7 Best Yacht Clubs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Last updated on November 22nd, 2025 at 10:39 pm

Boating and sailing are part of everyday life along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Here, yacht clubs are more than marinas—they’re vibrant communities where members gather for dining, cocktails, sailing, regattas, and year-round events. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or simply curious about the maritime lifestyle, these clubs offer a warm welcome.

What Is a Yacht Club?

A yacht club is a private membership organization devoted to boating, sailing, and maritime culture. While found in coastal regions worldwide, each club reflects its local history and community spirit.

Yacht clubs serve:

Boaters and sailors, who may dock their vessels or participate in regattas.
Families and social members who enjoy the dining, pools, and events.
Visitors from other clubs often stop in for a meal, a drink, or to connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Beyond being practical bases for sailors, yacht clubs exist to promote a love of the sea, provide a welcoming social environment, and sustain traditions like racing, seamanship, and youth sailing education.

Reciprocal Membership – A Gulf Coast Advantage

Most Mississippi Gulf Coast yacht clubs are members of the Gulf Yachting Association (GYA). This affiliation grants reciprocal visiting privileges at dozens of clubs across the Gulf Coast.

What reciprocity offers visitors:

Dining and drinks at the club’s restaurant or bar.
Use of the swimming pool or social spaces (if available).
Short-term dockage or guest slips, when space permits.
Participation in social events is open to members.

Important to know: Reciprocity is a courtesy, not a substitute for home membership. Visiting privileges are intended for travelers, not for regular, ongoing use. Each club sets its own rules about frequency and access, so always call ahead to confirm.

This system makes yacht clubs especially rewarding—you can travel the Gulf Coast and beyond, always knowing there’s a friendly place to dock, dine, and socialize.

Infographic showing a FAQ about Mississippi Gulf Coast yacht clubs, with ten question-and-answer boxes covering membership cost, amenities, yacht ownership requirements, sailing programs, family-friendly policies, reciprocal club access, social events, membership application steps, reasons to join, and the number of clubs along the coast. — *FAQ: Common questions about membership, amenities, and programs at Mississippi Gulf Coast yacht clubs.*

Amenities You’ll Find at Gulf Coast Yacht Clubs

While each club has its own personality, most feature:

Swimming pools
Full-service restaurants and bars
Shower and changing facilities
Boat slips for members (with limited guest slips)
Sailing lessons and youth camps
Regattas, twilight sails, and seasonal events

Some clubs are historic landmarks, others are sleek and modern. What they share is a warm, maritime-centered community.

What Defines a Yacht?

The line between a “boat” and a “yacht” isn’t always clear, and that’s okay. Yacht clubs welcome newcomers and seasoned sailors alike. Members are always happy to share the basics—from bow and stern terminology to the excitement of competitive sailing.

Is a Yacht Club Right for You?

If you enjoy being near the water, socializing, and building friendships, then a yacht club may be a perfect fit. You don’t need to be an expert sailor—or even own a boat. Clubs often offer social memberships, youth programs, and plenty of activities for non-sailors.

Becoming a Member of a Yacht Club

Most yacht clubs do not require members to own a yacht—or even a boat. They are communities first, built on shared interests.

The membership process typically includes:

Sponsorship – An existing member recommends you.
Application – You’ll submit your information and reasons for joining.
Committee Review – A membership committee votes to approve new applicants.
Integration – New members are welcomed at events and encouraged to meet others.

This system ensures that clubs remain close-knit, while still welcoming newcomers. For many, joining is the start of lifelong friendships and family traditions.

Watercolor painting of a small sailboat regatta with several colorful boats racing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. — Watercolor illustration of a small sailboat regatta on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where sailors of all ages join the race.

The 7 Best Yacht Clubs in the South

Below, we list the seven best yacht clubs in the South, all located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. These clubs are ranked geographically from East to West. Click on each club’s name to visit their official website and learn more about membership opportunities.

Singing River Yacht Club

Singing River Yacht Club – Pascagoula, MS

1. Singing River Yacht Club – Pascagoula

Founded in 1970, the Singing River Yacht Club (SRYC) overlooks the Pascagoula River at 3900 Beach Blvd. Members enjoy access to the Gulf and the delta’s waterways.

Amenities: Pool, tennis courts, full-service restaurant, and bar.
Activities: Regattas, youth sailing, and family-friendly events.

Visit Singing River Yacht Club | Facebook

Ocean Springs Yacht Club

2. Ocean Springs Yacht Club – Ocean Springs

Rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, the Ocean Springs Yacht Club (OSYC) is located at 100 Front Beach Dr.

Amenities: Swimming pool, dining room and bar, and a balcony overlooking the Gulf.
Activities: Sailing lessons and regattas hosted by the Ocean Springs Sailing Squadron.

Visit Ocean Springs Yacht Club | Facebook

Biloxi Yacht Club

Founded in 1849, the Biloxi Yacht Club (BYC) is one of the oldest in the U.S. After selling its Beach Blvd clubhouse, BYC relocated to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, where it now operates the museum café.

Amenities: Dinner service Tuesday–Sunday, lunch daily for museum guests, and a Sunday Brunch Buffet.
Activities: Sailing, GYA regattas, and shared cultural events with the museum.

Visit Biloxi Yacht Club | Facebook

Gulfport Yacht Club

4. Gulfport Yacht Club – Gulfport

Established in 1902, the Gulfport Yacht Club (GYC) anchors the Gulfport Marina at 800 East Pier Rd.

Amenities: Swimming pool, Anchor Bar, and full dining service.
Programs: Learn to Sail, High School Sailing, and youth camps.

Visit Long Beach Yacht Club

Family-friendly Long Beach Yacht Club with swimming pool and marina views.

5. Long Beach Yacht Club – Long Beach

The Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) sits at 203 East Beach Blvd., blending family fun with sailing tradition.

Amenities: Swimming pool and a casual club bar.
Activities: Junior sailing programs, summer camps, and monthly social events.

Visit Long Beach Yacht Club | Facebook

Pass Christian Yacht Club

6. Pass Christian Yacht Club – Pass Christian

Located at 120 S Market St, the Pass Christian Yacht Club (PCYC) overlooks the City Marina.

Amenities: 10,000-sq-ft clubhouse, restaurant and bar, wrap-around porches, pool, and a 15-slip marina with hoist and dry storage.
Activities: Twilight sailing, summer sailing camps, and regattas.

Visit Pass Christian Yacht Club | Facebook Bay/Waveland Yacht Club

7. Bay Waveland Yacht Club – Bay St. Louis / Waveland

Founded in 1896, the Bay Waveland Yacht Club (BWYC) is located at #1 Yacht Club Dr.

Amenities: Modern clubhouse, pool, and dining service.
Activities: Club-owned fleet, Wednesday Night Races, youth sailing programs, and GYA events.
Reciprocity: Welcomes visiting members from other GYA clubs.

Visit Bay Waveland Yacht Club | Facebook

⚓ What is a Regatta?

A regatta is a series of boat races, most often sailboat races, held on coastal waters or lakes. They combine competition with community, bringing together sailors of all ages. Many Mississippi Gulf Coast yacht clubs host regattas where young sailors and experienced members alike can participate, making it one of the most exciting and inclusive traditions of club life.

Visit the Best Coast

The Mississippi Gulf Coast—often called the “Best Coast”—offers yacht clubs that combine history, sailing, and true Southern hospitality. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly pool, an active regatta schedule, or simply a place to enjoy cocktails with fellow boaters, there’s a club for you.

If you’re planning a trip, consider staying with Christie’s Gulf Beach Rentals for a waterfront experience that matches the charm of these clubs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Clubs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

1) What does it cost to become a member of a yacht club?

Each club sets its own fees and requirements. Generally, there is an up-front initiation fee (often several hundred dollars or more) and monthly dues. Some clubs include a food minimum in the dues, which you can “work off” by dining at the club’s restaurant or bar.

2) Do I need to own a yacht or boat to join?

No. Most clubs welcome social members who don’t own boats. These communities are as much about friendship, dining, and events as they are about boating.

3) How do I become a member?

Typically you’ll be sponsored by at least one current member, submit an application, and then the membership committee votes to admit you (sometimes followed by board approval).

4) What amenities do yacht clubs usually offer?

Common amenities include swimming pools, restaurants and bars, shower/changing facilities, boat slips, sailing instruction, youth camps, and event spaces.

5) What is reciprocal membership?

Reciprocity lets members of a Gulf Yachting Association (GYA) club visit other affiliated clubs as guests. You can usually dine, have drinks, use the pool, and sometimes access short-term dockage when space allows. It’s a courtesy for travelers, not a substitute for your home club. Always call ahead to confirm rules and availability.

6) Can children participate in club activities?

Yes. Most clubs offer youth sailing lessons, summer camps, and family-friendly social events.

7) Are yacht clubs only for sailors?

No. Many members join for the social atmosphere, dining, live events, and community—sailing is optional.

8) What kind of social events do clubs host?

Expect regattas, twilight sails, holiday parties, live music nights, themed dinners, brunches, and special member events throughout the year.

9) Can non-members dine at a yacht club?

Usually facilities are for members and their guests. If you belong to a reciprocal club, you may be allowed access. Call ahead to confirm policies and hours.

10) Why join if I don’t sail?

Yacht clubs are about community, hospitality, and a shared love of the water. Many members join for friendships, dining, and events—even if they never step on a sailboat.

⚓ Ready to Learn More?

Each Mississippi Gulf Coast yacht club has its own fees, requirements, and membership process. Visit their official membership pages to explore your options:

Contact the club nearest you to ask about fees, tours, and upcoming events.

Read some of our blog articles, and try this one, “Why I decided to retire in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.”

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave comments and tell us what you think. RetireCoast.com

Discover more from RetireCoast.com

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.