A popular sailing destination, Bermuda hosts numerous sailing races throughout the year. The sea plays a crucial role in the Bermudian lifestyle, and watching these races is a fantastic way to connect with the local community while enjoying lively events, all set against the island’s dreamy backdrop of pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Regattas include the Antigua Bermuda Race, which the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club helps manage. The iconic 2026 Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix offers a range of seating options so you can catch all the action, with live entertainment, food, and drinks. Founded in 1906, the Newport Bermuda Race is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race. Keep reading to discover the significance of each race, plus ways to enjoy them.
Sailing teams during Bermuda International Invitational Race Week in 2011
Courtesy of Bermuda Tourism Authority
Attend the Antigua Bermuda Race
Returning after a two-year hiatus, the fifth edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race begins April 29, 2026, starting in Antigua and sailing 1,000 miles to Bermuda. The best spot to catch the end of this high-seas competition and celebrate is at Frog and Onion Pub with a bowl of fish chowder and beer.
Nearby, you can check out the historic Royal Naval Dockyard. Once a strategic base for the British Navy after the British were defeated during the American Revolution, it’s now a social hub where you can dine, shop, and book a dolphin encounter with Dolphin Quest.
See Sail GP
Boats lined up during Sail Grand Prix 2022 in Bermuda
Courtesy of Bermuda Tourism Authority
Known as one of the most exhilarating races on the water, the 2026 Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix (better known as Sail GP) will take place May 9–10, 2026, as the fifth stop of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship. Thirteen teams aboard 50-foot catamarans will compete to win the Bermuda leg of the series.
You can purchase tickets for waterfront viewing at Race Stadium at Morgan’s Point, which features big screens with live commentary. The stadium also offers live music and a variety of delicious food for purchase. Book a ticket aboard an official spectator boat for premium viewing opportunities that include food and drinks.
If you want to picnic nearby instead, grab a fish sandwich and slaw from Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy or pot pie from Bermuda Pie Company, paired with rum from Goslings Distillery, while keeping up with the race on the radio. For accommodation, stay at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort for easy access to many of the Sail GP events.
Watch Newport Bermuda and explore St. George
St. Peter’s Church in St. George
Courtesy of Bermuda Tourism Authority
Celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2026, the Newport Bermuda Race, a 635-mile yacht race from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda, is one of the oldest racing events. It originated as an act of rebellion, challenging naysayers who deemed deep-sea racing too risky. Today, the beloved biennial event attracts a range of competitors, including young sailors from the U.S. Naval Academy.
As a spectator, you can watch the end of the race, taking place June 19, 2026, from several locations, but St. George is where the race ends. Enjoy drinks and a meal at Wahoo’s Bistro & Patio, which has panoramic harbor views, while you wait for the boats to cross the finish line.
You can also explore the city, Bermuda’s first capital, and check out some of the stellar attractions, such as the 400-year-old St. Peter’s Church or the Gothic ruins of the Unfinished Church. Stop by Three Kings Restaurant for brunch and a few drinks before the end of the race.
