Bay of Islands hosts Coastal Classic finish on 23 October
Published on 10/21/2026 at 10:39 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRace route and Russell finish
- The New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club organises the PIC Coastal Classic on 23 October 2026.
- Russell marks the finish in the Bay of Islands after the fleet rounds Cape Brett and approaches Tapeka Point.
- The official course covers 119 nautical miles from Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf.
The Bay of Islands and the PIC Coastal Classic come together on 23 October 2026, when the yacht race finishes off Russell Wharf. The course reaches the region after starting from Devonport Wharf in Auckland and passing along the east coast. Paihia is the main visitor centre on the bay, while Russell provides the race finish.
PIC Coastal Classic reaches Russell after 119 nautical miles
The PIC Coastal Classic is organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club. The official course page places the 2026 race on Friday 23 October and gives the route as 119 nautical miles from Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf. The race is a mixed-fleet event involving keelboats and multihulls.
The fleet is expected to approach Russell after sailing past Cape Brett and along the final coastal section towards Tapeka Point. The official course details identify both the Bay of Islands finish and the race organiser. An independent sailing report said 100 boats were set to start on 23 October, with Russell as their destination.
The Bay of Islands finish follows Cape Brett and Tapeka Point
The route enters the Bay of Islands after the boats round Cape Brett, a major navigational point on the official course. The final approach runs from Cape Brett to Tapeka Point before reaching the finish area off Russell Wharf. This makes the bay the closing stage of a race that begins in Auckland.
The course information says the final section can be complex because the fleet navigates around islands and coastal hazards. It also notes that some boats may reach the finish during darkness, depending on their progress. After crossing the line, crews can motor into Russell or use a pre-arranged mooring or anchorage.
The race has been held annually since 1982, according to the organiser’s history page, while the current homepage describes the event as first raced in 1981. The 2026 event therefore continues a long-running New Zealand yacht-racing tradition, but its immediate visitor relevance is the scheduled finish at Russell on 23 October.
Visiting Bay of Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The PIC Coastal Classic starts on Friday 23 October 2026 and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
- The race is held on the water. The official course directs finishing boats towards Russell after they cross the line near the wharf.
- The 119-nautical-mile route runs from Devonport Wharf through coastal waters, past Cape Brett and Tapeka Point, to Russell.
Searching for Bay of Islands on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Bay of Islands
When does the PIC Coastal Classic take place at Bay of Islands?
The 2026 PIC Coastal Classic starts on Friday 23 October and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
Where is Bay of Islands and how do you get there?
The race finish is at Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands, while the event starts at Devonport Wharf in Auckland.
What is Bay of Islands?
Bay of Islands is the Northland coastal region containing Russell and the waters used by the final section of the PIC Coastal Classic.
