Sailing in Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth – an International Sport Sailing Destination and Sailing Hotspot in SA

Sailing is a popular sport and pastime in Port Elizabeth, a sport taken very seriously by a dedicated group of PE locals and the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, and a weekend distraction for many more who make the most of ‘The Windy City’ (yet another of PE’s many monikers) to enjoy days off on the generally calm but windswept waters of Algoa Bay.

Algoa Bay is host to a number of National and International Sailing Events each year, building continually on a rich sailing tradition that began in the late 1800’s, and competitive sailing events and regattas are held every weekend over the Sailing Season.

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club also hosts a Social Sailing evening every Wednesday over the sailing season for newcomers to sailing in Port Elizabeth, those wanting to experience sailing and/or thinking of buying a sailboat, and anyone just wanting to have some fun – a great ‘in’ for anyone new to PE or passing through and who might like to get to know more than just admiring the pretty rows of sailboats and catamarans moored in front of the Yacht Club.

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club is located in the Harbour off Central Port Elizabeth, next to King’s Beach and just behind the old town and city centre, and is easily accessed via Summerstrand or Cape Road.

Commercial Yacht Charters are available for the ‘bubbles & oysters brigade’ who’d rather sip champagne than run a rope through their hands, families and anyone who has never been on a yacht, and are a great way to enjoy Algoa Bay’s sunsets, sunrises and dolphins, whales and other marine life, while finally getting some ‘sailing time’. Longer Day trips are also sometimes available to take you out to the rocky islands in Algoa Bay and further along the Eastern Cape coastline on the so-called ‘wild side’.

Recreational River Sailing on shallow keel boats and dinghies is also popular on the Zwartkops River and there is a small yacht club for Hobie Cat sailors at Hobie Beach in Central PE.

Sailing Lessons and Courses of varying duration from day sailor courses up are also available in Port Elizabeth.