7 Best yacht clubs in the South join now

Last updated on March 19th, 2025 at 07:53 pm

Boating and sailing are essential pastimes in the South, and yacht clubs provide the perfect social setting for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The seven best yacht clubs in the South all located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast offer not just great boating experiences but also vibrant communities where members can enjoy fine dining, cocktails, and great company. These clubs host events for all ages, making them welcoming spaces whether you own a yacht or a boat, or simply enjoy the maritime lifestyle.

Reciprocal Membership – A Perk of Southern Yacht Clubs

One of the best-kept secrets about Southern yacht clubs is that membership in one often grants you access to many others. Many clubs along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, for example, offer reciprocal memberships through their affiliation with the Gulf Yachting Association.

This means that if you join the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, for instance, you can visit and enjoy yacht clubs all along the Florida Gulf Coast. The camaraderie and shared privileges among Southern yacht clubs make traveling even more enjoyable for members.

Amenities Offered at Yacht Clubs

Southern yacht clubs offer a wide range of amenities, making them more than just places to dock a boat. Common features include:

• Swimming pools
• Restaurants and bars
• Changing and shower facilities
• Boat slips for members and guest slips for visitors

Each club has its own unique character, with some housed in historic buildings and others boasting modern architecture. Social events, entertainment, and even dance nights are commonly hosted, fostering a vibrant community.

Love for the sea is a common theme, but owning a boat is by no means a requirement for membership. Most clubs require a sponsorship to join, but prospective members are usually introduced to a sponsor during a visit.

Many clubs also offer additional services, such as sailboat rentals, sailing lessons, and boating safety classes for all ages. While these clubs are fantastic social hubs, they also contribute significantly to their local communities.

What Defines a Yacht?

Not everyone knows the technical difference between a yacht and a boat, and that’s perfectly fine. If you’re a newcomer, there will always be friendly members eager to explain the basics, from identifying the front and back of a vessel to the nuances of yacht racing. The social aspect of these clubs ensures that even novice members feel welcome and included in the maritime culture.

Is a Yacht Club Right for You?

Yacht clubs are about socializing and building friendships centered around a love for the water. Members often share stories of their maritime adventures, but a deep knowledge of sailing isn’t a requirement. If you have no interest in boats or the sea, you might not find yacht clubs as engaging. However, for those with even a slight interest in the maritime lifestyle, these clubs offer an enriching and welcoming experience.

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

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

The Biloxi Yacht Club is moving from its Beach Blvd building to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art on a temporary basis. The members are looking for another property. This club is the oldest on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They will be operating the cafe inside the museum until they move. While they do not have a swimming pool and other facilities, the club is still active.

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 coast 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, and try this one “Why I decided to retire in Ocean Springs, Mississippi”

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