About Us
About City of Darwin Cruises
Australian Sailing Experiences (ASE) trades as City of Darwin Cruises an established Darwin family owned sailing business providing a range of eco-sailing soft adventure options on Darwin Harbour and beyond. There are 2 parts of the Business, one, the in- the-harbour eco-cruises and the other eco-cruises, focuses on the out-of-harbour eco-adventures.
City of Darwin Cruises commenced operating daytime and sunset cruises and overnighters on Darwin Harbour February 2003 on their sailing catamaran EcoVenture, a SeaWind 1000.
In March 2004, Les and Leslee Reif purchased a 38 foot Crowther Seafire sailing catamaran named Cherry Pie which has a C class survey (max 21 on outside Harbour day trips and 8 plus 2 crew for overnight trips).
Jevon Reif is the Operations Manager for City of Darwin Cruises which provides eco habitat cruises and relaxing sailing cruises on the harbour. In 2007 City of Darwin Cruises purchased a brand new sailing catamaran, a SeaWind 1050 Resort (EcoCity) specifically designed for the tourism market and has a capacity of 30 pax. This vessel has full shade, protection from rain, cushioned seating and is carpeted.
Both Les and Leslee have travelled and cruised the Top End coastal areas for over 30 years. They both have science degrees and have been involved in natural resource management. They provide guests with information on top end marine environments as well as providing a relaxed luxury soft adventure sailing experience.
The Bynoe Harbour Marine Park experience provides a great family getaway, for either locals wanting some time out, or for the traveller wanting to enjoy the Top End coastal areas and Islands. An ideal destination is Bare Sand Island, the major Flatback turtle nesting ground in Northern Australia. Nesting occurs generally between the months of April-September.
In 2008 the Seawind 1160 ‘EcoSafari’ has been used for 2, 3 and 5 day (or more) sailing adventures, so get in early to book your relaxing safari.
The main product will generally be 2, 3 or more day family sailing safaris to Bynoe Harbour with 1 night at Bare Sand Island looking for nesting turtles. Other adventures may be longer and tailored to our clients needs - and may include the Tiwi Islands, or Vernon Islands - historic Escape Cliffs, Cape Hotham, or Seafaris to Cape Don, Coburg and the Wessels Islands.