Yachting is the activity of sailing or cruising on a yacht, which is a recreational boat typically used for pleasure rather than work or transportation. Unlike smaller sailboats you might see at a local lake, yachts are usually larger, more luxurious vessels designed for comfort during longer trips on the ocean or other large bodies of water.

People who go yachting might spend a weekend sailing along the coast, racing against other yacht owners in organized competitions, or simply cruising to explore different harbors and islands. Yachting became popular in the 1600s among Dutch and English nobility, and by the 1800s, yacht clubs formed where enthusiasts could race and socialize. The first America's Cup yacht race took place in 1851 and continues today as one of sailing's most prestigious competitions.

While yachting is often associated with wealth because yachts can be expensive to own and maintain, many people experience yachting by crewing on someone else's yacht, joining a yacht club with shared boats, or chartering a yacht for special occasions. Whether racing competitively or cruising for pleasure, yachting combines the technical skill of sailing with the adventure of exploring waterways.