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Biscayne Bay Site Information

The 2003 J/24 Florida Race Week will be held in early January on the beautiful turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay. The host club, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, offers exceptional facilities including a full bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Miami in January boasts great weather, warm water, fair winds and wonderful sailing.

Miami has an international airport with flights connecting all parts of the world. Its port is world class and the area comes complete with some of the most sought after tourist attractions in the world. Miami is also famous for golf, tennis and deep-sea fishing, fabulous restaurants and professional sports.

Biscayne Bay is a subtropical estuary located along the southeast coast of the state of Florida. It encompasses a marine ecosystem totaling 428 square miles. Protected on the eastern side by natural barrier islands and reefs, the area we will be sailing is anywhere from three to six miles across and 15 miles long. The average depth is 10 feet.

The water and air temperature will be a warm 23 and 24 degrees Celsius (73 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Winds average 14 knots and range between eight and 20 knots. The current is modest and uniform across all the areas we will sail. Race courses will be five to 15 minutes of sailing from the club depending on the wind strength and direction.

Biscayne Bay in January is quite simply the most fabulous place to hold a major regatta. Weather patterns can vary from strong arctic winter weather fronts bringing brisk north winds, to the 12-15 knot sea breeze that becomes prominent through much of the spring. The water temperature, while warm, is relatively cool for Miami and provides a good differential with the land temperature allowing the sea breeze to develop well and early in the day. There will be no issue with completing several races a day and little chance the weather will cause a postponement of racing.

Florida is vacationland. The preferred vacation location for people from all over the world. We offer something for every traveler. Endless sporting and recreational activities complemented by perfect weather and beaches beyond comparison. Indoor and outdoor attractions run the gamut from art museums to Mickey Mouse. And of course, world class shopping. Outside the Miami area we have Disney World, The Epcot Center, Universal Studios, MGM Studios and Sea World in Orlando (4 hours); Busch Gardens and the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa (5 hours); Kennedy Space Center near Cocoa Beach (4 hours); Key West and the Conch Republic (3 hours) and of course golf everywhere, beaches for hundreds of miles and warm tropical, turquoise water everywhere else! Florida will welcome with open arms every competitor, their families and friends.