Sailing lessons near Cape Town
Learn to sail within easy reach of Cape Town, at two venues: at sea in False Bay from Gordons Bay Yacht Club, about 50 minutes from the city, or inland on Theewaterskloof Dam at Theewater Sports Club, about an hour and a half away.
Every course is accredited and taught to the World Sailing curriculum by qualified instructors. Complete beginners are welcome, and you finish with certificates of competence for the skills you show.
Family discount: 10% off the third and each further family member booked onto the same course.
Closest to the city
Gordons Bay Yacht Club, about 50 minutes from Cape Town on the N2.
A weekend away
Theewater Sports Club, with a bunk house and camping included on weekend courses.
Beginners welcome
No experience needed for Keelboat Level 1 or our family and adult weekends.
Since 2012
Accredited sail training in the Western Cape, run by Sailing Instructor Developer Neil Ashton.
Which venue suits you?
At sea: Gordons Bay
Sail keelboats in False Bay on our Sadler 26 and L26 boats. Courses run from Level 1 to Level 4, which together make up the Competent Crew qualification, with race training, a youth course and private lessons. Each level is a 2-day course, easy to reach from Cape Town each morning.
Inland: Theewater
Learn on Topper Topaz dinghies or Hobie 16 catamarans on Theewaterskloof Dam near Villiersdorp. Weekend courses for adults and families include bunk house accommodation or camping, so you can make a weekend of it. Our youth holiday camps run here too.
Getting there from Cape Town
Both venues are reached on the N2 towards Somerset West. For Gordons Bay, turn off towards Gordons Bay just past Somerset West: about 50 minutes from the city centre outside peak traffic. For Theewater, carry on over Sir Lowry’s Pass to Grabouw and follow the road to Villiersdorp: about an hour and a half.
See the venue pages for directions: Gordons Bay Yacht Club and Theewater Sports Club.
Upcoming beginner courses
Keelboat Level 1 at Gordons Bay
A 2-day introduction to keelboat sailing at sea. More about Keelboat Level 1 →
- 10/10/2026 – 11/10/2026R1,895 per person
- 14/11/2026 – 15/11/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 13/02/2027 – 14/02/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 17/04/2027 – 18/04/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
Family and adult weekends at Theewater
Dinghy and Hobie courses run on the same weekends: choose your boat for each person when you book.
- 17/10/2026 – 18/10/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 24/10/2026 – 25/10/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 07/11/2026 – 08/11/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 21/11/2026 – 22/11/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 19/12/2026 – 20/12/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 27/12/2026 – 29/12/2026R2,495 per person · R1,497 deposit to book
- 02/01/2027 – 03/01/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 23/01/2027 – 24/01/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 06/02/2027 – 07/02/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 27/02/2027 – 28/02/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 13/03/2027 – 14/03/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 10/04/2027 – 11/04/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 15/05/2027 – 16/05/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
Sailing with us
Good to know
Which course should a complete beginner choose?
If you would like to sail at sea, start with Keelboat Level 1 at Gordons Bay. If you prefer flat water and a weekend away, choose a dinghy or Hobie weekend at Theewater.
Can I do a course as day trips from Cape Town?
Yes. Keelboat courses at Gordons Bay are easy to reach each day. At Theewater you can drive out each day, or stay over in the bunk house or camp, which is included on weekend courses.
Do I need to be able to swim?
You need to be able to stay afloat. Everyone wears a life jacket on the water, however well they swim.
What should I bring?
A wetsuit or a waterproof, windproof jacket, a change of clothes suited to the season, and something warm for the evenings. If you are staying over at Theewater, bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
How does booking work?
Choose a date and pay a 60% deposit online to secure your place. We email you a link to pay the balance, which is due 7 days before your course starts. Bookings made within 7 days of the start are paid in full.