Start planning for the 2025 Swim Around on
Saturday, June 14, 2025!
Thank you for your interest in attending The College of the Florida Keys’
Swim Around Key West 2025
The College of the Florida Keys Swim Around Key West is a 12.5 mile journey that begins and ends on Higgs Beach. Each swimmer or relay team must have their own support kayak or boat to accompany them around the island. The Powerboat Squadron provides the safety along the course. The pristine waters around Key West gives swimmers great views of both the land and underwater life. Swimmers can compete in different categories of either a solo swimmer or with a relay.
For more information please contact Lori Bosco at lori.bosco@cfk.edu
The College of the Florida Keys
Swim Around Key West
12.5 Mile Swim and 6.2 Mile Swim
JUNE 14, 2025, KEY WEST
The College of the Florida Keys Swim Around Key West is a 12.5 mile journey around the pristine island of Key West. The race will begin at Higgs Beach (1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West) and head towards the southernmost point to the Key West Harbor. The Swim Around Key West will continue through the harbor and exit under Fleming Key Bridge, through the City of Key West mooring field around Sigsbee, and swim to Cow Key Bridge. Past Cow Key Bridge make way around towards the Airport, to White Street pier and to the finish line on Higgs Beach.
The 10K will start with the 20K and follow the same route, except the finish will be at the Tuga Explorer boat positioned in the water after the Mooring field off Sigsbee (Dredgers Key). All swimmers and their support will be shuttled back to the race start.
Award ceremony will be held at 5:30pm
The Swim Around Key West is swum in two different oceans: The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. You can see lots of aquatic life and maybe a mermaid or two. This is a warm water swim with temperatures from 78 degrees to 84 degrees. All safety crew boats will be flying Event Flags and Lifeguards are positioned throughout the course. You can compete in either a solo category or team categories of 2 people up to 6 person relays. Solo category of fins, monofin, or memaid tails are also included as well as use of fins for relay teams. Every swimmer/team must have their own escort craft in the form of kayaks or motor boats.
The College of the Florida Keys Swim Around Key West: 12.5 & 6.2 Mile Swim
Location: The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico around the island of Key West, FL
Course: 12.5 & 6.2 mile swim clockwise around the island. Start and finish at Higgs Beach
Friday, June 13, 2025
Pre-race check/ Packet Pick-up: 10 am – 7 pm
- Each team (one person may check in the whole team)
- Solo swimmer for both 20K and 10K will need to check in
- Race packets will be distributed
- Course map shown
- Rules of the event presented
- Coconut Painting from 10am to 1pm
- Mermaid Show at 10am and 2pm
- Get a chance to transform into a Mermaid/Merman after the show
Location: College of the Florida Keys Pool
5901 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
Saturday, June 14, 2025 – Race Day
Check In: 9:00 am-9:30 am
Location: Higgs Beach
1000 Atlantic Blvd.
Key West, FL 33040
Race Start: 10:00 am SHARP!
Award Ceremony: 5:30pm on Higgs Beach
After finishing the race, enjoy the sandy beach and sites of Key West.
Rules / Safety Info
Step by Step Navigation From Higgs Beach
Safety
Lifeguards and kayaks will be positioned throughout the course
Rules
- Swimmers may not stand on or push off the bottom of the ocean floor
- Swimmers must swim around all piers, DO NOT attempt to swim under piers.
- Swimmers are responsible for providing their own support crew. All marine safety rules must be observed
- Swimmers must be with their support crew and boat at all times and may not touch vessel with the exception of team swims and then only at designated relay change points where entry and exits are made
- Swimmers will be required to have a number visibly marked on their upper arm and on their escort boat
- There are 3 check- in locations during the race:
1.Prior to entering the Harbor 2. at Fleming Key Channel Bridge and 3. Cow Key Bridge
- If you need assistance with boats or kayaks, please see website or email: lori.bosco@cfk.edu
- A Swimmer is required to end race upon notification by Race official or US Coast Guard
- Violation of rules may subject swimmer(s) to disqualification. Meet director has final authority
- Swimmers may not promote third party sponsors, causes, or charities unless pre-approved by Meet Director
- This is a warm water race. Wetsuits are not permitted
- Relays: TWO DIVISIONS OF EACH RELAY GROUP: #1: 2 person- each swimmer in turn will swim one relay leg of approximately 6.25 miles, 3 person- each swimmer in turn will swim one relay leg of approximately 4.2 continuous miles. 4 person-each swimmer in turn will swim approximately 3.1 continuous miles, 5 person-each swimmer in turn will swim approximately 2.5 miles, 6 person-each swimmer in turn will swim approximately 2.08 miles. OR #2-each relay may change every 30 minutes on the first exchange and every 10 minute until completion of the course.
- Relays: Must exchange the wristband from the swimmer finishing to the next swimmer entering the water. The exchange is best to take place in the water.
Checklist
- Water and snacks for both swimmer and support crew. Stay hydrated. Use snacks you train with
- Swim caps are optional as this is a warm water race
- Sunscreen- (waterproof) Hat/sunglasses/event bracelet for support crew
- Cell phone for emergencies in waterproof bag
- Lifejackets for each participant in support vessel and one extra for the swimmer
Questions
Contact Lori Bosco at (305) 809-3562 or lori.bosco@cfk.edu
Swimmers are responsible for providing their own support crew
Boat Rentals
Spencer’s Boat Rentals will have boats available for rent at reasonable rates for the Swim Around Key West. We have center console and deck boats and can help groups obtain a local captain if needed, at an additional cost. Please contact our office at (305) 296-8826 for any questions or to make reservations.
Spencer’s Boatyard
701 Palm Avenue
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-8826
BOAT | FULL DAY | HALF DAY | BOAT PIC |
|---|---|---|---|
26’ Deck Boat | $525.00* | $425.00* |  |
23’ Sea Fox | $450.00* | $350.00* |  |
22’ Parker | $450.00* | $350.00* |  |
22’ Angler Panga | $450.00* | $350.00* |  |
22’ Panga O | $425.00* | $325.00* |  |
* Does not include fuel or sales tax |
Kayak Rentals
Kayak rental available on-line at registration.
Limited availability.
