The Caribbean, with its crystal-clear azure waters and reliable trade winds, plays host to a series of sailing regattas each year. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a novice eager to dip your toes into competitive sailing, the Caribbean has something for everyone. In this guide, we take you through the most exciting regattas of 2024, promising a blend of on the water competition, vibrant social programs, and breath taking island backdrops.
Kicking off the 2024 regatta season in style is Barbados Sailing Week - 10-day regatta with various racing classes and a fun-filled social program. The vibe throughout the island is legendary with crowds flocking to the best vantage points to watch the race as it unfolds down the rugged Atlantic coast. The 2024 regatta starts on 12th January, with a junior dinghy series, the coastal yacht racing starts on the 18th with the legendary Mount Gay Round Barbados Race taking place on Sunday 21st January.
Pure Grenada Sailing Week 2024 runs between the 28th January and the 2nd February. This 5 day regatta starts with a race around Carriacou, the largest Island in the Grenada Grenadines. The following day the fleet race from Carriacou to Grenada, after a lay day on day 3, the racing continues around the south and west coast of Grenada on days 4 and 5.
Given the record number of multihulls crossing the Atlantic with ARC and ARC+ in 2023, we can’t not highlight the Caribbean Multihull Challenge 2024 being held in St. Maarten from the 1st to the 4th of February. This unique regatta combines racing and rallying, with a great line of courses and routes for both fleets.
For those with an IRC certificate and a rating of 0.970 and higher, the 2024 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series starts on the 13th February, and includes 6 inshore races and culminates in the RORC Caribbean 600. The RORC Caribbean 600 forms part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Season Points Championships, the world's largest offshore racing series.
The St. Maarteen Heineken Regatta is the largest regatta in the Caribbean. The 2024 edition will run from February 29th to March 3rd. The event’s motto is ‘serious fun’, combining world-class racing with great local food and entertainment, attracting amateur and professional sailors alike.
Known for its exclusive and glamorous appeal, the St. Barths Bucket Regatta combines luxury with competitive sailing. A gathering of some of the world's most impressive superyachts, this regatta takes place between the 21st and 24th March 2024.
Taking place in the US Virgin Islands, the St Thomas International Regatta is described as the crown jewels of Caribbean racing. This three-day regatta attracts sailors from around the world and will run between the 29th and 31st March 2024.
The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival kicks off with 3 days of coastal racing and parties and culminates in 3 days of highly competitive racing action in and around Sir Francis Drake Channel. The week-long regatta will run between the 1st and the 7th April 2024 and take you all around the British Virgin Islands archipelago.
Rounding out the Caribbean regatta season in style, Antigua Sailing Week is a world-renowned regatta that attracts sailing enthusiasts, professionals, and spectators alike. The 55th edition of the regatta takes place between the 27th April and 3rd May 2024. The Regatta attracts all types of yachts from serious high-tech racing machines to a variety of performance cruising and cruising boats – they also have a Club Class for less serious racers!