The club was founded on March 4, 1861, with the approval of its constitution by Tsar Alexander II.

His brother, Admiral-General Grand Duke Konstantin, officiated at the inauguration ceremony.

In the same year, NJK received its first yachting ensign, based on the flag of the Neva Yacht Club of St. Petersburg: white with a blue cross (similar to the flag of Finland), with the crest of the district of Nyland (Uusimaa) in the upper inner corner.

The present pavilion, designed by architects Estlander and Settergren, was inaugurated on August 31, 1900.

Today NJK has two home harbours, Valkosaari and Koivusaari: NJK hosts one of the biggest sailing centers in Finland where you can sail without owning a boat.