Learn more about the Itajaí stopover here: https://theoceanraceitajai.com.br/

If there is one thing that makes a stopover in the Brazilian city of Itajaí memorable to the The Ocean Race family it is the remarkable warmth of the welcome the fleet always receives from the local population.

Irrespective of the time of day or night, every time a competing boat arrives it seems like the entire city turns out to welcome it. It makes for an incredible atmosphere as the crowds throng the dockside enthusiastically cheering each of the sailors as they step wearily ashore.

Located on the north-central coast of the State of Santa Catarina – a multiple winner of the mantle ‘Best Tourism State in Brazil’ – Itajaí first welcomed the around-the-world race fleet during the 2011–12 edition.

That stopover was a huge success, attracting over a quarter of a million visitors and earning the city international recognition for its innovative environmental programmes.

The race has returned Itajaí twice more since then, making the 2022- 23 stopover at the end of the mammoth (12,750 nautical-mile/14,672- mile/23,613-kilometre) third leg from Cape Town the city’s fourth consecutive time hosting the fleet.

The Itajaí-Acu riverside boasts culture, gastronomy, beautiful landscapes and fantastic opportunities for doing business. Meanwhile, the Port of Itajaí is the second largest Brazilian container port.
But Itajaí is far more than just a business hub. With beautiful beaches and numerous outdoor attractions, the city is a tourist haven. Brava beach, the Parrot’s Beak, the Public Market and the Natural Park of Atalaia are among the most popular attractions.

Itajaí has become expert in hosting large-scale events in as sustainable a way as possible – chiefly by concentrating on being environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable.

As an example, in the last race the city took advantage of The Ocean Race sustainability policies against the use of single-use plastics to avoid the use of 300,000 plastic cups in the Race Village. This approach has since been applied to other events in the city and region, helping to create a lasting sustainability legacy.