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AIRLIE BEACH WEATHER

Hire a bareboat in the Whitsundays

Hire a bareboat in the Whitsundays – Sailing yachts, sailing catamarans or power catamarans. Cumberland Charter Yachts are a multi-award winning company providing unique bareboat charters in the Whitsundays.

Choose boats ranging in size from 32 to 58 feet and sleeping up to 12 people. Each of their vessels are fully equipped with all the necessities to grant you comfort during your bareboat charter.

Set your own pace and plan your own itinerary, confident of the backup and support only a radio call away .Included on board is a fully equipped galley, gas stove, oven and BBQ, navigation instruments, VHF radio, linen, towels, snorkelling gear and a tender with outboard.

For an additional fee, you can hire fishing gear, stand up paddle boards or kayaks perfect for meandering the shoreline of secluded bays and beaches.

Experience it all and create a lifetime of memories that will exceed your expectations on a bareboat charter in the Whitsundays.

check out our charters

Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

RYA Coastal Skipper Course: Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

7 days + 7 night

Percy Island is part of the Northumberland group, 70 nautical miles south-east of Mackay, the Percy Isles are a stunningly beautiful place of shimmering beaches and wooded hilltops - a Robinson Crusoe island rising from the indigo depths of the Coral Sea.

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RYA Start Yachting

RYA Start Yachting

RYA Start Yachting - Whitsundays

2 days + 1 night

This course provides a short 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 Course

RYA Competent Crew Course

RYA Competent Crew Course - Whitsundays

5 days + 5 nights

This is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines.

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RYA Dayskipper

RYA Dayskipper

RYA Dayskipper - Whitsundays

5 days + 5 nights

The RYA day skipper practical is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.

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Non Accredited

Spectacular Sunset Sail

Step aboard for a relaxing Sunset Sail and experience the Whitsundays at the most magical time of day. As the sun drops toward the horizon, enjoy smooth sailing, warm breezes, and breathtaking colours painting the sky.

Non Accredited

1 Day Sailing Explore

Enjoy a hands-on sailing experience with fewer people on board, giving you more opportunities to learn and refine your skills. With a smaller group, you’ll receive personalised guidance, making it easier to master the art of sailing while fully immersing yourself in the adventure.

Non Accredited

Whitsunday Skipper

Embark on an unforgettable 2-day, 1-night sailing adventure with Mainstay Sailing Whitsundays! Let our experienced crew guide you to the Whitsundays’ most iconic destinations — including the world-renowned Whitehaven Beach and vibrant coral reefs — all while enjoying the thrill of real adventure sailing.

Non Accredited

Essential Skipper

Join Mainstay Sailing for a true Whitsundays cruising experience! Your expert crew will take you on a 3 day, 2 night adventure to all the must see highlights of the islands, including the iconic Whitehaven Beach and the stunning Hill Inlet Lookout. Dive into vibrant coral gardens with unforgettable snorkelling at some of the world’s best reefs, then unwind with evening fun after a day full of adventure.

All RYA Courses

RYA Training & Non Accredited Training (internationally recognised)

Whether you have never been on a yacht, or you just want to learn a bit more, we offer professionally run courses which will give you internationally recognised qualifications.

If you are planning to charter locally or internationally, we can offer courses which will give you the knowledge and ability to make it safe and enjoyable, as well as the certificate to present to the charter company.

Our practical courses are run on “Mohawk” a Bennetau 40.7, which is ideal for training in a safe and comfortable environment. Our training ground is the Whitsunday region in Queensland. All courses are run from our base at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.

Your instructors are RYA qualified and will ensure your learning experience is fun, and exciting. We adapt the courses to suit all learning styles and personal preferences. The accommodation and food will set the ideal learning environment to ensure that you have a fantastic week with us.

Current course dates

ABOUT US

Meet Terence & Ron – The Faces Behind Mainstay Sailing

At the heart of Mainstay Sailing are two passionate seafarers – Terence Smith and Ron van Schaik – who bring a wealth of experience, a love for adventure, and a deep respect for the ocean to every charter.

Terence is a seasoned skipper with decades of experience on the water. Known for his calm presence, practical knowledge, and deep connection to the Whitsundays, he’s happiest with the wind in his sails and guests onboard discovering the magic of life at sea. With a background in training and marine education, Terence has a knack for making everyone feel capable and confident – whether it’s your first time on a boat or your fiftieth.

Ron brings a unique blend of creativity and precision. A graphic artist by trade and an adventurer at heart. Ron’s attention to detail, and warm sense of humour make him a natural host on board, always ready with local insights or a good laugh.

Together, Terence and Ron have created Mainstay Sailing to share their passion for sailing, the sea, and the unforgettable beauty of the Whitsundays. Whether you’re joining for a day trip or an extended charter, their goal is simple: to give you an experience that feels personal, authentic, and just the right amount of adventurous.

Step aboard, and let’s set sail.


FAQ's

Who is the RYA?

The Royal Yachting Association is the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.

Our internationally renowned training schemes steer 250,000 yacht sailors, power boaters, small craft leisure boaters, windsurfers and canal boaters towards confident and successful boating every year.

So whether your end goal is to spend more quality down time on the water, to travel, to compete, to work, or to advance your career; there’s a course for you.

ICC | International Certificate of Competence

An ICC (International Certificate of Competence) assessment is a practical and theoretical test for boaters, proving competence for sailing in countries requiring formal qualifications, covering safety, navigation, rules, pilotage, and boat handling (power/sail), often based on RYA standards, with experienced sailors able to take a shorter assessment or convert existing qualifications.

What it covers:
Safety:
Onboard procedures and emergency situations.
Rules & Regulations: Collision avoidance (COLREGs) and maritime rules.
Navigation & Pilotage: Chart work, buoyage, and coastal navigation.
Boat Handling: Under power and sail, including close-quarters maneuvering and berthing.
Man Overboard: Recovery procedures.

How to get it:
Convert Existing Qualifications:
If you hold a recognised RYA qualification (like Day Skipper), you can apply to convert it.
Take an Assessment: For experienced boaters without formal certification, a one-day practical and theoretical assessment is available.
Take a Course: You can take an RYA training course (like Day Skipper) and then apply for the ICC.

Key Points:
It's a certificate of competence, not a qualification itself, providing assurance to foreign authorities. An RYA Essential Navigation course is recommended for theory. You might also need a VHF Marine Radio license.

Payments

Payments are taken prior to course, tour or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.

Our ethos

Our escapades bring you back to the fundamentals of life. Spending a few days on a boat brings out the best in human nature. Living and working together we talk a lot, laugh a lot, and put the world to rights. It is more than an escape from the complexity of life ashore; the fresh air, natural adrenalin and outdoor activity give your body a good physical detox too.

How about vessel deliveries?

We have the knowledge and skills to safely deliver your boat to its new port.

We respect the trust owners place on us. Years of blue water sailing experience has ensured that careful preparation, regular watch keeping and making sure the boat is safe at all times is essential for the safety of the people on board and the yacht.

At the same time we can provide tuition for you and your crew during the planning of the passage and the actual delivery itself. Extra crew can be arranged if required.There are four stages to a delivery exercise – preparation, leaving port, passage making and arrival with debrief

Charters for a couple?

The ultimate getaway for 2! Yacht charters and sailing cruises are one of the best ways to experience beauty of the Whitsundays. Choose from romantic overnight yacht charters for two, sailing cruises with meals and drinks, hands-on sailing trips or something with a touch of luxury. Once out on the glittering waves you'll see why we think yacht charters and sailing cruises are such a treat!

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