The Conch Connection

Fort Myers Beach is about to get loud—in the best possible way.

ROAR Offshore returns September 11–13, 2026, bringing a weekend of colorful catamarans, flying spray and close racing to the beach. There is even a welcome party on Thursday evening, September 10, for anyone who wants to start the fun a little early.

If you have never watched offshore powerboat racing, imagine a pack of boats charging across the water at more than 90 miles per hour. You hear the engines first. Then the boats burst into view, bounce across the chop and crowd together through the turns. It is fast, noisy and difficult to ignore.

This year's ROAR is different from the event of years past, so forget the old October dates and long list of racing classes. The 2026 weekend has been reimagined around one especially competitive class: APBA Super Stock. The official ROAR Offshore website is the best place to follow announcements as race day approaches.

Only ONCE A YEAR, an unusually exciting event happens in the warm waters of the Florida Keys. Which is home to the only living coral reef that exists in the Continental United States.  This teeming backbone of marine life, runs the length of the 125 mile Florida Keys island chain and lies but a short boat ride only 5 miles offshore.

Fishing in the the Florida Keys and Key West, whether it's bottom fishing for grouper, hitting the weed lines for mahi-mahi or dolphin, sinking a line deep into the Atlantic for a marlin, sailfish or swordfish is for the most part, unlike any other fishing you've ever done.  One type that does carry over is fly fishing.

Key West is plenty colorful above the water. Slip on a mask, though, and the island reveals an entirely different personality.

Below the surface, sea fans sway, tiny fish dart through the rocks and every shadow makes you wonder what might swim into view next. You do not need a scuba certification or a collection of complicated gear. You do need to be comfortable in the water, pay attention to conditions and choose an outing that matches your experience.

That outing can be as simple as wading in from a Key West beach or as adventurous as taking a boat toward an offshore reef. The fun starts with deciding what kind of day sounds like you.

Some places happen to have good fishing. In Key West, fishing is part of the island’s personality.

Walk around the Historic Seaport early in the morning and you will see captains loading bait, anglers carrying rods and boats slipping away from the docks. A few hours later, those same boats return with stories—some about the fish they landed and plenty about the one that got away.

That's the fun of fishing in Key West. You can stalk bonefish across glassy flats, drop a line near a busy reef or head offshore in search of something big enough to make the reel scream. You don't have to be an expert, either. Pick the right trip, listen to your captain and prepare to get hooked.

Go Once and you’ll be HOOKED!

Key West is the ultimate Florida fishing getaway. One of Key West’s most notable novelists, Ernest Hemingway, was an avid fisherman. Key West is one of the most popular game fishing areas in all of North America, attracting visitors from all over the globe. The area also has some of the best spearfishing anywhere. Whether it’s snorkeling or SCUBA, grab your gear and get ready.

Nothing says America like baseball and baseball at JetBlue Park, is like stepping back in time.

Key West Race Week Has a Sound All Its Own

First comes the rumble. Then the spray, the bright race boats and the kind of crowd that knows something very loud and very fast is about to happen. Key West Offshore World Championship Week turns the island into a playground for offshore-racing fans, curious first-timers and anyone who enjoys a little extra buzz with their sunshine.

From November 1–8, 2026, the championship brings world-class teams, waterfront viewing and plenty of reasons to linger after the engines quiet down. You do not need to know the difference between a catamaran and a V-bottom to have a great time. Just bring your sunglasses, a little patience for a lively island and a healthy respect for horsepower.