St Maarten Heineken Regatta
The St Maarten Heineken Regatta has been a Caribbean sailing icon for over 40 years, blending intense racing with an atmosphere of “serious fun,” as it’s famously known. Taking place annually in early March, this four-day regatta brings together some of the world’s best sailors from over 35 countries, competing in Maxis, Monohulls, and high-performance Multihulls. Crystal-clear turquoise waters and the steady, cooling trade winds of the Northeast Caribbean make this regatta a sailor’s paradise. Each day on the water is thrilling and challenging, offering unforgettable racing experiences just off the coast of stunning Sint Maarten.
Whether you’re racing a Maxi yacht, Performance Multihull, Ocean Racer, or Cruiser, the St Maarten Heineken Regatta offers courses tailored to every class. This regatta’s unique combination of windward-leeward and coastal courses ensures all competitors experience a variety of race formats, suited to different sailing styles. Cruising multihulls, for example, enjoy coastal routes with fewer upwind legs, while performance-oriented classes like Maxis and Multihulls can expect longer, more demanding courses that push both crew and vessel to their limits.
The St Maarten Heineken Regatta incorporated the Gill Commodore’s Cup into the main event in 2019 which provided increased flexibility to the regatta schedule, allowing race committees to choose the best conditions to ensure a memorable start to the competition.
One of the best things about the St Maarten Heineken Regatta is its inclusive spirit. Open to all levels, from experienced sailors to first-timers, this event offers whole-boat charters and opportunities for individuals at all skill levels to participate. Whether you’re looking to test your mettle against seasoned pros or just dive into the excitement of your first regatta, we’ll find the right charter for your adventure at the St Maarten Heineken Regatta. This is truly a bucket-list event for any sailor – make this regatta your next unforgettable experience!
Schedule
Thursday – Race day 1
Friday – Race day 2
Saturday – Race day 3
Sunday – Race day 4
Prize-giving on all of the race days
The St Maarten Heineken Regatta has been a premier Caribbean sailing event for over 40 years, blending intense, competitive racing with an atmosphere of “serious fun,” as it’s famously known. Taking place annually in early March, this four-day regatta attracts some of the world’s best sailors from over 35 countries, competing in Maxis, Monohulls, and Performance Multihulls. The combination of crystal-clear turquoise waters and the cooling trade winds of the Northeast Caribbean create perfect conditions, making this regatta a true paradise for sailors. Each day on the water offers thrilling challenges, with spectacular views just off the coast of St Maarten.
