Donaghadee Sailing Club

Learn to sail, then race

The club teaches sailing through the RYA scheme rather than offering casual hire. Adults can start from scratch on a Start Sailing course (age 16+) and build through Basic Skills and Better Sailing, with spinnaker and performance courses beyond that. Juniors from 8 and youth from 12 learn dinghy sailing in Toppers, Lasers and GP14s, and there is a structured race-coaching pathway delivered by RYA-qualified coaches. The club holds RYA Training Centre, RYA Champion Club, RYA Sailability and ClubMark NI status, and you don't need your own boat or gear as club equipment is available. It suits families who want proper instruction and a club to belong to, rather than a one-off hire.

RYA courses Juniors from age 8 Adults from 16 Kit provided Book ahead Donaghadee Harbour

Good to know before you go:

Sailing clubs and watersports operators run kids' summer schemes, taster and try-sail days, RYA courses and seasonal race nights through the warmer months. Sessions are weather- and tide-dependent, so check the club's own calendar for current dates, bookings and prices.

What to bring

🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.

🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.

💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.

🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.

Everything before you go

Type

Membership sailing club and RYA Recognised Training Centre

What you can do

RYA dinghy and keelboat courses, junior/youth sailing schemes, race coaching, club racing

Public access

Membership club; RYA courses open to members and non-members (book ahead)

Booking

Essential

Age / ability

Juniors from 8, youth from 12, adult courses from 16; check swimming-ability requirement with the club

Kit provided

Club boats and equipment available; confirm what to bring when booking

Season

Mainly Easter into autumn, weather-dependent

Cost

Varies by course and membership - check current prices

Launches from

Donaghadee Harbour seafront

Parking

On-street and seafront parking nearby

Address

20 Shore Street, Donaghadee, BT21 0DG

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Essential

How much is it?

Varies by course and membership - check current prices

When does it run?

Mainly Easter into autumn, weather-dependent

Getting there

Donaghadee Sailing Club launches from Donaghadee Harbour seafront. On-street and seafront parking nearby. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around DonaghadeeSee what else is close by More water sports across NISurf, sail, kayak, SUP and more

The story

About the operator

Donaghadee Sailing Club is a member-run club based at Donaghadee Harbour on the County Down coast. It is an RYA Recognised Training Centre and RYA Onboard centre, running training for juniors, youth and adults in dinghies, keelboats and powerboats, with around 15 keelboats moored in the harbour and a fleet of club dinghies.

The club is also an RYA Champion Club and RYA Sailability centre and holds ClubMark NI accreditation, with an active racing and social calendar across the season.