Welcome to the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse family!
Congratulations on making the decision to undertake the open-water swimming endeavor of a lifetime. The Annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse is truly an event unlike any other.
From it’s humble beginnings as a community plan to draw attention to the importance of preserving our history, this swim has grown into a monster effort that connects swimmers from around the world. While you likely come with a very personal mission, you will leave as part of something so much bigger.
We are excited to welcome you to Islamorada, our slice of paradise, and our incredible local community. So many of which have committed time, energy and resources to help us create something incredibly special and unique for our guests. We encourage you to support the abundant local businesses throughout our town (especially those that support us!) and take the time to thank them for their hospitality.
It’s going to be an amazing weekend, and we can’t wait to see you all soon!
- The Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Crew
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Participant Check In & Kayak Check In Amara Cay Resort “FishBowl” Meeting Room
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Informal SFAL Meet & Greet
Florida Keys Brewing Kick off your weekend in the Keys with us!
Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
8:00 am - 10:00 am - Practice Swim
$3.00 per person pool fee
Ron Levy Aquatic Center - Founders Park 87000 Overseas Highway
10:00 am - 7:00 pm - Participant Check In & Kayak Check In Amara Cay Resort “FishBowl” Meeting Room THERE IS NO SATURDAY CHECK-IN
1:00 pm - Swimmer & Kayaker Safety Briefing #1
Amara Cay - Tiki Pavilion @ Kayak Check In
3:00 pm - Swimmer &Kayaker Safety Briefing #2
Amara Cay - Tiki Pavilion @ Kayak Check In
6:00 pm - Swimmer & Kayaker Safety Briefing #3
Amara Cay - Tiki Pavilion @ Kayak Check In
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024
5:45 am - 7:30 am - Kayak Beach is Open
Swimmers and Kayakers can prepare and pack kayaks prior to the race start
7:15 am - Pre Race Ceremonies Begin
7:40 am - Founders Wave
7:45 am - Race Start
All Kayakers, and Swimmers starting as kayakers, must check in race morning at the check in table under the pavilion before entering the water.
Anyone entering the water must have their kayaker or swimmer wristband on prior to entering the water and must keep it on throughout the event. Persons found on the water without a wristband will be removed from the course.
7:45 am - SOLO SWIMMERS START - Neon Yellow Caps
7:52 am - 2 PERSON TEAMS START - Neon Green Caps
7:54 am - 3 PERSON TEAMS START - Neon Blue Caps
8:00 am - 4 PERSON TEAMS START - Neon Orange Caps
11:30 am - Cut Off #1 - Alligator Lighthouse
All swimmers must be around the Alligator Lighthouse and headed back to the Amara Cay Resort. Swimmers have 3.5 hours from their start time to get to the Lighthouse. Swimmers unable to make this cutoff will be pulled from the course.
3:00 pm - Cut Off #2 - All Swimmers must be past mile 7. Swimmers unable to make this cutoff will be pulled from the course.
4:00 pm - Finish Cut-Off and Finish Line Closes
Swimmers still on course will be pulled and returned to shore.
Bud & Mary’s Marina - This is a ticketed event. Everyone planning to attend the event must have a ticket.
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 - Informal Breakfast (on own)
A long standing tradition, we encourage swimmers and kayakers to grab breakfast at the Amara Cay to swap and share stories.
Swim for Alligator Lighthhouse Check in Process
Step 1 : Participant Check In -
You will be required to show proof of ID.
Solo Swimmers will need to check in with their Kayakers. Relay Swimmers are encouraged to check in together.
Participants will be checked in and required to sign the event waiver. Participants will be armbanded at check in.
Anyone who ordered dinner tickets they will be in your envelope at check in.
If you have any changes to your team, kayaker etc., please go directly to the solutions table before checking in.
Helpful Hint: Stop at the Survey Table in the Lobby and recieve an additional beer ticket for filling out our travel survey. These surveys help us continue to improve the experience for our swimmers and build local support to help us Save Alligator Lighthouse!
Step 2: Kayak Check In -
You must be wearing your race wristband before Kayak Check-in. If you ordered a kayak through our rental program, you will check-in and then proceed to find your kayak on the beach. Depending on time of checkin, your kayak may not be ready just yet.
If you are bringing your own kayak, it will need to be approved and checked in with our staff. You will receive your kayak flags which allow your vessel to be on the water.
Step 3: Safety Briefing
All participants (kayakers too) must attend a Safety Briefing on Friday.
Swim for Alligator Lighthouse
Race Course Details
The Swim for Alligator Lighthouse is an 8-mile open water swim. The Swim starts at the host hotel, Amara Cay Resort. Participants swim 4 miles, circle Alligator Lighthouse, and swim 4 miles back to Amara Cay Resort.
Race Start Details
Swimmers will enter the water based on their wave number and their bib number. Swimmers must check in with the staff at the top of the stairs as they enter the water. Swimmers will make their way down the stairs and stage in the water for their wave start.
Kayakers and Swimmers starting as kayakers will check in on race morning at the check in table under the Tiki Pavilion. They will then enter the water in the Kayak Loading Zone. Event Staff will be checking that anyone entering the water is wearing either a kayaker or swimmer wristband.
Kayakers will then stage just outside of the course. As swimmers are starting on the course, kayakers must work to connect with their swimmer along the course. All swimmers and kayakers must be connected before Buoy #2. Swimmers are not allowed to proceed past Buoy #2 without their kayaker(s). Swimmers found past Buoy #2 with no kayaker will be served a DQ and will be removed from the course.
Course Details
Large buoys will be placed every 1/4 mile. Buoys will be numbered so if you need to give a location # you are able to. The course will be a down and back 8 mile race. The course requires swimmers keep buoy markers on their left shoulder. Every team or individual is required a support kayak throughout the duration of the event. Each kayak will have an official event numbered flag. Swimmers found without a kayaker at any point during the event will be served a DQ and will be removed from the course.
Kayakers will want to stay within 5-10 yards of their swimmers throughout the course of the event. It is the kayakers responsibility to help keep the swim-
mer on course and close to the buoy line throughout the course of the event. In addition, kayakers are responsible for proper on water etiquette when navigating through and around other swimmers and kayakers. Kayakers are not to split through other teams as they advance.
A full list of rules and safety details are located on the event website. Swimmers should read the rules and bring any questions to the safety briefings.
All Kayakers must carry a cell phone on their kayak throughout the event. You are encouraged to keep these out of the sun, and in a waterproof case during the event.
There will be no “feed” stations available in this race. All teams and individuals must provide their own support and must carry that support on their kayak(s). It is the swimmer’s responsibility to coordinate with their kayaker or another individual for feeding purposes. No volunteers will be specifically available for this purpose. Littering or dumping in the water is not allowed at any time.
Swimmer and kayakers are encouraged to strap down coolers, bags and other equipment as kayaks may tip, and very important items can be lost.
This is a closed course event. Only race participants, Swim for Alligator Lighthouse team safety boats and jet skis are allowed on course.
No personal powerboats are allowed on course at any time.
Finish Line Procedure
The official finish line will be located at the top of the stairs on the beach under the large finish line arch. This is where your offiical time will stop.
Only one swimmer per team is allowed to finish in the finish line area. Kayakers and swimmers kayaking must remain in their kayaks and paddle back to the kayak loading area. Kayakers will remain with thier swimmers untill they reach the swimmer staging area (the floating arch/buoy line) and will then head to the kayak loading area. Kayakers are not allowed in the swimmer staging area at any time.
Returning your kayak to the beach. Staff and volunteers will be available at the kayak loading zone to help you return your kayak to the beach. This area can get conjested and EVERYONE is tired. Please be patient, and work with our staff to secure your kayak back on the beach.
If you rented a kayak through the event rental service, please keep the paddle(s) and lifejacket that came with the kayak on the kayak. This will help expedite their pick up process.
But what about pictures?
After kayakers and relay team swimmers have their kayaks back on the beach and have checked out at the pavilion, they can make their way to the finish line. Relay team members and kayakers can then collect their medal from the staff at the finish line.
There will be a dedicated staff member at the finish line to help teams work in between finishers to get a group picture under the arch. BE PATIENT and do not just jump under the arch for a picture. Know there may be a line at peak finish times and we will work to ensure everyone has a chance for a team picture.
There will be a finish line tent with various beverages and snacks after the race. In addition, Florida Keys Brewing will be onsite serving up fresh cold tasty beverages. (Remember you get two Florida Keys Brewing beer tickets with your registration!)
Results
There will be QR Codes with a link to our live results posted throughout the race area. You can also find that QR code in the back of this guide as well.
Time to Relax
There will be freshwater showers located on the dock after you complete your event. Do not walk past the STAFF ONLY area on the dock.
Our wonderful partners at the Amara Cay Resort work hard to help us ensure that our swimmers and kayakers have an awesome experience on race day. Please feel free to enjoy the pool and treat yourself to a reward beverage or two at the tiki bar. Remember to take care of your bartenders!
Overall Advice
This is the NO MATTER WHAT, read this and take it seriously part!
Prepare in advance
This race is no joke. It is a long multi-hour course in the hot Florida sun. Preparing for this early on is crucial to having a successful day in Islamorada.
Invest in high-quality sunscreen or zinc and try to have a base tan. It is very difficult to re-apply sunscreen once you are on the water. You may be on the course for 4+ hours which is longer than the recommended time to re-apply sunscreen. You want to ensure you are prepared so you will not suffer a severe sunburn during the race.
Have a phone in a waterproof case on the kayak.
This is a safety rule from the race but investing in a good waterproof phone case early on is a good idea.
Be sure to have the equipment to secure your belongings to the kayak (string, duct tape, etc.). The conditions can change quickly (or you may have a clumsy teammate), and your kayak can flip. Ensure you are securing everything to the kayak, so you do not lose any of your belongings.
Practice your nutrition plan early on.
Make sure you can stomach your snacks while swimming and find a form of electrolytes that works for you to ensure you are staying hydrated (this is important!). Also, make sure you have multiple bottles of fresh water in addition to electrolytes.
Practice in the suit that you will swim in BEFORE the race.
Make sure it is comfortable, fits well, and does not leave a lot of chafing (you may wish to use Glide or Aquaphor to prevent chafing or extreme rubbing).
Communication is key!
Whether you are a solo swimmer or a 4-person team, you will have people you need to communicate with. Be sure to communicate the plan for the race ahead of time. Be patient during the race and communicate with your team throughout the race. It is good to communicate your preferences for the kayak position, feeding times, and how you will connect with your kayak after the start of the race.
Be sure to reserve a kayak in advance.
Solo swimmers and two-person teams will need one solo kayak, three-person teams will need one tandem kayak, four-person teams will need one tandem and one solo kayak.
Ultimate Alligator Checklist
• Phone & waterproof phone case (THIS IS A MUST)
• Race cap and goggles (bring extra goggles as well)
• Water/hydration
• Choice of nutrition (try it out before the day of the race)
• Cooler - think about the size and easy accessibility (side pockets, quick opening top)
• Strong sunscreen or Zinc
• Sunglasses - cheaper polarized pair in case they get lost
• Sunglasses lanyard or “croakies”
• Sun shirt (with SPF)
• Hat (If a team - can you share any of the clothing, hat, sunglasses to minimize items on kayak)
• Duct tape
• String/bungee cords
• Pocket knife
• Towel(s)
• Waterproof speaker(s)
• Ice for the cooler (you can get this from the hotel but recommend picking this up on the way to the hotel or at the Publix on Islamorada )
• Ibuprofen/painkillers
• Pickle juice or cramping remedy
• Something to help flag down your swimmer after the start (flag, brightly colored shirt, etc.)
• Kayak paddle grips
• Full finger gloves
• Vinegar/ammonia
• Bodyglide or any other anti-chafe balm
• Dry bags/swimmer sighting buoys (to store things you want to keep dry and also to use as an identifier for your kayak)
For participants not staying at the Amara Cay Resort, ample parking is available in the parking lot across the street from the hotel. This parking is free and first come first serve.
What to do in town
We encourage everyone to check out all that Islamorada and the Florida Keys have to offer.
Resources and ideas can be found at https://fla-keys.com/
