2 races on offer in 2026!

The Beach2Beach is a 2.6km open water swim from Blackmans Bay to Kingston Beach, south of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia’s southern most state. The swim is held annually in March/April and is the final of the Tasmania Ocean Swim Series. The Beach2Beach takes swimmers past beautiful cliffs and over kelp forests and is one of several open water swims conducted every season by the Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club. The swim has become a highly regarded swim in Tasmania and interstate with many keen swimmers catching a flight over to have a crack at this great event.

In 2026, the Kingston 5 will run again after a successful launch in 2025! Swimmers will have the option to complete the Beach2Beach course crossing the finish timing mat, then return to the water to swim a 2.4 k rectangle course to the northern end of the beach. This will allow swimmers to compete in TWO races in ONE so still collecting points in the Tasmanian Ocean Swim Series.

Race Information

Minimum age: 12 years as at 22nd, November 2025.

ENTRY FEES

Age is as at 22nd Nov 2025

Normal entries until midday, Saturday 11th April, 2026:

Beach2Beach
- $35 for ages 12-16
- $45 for ages 17+
Kingston 5
- $75 for ages 12 years+

Late entries from midday until 8pm, Saturday 11th April, 2026 (an additional $20 fee):

Beach2Beach
- $55 for ages 12-16
- $65 for ages 17+
Kingston 5
- $95 for ages 12 years+

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

7:30am – 8:30am: Check in at the northern end of Blackmans Bay beach to collect your timing tag.
8.35am: Kingston 5 race briefing
8:45am: Beach2Beach race briefing.
From 9:00am: Race starts in waves.
Approx 11:00am: Race presentations at the surf life saving club on the grass.

FAQs

How do I enter?
All entries for the event are to be done ONLINE. Normal entries close midday, Saturday 11th April, 2026.

Are there late entries?
Late entries will be accepted until 8pm, Saturday 11th April, 2026 for an additional $20. NO entries will be taken on the day.

Can I check my entry?
Yes, there is a confirmation list.

Where do I leave my bag on the day?
Bags may be left (at owner’s risk) at either:

The finish tent on Kingston Beach.
Blackmans Bay for transporting back to Kingston Beach (a club car will have signage).

Can I leave nutrition and drinks at Kingston Beach?
Yes, Kingston 5 swimmers can leave named containers either:

On the drinks table in the transition area at Kingston Beach (see map at the bottom of the page); or
In a crate at the Blackmans Bay check-in. This will be transported to Kingston Beach and placed on the drinks table in the transition area.

What are the the swim distances?
2.6km and 5km.

What is the course?
There are course and finish area maps at the bottom of this page.

Are swim caps required?
Yes, a fluro coloured cap is mandatory:

Caps are available at check-in for Beach2Beach swimmers but please re-use a cap if you have already have one.
Kingston 5 swimmers will receive a special edition pink cap (or can re-use a previous year’s Kingston 5 cap).

Is there a cut off time for the swim?
Our cut off time to complete the Beach2Beach section of the course (the first 2.6km) is 1.5hours. This policy is put in place due to water safety risk management requirements and also due to the timing of the presentations.

Is breakfast available after the swim?
Yes, a breakfast BBQ will be set up at the surf club for all to enjoy. Card payments only will be accepted.

What time are the presentations?
Presentations are conducted around 20-30 minutes after the last swimmer crosses the finish line, which will be approximately 11.00am. Sorry, there will no prizes awarded for the B2B Swim Aids (eg Fins) event.

Where are the presentations?
The presentations and celebrations are conducted on the grass at the surf life saving club.

Can I get a refund if I can’t make it?

Refund requested before midnight, 5th April 2026: Full refund.
Refund requested before midday, 11th April 2026: Refund of entry fee less $5.
No refunds after midday, 11th April 2026.

Can I transfer, upgrade or downgrade my entry?

Before race day:
The registration system does not facilitate the transfer of your entry to another event, or the downgrade or upgrade to a different distance at the same event.
Instead, request a refund as per the refund policy and register again.

On race day:
We understand that Kingston 5 swimmers may decide to only complete the Beach2Beach leg at not re-enter the water at Kingston Beach to complete the 2nd leg. Please ensure the you advise a KBSLSC volunteer at either check-in or at the Kingston Beach finish area so that you are accounted for. There will be no refund for the entry fee difference.

Where are the race results?

I am travelling from interstate, what are some other activities I can do around Hobart?
An ideal itinerary for the weekend would be to visit the Salamanca market on the Saturday morning, cruise to MONA on the MONAROMA ferry, dine in at some of the restaurants on the wharf and experience some fresh local produce and then finish your weekend off by joining us at the swim on the Sunday morning.

Check out our 2021 event video on Facebook… it may inspire you to join us in 2026
Click here