For only the third time in decades, a fully crewed Category 1 ocean race will cross the Tasman Sea, linking two of the Southern Hemisphere’s great sailing capitals, Sydney and Auckland. This bold 1,270 nautical mile course begins in the heart of Sydney Harbour and finishes in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, jointly hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
This is no ordinary race. The Tasman Sea is notorious for its powerful swells, rapidly changing weather, and unforgiving conditions, offering a true test of seamanship and endurance. With our skippers having completed more than 20 crossings, including solo voyages, you will be in experienced hands for one of the toughest offshore challenges in the region.
Crews will gather in Sydney for pre-race preparation and safety drills before setting off past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge into the open ocean. The finish in Auckland, known as the City of Sails and home to the America’s Cup, is both a tactical achievement and a rewarding landfall.
Whether you are chasing a podium finish or seeking the thrill of crossing the Tasman, the 2026 Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race is a rare and unforgettable blue water adventure.
Race Across the Tasman Sea
Compete in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most demanding offshore races, bridging two iconic sailing nations in a rare Category 1 trans-Tasman event.
Sail Aboard Awen, Our IMOCA 60 Race Yacht
Take on the Tasman in a purpose-built, around-the-world racing machine designed for endurance, speed, and performance in extreme offshore conditions.
Experience the Power of the Tasman Sea
Navigate long-period ocean swells, shifting weather systems, and powerful fronts as you test your seamanship across one of the planet’s wildest stretches of water.
Iconic Start in Sydney Harbour
Depart beneath the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House, as the city fades behind you and the open ocean adventure begins.
Landfall in the ‘City of Sails’
Cross the finish line in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, where a proud yachting culture and warm welcome await your arrival.
Refine Your Offshore Sailing Skills
From pre-race safety drills and sail prep to night watches and real-time decision-making, this race is a masterclass in ocean racing.
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 can fly directly into Sydney Airport on the 24th of February 2026. You will join us for a crew welcome dinner that evening and on the 25th of February we'll start our process of running through checks, training drills, allocating crew roles and completing final preparations. We'll familiarise you with the yacht, systems and safety equipment. The start for this race is staggered so that the yachts arrive in Auckland close together. We anticipate a start on the 28th of February.
It’s a 7 - 10 day sail to Auckland depending on weather conditions and wind direction and arrival is expected on the 7 - 10th of March.
When we arrive in Auckland at the RNZYS, we'll tie up at the marina, clear customs and the head to the RNZYS to join the post race festivities. You should plan to fly out of Auckland after midday on the. 11th of March. It’s expected most of our crew plan to stay on and enjoy a few days in Auckland at the end of the race, as its likely to be a celebration you will never forget.
Arrive at the vessel in Sydney by 4pm on 24/2/26
Crew welcome dinner on 24/2/26
Crew training and safety familiarisation 25-27/2/26
Race start Sydney 28/2/26
Arrive in Auckland 7-10/3/26
Crew farewell dinner following arrival
Depart Auckland on 11/3/26
Inclusions
Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, while training and 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 prior to departure, due to the sparse nature of the race yacht fit out, lack of ventilation and lack of amenities onboard.
Prior to departure on a passage, you will need to book 4-nights’ accommodation ashore. You will stay onboard for the duration of the passage, while at sea and 1 night (optional) after arrival in port at the end of the passage.
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.
You will need to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent at least 1 month prior.
Previous Qualifying Event
To be eligible to join the race crew for this event, you must have completed a Cat 2 ocean race or passage on any yacht in the previous 5 years.
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.