Just as serious as our Sydney to Hobart, In 1980, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta started as the St. Maarten Regatta with a modest 12 sail boats participating. 

Three years later, in 1983, Heineken became a major sponsor of the St. Maarten Regatta and ‘Heineken’ was added to the name of the event. Heineken participated with a fee of 3,750 guilders (approximately $ 2,100).

As a bonus, the competitors received ice cold Heineken beers from a passing powerboat while they were racing.

After the involvement of Heineken, the event grew fast. With the addition of a third day in 1990, the event grew to 187 boats in 1995 and 251 boats in 1999.

Another racing day, the Commodore’s Cup, was added in 2005.

The record number of boats participating in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta was in 2008 with 284 boats. 

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will celebrate its 44th edition in 2024 from FEB 29 – MARCH 3, 2024.

 It is the largest regatta in the Caribbean and likely the largest warm water regatta in the world.

This world-renowned sailing event offers four days of World Class Racing and wonderfully entertaining nights keeping with the event’s motto of “Serious Fun”!

With the impact on the sporting community extending beyond the Caribbean into Europe, the United States, and beyond.

The 4-day event attracts well over 20,000 visitors annually, from young professionals to businesspersons, from party-goers to international sailors, aging from 18 to 55+ coming from over 37 different countries.

After an amazing day of sailing, the participants are able to enjoy great local food and an ice-cold Heineken in the Regatta Village. 

This is an event where business meets pleasure in the best possible way, in a very inspiring and energetic atmosphere.

The Party:

In 2024, from Feb 29th – March 3rd, they will be celebrating the 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta! 

This largest sailing event in the Caribbean has hosted thousands of sailors and partygoers year after year, an experience unmatched and historically known for its legendary parties.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is a staple event, which not only features an extraordinary entertainment lineup including some of the island’s most talented artists and musicians, but also manages to fit in some first-class sail boat racing as well !

At the Regatta Village, located at Port de Plaisance, you could also enjoy the epic sounds from top local performers such as Kenyo Baly, Tamillia Chance, Latin Sugar and many more, topped off with Caribbean international headliners such Kevin Lyttle, Rupee, DROXYANI, ADAM O backed by Blind Earz, Dj Puffy, & Tarrus Riley!

Besides the Regatta Village at Port de Plaisance, which will transform into a music festival, there will be Green Zone parties at top island venues, such as Soggy Dollar Bar, Moonbar, and Elev8 at the Rainforest Adventures, these epic parties will be graced by the presence of international electronic DJs. 

This is the level of fun & excitement we should be aspiring towards bring here to Port Macquarie - lets take a leaf out of St. Maarten's playbook, get cracking & make magic happen right here in Port Macquarie