The fair Winds
The sun, the warm spray, the thrill of driving fast boats all day and then partying hard at night deep in the Caribbean, it’s an awesome cocktail and an unforgettable experience
Ahoy, adventurers! The Caribbean – where turquoise waters meet steady trade winds, is the ultimate playground for sailors.
Picture this: exhilarating races set against a backdrop of swaying palms, golden beaches, and that tropical magic we all dream about.
The Caribbean regatta circuit is pure joy on the high seas, offering sailing enthusiasts a whirlwind of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable views, not to mention the legendary after parties. Looking ahead to 2025, this lineup of thrilling events is calling your name! Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just love the idea of charting a course through paradise, now’s the perfect time to dive in. Charter a yacht, reserve your place, hoist those sails, and join the regatta madness – it’s an experience you’ll be bragging about for years!
RORC 600
24TH – 28TH FEBRUARY 2025
The 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts and finishes in Antigua. The classic Royal Ocean Racing Club’s non-stop 600nm race goes around 11 Caribbean islands. The RORC Caribbean 600 is truly an international affair, with over 500 sailors taking part from over 25 different countries.
The first warning signal will sound at Fort Charlotte for an epic race featuring a highly competitive and varied fleet of IRC Offshore boats, Class40s and Multihulls. The RORC Caribbean 600 forms part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Season Points Championship, the world’s largest offshore racing series, and includes the Rolex Middle Sea Race, RORC Transatlantic Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Grenada Sailing Week
26TH JANUARY 2025
The roots of the Grenada Sailing Week (GSW) Regatta trace back to 1993, when the keelboat regatta was first introduced as part of the Grenada Sailing Festival. In 2012, a group of sailing enthusiasts and marine industry leaders recognized its potential and took the bold step of formally registering and rebranding the event as Grenada Sailing Week. Their vision was to elevate the regatta to a premier regional and international sailing event, putting Grenada firmly on the map of competitive Caribbean racing.
The team are planning an exciting 6-day event for 2025. The format will be Skippers Briefing & Welcome Party in Carriacou, followed by 2 days of racing, a lay day and 2 more days of racing. Come and spice it up in Grenada.
St. Thomas International Regatta
28TH – 30TH MARCH 2025
Sailors can look forward to the best in handicap and one- design racing on round-the-islands and round-the-buoy courses professionally set by some of the best race management in the world. In 2025, we will welcome the VX One class as part of the VX One Caribbean Cup and host the IC24 Caribbean Championship as part of STIR.
The VX One Caribbean Cup 2025 offers sailors of this one-design sport boat an opportunity to race in two back-to-back regattas: STIR, March 28-20, 2025, and the BVI Spring Regatta (BVISR), April 4-6, 2025. As of September 2024, nearly 12 boats from the VX One North American class association have committed to participating, and the class expects at least 18 total or more to race.
Superyacht Challenge Antigua
5TH – 9TH MARCH 2025
Hosted by the Admiral’s Inn and Antigua Rigging in association with National Parks Antigua, the event is designed to be solely for the pleasure of superyacht owners, their guests and crew. The magnificent fleet take part in three days of spectacular racing. With daily pursuit races along the stunning south coast of Antigua and laid back social events, The Superyacht Challenge Antigua is a wonderful celebration of sailing and parties.
St. Barths Bucket Regatta
13TH – 16TH MARCH 2025
St. Barts (St. Barths or Saint Barthélemy) ranks among the Caribbean’s signature sailing destinations. No surprise that this legendary isle in the French West Indies is a host to high-profile yacht races. Among the best-known, without question, is the St. Barths Bucket Regatta. This four-day, invitation-only race typically falls in mid-March, drawing sailing superyachts from all over the world. Inspired by a Nantucket event, it benefits greatly from the unique nature of the coastline of St. Barts: the coves and headlands, the reefs and offshore islets, and steady tradewinds. From its inception, St. Barths Bucket Regatta has always been an invitation-only event, and one targeting sail boats classified as superyachts: that is, classic sailing boats exceeding 100 feet in length. This St. Barts regatta has also always emphasised spirited yet gentlemanly competition. There’s no prize money at stake, no advertisements or sponsorships involved. The only honor regatta participants strive for is the chance to win the prized “Bucket Cup” itself.
MORE THAN JUST RACING
These regattas play a crucial role in supporting local economies, yacht clubs, and sailing programmes, strongly emphasising youth participation. Youth teams are actively encouraged to participate in the events, with initiatives such as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Next Generation programme and the Youth to Keel Programme at Antigua Sailing Week providing invaluable experiences for young sailors and local knowledge-sharing opportunities.
So dive into the heart of the Caribbean Racing Season, where the thrill of competition meets the beauty of tropical sailing and the opportunity to build life long memories and friendships. Beyond the races themselves, the regatta’s schedules are filled with engaging activities designed to immerse everyone in the local culture and sailing traditions, including welcoming receptions and award ceremonies. These gatherings offer a perfect opportunity to experience the heart of the Caribbean lifestyle.
