Sailing Capitals in the US
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is located on the coast of Narragansett Bay. It has a sailing history that dates back to the 18th century. The Navy still uses Newport as a training center. There’s no shortage of building from the Colonial era, and sailing has remained an integral part of Newport culture ever since then.
In Newport, sailing and society go together. It’s not uncommon to see high society people flocking to the coastal town during the summer to stay in their Newport “cottages” for the sailing season. Being part of a sailing club in Newport is the surest way to get to know your neighbors and fellow socialites.
Newport is a major contender for the sailing capital of the world—it even hosted the American Cup for over a decade. Sailors and tourists love venturing out along the coast and enjoying views of the lighthouse and massive estates.
Even non-sailors enjoy taking sight-seeing boat tours to admire the sunset from Newport’s famous coastline. No matter why you’re visiting Newport, you’re almost guaranteed to end up on the water.
Annapolis, Maryland
This sailing capital is nestled in the perfect location right on the Chesapeake Bay. As a prominent port city along the east coast, it’s no surprise it made the list of sailing capitals.
Annapolis at one time used the slogan “sailing capital” for their city. As the capital city of Maryland and a prominent port, it was an easy claim to make.
Sailing and racing is a big deal in Annapolis. In fact, on Wednesdays, many local shops and restaurants close for weekly races. On the weekends, serious sailors from all over the country join the races. More than 3,000 boats occupy the town’s harbors and marinas.
The Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, and their sailing team is one of the top racing teams in the country. Many Navy veterans end up retiring back in Annapolis so they can continue enjoying sailing in the area.
Annapolis also hosts the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The port city is home to many sailing clubs.
Racing isn’t the only kind of sailing in Annapolis. Cruising is just as popular in the Chesapeake Bay. When the warm, racing season ends, you’ll find people bundled up and boarding their cruising boats.
Sailors all around the world visit Annapolis for their boat shows and navel culture display.
San Diego, California
On the other side of the continent, San Diego leads the way in west coast sailing. Boating on the pacific has always been a part of San Diego’s history, either for fishing or military purposes.
It wasn’t until 1852 that San Diego welcomed its first sailing club. Even though not as established as Newport or Annapolis in the sailing world, San Diego makes a name for itself by always having perfect sailing weather and plenty of open sea.
By the 1900s San Diego had established itself as a sailing destination. The city and yacht clubs began hosting races and several regattas were created. Like in Newport, sailing became just as much a social activity as it was a recreational one.
Today, sailors from all over the world end up in San Diego, either on their way to cross the pacific and visit the many islands there, or to South America, and across the Panama Canal into the Caribbean.
Sailing in San Diego is less of a class distinction and more of an activity for anyone who wants to be on the water. Many San Diego colleges have sailing clubs and races. The city is rated 5th in the country for how many recreational vessels are registered there.
Yachting in particular has become a huge part of San Diego’s economy. Boatbuilding and sail manufacturing employs a large part of the city’s population. Recreational boaters passing through marinas creates a lively tourist business as marina restaurants and shops keep busy with customers.
As a relatively new sailing hub, San Diego is working hard to make itself the next sailing capital of the world.
What About the International Sailing Capital?
Of course, North America is one of the most popular sailing destinations. After all, it’s bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. You can get to pretty much any destination from any North American port.
But, sailing didn’t originate in North America, and many foreign cities would argue their claim to the sailing capital of the world, particularly The Netherlands.
The Hague, The Netherlands
The Netherlands has long been home to many sailboats and old salts. Dutch ships have been coveted for centuries, and their naval forces are one of the best in the world.
The Netherlands is home to over half a million boats (about one boat per 32 people). The country's sophisticated waterway infrastructure makes it so that sailing is possible inland as well. The country has some 600 marinas throughout.
It’s not just the coastal cities of The Netherlands that value sailing. The inland city of Amsterdam hosts “SAIL Amsterdam” every year. Sailors bring tall ships from different eras through the city’s infamous waterways for people to visit and admire. Even the country’s landlocked cities aren’t truly landlocked.
The World Sailing Association announced that in 2023, The Hague will host the World Sailing Championships, making The Hague the official sailing capital of the world.
After being rescheduled to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Hague will also host the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships.
With such a vibrant sailing history, and the World Sailing Association’s endorsement, The Hague, The Netherlands might be the real sailing capital of the world.
