Sail Port Stephens Regatta 2025

Sail Port Stephens 2025 is looking to be another record-breaking year of growth and demand for this event. Steadily growing for the past 18 years, last year’s regatta featured 11 action-packed days of sailing across three weeks with 215 boats participating.

Featured Image Credit: Sail Port Stephens Website

Sail Port Stephens has become a key event on the national sailing calendar, drawing over 1,000 competitors, family members, and industry representatives. With fleet sizes steadily increasing, organizers expanded the event in 2023 from a week-long regatta to a multi-event series featuring passage racing, offshore windward-leeward races, and off-the-beach competition.

Notable events include the Commodores Cup, Port Stephens Trophy, and NSW Yachting Championships. Post-sailing activities are held at various locations: d’Albora Nelson Bay during the Passage Series, The Anchorage Marina for Windward-Leewards, and the Bay Sailing Centre and Bannisters Cheeky Dog pub for the Bay Series.

With the backing of Port Stephens Council, a street party is scheduled in Nelson Bay on Wednesday, April 2, featuring free entertainment, a public street bar, late-night dining and shopping with exclusive offers, and giveaway competitions!

Watch the Sail Port Stephens 2023 Passage Race 1 video on YouTube.

A Brief History of Sail Port Stephens Regatta

In 2006, the Tomaree Events Forum and local business operators recognized Port Stephens as an ideal location for a major sailing event. Four local businesses provided initial funding, becoming the event’s Foundation Partners: The Anchorage Resort Port Stephens, d’Albora Marina, Wests Diggers, and All Seasons Salamander Shores, along with Port Stephens Council.

Expert advice was provided by Rhumbline Marketing, who had previously coordinated Australia’s largest regatta. They helped develop a strategy for the event, introducing professional race management by Right Tack, race administration by Top Yacht, and a partnership with Slam Clothing. Rhumbline also demonstrated the potential financial benefits of the event to Port Stephens Council, gaining their support. In 2007, the Corlette Point Sailing Association (CPSA) agreed to host the event, seeking backing from major Sydney clubs, YNSW endorsement, and began planning the inaugural regatta.

The 2008 event saw 25 boats participating, and by 2009 the regatta had grown by 160%, with 64 boats. It continued to expand, reaching 85 boats in 2010. The event is scheduled to always fall outside of Easter to better align with boat owners’ holiday plans.

While CPSA initially helped establish Sail Port Stephens as a key annual event, its continued growth required additional resources, leading to its current organization by the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club and Destination Port Stephens.

Sail Port Stephens is supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW and Port Stephens Council, with series sponsors including Pantaenius Australia, The Anchorage Marina, and Bannisters Port Stephens.

Passage Series and Commodores Cup

Watch the Bannister Port Stephens Commodores Cup day 2 video on YouTube.

The Commodores Cup, part of the combined Sail Port Stephens ‘Passage Series,’ will be held from March 31 to April 5, 2025, offering five days of racing under PHS. The series features a variety of courses that explore both inshore and offshore islands and bays, making it ideal for cruiser-racer crews who enjoy scenic, longer passage races. Open to all types of cruising and racing yachts, including both spinnaker and non-spinnaker boats, the event will have one race per day, with most courses marked by fixed buoys and occasional laid buoys, as well as some races around nearby islands. Handicaps will be adjusted daily

under PHS, and participants must follow YA Category 5 safety regulations. A Reserve Day is included in the schedule if needed.

The Passage Series will also include a welcome party on Monday night at the Bay Sailing Centre beachfront, with a free ferry service for participants and buses returning to Nelson Bay later. Additionally, the Port Stephens Council will host the Nelson Bay Street Party on Wednesday, April 3, offering live entertainment and street food.

Registration Times:

Sunday 30 March – 2-5pm
Monday 31 March – 8-10am

Performance Racing

The Performance Racing Series is a three-day event scheduled from April 25-27, 2025, at The Anchorage Marina and Anchorage Hotel and Spa in Corlette. It features the prestigious NSW Yachting Championships (IRC), the Rob Hampshire Cup (ORC), Act 3 of the TP52 Gold Cup (TPR and IRC), and the new Super Racer Cruiser division (IRC).

The races will include a mix of windward-leeward and passage courses. Yachts competing under ORC can participate in the Rob Hampshire Series, which honors the memory of the long-serving administrator who passed away in 2020.

Registration Times:

Thursday 24 April – 2-5pm
Friday 25 April – 8-9am

Bay Series

The Bay Sailing Centre at Salamander Bay will host a regatta for sports boats, trailer sailors, and off-the-beach classes as part of the ‘Bay Series.’ The event is scheduled for the weekend of May 2-4, 2025, with off-the-beach dinghies racing on May 3-4.

Sportsboat & J70s Registration Times:

Thursday 1 May – 4-5pm
Friday 2 May – 8-9am
Briefings start at approximately 9am

Off the Beach Registration Times:

Friday 2 May – 4-5pm
Saturday 3 May – 7.30-9am
Briefings start at approximately 10am

Regatta Information:

Dates:

31 March – 5 April – Passage Series (Commodores Cup)
25-27 April – Performance Series (NSW Yachting Championships, TP52 Gold Cup Act 3, Rob Hampshire Cup, InterClub 40 Challenge, and Super RC Series)
2-4 May – Bay Series (sports boats, J70s)
3-4 May – Bay Series (dinghy divisions)

Location:

Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre, 60 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, Australia

Visitor Information:

• Event Schedule – Please click here for the full schedule of events.
• Excursions & Activities – Port Stephens offers plenty to do in spare time, from thrilling adventures on the Stockton Sand Dunes to more relaxed activities like wine tasting tours in the Hunter Valley. The Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre, just a short walk from d’Albora Marina, has helpful staff who can assist with information and bookings for various activities. For those looking to arrange group tours, the Sail Port Stephens team is available to assist with all the details. Click here to view a list of activities or browse local beaches here.
• Air Travel – Newcastle Airport is located in Port Stephens and just a 20-minute drive from the regatta. The airport offers daily flights serviced by Jetstar, QantasLink, and Virgin, providing convenient access for participants and visitors.
• Parking – At Nelson Bay, all marina parking is paid, so it’s recommended to use the free car park on Donald Street, a 5-minute walk away. Limited parking is available at Soldiers Point Marina, with some on-street and holiday parking spaces. The Anchorage Marina offers on-site parking and nearby street parking.
• Accommodations – Port Stephens Accommodation and Winning Holidays are top providers of quality holiday stays in the area, offering a variety of options from budget-friendly accommodation to luxury waterfront homes for short or extended stays. They can assist in finding the ideal place, whether you prefer to be near Nelson Bay, Corlette, or Soldiers Point. The Anchorage and Bannisters are also wonderful places to stay. Click here for crew accommodation.
• Berthing – Top marina options include The Anchorage Marina, d’Albora Marina Nelson Bay, and Soldiers Point Marina.
• Food/Beverage Options – Port Stephens offers an abundance of fresh local produce, including seafood straight from its pristine waters. Visitors can enjoy various dining experiences, such as sunset dinner cruises, fine restaurants with stunning bay views, or the relaxed atmosphere of a sidewalk café or restaurant.

Visit the Sail Port Stephens Regatta website for more information.

Watch the Spectacular finale to Sail Port Stephens 2019 video on YouTube.