Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk is a sparkling seaport city with a distinguished American and naval history, natural beauty, arts and cultural attractions, shopping, dining, great outdoor recreation, and entertainment, within a 20 minute drive to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and 45 minutes to the Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown historic attractions. Known by many for its historical significance and military heritage, this southern mid-Atlantic seaport has exploded into a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant cultural center. Millions of visitors make their way to Norfolk each year to see its patriotic attractions, year-round special events and nationally acclaimed museums.

Norfolk is centrally located among its neighboring cities including Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News and Williamsburg, and within a 4 hour drive from Washington, D.C. and offers easy access to the sights and attractions of each of these cities.

With its pedestrian-friendly streets, the downtown Norfolk district offers a collection of hotels, convention facilities, a trendy restaurant and arts district, dynamic attractions, and retail merchants all within 10 walkable downtown blocks.  Upscale shopping and one-of-a-kind items can be found at local boutiques and antique dealers throughout the city, and MacArthur Center featuring more than 140 retailers, movie theatres and restaurants all within a block of the VELUX 5 OCEANS marina site. 

Norfolk is very proud of its long-standing relationship with the Navy and is proud to be home to the Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base. The National Maritime Center, The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the USS Wisconsin battleship, the last and largest battleship built by the US Navy are only steps away from the downtown marina.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS race provides yet another valuable opportunity for the City of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia to promote its valuable port position, international affiliations, and tradition of community involvement and hospitality.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS will be hosted in the Waterside Marina in downtown Norfolk from Mid March and until the re-start on April 15, 2007. With a dozen of the best solo skippers representing 5 continents and some of the most extreme yachts in the world VELUX 5 OCEANS is expected to attract national and international press and a large number of visitors. The VELUX 5 OCEANS will leave Norfolk in spectacular style with the huge local sailing community on the water to greet the skippers before the last leg of the Race towards Bilbao, Spain.