The yacht clubs that are a must for your next trip

Check out these six international yacht clubs that we think you’d love to visit during your travels.

There’s no doubt the CYCA is one of the most revered yacht clubs on the planet and whether you’re a member who attends the club regularly, or a casual visitor, you will have been enamoured by the setting.

World-class sailing, a 213-boat marina, great food, booze and music on a deck to die for, the club is just minutes from Sydney’s CBD by boat or road. The place is really, really special.

The same can be said for a host of other yacht clubs across the globe, some of whom are Reciprocal Clubs of the CYCA. Clubs across Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas that reflect our shared passion for sailing and commitment to building international relationships within the global yachting community. Clubs our members can visit and be welcomed with open arms.

Here’s a look at six we think you’d love to check out in your travels.

Royal Malta Yacht Club, Malta

First founded in 1835, the Royal Malta Yacht Club has a storied history. Name changes, various locations and even a bomb that completely demolished the clubhouse in WW2 are events that form part of the club’s rich history.

Home to the Rolex Middle Sea Race since 1968, their offshore racing calendar continues to grow. Did you know? No Australian entry has ever won the race Overall.

Off the water, the club’s premises is now located right on the waterfront at Ta’ Xbiex and offers extraordinary facilities which include a lounge bar and dining area with outdoor terraces, rooftop terrace, conference rooms, a fitness room with changing rooms, waterfront facilities for small boats and a seasonal marina for larger boats.

Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) – RMYC pic.

Compagnia Della Vela ASD

Imagine one of the world’s best yacht clubs, in one of the world’s most romantic places, with not one, but two locations.

That’s the scenario at Venice’s Compagnia della Vela. Founded in 1911 as Yacht Club Veneziano before locking in its current name in 1919, the club has strong links to both the Italian Navy and Olympic Committee.

Since 1939, the historical San Marco Clubhouse, a neo-classical building designed and built by Santi architect in 1815-17, has hosted the club main office. The magnificent terraces and the elegant lounge welcome the social life of the Club and the restaurant of the Compagnia della Vela, in a unique and exclusive setting just a minute away from Piazza San Marco. In front, along Bacino San Marco, there are three prestigious docks for members’ boats.

A moment’s tender ride away, on the island of San Giorgio, is the headquarters of the Club and its 90 berth marina, 250 seat lounge and nine room guesthouse.

This place is a must see — or sail!

Waikiki Yacht Club

If you’re going to sail in Hawaii, do it from a club co-founded by the legendary Duke Kahanamoku. Established in 1944 by a group of sailors determined to revive yacht racing after World War II, the Waikiki Yacht Club has been a cornerstone of Pacific sailing ever since.

A host of the Transpacific Yacht Race since its first post-war edition in 1947, the club has a proud record of producing elite sailors — including members who went on to win silver in sailing at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Situated at the edge of Honolulu’s Ala Moana Beach Park and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, the club offers dining, a pool, gym, and modern floating docks accommodating up to 150 boats ranging from 20 to 160 feet, with visiting vessels welcome at the club’s aloha slips, complete with water, power, and Wi-Fi. Sun-drenched, steeped in waterman culture, and right in the heart of Waikiki — this one is hard to beat.

Fremantle Sailing Club

Australia’s own west coast gem — and your hosts if you ever make it to that side of the country. Sailing in Fremantle dates back to 1870 and the club in its current form was officially founded in 1919, making it one of the country’s most storied sailing institutions.

The club has produced Olympic gold medallists including Matt Wearn, who claimed back-to-back gold in the Men’s ILCA at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The racing pedigree here is real.

One of Australia’s largest ocean clubs, FSC is home to over 3,500 members and caters to a diverse range of ages, interests and ocean pursuits — from keelboat racing and cruising to diving, game fishing, and even a Pipes & Drums section. A spectacular waterfront location just minutes from the heart of Fremantle rounds out a club that is well worth the cross-country or round Australia trip.

Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto, Canada

Think a yacht club in Canada means cold water and short seasons? Think again. Founded in 1852, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club is one of the world’s most storied private sailing clubs, and it comes with a trick most clubs can only dream of.

With two clubhouses — one in the heart of the city and the other on the Toronto Islands — RCYC offers a summer Island escape and a year-round city home in one membership. The club has hosted the 2015 Pan American Games Sailing Competitions, the 2016 8 Metre World Cup, and the 2016 and 2021 Canada’s Cup, cementing its place on the world sailing stage.

Beyond sailing, members enjoy racquet sports, fitness, aquatics, lawn bowling, upscale dining, and family-oriented programming. A genuinely world-class club in one of North America’s great cities.

Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) – RCYC pic.

Royal Papua Yacht Club

For CYCA members who love an adventure, the RPYC is a very special detour — and closer than you think. Established in 1921 as the Port Moresby Aquatic Club, the club received its Royal Assent in 1977 and celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2021.

The facilities are impressive and wide-ranging: a full marina, fine dining, gym, function spaces, a ship’s chandlery (the largest in PNG), fuel station, day spa, and a dedicated search and rescue service. Affiliated clubs cover game fishing, outrigger canoeing, and scuba diving — ideal for those who want to explore PNG’s extraordinary waters both above and below the surface.

Royal Papua Yacht Club (RPYC) – RPYC pic.

Sailing into Port Moresby and pulling up at the RPYC is a bucket-list experience. Coral reefs, game fish, warm water, and genuine Pacific hospitality — what are you waiting for?

In last year’s Spring edition of Offshore we looked at seven other clubs – be sure to check out the story on page 82, HERE, or the clubs featured below.

For CYCA members, there’s a full list of Reciprocal Clubs in the Membership section of our website and for those who have yet to join the CYCA, it’s worth checking out all of the benefits of membership.

Featured image – Compagnia Della Vela ASD pic.

Dave Lyall

Writer, reporter, raconteur with 1000's of published pieces across almost every sport you can think of. "The world doesn't change because people want it to. The world changes because somebody tells a different story." - Neil Gaiman