Round the Island Race

11 July 2026
Cowes, Isle of Wight

The world-famous Round the Island Race is a one day, non-stop competition that pits the sailing skills of Olympic champions against amateur club sailors, first-timers and families.

Britain’s favourite yacht race will start in Cowes on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line, then the race will head west to the Needles, around St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy and back into the Solent to finish. There’ll be a number of vantage points on the Island from which to capture the glory of the competition.

Travel to the Island with Wightlink and you’ll be perfectly positioned to catch the fleet at two prime observation points. Take our Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry, and you’ll be moments from Sconce Point, ideal for watching the early stages of the race. Or hop on our Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat to land right on the pier – a fantastic spot to witness the final stretch.