A Guide To Attending The Miami Boat Show | SI Yachts

A Guide To Visiting The Miami Boat Show

South Florida’s premier boat show since 1969, this year’s 2025 Miami International Boat Show will be held between February 12th and 16th at a number of locations throughout the city. Dry land exhibits will be split between Pride Park and the Miami Beach Convention Center, while wonderful on-the-water yachts and accessories are on display at the in-water show at Herald Plaza, the Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and the exclusive superyacht showcase at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. 

 

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If you are one of over 100,000 visitors expected to attend this year and wish to catch a glimpse of vessels from over 1,000 prestige boat-builders, then check out this ultimate visitor’s guide to explore the very best Florida’s Magic City has to offer. From lavish hotels and gourmet restaurants, to sugar-white sands and a thriving, vibrant culture, Miami has it all. The most sought-after boats and yachts, along with new, never-before-seen models, will all be on display this year and the entire SI Yachts team will be available at the show to answer all of your boating questions.

 

WHAT ARE THE BEST HOTELS FOR THE MIAMI BOAT SHOW?

Simply due to the mammoth size of this event, many yachting aficionados will turn their boat show visit into a multi-day experience and enjoy all of what South Beach has to offer. If you are searching for the best hotel options in town, then take a look at these popular choices, each conveniently located for close proximity to heart of the action.

 

The Standard Spa (10 min. drive, 2.7 miles)

the standard spa miami florida

Occupying an enviable waterfront spot on ultra-exclusive Belle Isle, and perfectly located for the best of the boat show, the Standard Spa gives visitors a chance to turn their trip to Miami into a decadent, playful spa experience. With one of Miami’s biggest outdoor infinity pools, hydrotherapy options, open-air mud baths, a Turkish bath-house and more, this is the sort of deluxe retreat perfect for pampering and recuperation. A minimalist, contemporary approach to high-end relaxation and supreme service gives the Standard the feel of a quiet oasis in the heart of the bustling city. 

 

Hilton Miami Downtown (3 min. drive, 0.4 miles)

hilton miami downtown for boat show

Positioned adjacent to boat show venues and housed in a striking modern tower, this sleek hotel is perfect for executives who require attentive service, function space, four-star facilities and the deluxe Hilton touch. It’s not all business at this refined retreat: rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows for fantastic views across Biscayne Bay, there’s a rooftop pool for sun-kissed swimming, and a slew of eating options offer a range of delicious meals and indulgent treats all day long. If you're headed to the Miami Boat Show, the Hilton Miami Downtown offers a lot of advantages.

 

The Betsy (20 min. drive, 4.4 miles)

the besty on south beach for miami boat show

This historic destination on Art Deco Ocean Drive hosted the Stones and the Beatles back in the 60s, but while there’s plenty of vintage appeal to this seafront hotel, it’s certainly no relic. A major 2020 renovation gave a new lease of life to The Betsy, which impresses with a breezy, maritime vibe, on-trend interiors and exceptional service. If you can’t snag a waterfront room for sea views in the morning then head up to rooftop lounge for sunrise yoga, and in the afternoon cool off in South Beach’s chicest courtyard pool.

 

Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay (1 min. drive, 0.2 miles)

miami marriott biscayne bay hotel

This staple of Downtown Miami has a lot going for it. A waterside location right on the marina, high-rise balconies with the best views in town, and a sprawling outdoor pool complex located in the gardens are joined by 24-hour room service, some of the most comprehensive facilities in the city and a restrained modern vibe, for an appeal that speaks for itself. The Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is right in the heart of the boat show action!

 

CitizenM Miami Worldcenter (6 min. drive, 0.8 miles)

citizenm miami worldcenter hotel

A superb option for the budget-conscious, the CitizenM Miami Worldcenter is located a block from Biscayne and offers a range of compact and ultra-contemporary rooms at competitive price points. Yet it’s not without its own charms: take a dip in the rooftop pool and enjoy bird’s-eye vistas of Freedom Tower, mingle at the funky, urban-style bar and restaurant, or hit the sun terrace for lounging with a view.

 

Fontainebleau Miami Beach (21 min. drive, 5.5 miles)

fontainebleau miami beach hotel

Is a trip to the Miami Boat Show ever complete without an evening at the Fontainebleau? Collins Avenue used to be the yachting hub of the Miami Boat Show and word around town is it may be coming back in the future. Still, if you enjoy being a part of the nightlife then the Fontainebleau Miami Beach might be the right hotel for you or at the very least, a night out at LIV.

 

 

WHAT ATTRACTIONS ARE AROUND THE MIAMI BOAT SHOW?

Don’t forget to step outside the boat show to explore one of America’s most vibrant and eye-catching cities. After you've found your dream boat or yacht, you may want to take advantage of everything that South Florida has to offer. Here’s the top list of Miami attractions to wow and enchant.

 

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (15 min. drive, 4.6 miles)

vizcaya museum and gardens pool

Nestled in the leafy Biscayne Bay neighborhood of Coconut Grove, Vizcaya is a century-old Tuscan revival villa and gardens that houses Miami’s premier historic attraction, where visitors are ushered into an opulent, bygone age characterized by glitz and glamor. Take a wander through the folly-thronged gardens, used as a filming location by Charlie Chaplin and Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr., or explore the villa itself, a treasure trove of European decorative art that played host to President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II in 1987.

 

South Beach (19 min. drive, 4.3 miles)

iconic south beach shopping and restaurants

No trip to Miami is complete without a stroll down iconic South Beach, where the world’s highest density of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne resort-style architecture is to be found. See and be seen on the palm-studded beach, long the hang-out for established celebs and aspiring influencers, or drop in for refreshments and cocktails at one of the many stylish haunts found along the neighborhood’s iconic Ocean Drive.

 

Bayside Marketplace (8 min. drive,  1.0 miles)

bayside marketplace near miami boat show

Scour for bargains at this open-air, waterside shopping arcade that houses some of Miami’s swankiest boutiques, worldwide brands and designer outlets. But it’s not just deals on offer here: Bayside Marketplace also hosts Miami’s finest views from the Skyviews Ferris wheel, a 200-foot attraction boasting 42 climate-controlled gondolas that ascend high above the city.

 

Little Havana (17 min. drive, 3.9 miles)

little havana near miami beach florida

Explore this vibrant neighborhood adjacent to Downtown, famous for being the heart of Miami’s Cuban community. Here, you can discover Miami’s own take on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with stars dedicated to the Latin world’s most celebrated luminaries, as well as a plethora of colorful shopping and impressive cuisines. The lively epicenter of this neighborhood is Maximo Gomez Park, where you’ll find salsa and rumba dancing, cigar-smoking and robust Cuban coffee to perk you up.

 

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (5 min. drive, 0.7 miles)

frost museum of science miami

Need a break from the bustle of the boat show? Head over to this impressive science museum, located mere moments from the action. A vivid, 67-foot wide ultra-HD planetarium screen will take you and your family into outer space, while one of the nation’s most impressive aquariums features a 100-foot wide glass oculus separating you from whales, devil rays and hammerhead sharks.

 

Everglades Safari Park (40 min. drive, 29.6 miles)

airboat rides in the everglades

The ultimate option for excursions out beyond Miami itself, the Everglades is an otherworldly ecosystem just a short drive out of the city. Take a ride on one of the iconic fan-propelled airboats through lush swampland, flooded grasslands and thickets of sub-tropical mangrove to encounter manatees, exotic wading birds and turtles, and keep your eyes peeled for the abundant alligators and Burmese pythons that that stalk and slither, respectively, throughout this verdant wetland.

 

BEST RESTAURANTS NEAR THE MIAMI BOAT SHOW

There is no better place to eat than Miami, which is home to one of the world’s most impressive culinary scenes. With dining options reflecting Florida’s diverse history and influences ranging from the Caribbean to Latin America, your tastebuds will never tire of exploring this city’s exciting menus.

 

Klaw Miami (3 min. drive, 0.4 miles)

klaw miami restaurant

Mere steps away from the Boat Show, Klaw Miami is an upscale, rooftop eatery is famed as much for its seafood delicacies, including the Norwegian King Crab from which it gets the name, as for its open waterside views. Keep an eye on the yachts making their way into the Venetian Marina as you enjoy Miso-glazed Black Cod or Omaha Angus filet slathered in truffle sauce, and be sure to drop in for early evening cocktails served chilled with a very welcome happy hour discount.

 

TORO TORO (10 min. drive, 1.4 miles)

toro toro miami

Talk a stroll from the Marina through Bay Front Park to find this hip steakhouse with a pan-Latin twist. The of Toro Toro atmosphere is almost as vibrant as the cuisine, and you’ll enjoy chef Richard Sandoval’s fresh take on culinary stalwarts such as Wagyu Tomahawk, served here with your choice of bone marrow or chimichurri, while small plates include unctuous duck arepas, grilled octopus in a rich Peruvian adobo sauce and a Brazilian Ahi ceviche bursting with citrus flavors and fresh vegetables.

 

Monty’s Coconut Grove (18 min. drive, 6.3 miles)

monty's raw bar coconut grove

Head south for Key West-style outdoor dining by the water in shorts and flip-flops. This family-friendly joint boasts music and dancing, tiki drinks and an approachable menu of beach-front classics. Florida stone crabs, freshly fried Baja tacos and coconut shrimp are joined by punchy Jamaican jerk chicken and the best Fish and Chips this side of the Atlantic. Monty's Raw Bar is a great spot to enjoy some pristine boat watching and a favorite of local celebrities.

 

CVI.CHE 105 (14 min. drive, 3.4 miles)

cvi che 105 restaurant miami

The perfect spot for entertaining guests, this famous Peruvian eatery is known city-wide for its inventive and eclectic ceviche menu, funky artworks and warm Latin welcome. Pisco sours are the go-to drink here, while a vertical garden of hanging ferns adds a dash of the tropics to the mix. CVI.CHE 105 is a can't miss restaurant while you're visiting for the Miami Boat Show.

 

Cubaton Sandwich Shop (17 min. drive, 4.2 miles ; Walking Distance from Convention Center - 0.5 miles)

cubaton sandwich shop near miami convention center

Looking for a quick, delicious lunch between exhibits? Stop at local favorite Cubaton, located less than three blocks from the Convention Center. The Cuban sandwich is an original Florida invention, and served nowhere better than this small slice of Havana in South Beach. Combining sliced, slow-roasted ham, melted cheese, fresh mustard and pressed, toasted bread, this is a slightly spicy, somewhat tangy and tremendously flavorful, hand-held lunch that you won’t forget in a hurry.

 

ARE THERE PLACES FOR EMERGENCIES NEAR THE MIAMI BOAT SHOW?

You never know what might happen when traveling. Although all signs point to having a wonderful time visiting the Miami Boat Show, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. For those "just in case moments", here is a quick list of everything you might need to know near the Miami Boat Show. Please consult with a local official about what's right for you.

 

Mount Sinai Medical Center (16 min. drive, 4.8 miles)

Located on Alton Road in Miami Beach, Mount Sinai Medical Center has a 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency room. Call them at (305) 787-3969. This is also the largest private, independent not-for-profit teaching hospital in the state of Florida.

 

Miami Beach Urgent Car Walk-In Clinic (17 min. drive, 4.5 miles)

Sprain your ankle and don't want to wait at the emergency room? The Miami Beach Urgent Care walk-in clinic is located right at 1329 Alton Road. They are open 7 days a week and take walk-ins until 8pm. You can call them at (305) 901-0371.

 

Miami Beach Police Department (18 min. drive, 4.5 miles)

While security at the Miami Boat Show is always excellent, you never know when you might need to contact the police. The main Miami Beach Police office is located at 1100 Washington Avenue, but there are also two sub-stations on Miami Beach.

 

The SI Yachts team is here to ensure that your Miami Boat Show experience is the best it can possibly be. With offices in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and in Jupiter, Florida, there is no better north-to-south connection to buy or sell your next boat. Visit our Yachts For Sale page to browse thousands of available boats online. If you want to contact us immediately, you can call our main headquarters at (718) 984-7676 or email us at Sales@SIYachts.com. See you in Miami!

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