Newhaven Yacht Squadron

Sailing waters

Newhaven sits on Phillip Island's northern shore, tucked behind Cape Woolamai and facing the eastern arm of Western Port, and the geography makes the boating both excellent and interesting. The squadron's marina — 188 berths (the membership page says 187), officially opened in 2008 — is reached from Bass Strait through Western Port's eastern entrance, which means passing under the San Remo bridge. That bridge imposes an air-draft limit on the eastern route; deeper-keeled, taller-masted yachts can instead use the western entrance, where no such restriction applies.

Tide is the defining force. Up to six knots of flow rips through The Narrows separating Newhaven from San Remo, and every passage plan here starts with the tide book. Western Port itself rewards the effort: broad, sheltered, island-studded, with French Island and the Prom within cruising range and rich fishing grounds throughout — hence the club's proud angling culture, complete with Angler of the Year honours.

The shoreside plant is unusually complete for a club of this size. Alongside visitor and permanent berths there is a staffed boat maintenance yard with slipping facilities and a private boat ramp. The clubhouse overlooks the marina with a large function room, outdoor barbecue area, showers and relaxation space for members and berth holders, and the club makes its rooms available to other local community groups. Live weather, webcam and tide displays keep members connected to the state of the bay before they leave home. Traditional events — the Opening Day Sail Past, cruises out to "the Quarry" and beyond the Nobbies — mark the seasons on this distinctive stretch of coast.