CONTACT US 

Planning Your Event Is Simple

1. Tell us about your team

Provide your preferred date, group size, duration and the type of atmosphere you want.

2. Receive a tailored recommendation

Sydney By Sail recommends the most suitable format, yachts and event additions.

3. Secure your yachts

A 50% deposit based on estimated attendance secures the date, yachts, skippers and event team.

4. Finalise your event

Final attendance, catering, beverages, logistics and the remaining balance are due 21 days before the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a corporate team building event on Sydney Harbour? These answers cover the most common questions about group sizes, pricing, event formats, catering, weather and the booking process.

What is a Sydney By Sail team building event?

A Sydney By Sail team building event is a professionally managed sailing experience on Sydney Harbour. Teams work together aboard luxury sailing yachts, taking part in activities such as steering, sail handling, navigation, racing and problem-solving.

Events can be competitive, relaxed or designed as a combination of sailing, socialising, catering and beverages.

Do participants need sailing experience?

No sailing experience is required.

Every yacht is operated by an experienced professional skipper and crew. Guests receive a safety briefing and an introduction to the fundamentals of sailing before the event begins.

Participants can take the helm, trim the sails, assist with tactics or enjoy the experience at a level that suits their confidence and ability.

How many people can attend?

Multi-yacht team building events are available for groups of 14 or more participants.

Most sailing yachts accommodate up to 12 guests, while our larger catamaran can accommodate up to 24 guests. Larger groups are divided across multiple yachts, creating an exciting fleet racing or harbour challenge experience.

Smaller groups may also be accommodated through one of our private sailing experiences.

How long are team building events?

Sydney By Sail team building events range from two to six hours, depending on the selected format.

A three-hour event is generally recommended as the minimum duration for a complete Bronze Regatta experience. Four-hour events are the most popular option because they allow time for team allocation, a safety briefing, sailing practice, racing and a relaxed social finish.

What team building formats are available?

Sydney By Sail offers several event formats:

Bronze Regatta
A straightforward and exciting introduction to competitive sailing across one or two races.

Regatta & Relax
Our most popular format, combining hands-on yacht racing with relaxed sailing, catering and beverages in a sheltered Sydney Harbour cove.

Silver Regatta
Short-course windward and leeward racing for experienced sailors or highly competitive teams.

Point to Point
A sailing and navigation challenge involving orienteering-style clues and different harbour destinations.

Treasure Hunt
A fun-first team adventure involving sailing, Sydney Harbour clues and a buried treasure.

Custom Event
Every event is a blank canvas. Racing, relaxed sailing, catering, beverages, branding, prizes and other additions can be combined to create an experience around your team and objectives.

How much does a team building sailing event cost?

Team building events start from $235 per person, including GST.

Pricing varies according to the selected format and duration. Current options include:

• Bronze Regatta from $235 per person

• Regatta & Relax from $260 per person

• Silver Regatta from $260 per person

• Point to Point from $275 per person

• Treasure Hunt from $290 per person

All prices are in Australian dollars. Catering, beverages, photography, merchandise, branding and other optional additions are quoted separately.

What is included in the event price?

Every team building package includes:

• A yacht or fleet of yachts appropriate to the group

• Professional skippers and crew

• Safety briefing and safety equipment

• Regatta planning and coordination

• Yacht and team allocation

• On-water event management

• Race results where applicable

Optional catering, beverages, prizes, branding, photography, videography and alternative pick-up or drop-off locations can be added.

Can catering and beverages be included?

Yes. Sydney By Sail offers catering and beverage options that can be tailored to the event duration, group size and style.

Options can range from light snacks and grazing-style catering to more substantial menus. Dietary requirements can be accommodated when advised in advance.

Beverage packages and non-alcoholic options are also available. BYO arrangements can be discussed where appropriate, although professionally arranged catering and beverages generally create the easiest experience for the event organiser.

Can the event be customised?

Yes. Every event is treated as a blank canvas.

Your event can be customised with:

• Catering and beverage packages

• Prizes and trophies

• Branded merchandise

• Custom flags and banners

• Photography and videography

• Aerial photography where permitted

• Alternative pick-up and drop-off locations

• Pre-event or post-event function spaces

• A competitive or relaxed sailing format

Our team will recommend a format based on your objectives, group size, preferred level of competition and available time.

Where do team building events depart from?

Most events depart from the Sydney By Sail marina in Darling Harbour, directly in front of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The location is convenient for Sydney CBD offices, public transport, hotels, restaurants and function venues.

Alternative Sydney Harbour pick-up and drop-off locations may also be arranged, subject to yacht access, availability and event logistics.

What happens during a typical event?

A typical team building event begins with a welcome, safety briefing and team allocation.

Guests then board their yachts and receive an introduction to sailing. Each team has time to practise steering, sail handling and communication before the racing or selected challenge begins.

Depending on the format, the event may include:

• One or more yacht races

• Crew role changes

• Navigation or clue-based challenges

• Relaxed harbour sailing

• Time in a sheltered cove

• Catering and beverages

• Results, prizes and team photos

The exact itinerary is adjusted to suit the weather, harbour conditions, group and event objectives.

What should participants wear?

Comfortable casual clothing is recommended.

Participants should wear:

• Enclosed, comfortable shoes with non-marking soles

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• A hat and sunscreen

• A light jacket or warm layer

• A waterproof jacket if rain is forecast

High heels and footwear with hard or marking soles are not suitable aboard the yachts.

Guests should also bring any personal medication they may require during the event.

Are the events suitable for different fitness levels?

Yes. Sailing can accommodate a wide range of experience and fitness levels.

Guests can become actively involved in steering and sail handling or participate in a more relaxed way. No one is required to complete a specific sailing role.

Participants should be reasonably comfortable boarding a yacht and moving around the cockpit. Please advise our team in advance of any mobility, accessibility or medical considerations so that we can recommend the most suitable yacht and format.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Sailing events can operate safely in a wide range of weather conditions.

Sydney By Sail monitors the forecast and harbour conditions before every event. The skipper and event team make all operational decisions with guest safety as the priority.

Light rain or moderate wind will not necessarily prevent an event from proceeding. Routes, race formats and itineraries may be adjusted to suit the conditions.

If conditions are considered unsuitable or unsafe, our team will contact the event organiser to discuss the available options in accordance with the booking terms.

Can guests choose not to race?

Yes. The level of participation can be adjusted to suit the group.

Some guests may want to take the helm and become fully involved in the racing, while others may prefer to support their team or enjoy the harbour experience more casually.

For teams seeking a less competitive format, Regatta & Relax or a customised sailing experience may be more suitable than a dedicated racing event.

Can Sydney By Sail manage large corporate groups?

Yes. Sydney By Sail specialises in multi-yacht corporate events and can coordinate large groups across a fleet of sailing yachts.

The event team manages:

• Yacht allocation

• Team allocation

• Skippers and crew

• Safety briefings

• Race coordination

• On-water communication

• Timing and event logistics

• Results and prizes

Larger groups should enquire as early as possible so the appropriate fleet can be secured.

How far in advance should we book?

Booking early is recommended, particularly for:

• Spring and summer dates

• Thursday and Friday afternoons

• End-of-year celebrations

• Christmas events

• EOFY events

• Large multi-yacht groups

Availability can change quickly during popular corporate event periods. Your preferred date, yachts and skippers are secured once the required deposit has been received.

How do we confirm an event?

The booking process has three main stages.

1. Select your event

Choose your preferred date, start time, duration, event format and estimated number of participants.

2. Secure the booking

A 50% deposit based on the estimated attendance is required to secure the yachts, skippers and event team.

3. Finalise the details

Final attendance numbers, catering and beverage selections, logistical arrangements and the remaining balance are due 21 days before the event.

Our team will assist throughout the planning process and recommend options that suit your group, objectives and budget.

What happens if our attendance numbers change?

Your initial booking is secured using an estimated number of participants.

Final attendance numbers are due 21 days before the event, together with catering, beverage and logistical details. The final event balance is calculated using the confirmed arrangements and attendance in accordance with the booking terms.

Please advise our team as early as possible if your group size changes significantly, as the number and type of yachts required may also need to change.

Can we add prizes, branding or photography?

Yes. Optional additions can include:

• Trophies and prizes

• Branded caps, shirts or merchandise

• Custom yacht flags and banners

• Professional event photography

• Videography

• Aerial footage where permitted

• Team photos

• Branded catering or event materials

These additions can be incorporated into the event proposal and arranged before the final planning deadline.

How do we choose the best event format?

The best format depends on your group size, available time, objectives and preferred level of competition.

Choose a Bronze Regatta for an accessible introduction to racing.

Choose Regatta & Relax for a balance of competition and social time.

Choose a Silver Regatta for experienced or highly competitive teams.

Choose Point to Point for navigation, strategy and problem-solving.

Choose a Treasure Hunt for a playful and light-hearted team activity.

Choose a custom event when you want to combine sailing, catering, branding, prizes or a specific event objective.

Not sure which option suits your team? Submit an enquiry and Sydney By Sail will recommend the most appropriate format.