our story
We sailed into the Gold Coast commercial boating scene back in 2011 and thanks to our loyal guests and amazing crew we are thrilled to have grown to where we are now, offering 3 beautiful sailing catamarans for private charters and cruises departing from Marina Mirage.
With years of commercial boating experience in Sydney and the Gold Coast including skippering charter boats, water taxis, jet boats and commercial jet skis, Sailing in Paradise owner Steve Buckley brought a new style of sailing experience to the Coast.
"I wanted to offer an affordable luxury experience for locals and visitors to get out on the water and experience the Gold Coast’s beautiful waterways and islands. But most of all HAVE FUN doing it! "
Owner - Steve Buckley
After falling in love with our beautiful signature vessel ‘Spirit of Gwonda’ (which remains one of the best catamarans on the water for social occasions) the dream became a reality and Sailing in Paradise was born.
In response to guest demand, Gwonda's sister vessel the Seawind 1000XL joined our fleet in 2018, followed by Oceans, our deluxe vessel, in 2021!
All three boats were carefully selected to offer the same spacious deck area, stable sailing and beach landing capabilities.
Captains
Hi! We are Steve and Jess and we own and run Sailing in Paradise.
We realise that chartering a boat is not something that you do every day. Our aim is to make the entire experience as easy as possible, so that when you finally step aboard you can really just relax and enjoy the charter.
In fact, guest happiness is our highest priority. From your first enquiry, through to our optional catering/beverage packages and finally to our welcoming crew (who we are often told feel like part of the family after just a few short hours) we aim to exceed your expectations. We encourage you to check out our social channels and Guest Reviews (Instagram, Facebook and Trip Advisor links at bottom of page) to really get a vibe for what we are about.
Steve Buckley - Owner / Operator
Head Skipper Steve
Sailing in Paradise was the brainchild of Steve. Any of you who have sailed with Steve will probably recall his laid-back, likeable nature. Taking a hands-on and active involvement in the business, if you are a regular at the Marina you will often find him working hard during the week to ensure the boats are in tip-top condition for our next charter guests. He also skippers the boats regularly so rest assured you will be well looked after with Steve as part of your crew. A self-confessed gadget geek and wannabe film-maker, Steve can often be found with a plethora of gadgets such as drones, go pros and 360 cameras on charters. Steve is driven by a passion for food with a keen interest in native Australian produce that he is hoping to align with the future vision for Sailing in Paradise.
Jessica Buckley - Owner / operator
Guest Relations Guru
Originally from Leicester, England, Jess is now proud to be an Aussie and feels very lucky to be living in this beautiful part of the world. Jess joined the business full-time in 2017 bringing her background in Marketing and Event Management and with it an injection of fresh ideas and concepts, plus an unparalleled level of customer engagement. These days Jess works more behind the scenes to ensure that the business runs seamlessly, but still loves to be involved with our guests where she can . As well as the day-to-day, she is planning some exciting things to come for the future of Sailing in Paradise. Watch this space!
Our Crew
The crew onboard your vessel are such an important aspect of chartering a boat. Our aim is that you step aboard and feel instantly at ease so we have carefully selected our crew not only for their skill but also their amazing hospitality and fun personalities.
You don't want a grumpy skipper or sleazy deck crew making you feel uneasy on your special day and rest assured that won’t happen on a charter with us.
Chanelle
Cruise Hostess/Guest Relations
Always smiling, Chanelle brings a genuine warmth to any charter, with a background in 6-star hospitality and amazing skill behind the camera you will be well looked after by Chanelle either on board the boat or in the office.
Daniel
Skipper
Daniel is a former tradesman and joined our crew after years on the water at the Whitsunday Islands. He loves to make you laugh and he is always up for a chat!
Dan has a passion for the sea and when he's not out sailing, he can be found wakeboarding or jet skiing. You'll be sure to have a great day out with Daniel, "the captain of your hearts"!
Megan
Cruise Hostess
Megan is always smiling when out on the water and will be sure to make your event as special and fun as possible! Studying to become a teacher, her warm and caring nature will make your guests feel at home aboard our beautiful vessels.
Jemma
Cruise Hostess
Jemma has spent the past 10 years working as an outdoor adventure guide taking groups diving, kayaking, camping and hiking all over Australia. As a self-professed ocean nerd, Jemma will happily talk to you all about the local marine life… and she’s always ready to bust a move with our guests if the music is right!
Jamie
Cruise Hostess
Jamie is a professional cheerleader at heart and on the water! Full of big smiles and endless dance moves. She has also pursued a career as a nurse and has a passion for helping to create a positive experience for guests.
Her love of being on the water started with teaching as a canoe and kayak instructor for summer camps in Canada & sailing the Whitsundays and Greece.
Deon
Skipper
Deon has a love for the outdoors and 15 years experience in the marine and tourism industry. When not skippering for Sailing in Paradise Deon can usually be found hanging out with his dolphin friends and caring for our marine environment by rescuing trapped whales and injured marine life... Go Deon!!
Jiah
Skipper
When asked to write a bio Jiah said his favourite colour is electric beige, he enjoys birdwatching and is a wizz in the kitchen (he once cooked 2 minute noodles in under 1 minute ha ha). As you can tell, he is a bit of a joker and is always great for a laugh.
Hailing from the Whitsundays with over 11 years in the Marine industry, Jiah has a passion for sea life, the ocean and showing our guests around his new backyard here on the GC Broadwater.
Chelsey
Cruise Hostess
Chelsey is originally from Canada where her hobbies included snowboarding and beating boys at arm wrestles. She was drawn to the sunny shores of Australia and with a love of the outdoors and the ocean started a career in the marine world.
Chelsey is a super fun addition to our crew, bringing a great energy to her charters and is always super happy to help guests get “the shot”!
Mady
Bookings Manager
An approachable country girl with a well travelled background and years of experience in the international travel industry. Mady will likely be the person who helps book and organise your charter and you are in great hands! As a keen boatie herself, Mady brings a wealth of knowledge and along with her amazing organisational and communication skills will ensure you have a seamless booking and charter experience. Feel free to reach out to Mady if you have any questions about booking a charter with Sailing in Paradise!