2 min read · Updated 5 July 2026
Geographe Bay, off Busselton in Western Australia's South West, is a sheltered summer sailing playground — and home of Geographe Bay Race Week, one of WA's biggest regattas. A few hours south of Perth, it offers wide, protected waters in a relaxed holiday setting.
The venue
Geographe Bay is a large, sheltered bay curving between Busselton and Cape Naturaliste, around three hours south of Perth. Its wide, protected water, warm summer conditions and reliable sea breezes make it a superb place to sail — big enough for large fleets and championship courses, yet sheltered and comfortable. The holiday appeal of the South West means the sailing season coincides with the busy tourist season.
The club
The Geographe Bay Yacht Club, based at Busselton, is the region's main sailing club and the organiser of Geographe Bay Race Week. It runs keelboat, off-the-beach and junior racing on the bay through the season and is the hub for the South West's sailing community, with the sheltered waters making it welcoming for all levels.
The racing
The region's signature event is Geographe Bay Race Week — one of Western Australia's largest and most popular regattas, usually held in summer. It draws a big fleet across handicap, one-design and off-the-beach divisions for a week of racing in the sheltered bay, blending competitive sailing with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Club and twilight racing fills out the rest of the season.
Getting involved
The Geographe Bay Yacht Club runs learn-to-sail courses, junior programs and crewing opportunities on the sheltered bay. See our guides to getting into sailing in Australia and joining a yacht racing crew. To the north, our guides to sailing in Perth and Fremantle and the Fremantle Doctor cover the capital's famous breezy racing, and the sailing terms glossary explains the vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Geographe Bay and why is it good for sailing?
- Geographe Bay is a large, sheltered bay on Western Australia's South West coast, curving between Busselton and Cape Naturaliste around three hours south of Perth. Its wide, protected waters, warm summer conditions and reliable sea breezes make it a superb summer sailing playground, hosting big fleets in comfort. It is best known as the venue for Geographe Bay Race Week, one of the biggest regattas in the state.
- What is Geographe Bay Race Week?
- Geographe Bay Race Week is one of Western Australia's largest and most popular regattas, run by the Geographe Bay Yacht Club at Busselton, usually in summer. It draws a big fleet across handicap, one-design and off-the-beach divisions for a week of racing in the sheltered bay, combining competitive sailing with a relaxed holiday atmosphere in the South West.
- What is the main sailing club in Geographe Bay?
- The Geographe Bay Yacht Club, based at Busselton, is the region's main sailing club and the organiser of Geographe Bay Race Week. It runs keelboat, off-the-beach and junior racing on the bay through the season and provides the hub for the South West's sailing community, with the sheltered waters making it welcoming for all levels.
- When is the sailing season in the South West?
- Sailing in Geographe Bay and the South West is a summer pursuit, centred on the warmer months when the sea breezes are reliable and the bay is at its best. Geographe Bay Race Week is a summer highlight, and the region's holiday appeal means the sailing season coincides with the busy tourist season, drawing both local and visiting sailors to the bay.
- How do you get into sailing in the South West?
- The Geographe Bay Yacht Club at Busselton runs learn-to-sail courses, junior programs and crewing opportunities on the sheltered bay, making it an accessible place to start. Joining the club and putting your name down as crew is the easiest way onto the water, and the calm, warm summer conditions are ideal for beginners.