Heading for the 2026 Heineken Regatta
From 5 to 8 March, Sint Maarten will host the 46th edition of the Heineken Regatta, one of the major events on the international sailing calendar. More than 35 nations are expected at the starting line for four days of high-level regattas, reinforced environmental commitments and entertainment at the Regatta Village.
More than 20 crews had already confirmed their participation in September 2025, and the list has continued to grow: this week, 100 boats will be at the starting line of the competition. The fleet is as diverse as it is international: local Diam 24 trimarans rub shoulders with large sailing boats from elsewhere, such as the Farr 65 Spirit of Juno from Antigua and the Sydney 43 Morpheus, which has come straight from Belgium. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands are also represented, confirming the global reach of the event. In the multihull category, the eagerly awaited duel will pit La Novia, a regular on the podium for several years, against challenger What's Left, a 51-foot FP Aura catamaran from Texas. On the sporting front, the weekend promises several highlights: Friday's Around the Island Race will transform the coastline into an open-air grandstand; Saturday's Stadium Race in Grand Case will bring the Diam 24s closer to the public; and Sunday's passage of the entire fleet in front of Mullet Bay will provide a spectacular finale.
The ocean at the heart of priorities
The Regatta's environmental commitment is also reflected in concrete ecological actions. In partnership with local company Exowater, two water filtration stations are now available on site, drastically reducing plastic waste — more than 5,000 single-use bottles were avoided during the last edition. In February, dozens of volunteers removed more than 420 kg of waste from Simpson Bay Lagoon by kayak, protecting precious mangrove habitats. Finally, a unique acoustic system, developed with Marine Mammal Advisory Group and JASCO Applied Sciences, will monitor the presence of humpback whales around the island in real time to protect cetaceans during the races.
Opening of the Regatta Village
Every evening, the Regatta Village will transform into a veritable open-air festival, with free admission. Located at Port de Plaisance, the site will welcome the public with a food court, numerous stands and a unique atmosphere. Two stages will provide entertainment every evening, from award ceremonies to concerts. On Saturday 7 March, Jeon will kick off the musical festivities. Then on Sunday 8 March, the legendary Inner Circle will take over for a grand finale: the "Bad Boys of Reggae", world-famous for their hit Sweat, promise to bring four days of Serious Fun to a spectacular close. In 2025, nearly 13,000 visitors passed through the gates of the Heineken Regatta village, which continues to establish itself as a must-see event on the island. Reservations can be made at booking.heinekenregatta.com.
