Leeuwin Ocean Adventure

What Leeuwin Ocean Adventure does

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation Ltd is a Western Australian not-for-profit established in 1986 that operates the STS Leeuwin II, Australia's largest sail training tall ship, headquartered at B Berth, Victoria Quay, Fremantle. The foundation delivers structured multi-day sail training voyages and four-hour day sails for youth aged 14-24, adults, families, school groups, corporate teams, and people with disabilities, using traditional tall ship operations as the medium for leadership development, confidence building, and team building. Core programs include Youth Adventure voyages (week-long, ages 14-24), Ocean Adventure voyages (16+), Duke of Edinburgh Award voyages as a Registered Activity Provider, Ultimate Challenge voyages adapted for participants with intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities, Abrolhos Adventure voyages to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, and specialty family voyages (Parent Project). The organization runs ancillary revenue lines including day sail gift cards, branded merchandise, and a recurring membership program offering voyage discounts and complimentary sails.

The foundation's business model blends fee-for-service voyage revenue with substantial philanthropic and corporate sponsorship. Standard voyage fees start at approximately $2,250 per participant for week-long programs, with scholarship-subsidized rates from $975 to $1,375 funded by named corporate sponsors including Woodside Energy, CBH Group, AngloGold Ashanti, Minderoo Foundation, Lotterywest, and community organizations including Rotary and Lions Clubs. The ship was catastrophically damaged in an August 30, 2024 collision in Fremantle Harbour resulting in dismasting; the organization went through voluntary administration and a multi-year refit and rebuild process, returning to service in 2026 with new leadership (Jo Lynch appointed CEO effective June 22, 2026, succeeding Lawson Dixon). Operational expansion signals include scheduled Tasmania voyages in 2027 and a 2025-launched decarbonisation initiative with Sustainable Ocean Shipping Hub (SOSHA) and Fremantle Ports evaluating hybrid propulsion feasibility.

Name

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure

Legal name

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation Ltd

Website

https://sailleeuwin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, established 1986, operates Australia's largest sail training tall ship (STS Leeuwin II) from Fremantle, Western Australia, delivering youth development, leadership, and accessible adventure voyages for participants aged 14-24, adults, families, schools, and people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sail Training and Youth Development Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Sailing Cruises (Windjammers & Tall Ships) (THAEADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM), Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC), Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Sail training voyages
• Youth development programs
• Tall ship experiences
• Adventure sailing programs
• Maritime education charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Fremantle

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Voyage Fees: Participation fees charged for multi-day youth and adult adventure voyages, day sails, school charters, and specialty programs. Pricing varies by voyage type and duration.
2. Donations and Sponsorship: Charitable contributions from individuals, community organizations, and corporate sponsors supporting scholarships and program accessibility.
3. Gift Cards and Merchandise: Day sail gift cards and branded merchandise sold through the organization.
4. Membership Program: Annual memberships offering benefits including 10% discount on voyages, complimentary 3-hour sail vouchers, and access to member events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation operates the STS Leeuwin II, Australia's largest sail training tall ship, based in Fremantle, Western Australia. The organization sells multi-day youth development voyages, adult adventure voyages, Duke of Edinburgh Award voyages, accessible Ultimate Challenge voyages, school charters, and 4-hour public Day Sails. All programs use traditional tall ship sailing as the experiential medium for personal development, leadership training, and team building.

Product overview

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure operates the STS Leeuwin II, Australia's largest sail training tall ship, as a unified youth development and adventure sailing platform. The core offering consists of multiple voyage types: Youth Adventure voyages (ages 14-24) focusing on leadership and confidence building; Ocean Adventure voyages (16+) offering more advanced challenges; Duke of Edinburgh Award voyages as a registered activity provider; Ultimate Challenge voyages adapted for participants with disabilities; and School Charters for educational groups. Supporting these core programs are Day Sails (4-hour public experiences accommodating up to 130 passengers) and Day Sail Gift Cards. The organization also offers specialty voyages including Abrolhos Adventure voyages and Tasmania 2027 voyages. All programs use tall ship sailing as the medium for personal development, teamwork, and leadership skill building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STS Leeuwin II: The tall ship vessel operated by the foundation for sail training voyages and youth development programs.

Products and services

• Youth Adventure Voyages Week-long immersive sailing voyages for young people aged 14-24 focused on developing leadership skills, building confidence, and fostering peer connections through hands-on tall ship operations.
• Ocean Adventure Voyages Multi-day challenging sailing voyages for participants aged 16 and above offering advanced sailing experiences with increased complexity and adventure.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Voyages Structured sailing voyages delivered as a Registered Activity Provider enabling participants to complete components of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Australia at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.
• Ultimate Challenge Voyages Five-day adapted voyages designed for people with intellectual, physical, or sensory challenges, providing accessible adventure experiences on the water with appropriate support.
• Day Sails Four-hour public sailing experiences departing from Fremantle allowing participants to experience tall ship sailing, learn about vessel operations, and enjoy the Western Australian coastline. Accommodates up to 130 passengers.
• School Charters Tailored sailing programs and excursions for schools, ranging from port visits and day sails to week-long voyages, providing educational and team-building experiences for student groups.
• Day Sail Gift Cards Gift vouchers redeemable for day sail experiences, offered as birthday or Christmas gift options for adventure enthusiasts seeking unique outdoor experiences.
• Abrolhos Adventure Voyages Specialized five-day voyages to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands off Geraldton, offering adults aged 18+ an exploration of Western Australia's coral reefs and maritime history.
• Tasmania 2027 Voyages Multi-day voyages sailing from Western Australia to Hobart, Tasmania, with the STS Leeuwin II participating in tall ships maritime events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 young people transformed since 1986
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEAREADYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Partnership during Leeuwin's refit and rebuild providing expertise and generous support. SEAREADY's involvement instrumental in recovery efforts following the August 2024 collision incident.
• The Lost QuaysminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2025Fremantle shanty band hosting fundraiser event with other groups to support Leeuwin restoration.
• Sustainable Ocean Shipping Hub (SOSHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on major decarbonisation initiative to reduce emissions and secure sustainable future for STS Leeuwin II.
• 20TalkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Mental Health Maintenance workshop provider delivering 1-day courses with practical tools for wellbeing across 12 dimensions.
• Volunteering WAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to highlight volunteer contributions and community impact of Leeuwin programs.
• Fremantle PortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome port operator providing berth at B Berth Victoria Quay. Also partnered on decarbonisation project funding and maritime community events.
• West Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment support including recognition as key youth development organization. Provides funding through various government programs.
• Relationships Australia WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Parent Project voyage program bringing families together through shared adventure at sea with professional facilitators.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeeuwin is a Registered Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Australia.
• Diabetes WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership selecting two young people with Type 1 diabetes to participate in Ultimate Challenge voyages.
• WesTrac Cat and Energy Power Systems CATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated two turbos and key parts for generators during refit. Valued contribution to getting ship back into service.
• SeaReady GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of companies providing instrumental support in getting ship back in water after 2024 collision.
• International AkzoNobelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate supporter of Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.
• Fremantle FoundryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate supporter providing resources for organizational operations.
• Outback Fuel DistributorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-kind partnership providing fuel support from Carnarvon location.
• Civmec and OneSteelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsored steel for Fore and Main Mast replacements during 2017 refit period.
• Government House Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHis Excellency The Honourable Chris Dawson APM and Mrs Dawson serve as Patrons of the Foundation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• STS Young Endeavour: Royal Australian Navy-operated sail training ship running youth development voyages for 16-23 year olds. Most direct comparable: same Australian context, similar shipboard youth development model, same target demographic, government-funded rather than not-for-profit.
• Spirit of New Zealand Trust: New Zealand sail training trust operating a three-masted barquentine providing youth development voyages. Direct peer in mission, vessel type, and youth demographic; new CEO Jo Lynch served as volunteer crew for five years here.
• Tall Ships Youth Trust (UK): UK-based charity operating sail training vessels for youth aged 12-25. Direct international peer with similar mission of using tall ship voyages to develop young people, comparable operating model and target demographic.
• Windeward Bound: Tasmanian-based sail training vessel operator offering youth voyages in Australian waters. Direct peer sharing the Australian sail training market, particularly relevant as Leeuwin prepares its Tasmania 2027 voyages.
• R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust: New Zealand-based tall ship sail training trust offering youth voyages on a similar traditional sailing vessel model. Direct peer: same youth-development mission, comparable vessel type, and the direct previous organisation of incoming Leeuwin CEO Jo Lynch.

Emerging players

• Outward Bound Australia: Australian experiential youth development provider using adventure-based learning including sailing components. Comparable for the youth personal-development mission and overlapping participant pool, though broader in modality.
• Class Afloat: Canadian youth education program combining academic schooling with tall ship sailing. Comparable for the youth-education-meets-sail-training model and structured curriculum delivery.
• Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK charity operating two tall ships specifically designed to enable disabled and non-disabled people to sail together. Comparable to Leeuwin's Ultimate Challenge voyages and accessibility-focused programming.

Regional players

• Sydney Heritage Fleet: Sydney-based volunteer organisation operating heritage vessels including tall ships. Adjacent peer: shared maritime heritage mission and vessel operations, but primarily east-coast based with a heritage/preservation rather than youth-development focus.

Others

• Sail Training International: UK-based international membership body for the sail training industry. Comparable not as a competitor but as the sector umbrella under which Leeuwin received its 2016 Sail Trainer of the Year award and competes internationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leeuwin-ocean-adventure-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leeuwin Ocean Adventure