This event started in 1952 when locals decided to launch this event to honor the famous navigator Christopher Columbus. A bronze sculpture was commissioned to celebrate this event. In 1954 the first Regatta was held regrouping 24 boats, this number increased to thousands vessels nowadays. It is a very popular event , locals as well as visitors are flocking in mass to participate. From this event derived two events that take place at the same time - The sailing racing event
- The party regatta
This articles is focused on the later. Thousands of boaters are gathering in the Florida keys more specifically in Eliot Key . Eliot Key is located at a 30 minutes boat ride south from Key Biscayne, the required journey time may vary according to your vessel speed. Eliot key is the first large island of the Florida Keys, just north of the mythic Key Largo. The preserved wild Island is narrow and long in a few areas picnics and camping are allowed. There are no restaurants, no hotels, no shopping, just mangroves narrow beaches and superb a blue transparent ocean. Usually boaters are anchoring in the sheltered west part of the Island on the bay side in the Biscayne National park. The regatta Party is being held on the bayside of the Island every year at the beginning of October.
Participants are celebrating Christopher Columbus their own way partying during the whole week end. Music, drinks, nudity are the main ingredients of this wild event. Vessels from all sizes are converging toward the keys to embark in a wild gigantic week end party. This definitely a PG 18 rated event, puritans should attend the racing event and leave this event for party animals. Babes and mermaids are surrounding the area on board of vessels of all sizes. This party is now regulated to preserve the security of all participants; all regulatory agencies are present to make sure that the environment is kept safe, Miami dade police, the US coast guards, park and recreational authorities, fire department, customs authorities. Everything that has a badge is there. The wild party is still the star of the event where fun and excitement will reign for 48 hours in a torrid environment. The atmosphere is very festive; people are dancing partying till they drop. Most boats decide to stay overnight not to miss any minutes of this typical Miami party. For Miami visitors it is strongly suggested to make the required arrangements in order to attend the event, the crucial element is to secure boating arrangements. A Miami yacht can be chatered for the week end, or a Miami Boat can be rented on a daily basis. Visitors may also decide to stay in a Miami hotel or a Miami vacation rental property. |
