Miami Boat Show 2026: Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about the world’s largest boat and yacht show

What is the Miami Boat Show?

The Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® is officially the world’s largest boat and yacht exhibition. In its 85th edition, this five-day event brings together over 100,000 visitors from around the globe to explore more than 1,000 vessels on display, from kayaks to superyachts over 300 feet.

With a regional economic impact of nearly $1 billion, the Miami Boat Show isn’t just an event—it’s a cultural phenomenon celebrating the boating lifestyle in all its forms.

Quick Facts

📅 Miami Boat Show 2026 Dates & Hours

Official Schedule

Note: The event coincides with Presidents’ Day weekend (Monday Feb 16 is a holiday), making it easy to extend your visit.

📍 Miami Boat Show 2026 Venues

NEW LAYOUT FOR 2026!

This year features a major redesign with three main interconnected locations, making navigation between venues easier than ever.

1. Miami Beach Convention Center + Pride Park

📍 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach

The event’s central hub:

• Boats up to 49 feet on indoor display
• Engine manufacturers
• Marine accessories & electronics
• Retail pavilions
• AquaZone by Nautical Ventures – live water demonstrations
• Free educational seminars
• Kids fishing clinics
• Food trucks & restaurants
• Live entertainment

Parking: 17th Street Garage (1 block south) – $20/day flat rate

2. Miami Beach Yacht Collection on Collins Avenue

📍 Collins Avenue between 44th-47th Streets, Indian Creek

RETURNING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018!

The most anticipated news of 2026:

• Yachts from 30-125 feet in the water
• Iconic location near Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels
• Top premium yacht brands
• Tenders, engines & luxury accessories
• Premium retail experiences

Confirmed Brands on Collins Ave:

• Azimut
• Absolute
• Aquila
• Cruisers
• Ferretti
• Galeon
• HCB
• Mangusta
• Pardo
• Prestige
• Princess
• Riviera
• Sanlorenzo
• Schaefer
• Solaris
• Sunreef
• Sunseeker
• Tiara
• Vanquish
• Viking

3. IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami (Watson Island)

📍 Watson Island, Downtown Miami

Two experiences in one location:

Sailor’s Cove (NEW 2026)

First dedicated sailing exhibition:

• Sailboats and catamarans
• Sailing equipment & accessories
• Lifestyle experiences for sailors
• Training from Annapolis School of Seamanship

SuperYacht Miami

The world of luxury megayachts:

• Superyachts 300+ feet
• Brokerage yachts (new and pre-owned)
• Private tours with brokers
• Exclusive networking

Note: Access to superyachts is at the discretion of each vessel’s broker.

Parking: ~600 spaces available at the marina

Miami Boat Show 2026 Ticket Prices

Ticket Structure

ONE TICKET = ACCESS TO ALL VENUES!

Discounts & Special Offers

15% discount for Miami Beach residents:

• Promo code: MIAMIBCHRES26
• Valid for 1-Day General Admission

Sunday – Military Appreciation Day:

• Active military and veterans: FREE ADMISSION
• Advance online registration required

Ticket Purchase

⚠️ IMPORTANT: There is no box office on-site. All tickets must be purchased online at:

🔗 www.MiamiBoatShow.com

Getting There & Getting Around

Transportation Included with Your Ticket

FREE with any ticket:

• Shuttles between all venues
• Golf carts (connecting Collins Ave with Convention Center)
• Water taxis

Shuttle schedule: Begin 1 hour before opening and end 1 hour after closing.

5 Shuttle Routes

The show operates 5 shuttle loops connecting:

1. Miami Beach Convention Center ↔ Collins Avenue Yacht Collection
2. Convention Center ↔ IGY Yacht Haven Grande
3. Brightline Station ↔ Convention Center
4. Brightline Station ↔ IGY Yacht Haven Grande
5. Watson Island as transfer hub

Transportation Options

🚆 Brightline (Recommended)

• Stations: Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura
• Arrival: MiamiCentral Station (Downtown Miami)
• Direct connection with show shuttles

🚗 Personal Vehicle

• Miami Beach Convention Center: 17th Street Garage – $20/day
• IGY Yacht Haven Grande: 600 spaces available
• Tip: Use SpotHero app to reserve parking

🚕 Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Pride Park serves as rideshare hub
• Avoid causeway traffic

Warning: Leaving Miami Beach during peak hours can take 1+ hour due to causeway traffic.

Featured Brands & Yachts 2026

Confirmed World Debuts

Aquila Catamarans presents 2 world premieres:

• Aquila 50 Sail – New sailing catamaran
• Aquila 45 Sport – Sport catamaran

Vessel Categories

Top Brands by Category

Italian Luxury Yachts:

• Azimut
• Ferretti
• Sanlorenzo
• Pardo
• Mangusta

British Yachts:

• Princess
• Sunseeker

American Yachts:

• Viking
• HCB
• Cruisers

Multihulls/Catamarans:

• Aquila
• Sunreef
• Leopard

Sailing Yachts:

• Solaris
• Schaefer

Activities & Experiences

AquaZone by Nautical Ventures

Location: Pride Park (40,000-gallon pool)

• Live marine innovation demonstrations
• Water equipment testing
• Interactive shows

Free Educational Seminars

Topics include:

• Boating safety
• Basic and advanced navigation
• Vessel maintenance
• Marine technology trends
• Boating finances

For Families

• Kids Fishing Clinics
• Interactive nautical characters at Pride Park
• Games and activities for all ages

Special Events

• Miami Innovation Awards – Recognition for innovative companies
• Industry Breakfast – Professional networking
• Cupid Splash (Sunday Feb 16) – Charity “polar plunge” event

Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit

Before You Go

1. Buy tickets online – No box office on-site
2. Download the official app – Android/iOS for maps and schedules
3. Book hotel in advance – Prices rise ($300-$500+/night)
4. Plan your route – Decide which venues to prioritize

What to Bring

• ✅ Comfortable slip-on shoes (for boarding yachts)
• ✅ Sunscreen and hat
• ✅ Casual but presentable clothing
• ✅ ID (for age verification at some events)
• ✅ Business cards (if networking)

Visit Strategy

For 1 day:

1. Start early (10 AM)
2. Choose 2-3 main venues
3. Use free shuttles
4. Eat lunch off-peak (11:30 AM or 2:30 PM)

For 2 days:

• Day 1: Convention Center + Collins Avenue
• Day 2: IGY Yacht Haven Grande (Sailor’s Cove + SuperYacht Miami)

Must-See Highlights

1. Collins Avenue Yacht Collection – The comeback after 8 years
2. SuperYacht Miami – See megayachts up close
3. AquaZone – Live demonstrations
4. Sailor’s Cove – If you’re interested in sailing
5. Free seminars – Valuable information

Boat Insurance in Florida: What You Need to Know

Thinking About Buying a Boat?

If the Miami Boat Show inspires you to purchase your first vessel, it’s crucial to understand boat insurance in Florida.

Florida: The Boating Capital of the World

Is Boat Insurance Required in Florida?

Legally: NO. Florida doesn’t require boat insurance by law.

Practically: YES. You’ll need insurance if you:

• Finance your vessel (lender requires it)
• Use a marina or yacht club (requires certificate of insurance)
• Want to protect your investment

Average Insurance Costs

General formula: 1-5% of vessel value annually.

Florida = Higher Premiums

Florida residents pay 30-60% more than the national average due to:

• Hurricane risk
• Year-round boating season
• Higher marine traffic density
• Saltwater exposure (corrosion)

Coverage Types

1. Liability – Damage to third parties
2. Collision – Repairs after accidents
3. Comprehensive – Theft, vandalism, hurricanes
4. Medical Payments – Medical expenses
5. Uninsured Boater – If hit by uninsured boater
6. Towing & Assistance – Towing and emergencies

How to Reduce Your Premium

• ✅ Take boating safety courses (10-15% discount)
• ✅ Bundle with auto/home insurance (15-25% discount)
• ✅ Install GPS and security systems
• ✅ Secure storage (marina vs. trailer)
• ✅ Maintain clean claims history

Florida Accident Statistics (2024)

• 65% of operators in fatal accidents had no formal training
• 66% of victims weren’t wearing life jackets
• #1 cause of death: Drowning
• #1 cause of accidents: Operator inattention
• Alcohol involved: 24 fatal accidents

Counties with most accidents:

1. Miami-Dade (75)
2. Monroe/Keys (69)
3. Palm Beach
4. Pinellas
5. Broward

Where to Stay

Hotels Near the Boat Show

Near Collins Avenue Yacht Collection:

• Fontainebleau Miami Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Eden Roc Miami Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The Setai Miami Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Near the Convention Center:

• Loews Miami Beach Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• W South Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The Ritz-Carlton South Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Downtown Miami (near IGY):

• Four Seasons Hotel Miami ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Mandarin Oriental Miami ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• InterContinental Miami ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tip: Book in advance. During the show, rates average $300-$500+ per night.

Where to Eat Near the Show

At Pride Park

• Various food trucks
• Quick service options
• Picnic areas

Recommended Restaurants (Miami Beach)

Casual:

• Joe’s Stone Crab
• Smith & Wollensky
• The Surf Club Restaurant

Fine Dining:

• Zuma (contemporary Japanese)
• Carbone (high-end Italian)
• L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon ⭐⭐ Michelin

Community Contribution

Cupid Splash

A portion of ticket sales benefits Miami Cupid Splash (cupidsplash.org), an organization raising funds for marine conservation through annual “polar plunge” events.

Miami Beach Support

The show provides $250,000 annually for community initiatives and public benefits in Miami Beach.

Manatee Protection

In 2026, the show collaborates with Nova Southeastern University to place volunteer manatee spotters, ensuring none of these beloved sea creatures are harmed by increased boat traffic.

📱 Useful Resources

Official Links

• Official website: www.MiamiBoatShow.com
• Ticket purchase: www.MiamiBoatShow.com/tickets
• Show app: Available on iOS and Android

Social Media

• Instagram: @MiamiBoatShow
• Facebook: /MiamiBoatShow
• Twitter: @MiamiBoatShow

Contact

• Organizers: Informa Markets
• Partners: NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association), IYBA (International Yacht Brokers Association)

Conclusion

The Miami Boat Show 2026 promises to be a historic edition with the return of yachts to Collins Avenue after 8 years, the new Sailor’s Cove dedicated to sailboats, and a reimagined design that makes exploring all five venues easier.

Whether you’re looking for your first kayak, dreaming of a luxury yacht, or simply want to experience Miami’s boating lifestyle, this event has something for everyone.

Need to protect your current or future vessel?

Contact us today for a personalized boat insurance quote in Florida. Our bilingual agents understand the unique needs of Florida boaters.

Questions About Boat Insurance?

If the Miami Boat Show inspires you to purchase a vessel, don’t forget to protect your investment with the right insurance.

Get a FREE quote today:

• We speak Spanish
• Florida marine insurance expertise
• Customized coverage for all vessel types