2026 Swim Across the Bay

Swim Across the Bay 2026

Event Date and Time

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Time: 7:30 AM

Location

• Address: 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
• Finish Line: Beach north of the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor, 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Start Location

• Start Point: Henderson Point Boat Launch
• Address: 99 W Bayview St, Pass Christian, MS 39571
• Shuttle Times: 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM
• Pickup Location: Near The Blind Tiger on Beach Blvd.

Race Description

• Distance: 2-mile, point-to-point open water swim
• Founded: 2017
• Route: Start at Henderson Point Boat Launch and swim across the bay to the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor pier.
• Participant Perk: All participants and volunteers will receive a Swim Across the Bay race shirt.

Awards & Rules

• Top 3 Overall: Male & Female
• Age Group Awards: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (Male & Female) in each age group
• Age Groups: Under 15, then every 5 years (15–19, 20–24, …), and 75+
• Cutoff: 2 hours

Gear Guidelines

• Allowed: snorkel, personal buoy, other safety equipment
• Not Allowed: fins, hand paddles, or any propulsion devices
• Wetsuits: Allowed but typically unsafe as water temperatures are around 80°F+
• Swim Cap: Required, any cap is fine: a latex cap will be provided if needed.

Parking & Transportation

• Parking: Available at the finish area
• Shuttle: For transporting swimmers to the start
• Drop Off: Swimmers may be dropped off by friends or family.

Event Details

• Post-Race: Breakfast items and drinks will be available for all swimmers and volunteers.
• Volunteers: Needed for kayak/paddleboard support. Limited boats available: personal equipment encouraged.
• Volunteer Perk: All volunteers receive a race shirt.

Registration Fees

• Early-early Bird: $50 (until 4/30)
• Early Bird: $60 (5/1-7/15)
• Regular: $65 (7/16–8/28)
• Late: $75 (8/29–9/13)

Packet Pickup

• New Orleans Area: Thursday, September 10, Fleet Feet Metairie, 3020 Severn Avenue, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Northshore Area: Friday, September 11, Fleet Feet Covington, 206 Lake Drive, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Bay St. Louis: Saturday, September 12, The Mockingbird Café, 110 S 2nd St, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Race Day Pickup: Henderson Point Boat Launch, 5:30 AM – 7:15 AM

Event Insurance (Highly Recommended)

Life happens — weather changes, injuries occur, schedules shift, and unexpected events pop up. Protect your registration with optional event insurance during checkout.

Event insurance gives you peace of mind by providing reimbursement if you’re unable to participate for covered reasons such as:

• Illness or injury
• Family emergencies
• Work schedule conflicts
• Travel delays

This small one-time cost can save you from losing your entire race fee if something unexpected comes up. We strongly encourage all participants to consider adding event insurance when registering so you can sign up with confidence.

More Information

For more details about the race, visit Swim Across the Bay 2026.