Southeast Asia is known for its beautiful islands and archipelagos, which offer much more than white-sand beaches. Since the 1980s, the region has witnessed the ever-growing presence of sailors, yacht owners, and boat enthusiasts who call its shores home.
Year after year, Southeast Asia attracts hundreds of yacht and boat owners to its waters to participate in several regattas, offering different challenges. From smooth sailing events on flat waters to more challenging regattas in ever-changing weather, the region hosts some of the world’s most exciting boating events.
This article presents the top regattas in Southeast Asia you should never miss.
Thailand
1. Samui Regatta
Photo: The Phuket News
Considered one of Asia’s most competitive regattas, the Samui Regatta is held on the island of Koh Samui. Typically based at Chaweng Beach with boats sailing all over the island, over 500 competitors from 22 countries join this event each year, held between May and June.
Regattas Asia organizes the Samui Regatta in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Province of Surat Thani, and other local organizations.
2. The Bay Regatta
The Bay Regatta is a 3-island event featuring Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. Covering over 4 days of competitions, the event’s highlight is sailing over the flat waters of Phuket and moving towards the first island in Phang Nga Bay, which is Ko Phanak. Yachts and boats then sail to the rest of Phang Nga and Krabi before sprinting back to Phuket.
3. Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is one of the oldest in the region. Established in 1987 and held annually since then, the event attracts over 100 yachts and over 600 sailors worldwide. Held at Phuket’s west coast, the regatta is a week-long celebration of races, parties, and an award ceremony. As Asia’s most popular, it attracts owners of catamarans, keelboats, and even windsurfers to participate in its coastal, inshore races and parties.
Singapore
1. Republic of Singapore Yacht Club Regatta
Photo: Yachts and Yachting
Primarily a keelboat event, this annual regatta is held over two different weekends and features three days of fleet racing over the waters of Singapore. Considered one of Singapore’s oldest events, it was established in the 1920s and is regarded as a premier local club yachting event.
2. Singapore Straits Regatta
The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club Charter Club hosts the city-state’s first regatta of the year. Yachts sail in the strait between the Indonesian Riau Islands and Singapore. The event was revived in 2022 after a hiatus many years after its establishment in the 1990s. It involves one passage race and three short inshore races over the Strait of Johor.
3. Western Circuit Regatta
The Western Circuit Regatta is another event held over two weekends in Singapore. It involves three days of sailing and is organized by Raffles Marina and the SMU (Singapore Management University). Considered the premier regatta on the racing scene in Singapore, it involves yachts and boats sailing on the waters in front of the Singapore Raffles Marina.
Malaysia
1. Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta
Photo: Malaysia Truly Asia
This regatta, organized by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, takes place around Langkawi – one of the top yachting destinations in Asia and Penang. It involves six racing days, including three long overnight offshore passage races and three days of harbor racing. It is one of the most challenging regattas in Southeast Asia, covering 300 miles of sailing over waters with unpredictable obstacles.
2. Royal Langkawi International Regatta
Established in 2003, the Royal Langkawi International Regatta is organized by the Malaysian Sailing Association in conjunction with the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. It is one of the few regattas in the region that welcomes beginners with no experience and covers over 6 days of round-the-cans and coastal racing over the waters of the Andaman Sea.
Southeast Asia: A Premier Destination for Regattas
Overall, Southeast Asia is one of the ideal destinations for regattas, not only for its beautiful waters and tropical weather but also for its charming hospitality and cultural heritage. Holding events in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand creates opportunities for yacht owners, skippers, crew, and boat enthusiasts to witness some of the most prestigious races in the world, but also state-of-the-art facilities and a welcoming atmosphere perfect for hosting such events.
With scenic landscapes, gorgeous islands, beautiful weather, and smooth and challenging sailing waters, Southeast Asian regattas allow boat and yacht enthusiasts to explore the region’s waters, undeniable hospitality, and rich culture.
Check out our other Yachting/Boating articles for more interesting topics.
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Featured Image by Yacht Racing in Asia
