Boating and sailing are important sports in the South. The 7 best yacht clubs in the South are fun places to hang out. Enjoy a good meal, a cocktail, and great company. The 7 best yacht clubs in the South sponsor events for all ages. You don’t need to own a yacht, large boat, large vessel, or sailing boat to become a member.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers not less than one yacht club for every city along the Coast. One of the best-kept secrets is that joining one is like joining all. They all offer reciprocal membership as they are members of the Gulf Yachting Association. Typically when you join for example the Ocean Springs yacht club, you can visit yacht clubs all along the Florida gulf coast.
Most Southern yacht clubs honor each other’s membership which makes traveling pleasant. No matter where you go in the South, you will be welcomed at a local yacht club.
Yacht clubs offer many amenities
Swimming pools, restaurants, bars, changing and shower facilities are just the start. Most offer boat slips to members and has guest slips for visitors. Each club offers different amenities. Every club has its character. Starting with the building, some are historic, others are modern.
Social events are offered including entertainment, dancing, and more. Love of the sea and boating is important but not a requirement of membership. Most clubs require you to be sponsored to become a member. This is not difficult, the club will usually introduce you to someone that can sponsor you after a short visit.
Some clubs have sailboats for rent. Others offer sailing classes and boating safety classes to all ages. The clubs are social of course but they serve the community in many ways.
Do you know the definition of a yacht or boat?
You don’t need to know at first glance when a big boat becomes a yacht or the definition of a yacht. Most don’t know the right side from the left side of a boat. Without a doubt, someone at the yacht club will be there to explain to non-boat owner-members (and novice boat owners) what the front and back of a boat are called. You may meet someone who will show you around their racing yacht
Yacht clubs are about socializing. Yes, members share lots of stories about boats and their adventures. If you are not at all interested in boats and the sea, you may not want to join a yacht club. This is not to say that you would be unwelcome, it’s just that the idea of being on the water seems to be the glue that binds the members.
Listed below are the 8 best yacht clubs in the South and they are all located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They are listed below in geographical order from East to West along the coast. Click on the name of the club for a link to their website with more information and membership requirements.
Singing River Yacht Club
The City of Pascagoula is home to the Singing River Yacht Club. The name reflects the old Indian name for the Pascagoula River and estuary. Members of this club have access to the Gulf of Mexico and the large Pascagoula River. Miles of tributaries in the delta along with the Gulf offer lots of opportunities for their boating community.
Visit the Singing River Yacht Club website by clicking on their name. Information about membership, hours of operation, and more are available. Check out their Facebook page as well.
Ocean Springs Yacht Club
Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the club was rebuilt and its membership has been growing larger since. Located on the beach in Ocean Springs just by the Ocean Springs-Biloxi bridge, it’s perfectly located for sailing. Don’t forget their large swimming pool for those hot summer days.
Visit their website for membership information, click on the name above. Food and drinks are available in their dining room. Their full bar offers the opportunity to grab a drink and sit on their deck watching people and boats.
Biloxi Yacht Club
This club is located in a beautiful building that is reminiscent of another century but with modern amenities. The club is located on U.S. 90 and offers docks and boat slips.
Take a swim in their large pool overlooking the bay. The marina is just across the highway from the clubhouse.
Their website offers information about membership benefits, amenities, and restaurant menus.
Gulfport Yacht Club
Located inside the Gulfport marina at the Port of Gulfport. Learn to sell with their Sailing Camp. Watch the Regatta. There are many activities at the club. Their youth program is something to look into if you have kids. The large club building is located just yards from one of the largest casinos.
The club serves breakfast and offers meals on specific days of the week. The Friday night menu may include Speckled Trout. Yum.
If you are visiting from outside of the area, the Gulfport Yach Club is centrally located. Some of the best restaurants on the cost are in downtown Gulfport just minutes from the clubhouse.
Their website has lots of information including about their large swimming pool.
Long Beach Yacht Club
The Long Beach Yacht Club is located in the City marina. Check out their website, they give directions “from the land”. They do not give directions from the sea except to give their latitude and longitude. Their large swimming pool is open during the summer and at other times.
Sailing regattas and their sailing camp are featured programs at the club. The bar is generally open Thursday through Saturday.
Pass Christian Yacht Club
The beautiful view from the Club located in the City marina is breathtaking. Their large restaurant and bar are open to members. They offer the same reciprocity as offered by all members of the Gulf Yachting Association. Limited dockage is available.
The club offers a wide variety of activities including Regattas and summer sailing camp. Twilight sailing on Thursday nights is popular. The view from the clubhouse in the marina is very good. Look into their dining opportunities. Check out their website for more information
Bay/Waveland Yacht Club
This club serves members in Bay St. Louis and Waveland. Located on the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance of the Bay of St. Louis, this club was founded in 1896. A member of the Gulf Yachting Association, the club maintains a fleet of club-owned boats. Classes are offered to sailors of all ages.
Regattas and many other events are available for members to enjoy year-round. The large building built in 2008 after Hurricane Katrina is modern and functional.
The restaurant offers lunch and dinner on selected days. Check their website for specific times they are open. The lounge is open every day except for Tuesday.
Come visit our Yacht Clubs
Come to the Gulf Coast and visit our yacht clubs. You may want to join the club in the city you are going to live in or shop around for a club that suits your personality. All clubs have membership requirements and some require you to be recommended by a current member to join.
If you are a member of any club affiliated with the Gulf Yachting Association you are a member of any of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Yacht clubs. After all, we have the 7 best yacht clubs in the south join now.
This is a fact you should learn. There is the West Coast, the East Coast, and the Best Coast (Mississippi Gulf Coast). If you decide to visit the Best coast, consider reserving a vacation home with Christies Gulf Beach Rentals.
Read some of our blog articles, try this one “Why I decided to retire in Ocean Springs, Mississippi”
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