Set against a backdrop of palm trees and glittering Gulf Coast sunsets, the Tampa Bay area city of St. Petersburg - known affectionately as St. Pete – will be buzzing with a uniquely vibrant, sun-drenched energy when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series circuit touches down in Florida for the first time.
The diving action unfolds on the iconic St. Pete Pier: a striking waterfront landmark that reaches out over the North Yacht Basin into Tampa Bay, with the city skyline rising behind it. Women launch from 21 metres (69 feet), men from 27 metres (89 feet) – heights that demand a rare combination of explosive power and absolute precision. In the two to three seconds of freefall between take-off and entry, the world's best cliff divers execute complex multi-axis twists and somersaults before hitting the warm waters of the Gulf Coast below at close to 85 kph (53 mph).
Summer vibes
June in St. Petersburg is reliably spectacular. With an average of 361 days of sunshine per year, St. Pete more than earns its nickname as Florida's Sunshine City.
Competitors will dive into salt water warmed to around 28°C (82°F), with air temperatures typically reaching the 30°C (86°F) mark. The warm Gulf conditions and the pier's sheltered position over the basin create a stable, high-performance environment that sets the scene for world-class diving in every round.
What else is there to do in St. Pete?
St. Pete is more than just a pretty waterfront, with its restaurants, breweries and beaches just minutes away.
The Salvador Dalí Museum brings serious cultural weight to a city already known for its arts scene, while Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are on the doorstep for anyone who wants to wind down after witnessing all the adrenaline-fuelled diving action across two days of competition.