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Sailing dinghies rigged on the shore at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

Sailing

Dinghy and keelboat sailing on Abersoch Bay, two sailing clubs, RYA training, and the regatta founded in 1888.

Abersoch Bay is a sheltered beach, popular for sailing. South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club races keelboat and dinghy classes there, including Squibs, Pandoras, Seabirds, Mirrors and Dragons.

SCYC was founded in 1924 and has more than 900 members. It runs a season from Easter to October, with open weeks and a launch service from May to September, and hosted the Edinburgh Cup in 2024.

Abersoch Sailing Club runs a seasonal summer sailing programme off Abersoch Beach, from the late May bank holiday until the end of August, with junior race training from qualified RYA Race Coaches. Abersoch Hydro is a fully certified RYA Training Centre and sailing school, running RYA sailing courses and dinghy hire.

Where to do it

Learn, hire and buy

South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

The Headland, Abersoch

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Abersoch Hydro & Pwllheli

Abersoch Hydro & Pwllheli

On the Main Beach, Lon Traeth

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Abersoch Sailing Club | Clwb Hwylio Abersoch

Abersoch Sailing Club | Clwb Hwylio Abersoch

Main Beach, Abersoch

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Nearby in Pwllheli

Plas Heli

Plas Heli in Pwllheli is the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre. It hosts the RYA Youth National Championships, past winners of which include Sir Ben Ainslie.

On the calendar

  • Abersoch Regatta

    Founded 1888

    One of the few remaining village regattas not taken over by the local sailing club, with an annual raft race. Its sailing open weeks fill out the calendar from late July onwards.

  • Dinghy Week

    Last week of July

    SCYC open week, with morning and afternoon fleets.

  • Mirror Week

    Third week of August

    SCYC open week.

  • Keelboat Week

    Last week of August

    SCYC open week.

Good to know

  • A motor boat exclusion zone on Abersoch Bay keeps bathers safe.
  • South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club welcomes visiting boats with their own craft, and offers training and sailing courses.
  • Porth Ceiriad is south-facing and very sheltered, and is National Trust land. On big swell days it is not for beginners.
  • In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Read the safety page

Common questions

How long has the regatta been running?
The Abersoch Regatta was founded in 1888. It is one of the few remaining village regattas not taken over by the local sailing club, it includes an annual raft race, and its sailing open weeks fill out the calendar from late July onwards.
Where can I learn to sail?
South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club offers training and sailing courses. Abersoch Sailing Club runs junior race training with qualified RYA Race Coaches. Abersoch Hydro is a fully certified RYA Training Centre and sailing school.
When does the sailing season run?
SCYC runs a season from Easter to October, with open weeks and a launch service from May to September. Abersoch Sailing Club's summer programme runs from the late May bank holiday until the end of August.
What boats race at SCYC?
Keelboat and dinghy classes including Squibs, Pandoras, Seabirds, Mirrors and Dragons.
What is Plas Heli?
Plas Heli in Pwllheli is the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre. It hosts the RYA Youth National Championships.

Related disciplines

Surfing

Waves at Porth Neigwl and Porth Ceiriad.

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Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Flat water on the bay, kayaking at Porth Ceiriad.

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Safety

Rip currents, lifeguard status and the RNLI station.

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