Major yachting events in the region
The Southeast Asia region plays host to a number of regattas and other boating events. Traditional, long-running regattas such as Phuket King’s Cup, Raja Muda and China Sea Race are all coming back strong following the Covid-19 hiatus.
More recently established events have fared less well. While The Bay Regatta and Koh Samui Regatta, organised by Regattas Asia continued undaunted during the pandemic – albeit with much lower numbers participating – both Phuket Raceweek and Top of the Gulf Regatta have disappeared from the calendar – at least for now.
Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and Indonesian events are all staples of a growing regional race calendar. The number and diversity of sailing events in Asia give you the opportunity to take part in a local regatta whatever time of year you’re in the area.
Below are the key events, the month in which they happen, together with where to find out more information.
For guidance on finding, managing and retaining event sponsors, visit:
Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd
ASIA’S LEADING SYPERYACHT EVENT
By invitation only, the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) is designed to bring like-minded people together from a curated guest list that features yacht owners, major trend-setters, builders, industry professionals and VIP guests interested in yachting and luxury lifestyle, plus an influential mix of luxury lifestyle and yachting media.
The event is open to both sailing and motor yachts measuring over 24 metres in length, visiting or based in Phuket – Southeast Asia’s leading luxury location and superyacht hot spot. The KRSR signals the opening of Phuket’s luxurious charter season offering superyacht owners a prime-time opportunity to showcase their flagship vessels. katarockssuperyachtrendezvous.com
Almost as popular as the ‘main event’, is the Kata Rocks Poker Run (KRPR) – heading towards its sixth edition in December 2025. Along the course, participants will collect a single playing card at several key locations. Infused with a distinct ‘Miami Vice’ vibe, the KRPR promises a day filled with fun, camaraderie and friendly competition on the water. www.katarockspokerrun.com
JANUARY
Royal Langkawi Regatta
Five days of coastal and round-the-cans racing with based at Langkawi Yacht Club. Free berthing for participants. Raced under IRC, OMR and local handicap system. www.langkawiregatta.com
Thailand International Boat Show (TIBS)
Launched in 2023, 20 years after the ground-breaking PIMEX. Organised by JAND Events, the show relocated to Phuket Yacht Haven for the 2025 edition and will remain there in 2026. After a turbulent few years of competing boat shows in Thailand, this event appeared to have established itself as Phuket’s only boat show – until along came the Thailand Boat Festival, setting itself up on the same dates as TIBS in 2026. www.thailandinternationalboatshow.com
Nongsa Neptune Regatta
Sail and motor yacht rally takes place entirely in Indonesian waters with a start and finish at Nongsa Point Marina. There’s a sprint race across the equator and a line-crossing ceremony with King Nepture.
Enquries email marina@nongsapointmarina.com
FEBRUARY
The Bay Regatta
Four days of racing between the islands of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi. Perfect for families and less serious racers. Held shortly after Chinese New Year, there’s a party at a different beach venue each night. Racing under IRC, OMR and local handicap classes. www.bayregatta.com
The Singapore Regatta
Supported by the Singapore Sailing Federation and co-organised by Changi Sailing Club and Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club, this is the current identity of the old Straits Regatta of the 1990s. www.csc.org.sg
MARCH
Rolex China Sea Race
2024 marked the 62nd Anniversary of the China Sea Race, organised by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. This 565nm Category 1 Offshore Race is run under the auspices of RORC, and takes competitors from Hong Kong, China to Subic Bay in the Philippines. www.rolexchinasearace.com
APRIL
Singapore Yachting Festival
2025 was this event’s third year. Held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, it seems to have taken over where the Singapore Yacht Show left off. Expect a lineup of around 70 yachts and a lot of ‘lifestyle’ razzamatazz to go with them. www.singaporeyachtingfestival.com
MAY
Samui Regatta
Before the Covid pandemic, this regatta had attracted up to 30 keelboats and multihulls. Formerly popular with Hong Kong and Pattaya based yachts, being on the Gulf side of the peninsula, it has recently struggled for numbers. Well worth supporting as one of the ;’riginal’ Thailand beach party regattas. Raced under IRC, OMR and local handicap. www.samuiregatta.com
JUNE
CSC@Tioman Regatta
Jointly organised by Changi Sailing Club and Berjaya Resorts, Tioman. A week of racing and cruising off Malaysia’s east coast, this is the newest event on the block. Includes two passage races, a round the island race and in-shore racing. enquiry@csc.org.sg
JULY
Yacht Sales Co. Regatta
Based at the Phuket Yacht Club in Ao Chalong, this 5-day event – once a multihull-only 3-day event – now attracts a mixed fleet following the demise of Phuket Raceweek. www.phuketyachtclub.com
RSYC Regatta
This is the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club’s signature keelboat event, held over two weekends each year. Three days of Fleet Racing in Singapore waters for perpetual Challenge Trophies dating back to 1923. www.rsycregatta.org
Sail2 Indonesia Rally
From Cairns or Darwin through the Indonesian archipelago to Singapore, with stopovers at Timor, Banda, Lembata, Wakatobi, Flores, Sulawesi, Bali, Java, Borneo, Belitung and Bintan. www.sail2indonesia.com
AUGUST
Western Circuit Regatta Singapore
Three days of sailing over two weekends in front of Singapore’s Raffles Marina. This event is co-organised by Raffles Marina and Singapore Management University (SMU) and is the premier regatta on the Singapore racing scene. www.wcsr.sg
Spice Islands Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race
Organised by Darwin’s Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association, this 600-mile event is a bit on-and-off, but check out the website; it’s touted to become one of the classic blue water events in Southeast Asia. www.dbcya.com.au/darwin-to-ambon
OCTOBER
Volvo China Coast Regatta
Organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, this three-day event attracts all of the top Asian sailors in IRC racing. Raced off Hong Kong and China. www.rhkyc.org
China Cup International Regatta
Hong Kong to Shenzhen, then three days’ racing in and around Shenzhen’s Daya Bay. Inshore, island races plus passage race. www.chncup.com
Biennial Hainan Race China Coast Regatta
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s bienneial 390-mile downwind passage to Sanya on Hainan Island, renowned as a playground for China’s jet set. www.chinacoastraceweek.com
Volvo Hong Kong to Vietnam Race
A three-day, 673nm fast passage race finishing in Nha Trang. This is another favourite with the Hong Kong racing fraternity. www.rhkyc.org / www.chinacoastraceweek.com
NOVEMBER
All Souls Regatta
(Possibly end of October) Organised by the Puerto Galera Yacht Club, the All Souls Regatta was first held in 2004 and has quickly become the most popular regatta in the Philippines. www.pgyc.org
Raja Muda International Regatta
Starts from Royal Selangor Yacht Club and finishes with inshore racing off Langkawi. Includes overnight and passage racing. Raced under IRC and local handicap systems. www.rmir.com
DECEMBER
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
This regatta attracts up to 100 yachts and 600 sailors for a week of coastal and inshore racing and parties. Raced on Phuket’s west coast and culminating with the Royal Awards Ceremony, it’s the granddaddy of regional regattas. www.kingscup.com
Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous
By invitation only, the Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous (KRSR) is designed to bring like-minded people together from a curated guest list that features yacht owners, major trend-setters, builders, industry professionals and VIP guests interested in yachting and luxury lifestyle, plus an influential mix of luxury lifestyle and yachting media.
The event is open to both sailing and motor yachts measuring over 24 metres in length, visiting or based in Phuket – Southeast Asia’s leading luxury location and superyacht hot spot www.katarockssuperyachtrendezvous.com
Kata Rocks Poker Run
Heading towards its 7th edition in December 2026. Along the course, participants collect a single playing card at several key locations. Infused with a distinct ‘Miami Vice’ vibe, the KRPR promises a day filled with fun, camaraderie and friendly competition on the water. www.katarockspokerrun.com
