I recently completed the RYA Competent Crew Course with Mainstay Sailing. It is the most comprehensive, hands-on, and value-for-money sailing course out there—don’t waste your money going anywhere else! This course is the real deal, delivered to the exacting standards set by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Plus, taking place in some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the world, the Whitsunday Islands provide varied conditions and geography to truly hone your skills and confidence. Safety was paramount throughout, and everyone on board felt completely comfortable. Beyond the incredible wildlife we saw daily—from whales and dolphins to turtles and the largest manta ray I have ever seen—the personal highlights for me were the night sail and anchoring, and the man-overboard recovery drills. To put this review in perspective, I am 62 years old and started sailing two years ago. This course made all the difference in how I feel about my sailing capabilities. You are never too old... as long as you have reasonable fitness and an inquiring mind, sailing is a fantastic pastime supported by a wonderful community of people from all walks of life. I will definitely be back next year to complete my RYA Day Skipper Certificate. A huge thank you to Terrence and Ron—the Dynamic Duo!

Incredible fun meeting like minded travelers and sailing around the whitsunday Islands while learing the ropes. Terance's experience and superb teaching style makes learning natural and leaves plenty of time for a swim at the georgous beaches. Training was regularly interupted by whales, giant mantarays and dolphines. The biggest surprise is Terance's cooking skills. 5 star meals.

Great instructor and really well run Day Skipper course in a beautiful part of the world, would recommend and will come back!

I really enjoyed the Day Skipper Practical course. I sailed with Clarence and Amanda in April, and they were fun to be around and I learned a lot in the process. And the Whitsundays is such a gorgeous place to learn how to sail. I definitely recommend it.

Had an awesome time doing our sailing course with Mainstay Sailing. Being the only legitimate RYA accredited sailing school in the area you know that the knowledge and skills that was being taught was second to none. Terrance and Nick our instructors were fantastic, really patient and clear with their instructions the whole way through. Felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. We also got to visit some amazing locations along the way in the Whitsundays which made the whole experience even better. Can't recommend these guys enough!

Sam and I had an absolutely fantastic time with Terrance, Ron & Nick. The scenery was spectacular and the trip was informative. We would recommend this as a great way to explore the Whitsundays whilst also learning from very experienced sailors. The food was delicious and we had everything we needed on the boat. The hospitality was excellent and we absolutely loved getting to know the crew and everyone aboard the sailing boat. We can’t wait to come back!! Thank you Mainstay crew!!

RYA Competent Crew Certificate - 23/5/26 At 61yrs young, this experience is one I will truly carry with me for the rest of my life. The expert tuition received from Terence was not only first rate, but his knowledge, guidance and warm friendly disposition during my week long sailing adventure through the Whitsunday Islands, totally exceeded my levels of expectation on all fronts. If you are looking to advance your sailing credentials then I highly recommend Mainstay Sailing for the complete package into this wonderful tropical paradise… it’s never too late to follow your dreams. 🏝️⛵️

I recently joined Terence for a sailing trip through the Whitsundays and it was genuinely one of the highlights of my year. Terence has a depth of experience that shows in everything he does. The way he reads the wind, the routes he chooses, the confidence he brings to the boat and the patience he showed me in navigating the water. I appreciated how naturally he drew me into the experience of sailing itself and especially how he helped me find the wind, work out how to maintain speed and balance, and think through decisions. He is a very professional instructor and thoughtful in his suggestions. When I had questions he answered them with real knowledge and genuine interest. We made our way between some beautiful spots throughout the islands and the experience felt both adventurous and relaxed. If you're looking for a trustworthy sailing experience, you can depend on Mainstay Sailing. I highly recommend Terence to deliver something genuinely special.