbane, QLD

Ongoing

International Sailing Qualifications required for chartering in Europe are the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) and CEVNI (required for inland waterways such as the French Canals). Southern Cross Yachting is one of the first training centres in Australia to be accredited to test for the ICC & CEVNI.

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