Hamilton Island Race Week is a world-class sailing event that blends competitive offshore racing with a vibrant island lifestyle. Set in the heart of the Whitsundays, the regatta features six days of exhilarating races, a mid-week lay-day for relaxation and exploration, and a buzzing social calendar.
Join over 200 yachts as they navigate turquoise waters, sail through stunning island courses, and tackle marine-rich seas. Off the water, enjoy tropical hospitality, live music, and unforgettable island nights that capture the essence of the Whitsundays.
Sail aboard Awen, our high-performance IMOCA 60, and seize your chance to race with the best in one of sailing’s most spectacular locations—whether you’re chasing podium finishes or seeking a new offshore challenge.
Experience Australia’s Premier Regatta
Hamilton Island Race Week is one of the country’s most iconic sailing events, combining competitive offshore racing with the laid-back luxury of tropical island life. Held in the heart of the Whitsundays, this seven-day event features six thrilling days of racing and a well-earned mid-week lay-day for rest, exploration, and festivities.
Race Among 200+ Yachts in Paradise
More than 200 yachts from across the globe converge in the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. From grand prix racers to cruising yachts, the regatta’s divisions cater to every level of competitive sailing in a setting known for its natural beauty and wildlife.
Spectacular Island Courses and Conditions
Each course weaves through the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands, with crystal-clear waters teeming with dolphins, sea turtles, and breaching humpbacks. Sail through variable conditions that challenge your tactical decisions, teamwork, and boat handling.
Join the Awen Race Team
Be part of the action aboard Awen, our high-performance IMOCA 60. Built for global ocean racing, this is your chance to push your limits.
Step Into the Front of the Fleet
Whether you're an experienced racer or an ambitious sailor ready to upskill, you'll gain hands-on experience in big boat handling, strategy, and high-adrenaline offshore racing.
Celebrate in Style
Off the water, Race Week delivers one of Australia’s best regatta social calendars. Enjoy live music, island banquets, sunset drinks, and post-race celebrations in a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Return Champions
After taking 1st place in the 2024 Blue Division, the Awen team is back and ready to chase another podium finish—bringing skill, energy, and unforgettable memories both on and off the water.
Take on your dedicated crew role onboard and master your area of responsibility and how you interact and communicate with the race crew.
Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route for each days race course.
Navigating around rocks, reefs and islands , hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.
Crew planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.
Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.
Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.
Planning our daily course around weather, islands, big 3-4m tides and the island effect on wind strength and direction.
Master your sail trimming onboard a high performance yacht. There will be plenty of hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, asymmetric kites, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).
Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.
Step aboard Awen, a high-performance ocean-going yacht built for adventure, discovery, and unforgettable sailing experiences. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of offshore passages, island-hopping through remote archipelagos, or enjoying sunset sails with a like-minded crew, Awen offers the perfect blend of speed, adventure and capability. With experienced skippers, hands-on sailing opportunities, and ever-changing seascapes, every journey on Awen is a chance to disconnect from the ordinary and reconnect with nature, adventure, and yourself.
You'll fly into Hamilton Island directly or into Airlie Beach (Proserpine) and catch the ferry to Hamilton Island on Day 1. We'll have two days together to complete crew training, final regatta preparations, allocation of crew roles, and checking weather forecasts as excitement builds in the race village.
The first race kicks off on Day 4, followed by races on Days 5 and 6. Day 7 is a lay day, where we’ll head to a beach or an island for a day of social activities. Races four to six take place across Days 8 to 10, culminating in the Hamilton Island Race Week Prize Giving Gala Dinner on Day 10.
Daily results are announced ashore at 5:00 PM, followed by a crew debrief at the bar before dinner. Each evening, those keen will head ashore, to celebrate and soak in the race week atmosphere.
You'll fly out of Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach (Proserpine) airport on Day 11, heading home with unforgettable memories and a strong desire to return next year.
13 Aug 2026
Arrive at Hamilton Island or Proserpine Airport (with ferry transfer to Hamilton Island)
Arrive at the vessel by 4:00 PM
14 - 15 Aug 2026
Crew training and safety familiarisation
Final regatta preparations
16 - 22 Aug 2026
Hamilton Island Race Week
Prize Giving Gala Dinner on day 10
23 Aug 2026
Depart Hamilton Island via Hamilton Island Airport or take ferry back to Airlie beach and depart via Proserpine Airport
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, refreshments onboard after racing, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, race entry fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device) and a safety tether.
Exclusions
Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, meals ashore at restaurants, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not available onboard, while in port during a regatta, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
We provide optional accommodation packages, that include transport (to and from marina) and in-house meals packages for our crew.
You can purchase as an add on item during the booking process, or closer to the event.
You can also arrange your own accommodation ashore: Options: AirBNB, Booking.com, Wotif & HomeAway.
Best suited to agile, people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 110kg. Full training is provided.
Book and pay
Click Book Now button above to secure your place. Choose from Pay in Full or deposit options. Direct debit from bank account, debit card or credit card options available. Pay in the currency of your choice.
Personalise your payment plan
If you want to set up a payment plan, contact us here and let us know your desired deposit (minimum 10% required) and your preferred payment. You can make up to 18 payments, for the balance. You can choose the frequency and customise each payment amount.
Not ready to pay, but want to secure your place?
Reserve your place onboard today, with no obligation. We’ll send the confirmation details, itinerary, deposit invoice and be sure to answer all your questions, while you finalise your plans before confirming. Reserve here.
100% cancellation guarantee
If you book and then cancel prior to an event, for any reason, 100% of your payment will be issued as a credit, that you can apply to any future event/s. For a full refund of sailing trip, flights and hotel costs, we recommend travel insurance. View Terms & Conditions.
Members
Check for Member's availability here before booking this event, using Members Benefits. When you book Reserve your place here.