2026 Swim Across the Bay

Swim Across the Bay 2026

Sunday, September 13, 2026 – 7:30 AM

Location
100 Jody Compretta Dr
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520

 

Start

Henderson Point Boat Launch
99 W Bayview St
Pass Christian, MS 39571

A continuous shuttle will run from 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM from near The Blind Tiger on the Bay St. Louis side. Signs will mark the pickup spot on Beach Blvd. Use the shuttle to return to the start if you parked there.

Finish

Beach north of the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor
100 Jody Compretta Dr
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Race Description

Swim Across the Bay is a 2‑mile, point‑to‑point open water swim, founded in 2017. Swimmers begin at the Henderson Point Boat Launch and follow a straight route across the bay to the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor pier.

All participants and volunteers will receive a Swim Across the Bay race shirt.

Awards & Rules

Top 3 Overall Male & Female
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 (swimmers who do not finish within the cutoff will be picked up by water support)
Participants 17 and younger must have a dedicated volunteer paddler.
Kayak escorts are welcome and encouraged.
 

Gear Guidelines

Allowed: snorkel, personal buoy, other safety equipment
Not allowed: fins, hand paddles, or any propulsion devices
Wetsuits are allowed, but water temperatures are typically 80°F+, which is considered unsafe for wetsuits.
A swim cap is required; any cap is fine. A latex cap will be provided if needed.
Goggles are strongly recommended.
 

Parking & Transportation

Participants may park at the finish area. A shuttle will transport swimmers to the start, or swimmers may be dropped off by friends or family.

Event Details

• Breakfast items and drinks will be available after the race for all swimmers and volunteers.

• Volunteers are needed for kayak/paddleboard support. A limited number of boats are available; volunteers with their own equipment are encouraged.

• All volunteers receive a race shirt.

Registration Fees

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

Packet Pickup

New Orleans Area Early Pickup
Thursday, September 10
Fleet Feet Metairie
3020 Severn Avenue
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Northshore Area Early Pickup
Friday, September 11
Fleet Feet Covington
206 Lake Drive
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Bay St. Louis Pickup
Saturday, September 12
The Mockingbird Café
110 S 2nd St
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Race Day Pickup

Henderson Point Boat Launch
99 W Bayview St
Pass Christian, MS 39571
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
• And other qualifying unforeseen circumstances

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.