5th Full Moon Sailing Spectacle Istra Brings Together Domestic and International Sailors
by JK Delfin Pula – Istra 22 Feb 11:02 UTC
25-29 March 2026
Full Moon Sailing Spectacle © JK Delfin /
www.regate.com.hr
The Delfin Sailing Club Pula announces the jubilee fifth edition of the regattas Full Moon Sailing Spectacle, which will take place from March 25 to March 29, 2026, in Pula. Traditionally held in March, the event marks the ceremonial opening of the cruiser regatta season in Istria. The anniversary edition represents a further step forward in sporting, organizational, and social terms.
Full Moon Sailing Spectacle was launched four years ago with a clear vision - to fill the gap in the early-season regatta calendar and offer a navigational cruiser regatta that, in addition to its sporting character, also carries a strong cultural, educational, and social dimension. Already in its first year, 2022, 56 boats with crews from Croatia, Slovenia, Italia, Austria and the wider region arrived in Pula. Interest has continued to grow despite the often demanding March weather conditions. In subsequent editions, participation exceeded 100 vessels.
A special value of the Full Moon Sailing Spectacle lies in the combination of the local sailing community and top international crews. The regatta is sailed in ORC & OPEN, enabling fair participation for various types of boats and crews - from local cruising yachts to performance cruisers and high-level racing yachts. The organizers emphasize that it is precisely the meeting of local skippers, who know the Istrian waters in all their nuances, and experienced international teams with high-performance, technologically advanced boats that gives the regatta its sporting weight and recognition.
The Full Moon Sailing Spectacle is open to everyone - local sailors who wish to be part of a strong regatta story, as well as international crews seeking a demanding racecourse, serious competition, and high-quality organization at the start of the season.
Beyond the sporting segment, the Full Moon Sailing Spectacle has developed into a city-wide social event featuring sea-based race coverage and professional commentary, concerts, film screenings, cultural and educational programs, the exhibition Pula Under Sails, and presentations of local gastronomy. In the previous edition, the event gathered around 2,000 competitors and visitors, confirming its status as one of the most significant events in Pula outside the main tourist season.
The jubilee fifth edition introduces a new navigational route in the Istrian waters. The regatta starts from the Port of Pula, continues north around the Brijuni Islands, then south around Albanež, and returns to Pula. ORC, Racing and performance cruisers will sail approximately 40 nautical miles, while the Cruising fleet will have a shortened course with defined passage marks to reduce the risk of non-completion in demanding conditions.
The five-day program includes two main regattas - Full Moon Night Sprint Pula (8 nm) and Full Moon Day Race Istra (25-40 nm) - along with a series of accompanying events, Full Moon Classic Pula (traditional wooden sailing boats), cultural-educational Cakule talks on maritime heritage, as well as music and gastronomic programs.
The great Opening is scheduled on 26th March with ROCK concert PARNI VALJAK.
The strong strategic dimension of the event is highlighted by the project's author and President of Delfin Sailing Club Pula - Sanja Vale Cupic:
"From the very beginning, Full Moon Sailing Spectacle was conceived as a strategic project, not just a regatta competition. As a competitor, I understand the sporting logic of a regatta and the needs of participants, and as a business consultant, I structured the project on a sustainable model that connects sport, destination, economy, and community. It is especially important to us that local crews and top international teams sail on the same race course, because this combination raises the level of competition and creates an environment in which everyone grows. It also generates measurable value for all stakeholders - from sailors and partners to the local economy and regional promotion. Today, Full Moon functions as a collaboration platform with clear potential for further growth through strategic partnerships."
The organizers invite sailors to participate, as well as companies and institutions to support the event through sponsorships and donations. In partnership with ADRINAUT, the project is strongly promoted internationally, further positioning Istria as a region of excellence and life connected to the sea.