Like you are saying it depends on how seriously your are taking the race and how short the race course is. If it is a sprint more than likely no time to look around. If it is a 30 mile race then you can look around and enjoy it a little. But you are there to race not sight see.I recently came across some info on the rules for paddling in a six man outrigger canoe. There were a couple rules that stuck with me. First one was, NO TALKING, only the steersman can talk, with one exception. The bowman and the #2 position can discuss cadence. The other one that stuck with me was, NO SIGHTSEEING. It sounds harsh, but it makes sense. Looking around could break your concentration. Hawaiians take canoeing pretty seriously.
I do not have the experience that @yknpdlr has but all my racing has been in rivers. I love having an all day race and enjoying the sights and animals you see along the way. Even the urban training we do at night in Dallas can produce some crazy stories both nature and human.