2 min read · Updated 5 July 2026
Sunshine Coast sailing centres on Mooloolaba, where the Mooloolah River meets the ocean and the Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs the region's racing. Largely ocean-based, with quick access to the Pacific, it is a warm, welcoming venue that hosts the finish of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race.
The venue
Sailing on the Sunshine Coast is largely ocean-based, with coastal and offshore racing out into the Pacific from Mooloolaba, complemented by protected water in the Mooloolah River and nearby Pumicestone Passage. The warm climate and reliable sea breezes make it an attractive year-round venue, with calmer river water for learning and open ocean outside for racing.
The club
The Mooloolaba Yacht Club, based at Mooloolaba on the Mooloolah River, is the Sunshine Coast's main sailing club. It runs inshore and offshore keelboat racing, twilight series and a learn-to-sail program, and it is the finishing host of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race — giving the club a genuine offshore event on its doorstep.
The racing
Mooloolaba is best known as the finish of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, an offshore passage race up the east coast from Sydney. Alongside it, the Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs its own inshore and offshore program through the season, including keelboat series and twilight racing.
Getting involved
The Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs learn-to-sail courses and offers crewing opportunities on its keelboat fleet, with no experience needed to start. See our guides to getting into sailing in Australia and joining a yacht racing crew. To the south, our guides to sailing in Brisbane and Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast cover the rest of south-east Queensland, and the sailing terms glossary explains the vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do people sail on the Sunshine Coast?
- Sunshine Coast sailing centres on Mooloolaba, where the Mooloolah River meets the ocean and the Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs the region's racing. Sailing here is largely ocean-based, with coastal and offshore racing out into the Pacific, complemented by protected water in the river and nearby Pumicestone Passage. The warm climate and reliable sea breezes make it an attractive year-round venue.
- What is the main yacht club on the Sunshine Coast?
- The Mooloolaba Yacht Club is the Sunshine Coast's main sailing club, based at Mooloolaba on the Mooloolah River. It runs inshore and offshore keelboat racing, twilight series and a learn-to-sail program, and it is the finishing host of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, one of the east coast's offshore passage races.
- What yacht races are held at Mooloolaba?
- Mooloolaba is best known as the finish of the Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race, an offshore race up the east coast from Sydney that arrives on the Sunshine Coast. The Mooloolaba Yacht Club also runs its own inshore and offshore racing program through the season, including keelboat series and twilight racing on the coastal waters.
- Is the Sunshine Coast good for sailing?
- Yes. The Sunshine Coast offers warm, year-round sailing with reliable sea breezes and quick access to the open ocean from Mooloolaba, making it popular for coastal and offshore racing. The sheltered river and nearby passages provide calmer water for learning and twilight racing, while the ocean outside hosts the coastal and offshore events, giving a good mix of conditions.
- How do you get into sailing on the Sunshine Coast?
- The Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs learn-to-sail courses and offers crewing opportunities on its keelboat fleet, with no experience needed to start as crew. Joining the club and putting your name down for twilight and weekend racing is the easiest way onto the water, and the warm climate makes it a comfortable place to learn year-round.