Welcome to SailTime Sydney
Rushcutters Bay
Affordable sailing on Sydney Harbour with our Monthly Sailing Membership Program
If you've always wanted to sail Sydney Harbour but the cost of owning a boat has held you back, a SailTime membership could be the answer. Based at Rushcutters Bay, our Sydney Harbour membership gives you guaranteed time on a fully maintained yacht from $925 per month - no equity, no marina fees, no maintenance headaches. Just turn up and sail one of the world's great harbours.
Sydney Harbour is often referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world, and those who have sailed its waters will understand why. The 240 kilometres of shoreline encompass approximately 54 square kilometres of water - an enormous and endlessly rewarding expanse to explore. On a warm sunny day the harbour shimmers a vivid blue, dotted with the sails of racing yachts, cruising boats and the iconic Manly ferries cutting their way across the chop.
Whether you choose to drift past the Opera House and beneath the soaring arch of the Harbour Bridge, drop anchor in one of the many secluded bays, or venture east towards the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Heads, every sail on Sydney Harbour is a memorable one. Based at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, one of Australia's most prestigious sailing clubs and home of the legendary Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, you are perfectly positioned to explore it all.
Moorings, Anchorages & Public Berthing
Sydney Harbour offers an abundance of options for those looking to anchor or berth for the night. To the east of the Harbour Bridge, popular anchorages include Rose Bay, Athol Bay, Taylors Bay and Farm Cove, while to the west the sheltered waters of Balls Head Bay, Lavender Bay and Blackwattle Bay are firm favourites among regular harbour visitors. Cockatoo Island offers a unique overnight experience right in the heart of the harbour, with public moorings available and camping facilities ashore.
For those seeking marina facilities, the harbour is exceptionally well serviced. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia at Rushcutters Bay, the Middle Harbour Yacht Club at The Spit, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club are among the most prominent clubs welcoming visiting sailors. Darling Harbour and Birkenhead Point marina further west offer additional berthing options, fuel and services, while D'Albora Marinas operate several facilities around the harbour including at The Spit and Rushcutters Bay.
Owner Member Program Also Available
If you’re looking for a smart and cost-effective way to buy a new yacht in your local waterway with all the of ownership but with the expenses taken care of and regular monthly payments to help offset your marine mortgage, then ask about our Owner Members program.
Base Owners SailTime Sydney Harbour - Graham & Angela
Stop dreaming and start sailing now - for further details please complete an enquiry form or call us on 1300 944 974.
Base Fleet
Currawong – Bénéteau Océanis 38.1
The Oceanis 38.1's creased hull offers exceptional sailing comfort. Firm at the stern, flat on the water, this cruising boat boasts a great sail-to-wind ratio, increasing speed with exceptional stability. It also features two helm stations, a large sail arch, and a spacious swim platform. Below deck, the L-shaped, open galley allows for a truly integrated saloon, accommodating up to eight people seated around the table.
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Joining fee (one-time fee): $1,300
Monthly fee*: $925
Guaranteed monthly SailTimes: 3
2 Days induction: Included
As available additional SailTimes: Up to 3 per month @ $200 per SailTime 30 hours in advance
Membership SailTime plus: Additional fee $350 first booking
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Joining fee (one-time fee): $1,800
Monthly fee*: $1250
Guaranteed monthly SailTimes: 6
2 Days induction: Included
As available additional SailTimes: Up to 4 per month @ no charge 30 hours in advance
Membership SailTime plus: Included
Mighty Mouse - Bénéteau Océanis 37.1
The Oceanis 37.1 punches well above her length, with a saloon and longitudinal galley that feel closer to a 40-footer. On deck, clean lines and a self-tacking jib make her easy to handle for crew of any level, while dual helm positions keep the skipper in full command. Hull windows flood the forward cabin with natural light, and the wide cockpit is made for long afternoons on the water.
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Joining fee (one-time fee): $1,300
Monthly fee*: $940
Guaranteed monthly SailTimes: 3
2 Days induction: Included
As available additional SailTimes: Up to 3 per month @ $200 per SailTime 30 hours in advance
Membership SailTime plus: Additional fee $350 first booking
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Joining fee (one-time fee): $1,800
Monthly fee*: $1,280
Guaranteed monthly SailTimes: 6
2 Days induction: Included
As available additional SailTimes: Up to 4 per month @ no charge 30 hours in advance
Membership SailTime plus: Included
For further details please complete the no-obligation enquiry form or call us on 1300 944 974.
Invest in a SailTime Australia Monthly Sailing Membership
Gold Members have a guaranteed 6 SailTimes per month, unlimited ‘as available’ sailing and enrolment in SailTime Plus for a monthly fee that is typically only a few dollars more than the cost of a local marina berth!
Silver members have a guaranteed 3 SailTimes per month plus the ability to access ‘as available’ sailing and SailTime Plus for a small additional fee
We also offer exclusive Mid Week and Corporate membership packages
For further details please complete the enquiry form or call us on 1300 944 974
Exploring Sydney Harbour on your SailTime Australia boat
at times it’s hard to believe you’ve anchored in a waterway that’s surrounded by a city of four million people – especially if you can manage to visit mid-week, when you are almost guaranteed to have the place to yourself.
Watsons Bay & The Heads
Watsons Bay sits at the very eastern tip of the harbour, sheltered beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs of South Head, and is one of Sydney's most storied and scenic destinations by boat. The calm anchorages in the bay are perfect for swimming and fishing, and the views back across the harbour towards the city skyline are simply extraordinary. Ashore, the famous Doyles seafood restaurant has been a Sydney institution for generations, and the short walk up to South Head itself rewards with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the harbour entrance and the iconic lighthouse at Hornby - one of the most photographed spots in Australia.
Tryon Bay, tucked just around the corner, offers a quieter alternative for those wanting to drop anchor and enjoy a peaceful picnic with those same magnificent views as a backdrop.
Rose Bay
Rose Bay is one of the harbour's most elegant and versatile anchorages, offering good holding in most conditions and spectacular 180-degree views of the harbour at its sparkling best. It's a favourite on easterly and nor'easterly days, and the foreshore is lined with cafés and restaurants making it easy to head ashore for lunch. Rose Bay also holds a special place in Sydney's history as the base for flying boat services that once connected Australia to the world and seaplanes still operate from here today, offering scenic flights up the Hawkesbury for those feeling adventurous.
Milk Beach & Hermitage Foreshore
Milk Beach is one of Sydney Harbour's best kept secrets - a small, tucked-away cove along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk in the eastern suburbs that rewards those who seek it out with crystal clear water, a pretty sandy shoreline and stunning views across to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It's a wonderfully peaceful spot to drop anchor on a calm day, and the surrounding foreshore walk through native bushland makes it well worth a dinghy trip ashore.
Athol Bay & Chowder Bay
Athol Bay is by far one of the finest anchorages on the entire harbour and arguably the best spot in Sydney to watch the sun set over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Tucked between Taronga Zoo and Bradley's Head, it offers a magical combination of bushland serenity and iconic city backdrop. Arrive early on weekends to secure a good spot, and don't be surprised if you drift off to sleep to the distant sounds of the zoo's resident animals - one of Sydney's more unique overnight experiences.
Just around the corner, Chowder Bay, also known as Clifton Gardens, is a beautiful, history-laden cove overlooked by heritage military buildings in the leafy suburb of Mosman. The water here is exceptionally clear, making it one of the harbour's finest snorkelling spots, and in 2023 the bay made headlines when local seahorses were reintroduced to its pristine waters by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Peaceful, protected and utterly charming, it's a bay that deserves far more attention than it gets.
Taylors Bay
Not far from Chowder Bay, Taylors Bay is a serene bush-fringed anchorage that feels surprisingly remote given its proximity to the city. Well protected from most wind directions, it's one of those reliable spots where you stand a genuine chance of finding space even on a busy weekend - a rare thing on Sydney Harbour. The small beach is pretty and the surrounding greenery gives the whole bay a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal escape for those wanting to slow down and simply enjoy being on the water.
Farm Cove & Woolloomooloo
Few anchorages in the world can match the setting of Farm Cove - a sheltered bay sitting directly in front of the Royal Botanic Garden, with the Sydney Opera House to one side and the Harbour Bridge arching overhead. It is protected from most winds though busy with ferry traffic, and the views from the water here are as iconic as sailing gets anywhere on earth. Early morning, before the city fully wakes, is a particularly special time to be anchored here.
Just around the corner, Woolloomooloo Bay and the finger wharves offer a vibrant urban alternative, with some of Sydney's finest restaurants and bars right on the water's edge. It's a wonderful spot to head ashore for dinner before returning to the boat for the night.
Lavender Bay & McMahons Point
Crossing to the northern shore west of the Harbour Bridge, Lavender Bay and neighbouring McMahons Point offer sheltered anchorages with one of the great harbour views - the Bridge looming directly overhead and the city skyline reflected in the water. Luna Park's iconic laughing face adds a touch of colour and whimsy to the scene. This is a wonderfully atmospheric spot to spend an evening, particularly when the bridge and city light up after dark.
Balls Head Bay
Continuing west along the northern shore, Balls Head Bay is a tranquil and well-protected anchorage that offers a genuine bush escape within the heart of the harbour. The surrounding Balls Head Reserve is one of Sydney's hidden gems - a pocket of untouched bushland with Aboriginal rock engravings, sweeping harbour views and walking tracks that wind through native vegetation. It's a quieter alternative to the more popular anchorages further east, and well worth the extra few minutes of sailing.
Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island sits at the junction of the Parramatta River and the main harbour, and is one of the most fascinating and unique destinations on Sydney Harbour. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island has served as a convict prison, a reformatory for girls and a major naval shipyard, and its extraordinary industrial heritage is preserved across a remarkable collection of sandstone buildings, dry docks, tunnels and convict-era ruins. Public moorings are available, camping and glamping facilities operate on the island, and regular ferry services connect it to the city, making it an unforgettable overnight stop unlike anywhere else on the harbour.
Darling Harbour & Walsh Bay
Heading further west, Darling Harbour offers a lively and well-serviced berth in the heart of the city, with marina facilities, restaurants, bars and attractions all within easy walking distance. It's the harbour at its most urban and vibrant. Walsh Bay, just to the north, is home to beautifully restored historic finger wharves that now house theatres, restaurants and apartments - a more atmospheric and quieter alternative for those wanting city convenience without the buzz of Darling Harbour.
Birkenhead Point & The Parramatta River
For those willing to venture further west, the Parramatta River opens up a whole new world of exploration. Birkenhead Point marina offers good berthing facilities and is home to a popular outlet shopping centre - handy for provisioning or simply stretching the legs ashore. Continuing upriver past Woolwich, Chiswick and Putney, the river narrows and quietens, with Balls Head Bay and several other sheltered spots offering peaceful anchorages well away from the main harbour traffic. It's a side of Sydney that many sailors never discover - and all the more rewarding for it.
Manly Cove
Heading back out towards the harbour entrance and across to the northern shore, Manly Cove offers a classic Sydney experience from the water. The famous oceanside surf beach is just a short walk across the isthmus, while the harbourside foreshore is lined with cafés, restaurants and the constant cheerful activity of the Manly ferry terminal. It's a lively and welcoming stop, and the surrounding headlands and bays offer excellent snorkelling and swimming in calm, clear water.
Quarantine Beach & Store Beach
Tucked just inside the harbour heads beneath the dramatic northern headland, Quarantine Beach and Store Beach are among the most historically evocative anchorages on Sydney Harbour. Both beaches were once part of the North Head Quarantine Station, where ships arriving in colonial Sydney were held and their passengers inspected before being allowed to enter the colony. Today the area is peaceful and pristine, the water crystal clear and the atmosphere wonderfully secluded. It's a perfect spot to arrive late in the day after an offshore passage, or simply to escape the harbour's busier waters for a quiet night at anchor beneath the stars.