The Newport Bermuda Race is a legendary biennial 635-mile offshore sailing challenge, typically taking three to six days to complete. Most of the journey unfolds out of sight of land, navigates through the notoriously complex Gulf Stream, and tests both vessel and crew endurance. It’s celebrated for its competitive fairness, safety record, and vibrant amateur—and often family-driven—spirit, with trophies awarded during an elegant ceremony at Government House in Bermuda.
Departure: The race starts off Newport, Rhode Island—specifically from a starting line set between a staff on the signal vessel and an orange buoy near Fort Adams or the East Passage. The fleet heads out into open ocean shortly thereafter.
Finish: The finish line is situated off St. David’s Head, Bermuda, using St. David’s Lighthouse sectors as the bearing. Boats pass the islands to starboard en route.
Meeting at the boat at 12:00 noon on 13th June 2026
Arrival in Newport and welcome on board. Meet your skipper and crew at 12:00. The day will include getting to know your crew, cleaning and organising the boat, and starting preparations for the race.
Please consider a local accommodation during the training and preparation days, as we often have full crews on all our boats.
After breakfast each day, you will continue preparing the boat and crew for the race, with training taking place whenever possible throughout the day.
12:00 – 16:00 – The Starting Line Party at Fort Adams State Park features live music, food trucks, beverage stations, and family-friendly activities. The event is free and open to the public.
14:00 – 16:00 – The fleet will begin crossing the start line off the western shore of Fort Adams every 10 minutes, starting at 14:00.
The race will take you past 11 Caribbean islands on its 635 nautical mile journey to Bermuda.
After approximately 635 nautical miles, the race concludes off St. David’s Lighthouse in Bermuda. The typical duration is between 3 to 6 days, depending on weather conditions and tactical decisions.
As you approach Bermuda, the sight of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse on the horizon marks the final stretch. Navigating past the reef guarding the island, you reach St. David’s Lighthouse and cross the finish line, completing the challenging journey known as “The Thrash to the Onion Patch.”
The finish is often accompanied by a sense of camaraderie and achievement, as crews reflect on the adventure and the shared experience of the race. The post-race festivities in Bermuda offer a chance to unwind and celebrate with fellow sailors.
The Newport Bermuda Race concludes with an official Prize-Giving Ceremony, held in Bermuda at a distinguished venue. This invitation-only event celebrates the achievements of all participants, recognising race winners and award recipients. While attendance is limited to race participants, the ceremony captures the excitement and camaraderie of completing this iconic race.
For those not attending in person, the ceremony is typically streamed online, allowing friends, family, and supporters to share in the celebration.
Before departure, we kindly ask everyone to help with a general cleaning and tidying of the boat.
