Days Out NI
Water sports Holywood

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

Belfast Lough sailing club with RYA cadet courses and adult learn-to-sail sessions

4 photos
SeasonalSpring to autumn, weather-dependent; summ…
TicketedBook ahead
HolywoodWater sports
Get directions
TicketedCost
Spring to autum…Season
Cadet courses f…Best for
Club slipway on…Launches
NearbyParking

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club — Belfast Lough sailing club with RYA cadet courses and adult learn-to-sail sessions.

  • What you can do: RYA cadet courses (Stages 1 to 4), junior cadet sessions, adult beginner learn-to-sail sessions, club racing for members.
  • Public access: Members-only for general sailing and racing; RYA courses and adult beginner sessions are bookable by non-members.
  • Booking: Essential, through the club's online booking system.
  • Age / ability: Cadet courses for juniors and adult beginner sessions available; basic swimming ability advisable around boats. Confirm minimum ages with the club.
  • Kit provided: Boats provided on courses. Check wetsuit and buoyancy-aid provision with the club.
  • Season: Spring to autumn, weather-dependent; summer courses and seasonal cadet sessions.
Plan your visit

Learn to sail on Belfast Lough

RNIYC is an RYA-accredited training centre, so the courses follow recognised standards. Cadets can work through RYA Stages 1 to 4 on week-long summer courses, typically running through the day Monday to Friday, plus Sunday morning and Wednesday cadet sessions across the season. Older cadets (around 13+) can train towards becoming assistant instructors. Adults with no experience are welcome on beginner learn-to-sail sessions aimed at getting you confident and safe afloat. This is a club rather than a drop-in hire spot, so the route in is booking onto a course rather than turning up to rent a board or kayak.

Sailing club RYA training centre Cadet courses Adult beginner sessions Book ahead Belfast Lough, Cultra
Good to know before you go:

Operators like this run kids' summer camps, taster and try-sail days, RYA courses and seasonal cadet sessions; sessions are weather- and tide-dependent, so check the club's own pages for current dates, bookings and prices.

Before you set off

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.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Membership sailing club and RYA-accredited training centre
What you can do
RYA cadet courses (Stages 1 to 4), junior cadet sessions, adult beginner learn-to-sail sessions, club racing for members
Public access
Members-only for general sailing and racing; RYA courses and adult beginner sessions are bookable by non-members
Booking
Essential, through the club's online booking system
Age / ability
Cadet courses for juniors and adult beginner sessions available; basic swimming ability advisable around boats. Confirm minimum ages with the club
Kit provided
Boats provided on courses. Check wetsuit and buoyancy-aid provision with the club
Season
Spring to autumn, weather-dependent; summer courses and seasonal cadet sessions
Cost
Check current course prices with the club
Launches from
Club slipway on Belfast Lough at Cultra
Address
7 Seafront Road, Cultra, Holywood, BT18 0BB
Parking
Not confirmed - check with the operator
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Essential, through the club's online booking system
How much is it?
Check current course prices with the club
When does it run?
Spring to autumn, weather-dependent; summer courses and seasonal cadet sessions
Getting there

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club launches from Club slipway on Belfast Lough at Cultra. Not confirmed - check with the operator. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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

About the operator

The North of Ireland Yacht Club was formed in 1899 and became the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in 1902. Today it is one of the largest sailing clubs in Northern Ireland, with around 1,000 members, based on the south shore of Belfast Lough at Cultra.

As an RYA-accredited training centre, the club runs a structured cadet programme based on RYA stages alongside a full racing calendar spanning dinghies to keelboats. It also trains its older cadets as assistant instructors to support newer sailors coming through.