Newcastle Yacht Club — Days Out NI

What you can do here

This is a sailing club for dinghy racing and cruising, formed in 1962 and very much family-orientated. Members race on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and the club supports sailing training and youth sailing alongside a Women on Water initiative. The fleet is broad, with RS classes, Mirrors, Lasers, Toppers and more, plus around 10 club dinghies for hire to members ranging from children's boats to family and racing boats. New members of any age and ability are welcome, and the club is happy for newcomers to come and try sailing — get in touch first to arrange it. Basic swimming ability is sensible for time on the water.

Sailing club New members welcome Club dinghy hire Contact to join Seasonal Newcastle harbour

Good to know before you go:

Sailing clubs run seasonal racing, youth and adult training, and welcome days through the warmer months, and many also host taster sessions for newcomers; sessions are weather- and tide-dependent, so check the club's own pages and Facebook for current dates, membership and prices.

What to bring

🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.

🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.

💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.

🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.

Everything before you go

Type

Membership sailing club (dinghy racing and cruising)

What you can do

Dinghy sailing and racing, cruising, sailing training, youth sailing, Women on Water; club dinghy hire for members

Public access

Members-only club; contact to try sailing or join, not drop-in

Booking

Essential — contact the club to arrange trying sailing or membership

Age / ability

All ages and abilities welcome; basic swimming ability sensible for on-water sessions

Kit provided

Club dinghies available to hire for members; confirm wetsuits/buoyancy aids with the club

Season

Roughly Easter to early October; weather- and tide-dependent

Cost

Several membership types plus boat hire — check current prices with the club

Launches from

Beside the harbour on the South Promenade, Newcastle, into Dundrum Bay

Parking

Not confirmed — check with the operator

Address

Newcastle Yacht Club Ltd, 12-14 South Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down, BT33 0EX

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Essential — contact the club to arrange trying sailing or membership

How much is it?

Several membership types plus boat hire — check current prices with the club

When does it run?

Roughly Easter to early October; weather- and tide-dependent

Getting there

Newcastle Yacht Club launches from Beside the harbour on the South Promenade, Newcastle, into Dundrum Bay. Not confirmed — check with the operator. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around NewcastleSee what else is close by More water sports across NISurf, sail, kayak, SUP and more

The story

About the operator

Newcastle Yacht Club was formed in 1962 and sits beside the harbour at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, looking out over Dundrum Bay. It is a family-orientated membership club with a long history — members often keep lifelong links, and up to four generations of the same family have learned to sail and race there.

The club welcomes new members of all ages, abilities and classes of boat, and supports dinghy racing, cruising, youth sailing and a Women on Water initiative. A purpose-built clubhouse provides a clubroom, changing facilities and showers, with boat storage in outdoor parks and limited indoor winter storage.