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Antigua and Barbuda365
sportsEvent

RORC Caribbean 600

600 miles, 11 islands, one brutal offshore loop

When2027: the 18th edition starts on Monday 22 February from Fort Charlotte, Antigua (late February; the start date varies yearly)
WhereEnglish Harbour, South Coast
CostFree to watch the start from shore. Race entry fees apply for competing yachts.
FrequencyAnnual
Type
Sports
When
February to February
Duration
2 to 6 days of racing
Location
English Harbour
Cost
Free to watch the start from shore. Race entry fees apply for competing yachts.
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
Typically 50 to 80 yachts, plus shoreside spectators at the start
Family friendly
Yes
First held
2009
Local name
Caribbean 600
Best arrival
Be in the English Harbour area by the morning of the start to catch the fleet forming up.
What to wear
Light, sun-protective clothing and a hat; a windbreaker helps on exposed headlands.
Food highlights
Race-village fare at Falmouth HarbourFresh seafoodRum punchLocal Wadadli beer
Warnings
Most of the race is offshore and not visible from landStrong sun and wind at viewpointsHigh-season prices in late February
What to bring
BinocularsCamera with zoom lensSunscreenWaterCash (EC$)
The overview

RORC Caribbean 600

The RORC Caribbean 600 is a single, relentless offshore race: roughly 600 nautical miles, starting and finishing off Antigua's south coast, with a course that threads past eleven islands from Barbuda in the north to Guadeloupe in the south. Organised by Britain's Royal Ocean Racing Club, it has become a fixture for serious offshore crews and record-chasing maxis since its launch in 2009.

The 17th edition starts on Monday 23 February 2026, with the first gun off English Harbour at 11:00 local time. Fast boats can complete the loop in under two days, while smaller yachts may still be racing into the final weekend of February. The fleet typically mixes Class40s, IRC racers, IMOCA 60s, and giant multihulls.

For spectators, the start is the highlight. The fleet forms up just outside the harbour, so the headlands around Shirley Heights and the cliffs near Fort Barrington give sweeping views of dozens of yachts hardening up for the first reach. Race village activity centres on Falmouth Harbour, close to Nelson's Dockyard.

The race falls in the dry, breezy heart of Antigua's high season, when steady trade winds make for fast, demanding sailing and reliably sunny shoreside weather.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the RORC Caribbean 600?

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The race is run in late February. The 2026 edition (the 17th) starts on Monday 23 February, with the first gun off English Harbour at around 11:00 local time. Faster boats finish in under two days; smaller yachts may still be racing into the final weekend of February.

Where does the RORC Caribbean 600 start and finish?

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Both the start and finish are off Antigua, near English Harbour on the south coast. The course is a 600-nautical-mile loop that passes eleven Caribbean islands, from Barbuda in the north down to Guadeloupe in the south, before returning to Antigua.

Can I watch the race from shore?

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The start is the best spectator moment. The fleet forms up just outside English Harbour, so the headlands around Shirley Heights and the cliffs near Fort Barrington give sweeping views of the yachts setting off. Once the fleet heads offshore, the race is followed mainly online via live tracking.

What time of year does it fall in?

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Late February sits in the heart of Antigua's dry season, with steady trade winds and reliably sunny weather. That makes it a strong time to visit generally, though the racing itself is a serious offshore test for the crews competing.
Plan your visit

RORC Caribbean 600

When
2027: the 18th edition starts on Monday 22 February from Fort Charlotte, Antigua (late February; the start date varies yearly)
Duration: 2 to 6 days of racing
Location
Falmouth Harbour (race village); start off English Harbour, English Harbour
South Coast
Cost
Free
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This event is in English Harbour & Falmouth →