Dar Es Salaam Yacht Club

About

The club is a private members' yacht club that promotes amateur yacht and boat sailing, racing, and a variety of watersports including deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and kayaking. It operates moorings and organizes regular regattas, training, and social programmes. For more information on the club's history, visit this page.

Founded in 1933, the club relocated to Leopard's Cove (Msasani Bay) in February 1967 and has since grown to host over 100 boats and many hundreds of members. It is governed by an elected volunteer committee with the objective of encouraging amateur sailing, racing, and other aquatic sports.

Accommodation

The club does not provide dedicated on-site accommodation. Visitors and event participants are expected to use nearby hotels, although a limited number of beds may be offered in members' homes for some events. More details can be found here.

Facilities

Shore-based facilities include two ramps with hauling-out winches, hard standing for boats ashore, sheds and open-air repair bays, fresh water facilities, tenders/ dinghies, and a Bosun's office with a booking system for hauling/launching and mooring assistance. Additional information is available at this link.

The clubhouse features multiple catering outlets, including the Pharos Grill and Beach Banda, as well as three bars, a swimming pool, a children's playground, a club library, a beach area, and hireable event spaces. More about the clubhouse can be found here.

Moorings and Anchorage

The club operates moorings for over 100 boats. Visiting yachts may anchor on the outskirts of the DYC moorings, request a dinghy service to shore, and register for a visiting yacht membership to access fuel, fresh water, anchorage space, and club facilities. Further details are available here.

Training

The club offers sail training for children and adults, ranging from beginner to advanced levels through four-week group programmes and private lessons. It maintains club boats for hire and employs a full-time sail trainer. More information about training programmes can be found here.

Racing

The club has an active racing programme across various categories including Optimist, Laser, Catamaran, and Yacht sections. Weekly bay races and major events, such as the Laser Open and annual offshore races, draw regional and international competitors. More about racing activities can be found here.

Cruising

The club organizes social cruises and weekend trips to local marine parks and islands. Events include an annual Zanzibar Raid and regular cruises to nearby marine parks and anchorages throughout the year. Details can be found here.

Social Activities

The club maintains a year-round social calendar that includes events such as weekly music on the Quarterdeck, beach barbeques, quiz nights, themed evenings, family events, and the Annual Yacht Club Ball. More information on social activities can be found here.

Dress Code

A dress code typically applies for major formal events, such as the Yacht Club Ball and New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Quarterdeck is designated as adults-only, with specific standards announced for other events. More details can be found here.

Seasonal Operation

The sailing and racing season generally runs from June to March. Sail training occurs during school terms, with private lessons and holiday sessions available at other times. The local climate features long rains from mid-March to May and short rains from November to January. More information is available here.