The island municipality will host the world’s largest open water swimming competition, welcoming athletes from over five countries
OCEANMAN Makes Its Puerto Rico Debut with Event in Vieques
Sun Bay es una de las mejores playas para familias localizada en el sur de la isla de Vieques.
On June 27–28, Sun Bay Beach in Vieques will host the first-ever OCEANMAN event in Puerto Rico, where approximately 250 long-distance swimmers will test their endurance while enjoying the warm, crystal-clear waters of La Isla Nena.
With over 30,000 swimmers annually across more than 35 countries and five continents, OCEANMAN is the largest international open water swimming circuit in the world.
Puerto Rico's event marks the first time the sports franchise brings one of its competitions to the American continent. In fact, the Vieques stop is the inaugural event of a special series called Five Island, where swimmers who take on the multi-country challenge will compete in Vieques, Puerto Rico (June 27–28, 2025); San Andrés, Colombia (July 25–27, 2025); Cozumel, Mexico (August 2–3, 2025); Cayo Santa María, Cuba (September 7–9, 2025); and Bayahíbe, Dominican Republic (October 11–12, 2025).
OCEANMAN offers three race distances, along with a relay option and a special edition for younger swimmers. Participants can choose from:
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OCEANMAN (10.9 km)
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HALF OCEANMAN (5.4 km)
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SPRINT (2 km)
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RELAY (3 x 500 m)
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OCEANKIDS (500 m)
“For this first edition, we expect around 250 participants, with approximately 65% of them coming from abroad. We’ll be welcoming swimmers from the United States, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Kazakhstan, and other countries. So, we’ll have traveler-athletes from around the world visiting Vieques, Puerto Rico,” said Carlos Deliz, Director of Sports Tourism Events Sales at Discover Puerto Rico.
“OCEANMAN has grown in popularity among the aquatic community, especially with amateur adult swimmers who enjoy the sport and use it as an opportunity to discover new places while contributing to local economies through sports tourism,” added Deliz.
He explained that Sun Bay Beach was selected for its ideal conditions—warm, clear waters—and because of Discover Puerto Rico’s commitment to promoting the entire Island as a tourism destination.
“Our mission at Discover Puerto Rico goes beyond promoting the metro area. We’re committed to marketing all 78 municipalities. With that in mind, we looked for a community offering something extra—attractive warm waters, the vibrant colors that define us as a country—and we found that Sun Bay, next to the town of Esperanza, is the perfect setting for this first edition,” he emphasized.
“Puerto Rico is a mecca for sports and sports tourism. Our climate is ideal for year-round athletic events, and the sports tourism sector remains strong. So far, we’re projecting nearly 35,000 room nights for this fiscal year. OCEANMAN alone is expected to generate around $750,000 in economic impact. These travelers often bring a partner or travel with their children,” Deliz noted.
For more information and to register, visit: https://oceanmanswim.com/vieques-Puerto-rico. Registration is open until June 22, 2025.