Magnetic Island Race Week is a vibrant blend of thrilling racing and relaxed island life, set in the turquoise waters of North Queensland. Hosted from the scenic Magnetic Island Marina, the week-long regatta features six races around stunning bays, headlands, and reef-fringed waters—plus a midweek lay-day to unwind and enjoy the tropical charm of "Maggie."
With over 70 yachts competing, expect a mix of inshore sprints and longer scenic courses, with dolphins, turtles, and even migrating whales often joining the action. Steady breezes, warm days, and striking island views create ideal conditions for competitive yet enjoyable sailing.
Off the water, the island comes alive with social events, live music, and plenty of opportunities to relax with fellow sailors. It’s the perfect mix of performance and play.
Join the race crew aboard Awen, our high-performance IMOCA Open 60, fresh from winning 1st place in the 2024 Hamilton Island Blue Division. Whether you’re chasing podiums or simply the thrill of big boat racing in paradise, Magnetic Island Race Week 2026 is not to be missed.
Magnetic Island Race Week
Magnetic Island Race Week is the perfect fusion of exhilarating island racing and laid-back tropical charm, set against the stunning backdrop of North Queensland’s Magnetic Island. Hosted out of the beautiful Maggie Island Marina, this week-long regatta features six exciting races around the island’s turquoise bays and granite headlands, plus a fun-filled lay-day midweek to relax, explore, and soak up the sun.
Scenic Courses, Consistent Breeze
The race program offers a variety of tight inshore legs and longer scenic courses that challenge crews to balance tactical precision with outright boat speed. Warm trade winds, sparkling conditions, and panoramic views of the Coral Sea make this regatta a favourite for sailors around the country.
Island Vibes and Great Company
Off the water, Magnetic Island delivers with a welcoming, festive atmosphere. Expect live music, vibrant social events, local hospitality, and plenty of time to mingle with fellow crews in one of Australia’s most laid-back island settings.
Race Aboard an Iconic IMOCA 60
Join the crew aboard Awen, our IMOCA Open 60 and former round-the-world racing yacht, for a week of high-adrenaline sailing. After winning 1st place overall in the 2024 Hamilton Island Race Week Blue Division, we return with momentum and a passion for performance.
For Sailors Who Want More
Whether you’re a seasoned offshore racer or new to big boat sailing, Magnetic Island Race Week offers the perfect mix of challenge, fun, and unforgettable scenery. Join us in 2025 and be part of one of Australia’s most scenic and exciting regattas.
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 Townsville on Day 1 and take a 30-minute ferry to Magnetic Island, where you’ll arrive at the vessel by 3:00pm. The next day, we’ll complete crew training, safety familiarisation, and final regatta preparations, ensuring everyone is race-ready.
The Magnetic Island Race Week kicks off on Day 3, running through Day 8, offering a thrilling mix of competitive sailing and lively social events ashore. Each day brings exciting races, stunning island scenery, and vibrant après-sailing gatherings, where we’ll celebrate the day’s results as a team.
After six days of exhilarating racing, Day 8 concludes with the official Race Week celebrations, marking the end of an unforgettable sailing experience. On Day 9, you'll take the ferry back to Townsville and fly home, already thinking about next year’s race.
25 Aug 2026
Arrive at Townsville Airport and take a 30-minute ferry to Magnetic Island
Arrive at the vessel by 4:00 PM
26 Aug 2026
Crew training and safety familiarisation
Final regatta preparations
27 Aug - 2 Sep 2026
Magnetic Island Race Week
Daily racing and social events
3 Sep 2026
Take Ferry to Townsville and depart via Townsville 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.