07 4914 2425

Deckhands Down Under Sail Training

FROM: $350
8
SingleDay

Departure Times

Departs: 8:00 am - Friday
Returns: 4:30 pm - Friday

Departure Point: North End, Meeting Point B, Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach

Pricing Options

$350 AUD / Person - Adult (Between: 01 Jul 2024 and 31 Mar 2025)

Learn to sail in the stunning Whitsunday Islands with Deckhands Down Under’s Skill Enhancer Program!

  • Head out for a day of invaluable, hands-on sail training
  • Work towards your Coxswains Grade 3 practical and sea service record
  • Perfect as a first-time course or a refresher for qualified crew
  • Learn sailing fundamentals, ropework, tender driving, helmsmanship and more

Set sail with the skills you need with the Deckhands Down Under Sailing Program! With this in-depth and comprehensive training, you will enhance your skills and further your crew member qualifications. Obtain your Coxswains Grade 3 practical certification and sea service record, delve into the fundamentals of sailing, practice tender operations and master essential safety checks. This training program is designed to benefit those both with and without existing qualifications, by refining your skills and elevating your appeal to skippers in search of crew. So, grab the ropes and get out into the Whitsundays!

A pair of sailors manning the ropes on a white sailing boat

Course Includes

  • Coxswains Grade 3 practical certification
  • Commercial deckhand preparation
  • Sail handling
  • Tender operations
  • Ropework
  • Sea & nautical terms
  • Safety procedures
  • Helmsmanship
  • Sailing fundamentals
  • Man-overboard response
  • Weather forecasting
  • Online theory presentation
  • Time efficient course
  • Experienced sailing instructor
  • Small class size
  • A day of sailing the Whitsundays!

Whitsunday Islands landscape

Sample Itinerary

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Pre-sail Online Course

Your experienced instructors offer an enriching online presentation and course, which is to be completed prior to your departure date. Learn about sailing theory, weather forecasting, nautical terms and basic safety procedures and much more before you go, allowing for smoother, deeper learning opportunities on the day.

A man in a yellow shirt on the Airlie Esplanade with a computer

Learn the ropes in the Whitsundays

Depart Airlie Bea...

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Pre-sail Online Course

Your experienced instructors offer an enriching online presentation and course, which is to be completed prior to your departure date. Learn about sailing theory, weather forecasting, nautical terms and basic safety procedures and much more before you go, allowing for smoother, deeper learning opportunities on the day.

A man in a yellow shirt on the Airlie Esplanade with a computer

Learn the ropes in the Whitsundays

Depart Airlie Beach’s Coral Sea Marina at 8:00 am sharp, as you depart for a hands-on, comprehensive and engaging day amongst the Whitsundays. Today, your sailing instructor will cover the following, along with answering any questions and providing feedback along the way. In this program you will cover:

  • Nautical terms and vessel parts - learn the lingo and boat components 
  • Sail handling - setting, reefing, and handling sails, including the use of sheets, halyards and winches
  • Ropework - rope skills such as rope management, coiling, cleat securing and essential knots
  • Safety procedures - response training to situations such as man overboard
  • Helmsmanship & sailing - develop your skills in steering and trimming sails, navigating, and anchoring
  • Tender operations - enhance your abilities in tender driving and handling, essential to your Coxwain Grade 3.

A group aboard domino pulling the ropes

Vessel Specifications

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Head out on Domino, a modern, 38-foot commercially-registered sailboat. This New Zealand-built timber-hull sailing yacht has a capacity of 8 passengers; the perfect nimble, easy-handling vessel for sail training.

Domino sunset sail vessel in calm seas

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Head out on Domino, a modern, 38-foot commercially-registered sailboat. This New Zealand-built timber-hull sailing yacht has a capacity of 8 passengers; the perfect nimble, easy-handling vessel for sail training.

Domino sunset sail vessel in calm seas

Departs/Returns

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Your course departs from the Coral Sea Marina, the main marina in Airlie Beach. Domino departs on Fridays at 8:30 am and returns at 4:00 pm.

Please meet at the northern end of the Coral Sea Marina,...

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Your course departs from the Coral Sea Marina, the main marina in Airlie Beach. Domino departs on Fridays at 8:30 am and returns at 4:00 pm.

Please meet at the northern end of the Coral Sea Marina, right next to Sorrentos Bar & Restaurant, 15 minutes before departure time for boarding.

More Information

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What To Bring

Please bring a small soft bag only with:

  • A hat
  • Sunscreen
  • A rain jacket during the summer months (Jan-April)
  • Warmer clothes during the winter months (June-September)
  • Polarised sunglasses
  • Notepad and pen
  • Refillable water bottle

What's Included

  • Coxswains Grade 3 practical certification
  • Commercial deckhand preparation
  • Online theory coursework
  • Experienced sailing instructor
  • Tender driving
  • Single day comprehensive training
  • Co...

Read More

What To Bring

Please bring a small soft bag only with:

  • A hat
  • Sunscreen
  • A rain jacket during the summer months (Jan-April)
  • Warmer clothes during the winter months (June-September)
  • Polarised sunglasses
  • Notepad and pen
  • Refillable water bottle

What's Included

  • Coxswains Grade 3 practical certification
  • Commercial deckhand preparation
  • Online theory coursework
  • Experienced sailing instructor
  • Tender driving
  • Single day comprehensive training
  • Cover sail handling, ropework, nautical terminology, safety procedures, weather forecasting and more

What's Extra

  • Further independent coursework to receive your full Coxswains Grade 3 certification

Terms and Conditions

Important Information:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip.


Your Responsibilities:

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. 


Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply. 

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.


Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 


Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.


Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.


Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.

You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.

You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

No shows or client cancellations made within 7 days of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price. 

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.


Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Sailing Whitsundays retail outlet located Airlie Beach, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Mr Travel online department.


Refunds:

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.


Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.


Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel/Sailing Whitsundays. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have prior experience in sailing?

While a knowledge of sailing is helpful, this course is suitable for those without previous experience as well.

Which certifications will I recieve?

Driving the tender is a crucial part of being a deckhand, and it is mandatory to have a Coxswain Grade 3 certificate to operate a tender for commercial purposes. This course offers 2 out of the 4 required components for this certification in a single day, along with your sail training. You will need to obtain a first aid certificate and a seafarer’s medical on your own before submitting your application to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). We can provide advice on these additional requirements.

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