“Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.” – Augustus Hare

Welcome to the Port Owen Yacht Club!

Located in the pristine coastal village of Port Owen, Velddrif, the Port Owen Yacht Club offers a warm welcome and hospitality to sailors and social members alike.  Nestled alongside the estuary waters of the Berg River, Flamingos, Egrets, Spoonbills, and other seabirds are often spotted from the clubhouse windows.  Sailing visitors to the West Coast may find mooring space in the protected yacht marina operated by the Port Owen Marina Authority and are invited to visit the club as guests of existing club members or via our reciprocity arrangement with 9 other South African yacht clubs. 

The Port Owen Marina is a man-made marina ideally positioned to provide a safe marine environment for all kinds of water sport. It is located approximately 3.5km up the Berg River from where it empties into the St Helena Bay via the Laaiplek harbour mouth and offers some of the most protected mooring spaces in the country. Safe access to both the river and the Atlantic ocean ensures that fishing enthusiasts can virtually spend 24 hours a day on the water trying for their favourite species and sailors can find safe harbour while enjoying the beauty of the Weskus with its bounty of scenery, beaches, local cuisine, birdlife, and much more.

St Helena Bay is recognised as one of the safest open water sailing venues and yachtsmen, whilst enjoying a safe harbour, can access the ocean safely during the entire year. The Berg River itself provides safe recreational areas for all kinds of activity ranging from water skiing, rowing, paddling, and sailing in small boats, to superb bird watching opportunities.

POYC offers an active sailing program with all watercraft invited to take part in a variety of activities from sailing to powerboating, dinghy racing, and kayaking, due to the club’s advantage of offering both a safe bay and a wide, slow river on which to sail. 

What’s on?

Second Tuesday of the month 4×4 club meeting takes place this Tuesday, 08 April 2025, at 17:00

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With a vibrant social life, club members and visitors are encouraged to join our bingo nights, informal braai (BBQ) evenings, special holiday events, pub grub,  Friday night sit down dinner, and more, while enjoying the spectacular sunsets over the river and Bay. 

Visit our Events Programme for upcoming events, read all about past events in our Events Gallery, or browse through members’ photos in our Members’ Gallery.

To book our clubhouse for a private event, to find out how you can become a member, or just for any general club-related query, please contact our Club Manager at info@portowenyc.co.za, or, if you like what you see and already know that you want to become a member, download our membership application form at the link at the bottom of this page!

Don’t forget to follow our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates!

Regular events

Join one of our regular members’ events!

Singalongs Mondays @ 18:00
BingoEvery second Tuesday @ 18:00
PentaqueEvery second Wednesday @ 09:00
4×4 ClubSecond Tuesday of each month @ 17:00
Port Owen Angling ClubTimetable available from Ed Cormac
Craft GroupThird Thursday of each month @ 14:00
Sailors’ ScuttlebuttFirst Monday of each month @ 17:00
Saturday bring and braaiSaturdays from 15:00, big screen sport
Wednesday pub grubEvery Wednesday, food served from +-19:00 onwards
Friday set menu & Port Owen Estates Members’ attendance drawEvery Friday, food served from +- 19:00 onwards

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Photos by various POYC members