Pilgrim Sailing on Magnetic Island
Pilgrim Sailing's yacht, its skippers, the wines, beers and cheese served on the Sip and Sail, what to wear, access on board, and its other sails and prices.
Pilgrim Sailing is a small, owner-run sailing business on Magnetic Island with one yacht, Pilgrim: a 58-foot racing boat launched in Fremantle in 1992. Paul and Clare Ley own it; Paul Ley and Clayton Scott skipper it. Its best-known trip is the Sip and Sail, a 90-minute sunset sail from Nelly Bay with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks and a cheese platter, from AUD 139 a person on its own page (checked October 2026).
Check dates for the Sip and Sail
The yacht
Her first owner, Tim Ratten, wanted a yacht that was fast and comfortable. Scott Kaufman designed her, David Carter built her in Moree in New South Wales, and she was trucked to Fremantle, where SE Ward & Co, the yard behind the 1983 America’s Cup winner Australia II, fitted her rig and keel. The lead for her elliptical keel was melted down from Kookaburra III, the chase boat for Australia II. She was launched in 1992 and raced around Perth and at regattas in Asia, the King’s Cup among them.
The Leys saw her for sale at Cammeray Marina on Sydney Harbour in 2008 and bought her. They started Pilgrim Sailing in July 2010 with twilight racing on the harbour, spent winters on Magnetic Island from 2015, and sailed north for good in 2020. In 2023 they renamed the parent company after the island; Pilgrim Sailing is its sailing side. The yacht berths at Nelly Bay marina and sails on Cleveland Bay, between the island and Townsville.
On board there are beanbags on deck, a few small steps down to the seating, and beds below. The boat is licensed for 24 people; a private charter takes up to 16 and a shared Sip and Sail 12 at most.
The crew
- Paul Ley, owner and skipper: more than 20 years in the marine industry as a vessel captain and a sailing instructor with Royal Yachting Australia, and the one who keeps the boat running.
- Clayton Scott, skipper: on Magnetic Island since 2005 and an accredited Master Reef Guide, one of fewer than 200 on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Clare Ley, owner: bookings, the business side and the food, including the pumpkin chutney.
Pilgrim won the Sustainability Excellence Award at the Townsville North Queensland Tourism Awards in November 2024 and holds EarthCheck certification since August 2024; solar panels on board run the fridge and batteries.
What is poured
Every drink on the Sip and Sail is included and unlimited:
| What Pilgrim serves | |
|---|---|
| Wine | Tamburlaine organic wines: sparkling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, rosé and moscato. No red wine. |
| Beer | Holiday XPA and Maggies Mid from the Maggie Island Brewery in Picnic Bay; Legends Lager from Townsville Brewing Co. |
| Without alcohol | Soft drinks, non-alcoholic wine and non-alcoholic gin cocktails |
From Pilgrim Sailing’s own pages, checked October 2026. The selection can change.
On a private charter, Pilgrim allows pre-mixed drinks for guests who drink neither wine nor beer, handed to the crew when you board; no spirits, red wine or large eskies.
What is on the platter
The sunset platter is a grazing plate, served once the first drinks are poured. On it (checked October 2026):
- Cheese from Gallo Dairyland, a family farm in the Tablelands: a sharp cheddar, a soft macadamia-nut cheese and a runny camembert
- Labna, homemade, marinated in olive oil, garlic and herbs and topped with cherry tomatoes and basil
- Dried mango from Airdale Orchards in Ayr
- Crackers, and Clare’s pumpkin chutney, a recipe that has been on the platter since Hamilton Island Race Week in 2016
The jars of chutney are sold at the Arcadia Bakehouse. If you want dinner after the sail, Pilgrim’s “Sip, Sail and Dine” add-on is a two-course meal at the Boardwalk Restaurant at Peppers for AUD 75 a person (checked October 2026). Pilgrim asks to hear about dietary needs when you book.
What to wear and bring
- Shoes with light-coloured soles and no heels, and comfortable clothes.
- Something warm for sunset sails from June to September.
- A tablet if you get seasick: Cleveland Bay is generally sheltered, but a swell can build with the wind, and Pilgrim suggests taking a travel-sickness tablet about an hour before.
Access on board
There are steps to board, where the crew help, and a couple of small steps down to the seating. The marina has ramp access. The yacht heels when it sails. The only toilet is below deck, down a steep staircase. Pilgrim asks guests with high support needs to bring a carer, and wheelchair users to contact it in advance: boarding may need a lifting system and your own sling.
Pilgrim’s other trips and prices
| Trip | Length | Pilgrim’s own price | On Viator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sip and Sail Sunset Cruise | 1.5 to 2 hours | From AUD 139, plus AUD 6 on Fri, Sat, holidays, full moons and peak season | From US$104 |
| Lunchtime Sailing Cruise | 4 hours, about 2 at anchor | From AUD 229, plus AUD 20 on public holidays | From US$171 |
| Lunchtime sail from Townsville, ferry included | About 6 hours with the ferry | Ferry tickets as an extra when booking | From US$204 |
| Private Sunset Charter | 1.5 to 2 hours | From AUD 139 a person, minimum charge of 10 guests | Not listed |
Pilgrim’s prices checked October 2026; Viator prices checked October 2026. Every Pilgrim price includes the reef’s environmental management charge.
The lunchtime sail meets on the same Peppers deck at 10:00 for a 10:15 start, sails along the coast, anchors for about two hours in a bay such as Radical Bay for a swim, and serves local prawns and antipasto; stinger suits are provided from November to May. The private charter guide covers having the boat to yourselves.
The lunchtime sail is also on GetYourGuide, from US$168 (checked October 2026); its calendar is below. This is Pilgrim’s daytime sail, not the Sip and Sail, which GetYourGuide does not list.
Reviews
The Sip and Sail carries 5.0 from 272 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor combined (checked October 2026), most of them on Tripadvisor.
Sail on Pilgrim at Sunset
Ninety minutes on Cleveland Bay from Nelly Bay, at most 12 guests, with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks and the cheese platter.
Check dates on Viator