We work with trusted sailing organisations that help our students explore New Zealand and offshore waters with confidence, skill and the right support.
Offshore cruising community and rallies · New Zealand, Australia & the South Pacific
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Wayfarer students get 3 months’ free Island Cruising membership with every course.
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If you dream of sailing offshore, Island Cruising is the organisation to join. It turns plans into passages with training, resources and a welcoming community of sailors across New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.
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When you’re ready to cast off, you can join one of its supported rallies.
https://www.islandcruising.nz/join-a-rally
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These are flexible, so you choose your own route and pace, with help available all the way.
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Membership includes:
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Offshore Cruising Preparation Course: unlimited access to Island Cruising’s online video program, covering:
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Vessel readiness: registration, safety gear, rig and sails, anchoring, water and power, electronics, engines, fuel and charts
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Crew readiness: watchkeeping, sea survival, seasickness, personal safety gear, medical kits, insurance, log-keeping and team dynamics
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Comms and weather: radio and satellite email, tracking, forecast sources and routing decisions
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Provisioning and emergencies: smart provisioning, health, search and rescue, and sourcing gear and services
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Case studies from past rally crews
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CrewSeeker: matches skippers with crew, a great way to build offshore sea time
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Member discounts from marine partners across NZ, Australia and the Pacific, which can quickly recoup the cost of membership
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Priority rally booking for Island Cruising’s supported events
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Weekly newsletter and monthly member magazine with news, tips and lessons learned
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Free membership for your partner or first mate
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Advocacy on behalf of all cruisers in the South Pacific
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After your free 3 months, membership is just NZD $129 a year (about AUD $120).
Island Cruising
CharterLink
CharterLink runs one of New Zealand’s largest bareboat charter fleets from Bayswater Marina on Auckland’s North Shore.
From the marina it’s a short sail into the Hauraki Gulf, with its sheltered anchorages, island beaches and some of the best cruising water anywhere.
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Wayfarer doesn’t run its own fleet. Instead we train on CharterLink’s well-maintained cruising yachts, which means you learn on the kind of boat you’ll actually sail once you’re qualified. You won’t spend your course on a dinghy or a stripped-out training boat.
You’ll handle a proper cruising yacht from day one: the same winches, the same systems and the same pontoon you’ll be leaving from on your first charter.
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That continuity matters. By the time you finish your IYT course, the boats, the marina and the local waters will already feel familiar. You’ll know where to fuel up, how the boats handle in a breeze and which bays are good for a quiet night at anchor.
When you’re ready to skipper your own adventure, whether that’s a weekend in the Gulf or a week cruising to the Bay of Islands, CharterLink is a natural next step.