The Notice of Race for the 24th Bay of Islands Sailing Week has landed, and the regatta is moving house. Shore-side operations shift to the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club in Opua and the lawn next door, away from the Opua Cruising Club base the event has used in past years.
Dates are set for Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 January 2027. Divisions stay as usual. Each division should expect multiple races a day.
Note the entry fees. Entry fees rise in three steps: $299 early bird before 1 November, $449 through December, $549 from 1 January until entries close at midnight on 18 January.
“We have significantly reduced the Early Bird entry fees to encourage as many boats as possible to register early and be part of the fun on and off the water,” notes regatta Chair Andrew Kearney. “The committee has worked hard and will continue to deliver an excellent experience to the highest standard.”
Note a rule change. There’s a rule change: the two-turns penalty has been dropped across every division in favour of a single turn.
Tony and Nina Kiff sailed into the Bay of Islands with their four children in 1992 and decided the place needed a proper regatta. They got the first Bay of Islands Sailing Week onto the water in 2003 with 39 boats and a $5,000 council grant that hadn’t actually arrived by race day.
The venue change promises a compact, high-atmosphere onshore base on the main lawn. To match this energy, the organising committee has introduced deep financial discounts for entries received before the summer rush begins, aiming to attract wide participation from both casual cruisers and dedicated sports boat syndicates.
Volunteers. This Regatta is run by volunteers, and not a mere handful. Around 60 volunteers give their time each regatta, on the water and ashore. If you’re keen to join this amazing effort, then don’t hesitate to the organisers know.
| Race Day | Open Racing | Island Racing |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 25 Jan | Up to 2 Bay Races, combined start area | |
| Tue 26 Jan | Up to 3 W/L races, or 2 W/L plus a Bay race | Up to 2 Bay races |
| Wed 27 Jan | Up to 3 W/L races, or 2 W/L plus a Bay race | Up to 2 Bay races |
| Thu 28 Jan | Up to 2 W/L races plus a Bay race | Up to 2 Bay races |
Racing takes place inside the Pewhairangi Marine Mammal Sanctuary, and organisers have applied to the Department of Conservation for a permit exempting competing and support boats from the sanctuary’s rules while they’re arriving at the start area and racing. Sanctuary rules apply at all other times.
