'Tis the Season: Racing Yachts arriving in St. Maarten for the 2026 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

From superyachts to family cruisers, St. Maarten is a yacht hotspot for the months leading up to, during, and just after the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta © Laurens Morel

As the holiday season approaches, another cherished tradition is under way in the Caribbean: the arrival of international yachts to St. Maarten. The early fleet arrivals signal the start of the island's vibrant high season and build anticipation for the 46th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, taking place March 5-8, 2026.

One of the first international entries to arrive this season is Team JAJO, sailing the VO65, who will base their Caribbean campaign out of St. Maarten for the winter. Fresh off their Atlantic crossing via the ARC Rally, the team joins a growing number of international competitors already setting up for the busy sailing months ahead.

"We think Sint Maarten is a great island with many facilities and good flights!" said Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek. "It's an ideal place for us to prepare, train, and sail throughout the season."

VO65 Team JAJO is one of the first international teams to arrive in St. Maarten for the sailing season ahead - photo © Laurens Morel

The Simpson Bay Lagoon, home to the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta fleet and the legendary Regatta Village, is steadily filling with everything from superyachts to family cruisers. The lagoon's popularity is driven by the island's world-class marine infrastructure, including easy access to full-service chandleries such as Budget Marine and Island Water World, as well as professional boatyards and technical services.

Adding to the destination's unique advantage is accessibility. Sint Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport is the closest airport to any Caribbean regatta venue - less than a 10-minute drive to Regatta Village - making travel exceptionally convenient for sailors and spectators alike. Not to mention the plethora of hotels for every budget and preference: from the heart of the race action at Princess Hotel & Casino Port de Plaisance Regatta Village to resorts and boutique hotels on both Dutch and French sides of the island.

The economic footprint of the event continues to be significant for the island. An economic impact study conducted for the 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta found that international competitors spent an average of USD $20,000 per team on the island and stayed approximately 20 days. Over the four-day race weekend alone, the Regatta generated an estimated USD $3.8 million in direct economic impact for St. Maarten, from all of the visiting sailors, families, friends, race committee, artists and volunteers that come to St. Maarten specifically for the event.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is known for it's world-class racing and entertainment - photo © Volano Media

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta also serves as a cornerstone of the island's high season, which flows seamlessly into Carnival celebrations through April. As always, the Regatta Village will host four days of world-class racing by day and legendary celebrations by night, Thursday through Sunday, March 5-8, 2026.

Presented by Heineken, the Regatta Village welcomes more than 13,000 visitors and features free nightly entertainment open to the public. Festivities include live music, a massive international food court, daily sailors' prize-givings at 6:00 PM, and internationally renowned headlining artists throughout the weekend.

Learn more at heinekenregatta.com