Sailing in Tasmania

With its vibrant local yachting community, internationally-acclaimed sailing competitions, dazzling coastal scenery and high standard of facilities and services, Tasmania has everything you would expect from a modern maritime community steeped in traditions of boat-building, fishing and seafaring.

Spinakers
The coastal waters of Tasmania make for wonderful sailing. ©Tourism Tasmania and Garry Moore

Safety in Tasmanian waters:

marine and safety tasmania (mast) is a statutory authority which manages all the functions relating to the safe operation of recreational boats and commercial vessels up to 500 tonnes in Tasmania. Depending on the type of craft, detailed safety regulations apply – contact MAST for information on the safety equipment that must be carried on board.

Weather and tides in Tasmania:

The weather in Tasmania can change fast – check the special boating weather information services.

» tasmanian tides

» marine weatherzone

Sailing organisations in Tasmania

  • Yachting Tasmania

    Information relating to aspects of yachting in Tasmania, including events, race results, links to weather and club sites.

Sailing clubs in Tasmania

did you know?

Tasmania has the highest per capita level of boat ownership of any state in Australia.

Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Tasmania

Held in Hobart every two years in February, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival celebrates maritime craft, art and heritage through four days of action, music, theatre, flavours and fun. The 2007 Festival showcased more than 500 boats ranging from dinghies to tall ships.

» more …

Carved figurehead
AustralianWooden Boat Festival, Tasmania.
©Tourism Tasmania and Garry Moore

did you know?

No place in Tasmania is more than 115 kilometres, or two hours’ drive, from the sea.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

This annual race has developed into an icon of Australian sport. No yachting event in the world attracts such huge media coverage and so many spectators to its start and finish.

In the 2006 race there were 78 starters. One yacht, the Koomooloo, sank and nine yachts failed to finish.

Yachts set sail from Sydney on 26th December. The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania is the host club in Hobart, the race destination.

Details and results of the 2006 race can be found on the official race website.