The GTA 5 Sea Races are four Seashark checkpoint races that open up once you finish the story mission Hood Safari. Any of the three protagonists can enter them, and the medals you win count toward the Hobbies and Pastimes part of 100% completion. Finishing a water race does not pay any cash.
Key facts
- Unlocked by: Hood Safari
- Number of races: 4 (Los Santos Port, Power Station, El Gordo and Lago Zancudo)
- Who can race: Michael, Franklin or Trevor
- Vehicle: a Seashark, waiting at the race location
- Reward: medals for 100% completion, no money
- Fail conditions: Wasted, Busted, abandoning the race, missing a checkpoint, destroying the vehicle, or a rival dying or being spooked
How to enter a sea race
Go to the race location, swim up to the spare Seashark and press right on the D-pad to join. If you already rode a Seashark to the start point, stay on it and press the same button instead of mounting the spare one. From there you race through checkpoints against AI competitors.
The AI uses a catch-up system. If you fall off or lag behind, the opponents slow down so you can get back into the race. If you lead, they stay within a few lengths of you but will not overtake unless you make mistakes.
Unlike the Hao Street Races, the sea races can be completed by any protagonist, as with the Offroad Races.
The four GTA 5 sea race courses
| Race | Start | Route and finish | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Santos Port | Mouth of the LS river in Cypress Flats | Inner harbour between Cypress Flats, Terminal and Elysian Island; finish in the channel heading south next to the Los Santos State Gas Company | 7 |
| Power Station | Off the Tataviam Mountains coast, midway between NOOSE Headquarters and the Palmer-Taylor Power Station, by the hole in the rock | North through the hole to the rocks and islands off the power station, finishing in the bay there | 7 |
| El Gordo | El Gordo Lighthouse | South in and around the rocky islands off Cape Catfish, then back to the lighthouse | 7 |
| Lago Zancudo | Head of the Zancudo River, opposite Stab City | Same course as the Sea Change race in GTA Online, finishing under the bridge to Fort Zancudo | 3 (4 racers in total) |
Why run them
The water races pay nothing, so the medals are the point. Use the full GTA 5 walkthrough to see where they fit in the full game.
Related guides
- GTA 5 Stock Car Racing: the desert track near the Yellow Jack Inn
- GTA 5 Triathlons: the swim, bike and run events
- Browse every mission in the GTA 5 missions category
- Check the GTA 5 lexicon for vehicles and places mentioned here
- Back to the GTA 5 guide for the full edition overview
Video walkthrough
Prefer to watch? This video shows it in action.
FAQ
What unlocks the sea races in GTA 5?
The mission Hood Safari unlocks all four of them.
How many sea races are there?
There are four: Los Santos Port, Power Station, El Gordo and Lago Zancudo.
Do the sea races pay money?
No. There is no cash reward for the water races, but the medals count toward 100% completion.
Can Michael and Trevor enter too?
Yes. Every protagonist can race in them, unlike the Hao Street Races.
How do I join a race?
Swim to the spare Seashark at the start and press right on the D-pad, or press it while already riding a Seashark.
