Welcome to SailTime Pittwater
Newport
Moorings, Anchorages & Public Berthing
Pittwater offers an impressive array of options for those looking to anchor or berth for the night. Popular anchorages include Careel Bay, McCarrs Creek, Towlers Bay, Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach, while more secluded spots like Portuguese Beach offer a peaceful overnight stay on a sandy bottom well away from the crowds.
Prestigious yacht clubs open to visitors include the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, both of which have casual berths available. The RPAYC marina at Newport can accommodate vessels up to 30 metres and offers shore power, water and a complimentary tender service, while the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay boasts 256 fixed berths, 38 swing moorings and 19 club moorings.
For those who prefer to anchor out, Refuge Bay and America Bay are among the most popular spots, with club moorings available and good space to drop anchor if moorings are taken. In winter these bays are peaceful and restful, while summer brings a lively fleet of visiting boats.
Our Owner Member Program is also available in Pittwater
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.
In addition to regular sailing as a Gold owner-Member, you also have automatic SailTime PLUS membership, opening sailing opportunities at over 50 bases across North America and Europe.
Affordable Monthly Sailing Memberships - Pittwater, NSW
Pittwater is where SailTime Australia began in 2009, and it remains one of our most loved bases. A SailTime membership at Newport puts you on the water in one of NSW's finest sailing destinations — protected waters, spectacular scenery and a fleet of well-maintained yachts ready when you are. Memberships start from $980 per month with no boat ownership required.
Pittwater is one of Sydney's best-kept secrets — a pristine, sheltered waterway nestled between the northern beaches and the rugged bushland of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Stretching some 17 kilometres from Barrenjoey Headland in the north to Church Point in the south, it offers a world of discovery for those lucky enough to explore it by boat.
Unlike the bustle of the harbour, Pittwater moves at its own unhurried pace. The water here is calm and crystal clear, fringed by secluded coves, sandy beaches accessible only by boat, and national park bushland that tumbles right down to the shoreline. Whether you're gliding past the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse perched high on the headland, dropping anchor at one of the area's idyllic hideaway beaches, or watching the sun dip behind the hills in a blaze of colour — a day on Pittwater is nothing short of magical.
Pittwater Base Boat
Eirini – Bénéteau Océanis 35.1.
Eirini, a Beneteau Oceanis 35.1 is your tickey to sail at our Pittwater Base in Newport. This model has been beautifully re-designed and offers a super-large, uncluttered cockpit thanks to the Beneteau unique mainsail arch. With twin helms, mast positioned further aft, and optimised sail plans, the contemporary hull delivers excellent performance and superb stability underway.
The transom hinges down to form a large swim platform for kids large and small to enjoy. The design team at Beneteau has worked hard to satisfy their customers’ interpretation of the ideal yachting lifestyle and this is reflected in the sheer pleasure you get from sailing the beautiful Oceanis 35.1.
*Single annual payment attracts a discount of 5%
For further details please complete the no-obligation enquiry form or call us
on 1300 944 974.
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Joining fee (one-time fee): $1,800
Monthly fee*: $980
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
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 Pittwater on your SailTime Australia boat
First, let’s get the terminology right. What most people seem to refer to as Pittwater is only a fraction of some expansive and breathtaking waterways, which also include the Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Waters. These three arms lead into Broken Bay which comprises the broad entrance from the Tasman Sea, marked by Box Head to the north and Barrenjoey Heads to the south.
Broken Bay
Broken Bay is a vast, tide-dominated waterway that opens directly into the Tasman Sea - one of those rare places where history, geography and natural beauty converge in spectacular fashion. The bay may owe its name to Captain James Cook, who is said to have noted "broken land" north of Port Jackson on May 7th, 1770, though some accounts suggest he actually passed by in the dark without stopping. It was Governor Phillip who first explored the bay properly in 1788, arriving by longboat from HMS Sirius.
Approaching from Sydney Heads — a journey of around 16 nautical miles — one of the first things to catch the eye is Lion Island, a small nature reserve and home to a colony of fairy penguins. Seen from certain angles it bears an uncanny resemblance to a sphinx. To the north, the rugged headlands of Bouddi National Park frame the bay, while to the south the iconic Barrenjoey Lighthouse stands 91 metres above the water, marking Sydney's northernmost point and the gateway into Pittwater.
Sailors venturing into Broken Bay should be aware that Pearl Beach offers beautiful scenery but a swelly shore, and Umina's shallow sandbanks can catch the unwary - particularly at night.
Royal Motor Yacht Club
The Royal Motor Yacht Club , Broken Bay, with its beautiful setting on Sydney’s magnificent Pittwater is widely recognised as one of Australia’s premier yacht clubs. Since its inception back in the 1920’s, the club has undergone many changes. With the passage of time, there has been the inevitable transition from a small, semi-rural establishment for a tight-knit group of dedicated“boaties”, to the current modern facility catering for a diverse community of cruising, sailing, racing, fishing and social members that is the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay today.
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is situated on Green Point on the pristine body of water called Pittwater, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Club offers members and their guests one of the finest facilities in Australia; with a state-of-the-art floating marina, a modern boatyard and 50-tonne travel lift, two hardstand areas, on-site marine services, 24 hour fuel, tender service, gymnasium, multi-level secure parking, fine dining restaurant, casual waterfront bistro and first-class function facilities that have made it an international talking point.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club takes has an ongoing commitment to providing the best facilities and conditions for its members and their guests and, a warm and friendly welcome to National and International visitors.
Church Point
Church Point is the beating heart of Pittwater's community life, and one of the most characterful stops on the waterway. Tender space is available at most of the local marinas, making it easy to pull in from a mooring or anchorage for a few hours ashore. The Church Point Café is the social hub - pizza, lunch, a grocery store, bottle shop and even a post office all in one spot, with the kind of unhurried, friendly atmosphere that defines this part of Sydney.
What makes Church Point truly special is its role as the gateway to Pittwater's offshore communities. The ferry service here is an essential lifeline for residents of Scotland Island and the western foreshore, carrying everything from school children to groceries on its regular runs. Watching the constant parade of dinghies, ferries and tenders coming and going is entertainment in itself - a vivid reminder that for many people here, the water isn't a weekend hobby, it's simply how life works.
The Basin/Coasters Retreat
For something a little more off the beaten track, The Basin is a naturally enclosed lagoon sitting within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessible only by boat. The Basin is still sometimes referred to as Coasters Retreat - this is where 'coasters', the cargo ships that worked the coast from port to port, would seek refuge when bad weather brewed up. Long before that, the Ku-ring-gai people inhabited this area, as highlighted by exceptional heritage sites including petroglyphs of hunters, kangaroos and wallabies, and the remarkable Red Hands Cave.
Up to this very day, exploring the western side of Pittwater is still like stepping back in time — people commute by boat, wallabies graze on lawns and goannas have been known to sneak food from an unguarded picnic blanket. Public moorings are available and in winter you'll often find plenty of space, though in summer this stunning bay attracts a lively armada of visiting boats - a sure sign that word is well and truly out about this magical corner of Pittwater.
Towlers Bay
Tucked between Coasters Retreat and the open waters of Pittwater, Towlers Bay is a favourite among those in the know — reportedly a beloved anchorage of round-the-world sailor Kay Cottee. Around 25 club moorings are available, and outside of peak summer season you'll rarely struggle to find a spot. The bay is welcoming and varied - sparkling sand, rock platforms, natural rope swings and a grassy lagoon area that keeps children happily occupied for hours.
For the curious, the remains of an old ranger's cottage and historic jetty ruins sit at the northern end of the bay, well worth a dinghy ride to explore. And for those who like to stretch their legs, the old walking track to The Basin still winds through the bush, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the area along the way.
Refuge Bay & America Bay
Heading south, Refuge Bay and America Bay are two connected inlets that are among the most popular anchorages in the entire Pittwater region - and it's easy to see why. Close to a hundred private, club and courtesy moorings are scattered across the two bays, and the only downside is that the crowds know exactly how good it is. Refuge Bay has a small sandy beach fed by a freshwater waterfall - nature's own outdoor shower - while both bays are accessible only by boat or serious bushwalking, which keeps the atmosphere wonderfully unspoilt.
Just a few minutes further on, Hallett Beach offers a quieter alternative with a handful of public moorings, a pleasant sandy beach and its own small waterfall. Across the water, three small bays with scattered moorings catch the morning sun beautifully - perfect for a peaceful breakfast and an early swim before the day gets away from you.
Morning Bay and beyond
The south-western arm of Coasters Retreat, Morning Bay offers good anchoring in calm, protected waters - though depths drop off quickly towards the head, so a watchful eye on the sounder is essential. A small creek winds into the surrounding rainforest, and at high tide a dinghy exploration reveals just how far into the bush you can venture. Coming from the north, this marks the last anchorage in Pittwater not dominated by permanent moorings.
Further south, the bays radiating out from Scotland Island - McCarrs Creek, Elvina, Lovett and Little Lovett - each have their own quiet appeal. Highlights include a 20-minute bush walk to the Elvina Bay waterfall past early settlers' graves, and the summit walk at Flagstaff behind Lovett Bay wharf, which rewards with vast Pacific Ocean views and dramatic rocky outcrops.
Then there's Scotland Island itself - a thriving community of around 700 residents who live entirely without road access, commuting by dinghy as a matter of daily life. Church Point on the eastern shore serves as their unofficial hub, with a general store, bottle shop and a floating melee of dinghies that perfectly captures the gloriously unconventional way of life that makes Pittwater unlike anywhere else in Sydney.
Lunch Stops & Leaving Pittwater
Before heading out of Pittwater, four smaller beaches to the north west are worth a look on the right day. Mackerel Beach, just north of The Basin, is a lovely lunch stop with excellent snorkelling — a rich variety of marine life makes it well worth dropping the hook for an hour, though the northern end shallows quickly. Nearby, Little Mackerel Beach is home to a charming historic labour council resort, one of the more picturesque and lesser-known corners of the waterway.
Resolute and Little Resolute Beaches are exposed to swell and best suited to a calm or westerly day, but when conditions cooperate the water here is some of the clearest in all of Pittwater - a brilliant last swim before departing. A walking track from here leads directly to West Head lookout, with views across Broken Bay that are hard to beat.
Throughout Pittwater, facilities are never far away. Both the Royal Motor Yacht Club and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club offer visitor berths, fuel, water and excellent dining, and on the eastern shore a café or pub is rarely more than a short walk from the water.
Beyond West Head, however, the mood shifts entirely. The Hawkesbury River is a wilder, more untamed world - where the bush closes in, phone reception fades and the loudest sounds are lyrebirds, possums and the rustling of wallabies through the undergrowth.
The Hawkesbury
The Hawkesbury River, together with its tributary the Nepean, virtually encircles greater Sydney - travelling almost 120 kilometres before reaching its mouth at Broken Bay. Long before European settlement, the Darkinjung, Darug, Eora and Ku-ring-gai peoples lived along these waterways, using them as a source of food and trade. Evidence of their presence remains today, most notably in the shell middens found tucked into caves along the dramatic clifftops.
The first stops heading west are Flint and Steel - a generous sandy beach ideal for a picnic lunch — and Hungry Beach, where ancient caves and striking cliff faces make for a fascinating and atmospheric pause. Both are exposed to Tasman Sea swell so are best suited to daytime visits. Little Pittwater Bay is more sheltered for an overnight stay, though rocky shores make landing a dinghy a challenge, and with room for only a couple of boats it pays to arrive early.
Further along, the sleepy fishing village of Patonga is well worth a visit on a calm day, though its large bay is prone to swell and strong tidal movement. The famous local fish and chip shop is reason enough to time a stop here, with a swarm of resident pelicans providing the entertainment. Little Patonga, just to the west, offers slightly more protection when anchored under the eastern headland.
From here, most sailors press on to Brooklyn and the Hawkesbury River Marina - a convenient and well-serviced stop with fuel, cafes and a pub, and a great spot to pick up guests arriving by road before heading deeper into one of NSW's most spectacular river systems.
Cottage Point
Tucked away within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park along Cowan Creek, Cottage Point is one of those destinations that rewards those willing to venture a little further. A courtesy mooring sits right out front of the Cottage Point Kiosk - arrive early as it goes quickly - though anchoring just off the permanent mooring field in the well-protected Looking Glass Bay is a perfectly good alternative, with room for around four boats and easy access to water, fuel and pump-out facilities.
The kiosk itself is a wonderfully relaxed BYO lunch spot, attracting an eclectic mix of boaties and day visitors from near and far. For something more indulgent, the Cottage Point Inn is a hatted restaurant where seaplanes, private water taxis and ferries deliver a well-heeled crowd for long lunches on the water - pontoon berths are available for dining guests. It's a slice of Pittwater life that manages to feel both remote and utterly civilised at the same time.
Jerusalem Bay
Continuing on, Jerusalem Bay and its neighbouring inlet of Little Jerusalem Bay are among the most sheltered anchorages you'll find anywhere. Even on days when heavy swell is running near the heads, the water here barely stirs. A handful of courtesy moorings are available though in summer they fill quickly, with boats sometimes rafting several deep. The surrounding bushland is pristine and utterly quiet - and if you find yourself reluctant to leave, Cottage Point with its café and restaurant is only a short cruise awa
The Creeks
Beyond Cottage Point, the waterway opens into a labyrinth of secluded creeks and bays that feel genuinely removed from the modern world. Cowan Creek and its tributaries - Arwen, Smiths and Coal and Candle Creek among them - offer more anchorages than could ever be covered in a single visit, each one peaceful, bush-fringed and gloriously unhurried. Moorings are scattered throughout, rarely crowded, and the general feel is of glassy water, towering sandstone and complete tranquillity.
A few highlights worth seeking out: Castle Lagoon hides a waterfall at the northern end of the bay; Yeoman's Bay has a shallow sandy creek at its head, navigable by dinghy at high tide and leading to a beautiful cascading waterfall and swimming hole; and Smiths Creek rewards the adventurous with ancient cottage ruins and a meandering creek that seems to go on forever - pure Tom Sawyer territory.
At the head of Coal and Candle Creek, Akuna Bay has a floating dock with water, pump-out and berths for restaurant visitors. And rounding it all off, Bobbin Head provides a lively contrast - a bustling marina with fuel, maintenance facilities and, most importantly, a decent coffee - before heading back out into the open water.
Pittwater location inspiration taken from Dini Martinez of mysailing.com.au