About Us

All About Us
Sustainability & Us
Community, Partners & Us

Who We Are

Pilgrim Sailing was founded in 2010 by Paul and Clare Ley in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

We met racing on Sydney Harbour, just a month before Paul skippered his first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. With a shared love of sailing and Clare’s passion for food and entertaining, Pilgrim Sailing was born.

In 2015, we began operating on Magnetic Island during Sydney’s quieter winter months. It didn’t take us long to fall in love with island life, and by 2020, Pilgrim Sailing made a permanent move north.

Since then, we’ve been proudly offering a range of sailing experiences in the stunning Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — from relaxed sunset cruises to leisurely lunchtime sails and fully customisable private charters.

Find Out More About The Story of Pilgrim Magnetic Island
Find Out More About Pilgrim The Yacht
Magnetic-Island-sailing

Our Mission

Our mission is to create unforgettable experiences which combine total relaxation and delicious food while showcasing Magnetic Island and its natural beauty.

  • Our love for sailing and being on the water is the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or stepping aboard for the first time, we’re here to share that joy with you. Nothing brings us more happiness than watching someone fall in love with sailing for the very first time.

  • Excellence is our standard. We are dedicated to providing first-class service to every guest who steps aboard our vessels. From the moment you make your booking to the end of your journey, we are committed to exceeding your expectations and ensuring your experience with us is nothing short of exceptional.

  • We believe small gestures can make a big difference. From personalised service to attention to detail, we strive to create memorable experiences by focusing on the little things that matter most to our guests.

  • We are committed to supporting local producers, sourcing ingredients and products from within our community whenever possible. By supporting local businesses, we strengthen our community and promote economic sustainability.

  • We operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and focus on practical ways to reduce our impacts—such as reducing single‑use items onboard, separating and recording waste and recycling, tracking energy generation/use via solar meter readings, and tracking fuel use via receipts and logs. We also train staff and review our performance regularly as part of continuous improvement.⁠⁠

    We’re always looking for ways to do better—you can learn more about our sustainability initiatives here.

Meet the Crew

  • Paul Ley standing by Pilgrim

    Paul Ley - Owner & Skipper

    Paul has been working in the marine industry for over 20 years as a captain of a wide array of vessels and teaching sailing courses as a Royal Yachting Australia Instructor.

    In his early career, he qualified with the RAAF as a fitter and refined his skills as a marine mechanic, fixing engines and everything else. In the late 1980s, Paul was a Dive Master in Cairns.

    Paul is one of the skippers on board and ensures the vessel is in perfect working order for every charter.

  • Clare Ley - Owner

    Clare Ley - Owner

    Clare started off her career as a chartered accountant with over 20 years experience in the financial services industry.

    Now, she runs the behind-the-scenes at Pilgrim Sailing—handling bookings, admin, marketing, finances, and all hospitality needs.

    Clare combines her experience in corporate world with her love for entertaining,  and is highly aware of the levels of professionalism and attention to detail needed for a successful event.

  • Clayton Scott - Skipper

    Clayton Scott - Skipper

    Clayton is a North Queensland boy with "salt water in his veins" and has called Magnetic Island home since 2005.
    ⁠
    Before settling on Maggie, Clayton spent five years circumnavigating Australia on his yacht Buccaneer - an experienced sailor who loves the sea and Magnetic Island.
    ⁠
    Many know Clayton from his days running his successful fruit & veggie business in Cairns, the iconic Arcadia Store here on the island, as the welcoming smile at Mitre 10 or as one of the island's dedicated Volunteer Rural firefighters.⁠

  • Siobhan Matheson - Deckhand

    Siobhan Matheson - Deckhand

    Siobhan grew up on beautiful Magnetic Island and has always loved being out on the water, making her a perfect fit for the Pilgrim Sailing crew.

    When she’s not sailing, she’s hard at work studying for her Engineering degree.

    Her talents go well beyond engineering and sailing; she also manages our social media, keeps the boat sparkling clean, and—most importantly—is our Chief Pumpkin Chutney Maker. If you’ve tasted it on board, you’ve experienced a little bit of her magic!

  • Jaspa Stafford - Deckhand

    Jaspa Stafford - Deckhand

    Jaspa has lived on Magnetic Island his whole life and embodies the relaxed island spirit.

    Jaspa was raised in the hospitality world, with his parents, Dave and Sasha, running the iconic Barefoot Art Food Wine in Horseshoe Bay. He brings top-notch service and a sense of fun to the Pilgrim crew, helping make every experience onboard a memorable one.

    A lovely full-circle moment: Clayton had his very first date with his now-wife, Julie, at Barefoot Art Food Wine—where Sasha served them while she was pregnant with Jaspa. And now, Jaspa is now working alongside Clayton out on the water.

Sustainability-commitment-Magnetic-Island

Our Sustainability Commitment

We recognise we have a responsibility to manage environmental and social risks within our business and with our operations in a World Heritage Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, we strive to be best practice or better.

We’re committed to reducing the impacts we can control through measurable actions—waste reduction and recycling records, food organics diversion logs, solar generation monitoring, and fuel tracking—while continuing to improve over time.⁠⁠

Our Environmental & Social Sustainability Policy
Pilgrim-Sustainability-Journey

Our Sustainability Journey So Far

    • All food waste on board is recycled in the Magnetic Island’s BioRegen program which converts food waste into soil improver. This saves approximately 1600 litres of landfill per year.

    • We eliminated the use of disposable plates, platters, cups, and cutlery post-COVID.

    • We switched from bottles to aluminium cans for beer served on board.

    • We switched from glass bottles to PET bottles for 70% of our wine served on board. These new bottles are an initiative by Tamburlaine Organic Wines which uses lightweight, space-efficient, and fully recyclable packaging made from recycled materials, significantly reducing carbon emissions in both production and transportation.

    • We recycle all wine bottles and beer cans, with quantities measured quarterly.

    • We installed and upgraded solar panels on board Pilgrim to power the fridge, batteries, and other equipment.

    • Solar panels also power our storage shed and commercial kitchen for the business which is completely self-sufficient.

    • We monitor and record all kilowatt hours of energy used and generated

    • We track litres of fuel used in Pilgrim and company vehicles. However most crew use electric bicycle or scooter where possible.

    • We monitor water usage when filling Pilgrim’s water tanks.

    • We calculate net energy consumption each quarter.

    • We serve locally-sourced or homemade seasonal and sustainable ingredients on board, with a focus on organic and biodynamic produce.

    • We grow fresh produce at home, including pumpkins for the homemade chutney and herbs which are served on platters.

    • Winner of the Sustainability Excellence Award at the Townsville North Queensland Tourism Awards in November 2024

    • Achieved verified EarthCheck Certification (August 2024), a globally recognised sustainability benchmark.

    • Collect and analyse sustainability data daily and report quarterly.

    • Use a carbon footprint calculator from the Queensland Tourism Climate Action Plan to measure impact.

    • Committed to continual improvement and long-term accountability through EarthCheck’s renewal process.

  • Our Key Activities include:

    • Completely eliminate single-use plastics

    • Reduce our energy consumption with a focus on increasing our use of solar power

    • Increasing our application of sustainable food practices

    • Aligning all of our suppliers to our environmental principles

    • Educate our guests in environmental aspects which are valued by us.

Proud to Be Part of the Reef's Best

Our skipper Clayton is an accredited Master Reef Guide — one of less than 200 across the entire Great Barrier Reef. The title is awarded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and can't be self-nominated; guides are put forward by their operator, selected through a competitive process, and trained alongside reef scientists, Traditional Owners, and conservation experts.

For us, it's more than a credential. It reflects the standard we hold ourselves to and our commitment to this extraordinary place we're lucky enough to call our backyard.

Magnetic-Island-Brewery-girl-with-beers-smiling

Our Local Producers

Sourcing locally is one of the cornerstones of our sustainability story—it reduces food miles, supports the island economy, and ensures our guests enjoy the freshest, most authentic flavours. We're proud to work with incredible local producers who share our passion for quality and community.

  • This family-operated winery from the Hunter Valley, NSW, aligns perfectly with our organic ethos. They focus on producing wines that reflect the terroir while prioritising environmental health and sustainability. Their wines, which are also vegan-friendly, are a testament to their organic philosophy.

    https://tamburlaine.com.au

  • This remarkable cheese provider from the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns is a family-run business established in 2007. Their dedication to quality and tradition makes them an ideal partner.

    www.gallodairyland.com.au

    • Maggie Island Brewery: Located on Magnetic Island, this nano-brewery is known for its Holiday XPA, a popular choice we're proud to serve onboard and it’s Maggie’s Mid, a tasty mid-strength brew.

    • Townsville Brewery: Just across the water in Townsville, this brewery is committed to natural brewing processes, avoiding preservatives. We feature their Legends Lager, a local favourite, on our menu.

  • With their heritage as biodynamic farmers, Mount Zero Olives are passionate about sustainability and take their passion beyond the production of olives. They are also focused on sustainable packaging, reducing and eliminating their carbon footprint and providing the healthiest and most delicious food.

  • Situated in Ayr, they supply an array of fantastic dried fruits. Depending on the season, you can savour these in our platters and non-alcoholic cocktails.

  • Macadamias Australia is a family run farm in the Bundaberg Region. They have been growing macadamias since 2004.

  • Situated in Arcadia on Magnetic Island, owned by husband and wife team Richard and Barb. The Arcadia Bakehouse sells homemade pies and a range of sweet treats all lovingly made by Barb. We proudly offer Barb’s cakes as an extra for any special occasions on board.

Nelly-Bay-marina

Our Island Community, Charities & Partners

Over the years, we’ve been lucky to work with and support a variety of local businesses, community groups, and charities who share our values of connection, care, and sustainability.

    • Leukemia Foundation

    • Dance for Dignity

    • Ronald McDonald House

    • Cancer Council Queensland (including the Lexus of Townsville drive)

    • Brighter Lives Townsville

    • Mater Hospitals – specifically the public perinatal mental health beds initiative

    • Safe Night Townsville

  • We’re all about celebrating the island’s creative and community spirit. From art and animals to sport and wellness, we support the following in a variety of ways:

    • Best of Magnetic Photography Exhibition

    • Magnetic Island Turtle Network

    • Magnetic Island Bowls Club

    And across the water in Townsville:

    • Townsville Rehoming and Foster Animals

    • Studio Pilates

    • TanLines Distilling

    • Wally’s Weather

    • Magnetic Island Tours and Mi Ride provide our transfers for our private charters

    • Destination Adventure, our partner in the Trek & Sail

    • Peppers Blue on Blue hosts our Sip, Sail & Dine Packages