Sunday, November 3rd, running through Sunday, November 10th, Key West is proud to host to one of most exciting boat racing experiences, the 2024 Race World Offshore Championships.
Key West and the high-speed boats are ready for a festive week full of fun, excitement, and most of all thrilling racing. Crowds are always huge, and on race days, race fans line Sunset Pier, Mallory Square, the Hyatt, and other locales across the harbor. You can even catch the races from a boat or a catamaran!!!
It is an eight-day celebration featuring some of the fastest racing boats in the world. It is also a week-long tropical party, with parades, parties, music, and, while you are here, take in some wonderful fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and ambiance that is Key West.
THE RACING!!!
As each race approaches you will feel the anticipation as folks angle for the best view. Not only can you hear the power of the engines as they approach, but you can literally feel their power as they race by vying for the top spot. In some locations these racing boats are just 50 to 100 feet offshore.
On race days, event goers start lining up early, setting up a good spot to watch. Our location last year was a great spot right on Sunset Pier. The excitement starts early as ‘the pier’ was jumping with the racing teams zooming by doing their practice runs. And by 10am racing is ON!!
For those who have not experienced this type of racing, there are many different race classes. From the Bracket class, through the Super Stock and Super Cat classes, that can reach speeds of 110 to 140 mph. And if you need even more speed, check out the Class 1 races. These bad boys are built for ‘super speed,’ racing up to 160 mph. (There isn’t a speed limit so the racers don’t worry about speeding tickets!!)
When any of these racing beauties pass in from of you, you can feel the fillings shaking in your teeth, and your drink vibrating in your hand.
The teams that work these incredible machines have spent years training, studying, testing, and retesting to get their boats ready. One thing that is paramount is the safety of the crew. At these speeds, a split-second miscalculation, a sudden change in wind speed or direction, or the ever-changing water can create havoc.
A few years back at this Key West event, there were some very concerning and tense moments when one boat completely flipped. The crew was inside while the boat floated helplessly upside down in the water. Immediately the emergency boats that line the course were in action and turned what could have been a disastrous event into a lifesaving rescue. This type of safety is always present and these first responders do an outstanding job of getting the racers out safely.
Another challenging factor is the speed these boats are traveling. They are just skating across the top of the water within feet of each other. At these extremely high speeds these racing machine quite often get airborne. One slight miscalculation or sudden change in the water/wind itself can send boats into each other, damaging the boat, and could result in serious injury (or worse) to the crew.
It is an extremely dangerous sport, but teams like M CON, JBS Racing, FJ Propeller, Illicit Motorsports, and so many others dedicate themselves to this thrilling, and rewarding sport.
MORE FUN!!!
For fans, this is a week-long ‘happening.’ In addition to the racing, Key West itself puts on quite a show. On day 1, November 4th, things get started with a boat parade on the world-famous Duval Street. Here, you can get a close-up look at all the racing participants riding on/with their majestic boats. The teams greet the fans and sometimes toss out a few trinkets as well as they make their way around Key West. It is a can’t-miss event.
In addition to the racing each day/evening there is a scheduled party with live music at a local establishment. Key West is also famous for its collection of open-air bars and restaurants.
Truman Waterfront Park is home to Race World Offshore race village, always a hub of activity. Here you can pick up some great gear and souvenirs. For more information about this event, the racing schedule, parties, etc., check out the Racing World Offshore website.
Enjoying All Key West Has To Offer
Of course, there are scores of other activities that make Key West a special vacation spot every day. Enjoy strolling down Duval Street for a little shopping and stop in for lunch or cool beverages at the bars/restaurants along your trek. Visit the Ernest Hemingway House (with the six toed cats) and beautiful gardens.
Then, right across the street, take in the Key West Lighthouse for great aerial views of the island. And when we say right across the street, we mean it!!! This photo was taken from the Hemingway House grounds!!
And if you just want to take a day to chill out, you can’t beat Fort Zachary Beach, with it’s warm turquoise water, palm trees, perfect to experience the fabulous tropical vibes.
For those who love the water, we guarantee that there is something for everyone during this special event-filled week, and we speak from experience! Kayak through awesome mangrove-lined waters, take a lazy ride on a catamaran, and enjoy a half or full day cruising the waters around Key West. Maybe grab lunch on a secluded sandbar, or small island.
For the anglers, Key West offers inshore and deep-sea fishing. From tarpon, to yellowtail snapper, to mahi-mahi, to sailfish and so many more. Key West is an anglers dream. Key West Florida Fishing Fleet is just one of the many options available to help you bring in one of the big ones!!
While you are here, stop by our Madda Fella store in the Ocean Key Resort and say HI. We would love to see you. And look for our Surf Shack on Sunset Pier. It’s a great place to pick up some racing gear and some Key West apparel AND it is right next to the Sunset Pier Tiki Bar,
Come visit. Enjoy the racing, and the unique tropical experience that only Key West can provide. It may be a small island, but with top-notch racing, all types on and near the water activities along with live music all day and night. And when it is time to chill, relax under the swaying palms and enjoy the island vibes and crystal-clear waters. And if you want more ideas, check out the following for a list of ... 50 Things to Do and See in Key West | Madda Fella Oh, and be sure to stop by Sunset Pier for the spectacular sunsets each evening. Just one of the many reasons we call Key West, paradise!!
