Great Escape Sailing

Great Escape Sailing Logo SD FINAL - 11-07-18 PRINT-1.jpg

We share our love of sailing in the world-renowned Bay of Islands. 

Operating a fleet of eleven well-maintained kiwi designed and built yachts from our dock in Opua we teach sailing and offer affordable yacht charter.

With Great Escape you can gain the competence you need to safely cruise by yourselves.  Spend time with an instructor to develop skills and expertise then cast off by yourselves to enjoy a sailing adventure in the beautiful Bay of Islands.  We are Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) and International Yacht Training (IYT) accredited so you can also gain local and international sailing qualifications.  Our most popular course is the six-day adventure.  Designed for beginners, for three days it is you and your instructor out sailing each day. On the morning of day four, you head off, for three wonderful days exploring the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands by yourselves.

Experienced sailors can bareboat charter, casting off to explore the hundreds of islands, and wonderful anchorages. Choose your boat from Great Escape’s fleet of well-maintained 20’-31’ yachts.  Our boats are fun to sail, easily managed yachts suitable for couples, families, and groups of friends.  If you have a big group take a couple of boats for even more fun.  All the safety equipment and cruising gear you’ll need is aboard.  Enjoy sheltered cruising in a stunning natural environment, with warm clear and picturesque safe anchoring spots.    

Our crew are all passionate sailors with many ocean miles and numerous regattas under their belts.  Our instructors all hold Yachting New Zealand and International Yacht Training Qualifications.   

Great Escape is a certified New Zealand Maritime Transport Operator and we have been chartering yachts and teaching sailing for over twenty years.

We operate year-round in the winterless North.  Our sailing courses are from two to six days and range in cost from $445 to $1190 per sailor.  The daily hire for our yachts ranges from $190 – $430 (plus insurance and fuel), minimum hire periods apply during peak season.  Family-friendly.

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