Annual Drake's Bay Cruise
The Drake's Bay Cruise is one of the MMBA's most anticipated annual events — a multi-day offshore sail from San Francisco Bay to Drake's Bay at the Point Reyes National Seashore, roughly 30 miles north of the Golden Gate.
About Drake's Bay
Drake's Bay is a protected anchorage on the west side of the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County. Named for Sir Francis Drake, who is believed to have careened his ship Golden Hinde here in 1579, the bay offers a dramatic anchorage sheltered from the prevailing northwest swell by the high cliffs of the Point Reyes headlands.
The Cruise
The Drake's Bay Cruise typically takes place in October or November, after the Jessica Cup. Participants sail out through the Golden Gate, rounding Point Bonita and heading north along the Marin coast to Drake's Bay. The cruise is a raft-up event — vessels anchor together in the bay for an overnight stay, with social gatherings aboard.
The return passage through the Gate offers some of the best sailing on the California coast, with classic following seas and strong westerly winds typical of late autumn.
Seamanship Requirements
The Drake's Bay Cruise is an offshore passage that requires proper offshore preparation — valid flares, life jackets, VHF radio, and vessels in sound offshore condition. Participants should be comfortable with coastal passage-making in conditions that can include fog, swells, and shipping traffic in the approaches to the Gate.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Drake's Bay lies within the Point Reyes National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service. The surrounding wilderness includes dramatic white cliffs, elephant seal rookeries, and one of the most pristine coastal landscapes in California.
The Drake's Estero (estuary) is adjacent to the anchorage and is one of the most ecologically significant coastal wetlands on the Pacific Coast.
Related MMBA Events
- Annual Master Mariners Regatta — Memorial Weekend
- Jessica Cup — Autumn gaff-rig race
- Full Event Calendar