An Insider's Guide To Making The Most Of The Miami Boat Show | SI Yachts

An Insider's Guide To Making The Most Of The Miami Boat Show

One of the world’s leading yacht shows, the Miami International Boat Show has been pulling in crowds since it began in 1969. These days, the event is an industry spectacular, attracting well over 100,000 visitors who arrive each year to experience the buzz, enjoy glamorous settings, and, of course, to view the latest yachts and boats from over 1,000 prestige brands.

This year, the show will run from February 12th to February 16th, with doors opening at 10AM on each day and running up until 7PM on Friday and Saturday. Along with vessels from around the world there will be educational seminars, immersive experiences, countless pavilions, activity zones, round-table talks and competitions, while refreshments and dining options will be housed on-site. Split across six different venues all within a stone’s throw of Biscayne Bay, this is an unmissable highlight of the American yachting calendar, and a must-visit for boating aficionados.

 

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WHERE IS THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW HELD?

There are six different venues where the Miami International Boat Show is held, each location presenting a unique vibe and appeal, with events split between dry-land and on-water the water locations that are all within easy reach of one another. Below is a map showing the boat show locations and potential parking spaces.

 

 

 

Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive)

miami beach convention center for boat show

This vast indoor conference venue plays host to the majority of displayed boats and yachts under 49-feet in length, with pavilions and stalls operated by hundreds of the world’s finest manufacturers. Climb aboard that boat you’ve been admiring from afar for months to really inspect its finish, check out engines and the latest accessories, test helm electronics with the people who made them. The central hub of the boat show, it will take you at least a morning to fully experience everything the Convention Center site has to offer.

  • Boats under 49-feet including Valhalla Boatworks
  • Boat components & equipment including watermakers, mooring systems
  • Accessories including sunglasses, attire

 

The Progressive Boat Show Experience At Pride Park 

pride park miami boat show

Hosting The Progressive Experience, this unique destination features a carnival atmosphere with fun for the entire family. A media stage, delicious food options and sponsored bar destinations operated by brands like Budweiser, Gosling’s Rum, Ketel One and Crown Royal look set to deliver a celebratory vibe. Yet it’s not all partying at this open-air venue. Indulge your competitive side at the Pickleball court, try your hand at watersports in the 40,000-gallon AquaZone pool, brush up on your nautical skills at Fred’s Shed or teach the kids how to angle at Hook the Future’s fishing clinic. There’s a chance to win prizes at Hooked, a mega claw machine, while you’ll end your time here singing along to Sea Shanties with Marina, a half-fish, half-WaveRunner with a love for maritime tunes.

  • Education zone with seminars
  • Guest Services, Center Bar
  • Shuttle pick-up and drop-off

 

Herald Plaza 

herald plaza at miami boat show

Home to the Miami boat show’s powerboats and mid-range cruisers, Herald Plaza is the largest on-the-water component of the event. Here, a near-endless set of walkways snake out across the bay, featuring the newest models of the most well-established brands, including Valhalla and Princess Yachts, while other offerings include engine kits, tender displays and speedboats. At the entrance to this venue, you will also find the Windward VIP lounge, an ultra-exclusive retreat within the boat show for a select set of attendees.

  • Yacht Manufacturers at Herald Plaza location: Viking Yachts, Princess Yachts, Absolute Yachts, Prestige Yachts, Pardo Yachts
  • Brokerage Yachts up to 125'
  • Volvo Penta - Electronic Vessel Control Display

 

Venetian Marina 

venetian marina miami boat show

This centrally-located marina close to Downtown Miami is the destination of choice for keen and curious clients looking to take a yacht for a spin down Biscayne Bay or even a sea trial. There will be over 75 different vessels to board and inspect, including brand-new launches making their boat show debut, as well as used models offered by a range of discerning brokers.

  • Engine Displays: Honda Marine, Mercury, Suzuki, Volvo Penta
  • Other companies: Simrad, Sometic, Dockmate

 

Museum Park Marina 

museum park marina miami boat show

Highlighting the very best from the world of sailing, Museum Park Marina will feature sailboats, catamarans and a choice selection of accessories in a floating harbor setting. This is where fans of heritage vessels and wind-powered watercraft are to be found, enjoying the timeless appeal of moving with the ocean currents and trade winds.

  • Sailboats & Catamarans
  • Beneteau, Excess, Fountaine Pajot

 

Superyacht Miami at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami

superyacht village miami boat show

Grab your VIP pass to access this special superyacht exhibit, showcasing the world’s biggest and most luxurious vessels. This is your chance to climb aboard some spectacular yachts, experience the deluxe boating experience and engage with builders from some of the most renowned brands on the planet. Located at Island Gardens, this plush marina venue has 50 berths capable of hosting the largest megayachts on the planet, with the premium parking spot here large enough for a 550-foot giant.

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BOATS YOU WILL SEE AT THE SHOW?

As one of North America’s most prestigious yachting events there will be no shortage of premium brands, manufacturers and brokers attending this year’s festivities. Organized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in partnership with the International Yacht Brokers Association, this show represents a chance for interested clients, boating fanatics and the mere curious to get in touch with those at the very center of the industry, with more than 1,000 different firms set to appear. Expect big names like Italy’s Absolute Yachts, British stalwarts Princess and Sunseeker and global titans Ferretti to be there, alongside homegrown sportfishing supremos like Viking, Pursuit and Grady-White.

navetta 53 miami boat show

Many of the year’s most exciting launches are set to make their debut at the Miami Boat Show, with models including the Absolute Navetta 53 and the Princess S65 that are both scheduled to premiere to the public this February. In addition to the yacht-builders, you can liaise with brokers to secure the best price for your purchase, or sample the latest from electronic and accessories firms, from Japanese navigational experts Furuno to enginemakers Volvo Penta and water-toy pioneers Williams Jet Tenders.

 

How To Get To The Miami Boat Show - Logistics

The boat show greatly benefits from a prized location in the geographic and glamorous heart of Miami, surrounded by sparkling water, stunning towers and elegant marinas. This means you can book your central hotel stay and likely be mere steps away from the action. Alternatively, short cab rides to and from the venues should get you to your destination in as little as ten minutes, while on-site parking and a valet service delivered by SpotHero encourage the use of your own auto-mobile. Conveniently, there’s also a water-taxi available to ferry guests between boat show locations, available with a $10 day-pass. Those venturing to Florida from further afield can arrive at Miami International Airport, well-served by a range of carriers and which is no more than 30 mins from Downtown Miami by car.

water taxi in miami boat show

There will be plenty of food and drinks options located on site, ranging from light liquid refreshments to something a little stronger, in additions to a wide array of dining options, from cheap eats to gourmet meals. Make your Boat Show experience a touch more elegant and exclusive by securing a VIP Windward pass. Competitively priced from $350 per day, this pass includes perks like complimentary golf cart transportation in ICON electric vehicles around the sites, free use of shuttles and water-taxis, a VIP Douglas Elliman tote bag, private use of restrooms, tickets to the Superyacht site and access to the Windward Lounges at Herald Plaza and/or the Convention Center, locations that boast open bars, deluxe food and a swish vibe.

windward lounge miami boat show

You can purchase your tickets for the Miami International Boat Show direct from the event’s own website or via Events Pass, with prices starting from $45 for a single-day pass. While there is no formal dress-code for the event, visitors are reminded that they may be required to remove their shoes when boarding yachts. If you are a veteran or active-duty service person then you are entitled to a complimentary ticket for Sunday, February 18th, which can be secured by contacting the event organizers.

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