Few regattas in New Zealand carry the sense of occasion that surrounds Bay of Islands Sailing Week. The 2026 edition, scheduled for 19 to 23 January, brings yachts, multihulls, and trailer sailors together for four days of racing across some of the country's most spectacular coastal waters. Warm northern weather, competitive sailing, and a social atmosphere that is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere have made this event the standout summer regatta on the New Zealand calendar.
Four clubs share hosting duties: Bay of Islands YC, Kerikeri CC, Opua CC, and Russell BC. The regatta's operational home is the Opua Cruising Club, and racing fans out across the sheltered, scenic reaches of the Bay of Islands throughout the week. The 2026 programme also incorporates the 2026 Sports Boat Class Championship, raising the competitive stakes for that fleet in particular.
The Notice of Race caters to a wide cross-section of keelboats and multihulls. Sailors can enter under either Open Racing, which blends windward/leeward courses with Bay races, or Island Racing, built around scenic passage-style courses threading through the Bay. Divisions cover Open B, C, and D, along with Non-Spinnaker, Sports Boat, and Young 88 classes. The week begins with a skippers' briefing on Monday 19 January, and racing runs from Tuesday through to Friday, with daily starts from 10:25 am. Open Racing fleets can expect up to three windward/leeward races each day, while Island Racing boats complete two scenic Bay courses daily, keeping the week full without tipping the balance away from enjoyment.
Entry is already open at boisailingweek.org.nz, with early-bird pricing available until 1 December 2025. The fee structure is straightforward: $400 before 1 December, rising to $500 through December, and $600 once January arrives. All entries must meet Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations, with Category 4 applying to keelboats and multihulls and Category C covering trailer yachts and sports boats. Every vessel is required to carry a VHF radio monitoring local channels 17, 73, 77, and 16.
Racing takes place within the Pewhairangi Marine Mammal Sanctuary, and organisers hold a special permit that allows racing to proceed during scheduled hours while keeping the event fully within conservation requirements.
The scale of volunteer effort behind Bay of Islands Sailing Week is considerable. The regatta's committee points to the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, and supporters whose work makes the event possible year after year. Chair Andrew Kearney believes the format itself explains much of the event's lasting appeal. "You'll find Olympic sailors and weekend cruisers racing side by side," he said. "It's about great racing, but it's also about the Bay, the people, and the celebration of sailing."
Off the water, the Opua Cruising Club marquee provides the social hub each evening, with the customary post-race rum and music a firm fixture on the schedule. The week closes with a prizegiving on Friday evening, following the final day of racing.
After two decades of steady growth, Bay of Islands Sailing Week has earned its reputation as a genuine must-do for New Zealand sailors. Whether a skipper is lining up for the first time or returning for another crack at the fleet, the 2026 edition looks set to deliver everything that has made the regatta so well regarded. The Notice of Race and entry information are available now through the official website.
