On The Water with Clare Ley from Pilgrim Sailing

Paul and Clare-Pilgrim

We first met Clare when she ordered COAST Beanbags for Pilgrim, her beautifully restored 58 foot yacht based off Magnetic Island - and we’ve been fans ever since. Together with her husband Paul, Clare runs Pilgrim Sailing, offering guests unforgettable way to experience the Great Barrier Reef: barefoot luxury, island breezes, and good wine under sail. With her deep passion for the ocean and eye for thoughtful detail, Clare has created something truly special - experiences that feel both indulgent and effortlessly relaxed. If you haven’t sailed with Pilgrim yet, it’s one for the bucket list.

1. Magnetic Island is a truly unique destination. What makes sailing there so special, and what are your favourite hidden spots within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park?

Magnetic Island is a truly unique destination - just 20 minutes from Townsville, yet it feels a world apart. With 23 bays and beaches, many only accessible by boat, and 80% of the island protected as National Park, it’s a place of raw beauty, incredible hiking, and the best chance to see koalas in the wild. Unlike other Queensland destinations, it has a relaxed, authentic vibe and plenty of space to enjoy nature without the crowds.

Sailing here is magical because you see the island from an entirely different perspective. The granite headlands, fringing reefs, and hidden bays are even more breathtaking from the water. Often we’ll be anchored in complete tranquillity, with no other boats in sight, the water gently lapping, and turtles surfacing beside us. Some of our favourite spots are Florence and Radical Bays — untouched, picture-perfect, and only accessible on foot or by sea. We also love Huntingfield Bay in Five Beach Bay, which is only accessible by boat and transforms in the wet season with a spectacular waterfall tumbling down the granite boulders.

2. Pilgrim Sailing offers a very personal experience on the water. What do you love most about hosting guests onboard, and how do you make it memorable for them?

What we love most is the connection and hearing our guests stories. There are no scripts on our cruises - every experience is shaped by the people on board. We get to know our guests and tailor what we share, whether that’s the island’s history, its wildlife, or simply creating space for them to switch off and relax. Guests often say it feels more like being welcomed onto a friend’s yacht than being on a tour. That authenticity - paired with beautiful food, wine, and the yacht herself - is what makes the experience memorable.

3. Our readers love food and wine—what’s a favourite menu or drink ritual you share with guests while at anchor?

For us, the platters are a highlight. At lunchtime it’s locally-caught prawns and antipasto, while at sunset it’s all about cheeses and our signature pumpkin chutney. The presentation is beautiful, but what guests love most is the story - every item is sourced carefully, from regional producers or made by us. Pair that with a chilled glass of Australian organic wine or local craft beer while sitting barefoot on deck in a secluded bay, and it’s the perfect ritual.

4. What are some of the most memorable wildlife encounters you’ve had sailing around Magnetic Island and the Reef?

Wildlife encounters are part of every lunchtime cruise, adding an extra layer of magic to the day. You might spot a turtle surfacing beside the yacht, a school of batfish gathering at the stern or swimming alongside guests, a Sea Eagle gliding overhead, or the resident Brahminy Kite swooping down for his pilchard. In Florence Bay, he’ll sometimes even take it gently from the skipper’s hand. Each encounter is different, always unexpected, and always a highlight for our guests. 

5. For those new to sailing, what little luxuries or “can’t-do-without” items make life onboard more enjoyable?

It’s the small details that elevate the experience. Our fabulous Coast beanbags on deck for lounging, which all of our guests make a beeline for, a giant inflatable mat for floating in the bay with a drink in hand, organic wines served in Pilgrim’s custom wine glasses, and plenty of shaded space to relax all make life onboard effortless. Guests often tell us it’s this balance of comfort and barefoot simplicity that makes them feel at home straight away.

6. You and your husband Paul have created something special with Pilgrim Sailing. What inspired you both to start this venture, and how has the journey evolved?

It all started in Sydney, when we fell in love with Pilgrim, our 58-foot yacht. On a whim, we made an offer to buy her - and to our surprise, it was accepted. Suddenly we had a beautiful racing yacht and needed to find a way to keep her working. So we combined our love of sailing, food, and wine, and launched Pilgrim Sailing on Sydney Harbour, hosting guests on twilight races several times a week. In time, we realised Magnetic Island was where we truly wanted to be - a down-to-earth tropical paradise with a more relaxed pace of life. So Pilgrim made the journey north, and today she’s at home in these turquoise waters. Our business has evolved from racing to creating relaxed, intimate sailing experiences that celebrate everything we love about this island.

7. Looking ahead, how do you see sailing and charter experiences in the Great Barrier Reef evolving, especially with the growing focus on sustainability and protecting this extraordinary environment?

The future of sailing and charter experiences will be all about balance - providing unforgettable guest experiences while protecting the reef and the islands for future generations. Guests are becoming more conscious about sustainability, and rightly so. For us, that means continually reducing our footprint: sailing instead of motoring wherever possible, serving local and sustainable produce, eliminating single-use plastics, and recycling everything we can - even food waste. Being EarthCheck certified helps us measure our impact and stay accountable. We believe the best operators will be those who can deliver both - world-class experiences with genuine care for the environment.

Stay tuned for the next edition of On the Water, where we’ll bring you more stories from those who live - and design - for life at sea.