On 17 January 2027, Alicante will once again host the start of The Ocean Race, the most demanding round-the-world sailing race on the planet. It will be the sixth consecutive start from the city since 2008, and during the ten days leading up to it the port will turn into a fan zone open to the public, with international press coverage, enthusiasts from half of Europe, and the IMOCA teams fine-tuning their boats for the first oceanic leg.
Hundreds of thousands of people will watch the start from the Explanada, the Postiguet beach or the Muelle de Levante. But there is a perspective only a tiny minority of the crowd gets to enjoy: the one you have from the water, just a few metres from the IMOCA 60s as they cross the starting line heading into the Atlantic. To watch the event from the authorised nautical spectator zone, you have to be on board a boat: every edition there are only a few dozen sailboats positioned inside the official perimeter, compared to the hundreds of thousands of people on land.
This guide explains what The Ocean Race 2027 is, when and where you can see the start from the sea, and why chartering a sailboat for 17 January is the most intimate way to experience an event that hundreds of media outlets cover each edition. My name is Carlos, skipper of Peggy, a 19-metre sailboat based at the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante, and I have been watching every edition start from the water since 2008.
Dates and route: The Ocean Race 2027 leaves Alicante on 17 January
According to the organisation's official announcement, Alicante will be the start port of The Ocean Race 2027 on 17 January. It is the most important confirmed event the city will host in the next eighteen months.
Official 2027 calendar in Alicante:
- 8 - 17 January 2027: fan zone open to the public at the port of Alicante (team bases, official store, cultural programme).
- Mid-January: In-Port Race — a short regatta inside the bay of Alicante, the first show visible from both land and sea.
- 17 January 2027: official start of the first oceanic leg. The IMOCA 60s set off for the next stopover (global route to be confirmed as of the publication date of this article).
- November 2026: expected date for publication of the detailed fan zone programme, participating teams and In-Port Race (we will update this article).
The full race lasts around six months with stopovers on different continents. But for the Alicante public the date that matters is 17 January 2027: the morning when the fleet crosses the port entrance and points its bows towards the Atlantic.
Sixth consecutive start from Alicante (2008 → 2027): the story of a relationship
Alicante is not a casual start port. Since 2008 it has been the only port in the world to host six consecutive starts of the round-the-world sailing race:
- 2008 · 2011 · 2014 · 2017 — Volvo Ocean Race
- 2022 · 2027 — The Ocean Race (rebrand 2019)
The Volvo Ocean Race brand stopped being used in 2019 after the end of the Swedish group's sponsorship; the race was renamed The Ocean Race while keeping the same organisation, the same format and, above all, the same commitment to Alicante as Home Port.
Behind that continuity there is infrastructure purpose-built for the race: the Ocean Race Museum, located at the port, preserves original pieces from every edition and functions as the event's living memory. If you come to see the 17 January start, a museum visit is a perfect complement and gives you context for what you are about to witness. We cover it in detail in our Ocean Race Museum Alicante guide.
Fan zone Alicante 8 - 17 January 2027: what to see, where and when
During the ten days leading up to the start, the port closes to regular traffic and turns into an open, free fan zone. It is the moment to mix a family walk with high-level nautical tourism.
What you will find in the fan zone:
- Team bases: the pits where each IMOCA team prepares the boat are partially accessible to the public. In previous editions you could see teams working right next to their boats.
- Official store: race and team merchandising.
- Family activities: simulators, exhibitions, workshops for kids.
- In-Port Race: a short regatta inside the bay, which serves as a run-in for the teams and an opening show for the city. You can watch it from the Explanada or from the sea (see next section).
- Cultural programme: concerts, screenings and sponsored events announced by the Alicante city council (confirmed in the weeks before the event).
The fan zone is usually open from 10:00 to 22:00. Access is free and no ticket is required, except for a few specific acts.
Where to watch the start from land: four options compared
If you cannot get out to sea, these are the four best spots to watch The Ocean Race 2027 start from land. Each has its pros and cons.
| Spot | Pros | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Explanada / Port | City centre, fan zone on foot, festive atmosphere | Huge crowds, view turned away from the start route |
| Postiguet Beach | Sand, open space, good view of the port mouth | The starting line is at medium distance |
| Muelle de Levante | Closest view to the boats as they leave the port | Restricted access in certain slots |
| Cabo de las Huertas | Clean perspective towards the open sea, less crowd | The IMOCAs pass far away, you will need binoculars |
None of these options will put you closer than 100-200 metres from the IMOCA 60s. To really get near them, the only option is to head out on the water.
Watching it from the sea: the perspective fewer than 5 % of the audience enjoys
From a private sailboat the experience is something else. The fleet of authorised nautical spectators positions itself inside the race course delimited by the Maritime Authority and the organisation, at a safety distance set by the race committees. Access to this zone is subject to the organisation's official confirmation of the perimeter for the 2027 edition; in every previous edition since 2008 this spectator channel has been enabled, and we will update the article once the organisation publishes the specific regulations. From there you see:
- The IMOCA 60s manoeuvring in the pre-start, looking for an entry position.
- The gun and the first tacks, with the real sound of the boats heeling over and the crews shouting commands.
- The mouth of Alicante from the same angle as the racers, with the city in the background.
- The In-Port Race days earlier: an official training run, perfect to warm up on the race course.
In previous editions, the start has coincided with light-to-moderate easterly wind in January (8-15 knots), with comfortable conditions for spectator boats. It is not a sporty exit and requires no previous experience: the skipper sails, you enjoy.
During the start in January 2023 (The Ocean Race 2022-23 edition, the first after the rebrand), Peggy went out with a group to watch the IMOCA fleet from inside the spectator course. I remember the easterly came in gusting around 12 knots right before the gun; the IMOCAs appeared head-on, heeled over, passed less than a hundred metres away and from the deck you could hear the crews calling manoeuvres. There is nothing comparable from land.
How a charter for the start works on Peggy:
- On-time departure from the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante.
- Skipper with Yacht Captain licence (me — Carlos, sailing out of RCRA since 2008).
- Positioning inside the spectator zone set by the organisation.
- 4 to 8 hours on board covering In-Port and/or official start depending on the package chosen.
- Up to 10 people on board.
- Vessel insurance included.
👉 Check availability and book the 17 January departure. For the full fan zone (8-17 January) we offer multi-day packages with several trips spread across the week.
IMOCA, the new official class of The Ocean Race
One of the most relevant changes of this edition compared to previous ones: the race now runs on IMOCA 60s, the most advanced class in current ocean sailing.
What an IMOCA 60 is:
- Carbon monohulls, 18.28 metres (60 feet) long.
- Designed to race the Vendée Globe, the solo non-stop round the world.
- Fitted with foils that lift part of the hull out of the water at high speed.
- Top speeds around 30-35 knots (55-65 km/h).
Difference with the old VO65 (used between 2014 and 2022):
- The VO65 is a more robust one-design, built specifically for The Ocean Race with full crews. Heavier, no foils, slightly lower speeds.
- The IMOCA 60 is faster, lighter, more technologically advanced, and not a one-design: each team adapts its boat within the class rules.
The switch to IMOCA brings The Ocean Race closer to the world of the Vendée Globe and the elite of ocean sailing. The organisation keeps the VO65 Sprint Cup running in parallel so amateur and development crews still have a place in the event.
The official list of teams entered in The Ocean Race 2027 is confirmed in the months before the start. We will update this article when the organisation publishes the definitive list.
What to bring and practical recommendations (January in Alicante from the sea)
January in the Mediterranean off Alicante is mild, but from the water the wind-chill drops a few degrees. Packing well makes the difference.
Clothing in layers:
- Thermal base layer (technical long-sleeve shirt).
- Fleece or technical jumper.
- Waterproof windbreaker (essential).
- Hat and buff for the neck.
- Thin gloves if you get cold easily.
Footwear:
- White non-slip sole trainers (heels and dark soles that mark the deck are not allowed).
- Fine wool socks.
Protection:
- Polarised sunglasses (water glare in January is intense).
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ (yes, in January too — the reflection burns).
- Anti-seasickness (one Biodramina tablet 30-60 minutes before boarding as a precaution, although the bay of Alicante is usually calm). We explain it in more detail in our sailing tips Alicante guide.
Expected weather in Alicante in mid-January:
- Air temperature: 10-16 °C.
- Water: 14-15 °C.
- Prevailing winds: easterly, light to moderate (8-15 knots).
- Risk of storms: low, but we monitor AEMET's official forecast for Alicante in the 48 hours before. If conditions do not allow us to sail safely, we reschedule at no cost.
What Peggy includes on board:
- Life jacket for every person.
- Thermos with hot coffee/infusion.
- Toilet on board.
- Certified skipper and vessel insurance.
- No hidden extras: what you see is what you pay.
How to book a spectator boat for the 17 January start
Packages for the official start are limited (one departure per day, maximum capacity 10 people on Peggy). Booking the experience from the sea works like this:
- Check availability: go to the Peggy page or write to us directly on WhatsApp specifying date (17 January 2027), number of people and whether you want only the official start or a multi-day pack with fan zone.
- Closed quote: we send you a quote with the full price (no hidden extras), including skipper, vessel insurance, life jacket per person, and any optional services (catering, photographer, etc.).
- Booking with deposit: we confirm your slot with 30 % by bank transfer or card. The rest is paid on the day of boarding.
- Briefing the previous week: we call you 48-72 h before with the weather briefing (AEMET), exact departure time from the port, what to bring and the spectator zone protocol. If the weather forces a cancellation, we reschedule or refund the deposit in full.
For a full week fan zone (8-17 January), check our multi-day charter packages: they let you combine several trips in the same week at a better daily rate.
Do you want to book your spot to watch The Ocean Race 2027 start from the sea? Packages for 17 January are limited (10 people per trip). Write to us from the Peggy page or check our multi-day packages to combine fan zone and start.
If you are still planning your trip, you may find useful the general boat excursions Alicante guide or the experience of the RCRA Monotype League seen from the sea, a good reference for how a regatta is lived afloat.
Sources: theoceanrace.com (official announcement of Alicante as start port of The Ocean Race 2027), World Sailing (international sailing regulator), IMOCA class (technical rules of the IMOCA 60 monohulls) and AEMET (official weather forecast for Alicante).
