Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show

The world’s largest showcase of pleasure boats and mega yachts returns to Greater Miami & Miami Beach February 12-16, when the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show takes over six venues around the destination. The scale of the show is impressive, with over 1,000 exhibitors from Miami Beach to Downtown Miami and more than 1,000 boats on display. If you’re in the market for a new boat, you’ll find the largest selection anywhere. And if you just want to peruse what’s new in the world of boating, five days of fun are waiting for you. Plus, the show will offer transportation between all six venues, so you can park your car and spend your day exploring.

Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show Schedule and Experiences

The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show will begin at 10 a.m. daily. On Wednesday and Thursday, the show will close at 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, the show will close at 7 p.m.; and the show concludes Sunday at 5 p.m.

Which of the six show locations you visit depends on what kind of boats you want to see. If you’re looking to see boats under 49 feet, the Miami Beach Convention Center in South Beach is your spot. The newly renovated convention center will be filled with boats, engines, accessories, electronics and boat-related retail products. So whether you’re shopping for a boat or just a new Bimini top for your center console, you can find it here.

Across the causeway at Herald Plaza in Downtown Miami, you’ll find thundering powerboats alongside modest yachts in the 30-125-foot range. You can also shop for yacht tenders here as well, alongside engine manufacturers and accessories specific to the boats on display.

If you’re looking to get out on the water, head to the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club near Downtown Miami. You’ll find 75 vessels ready for test-drives and a bevy of brokerage boats, too.

Those who prefer wind-powered vessels should make their way to the Museum Park Marina in Downtown Miami, where the latest in sailboats, catamarans and sailing accessories will be on the water.

Not everything at the boat show is about looking at boats, so if you’d rather try some creative, boat-inspired food or relax while enjoying live entertainment, take a break at The Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park. Here, you’ll find in-water demos, contests, prizes and seminars on everything from finding a boat to proper maintenance.

If you’re in town to shop for a mega yacht, make plans to visit SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami at Island Gardens. The largest and most impressive boats on the high seas will sit sparkling in the sun on Watson Island, beckoning showgoers to see the over-the-top yachts shipbuilders have developed.

Tickets to the Boat Show

Your general admission ticket gets you into five of the six locations, with access to SuperYacht Miami available to Windward VIP and SuperYacht ticket holders. There will be no on-site box office; you must purchase your digital tickets in advance.

General admission tickets to the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show begin at $45 for adults for single-day admission on Thursday to Sunday. Those tickets will get you into every venue except SuperYacht Miami. If you want to spread your visit over two days, two-day tickets are available for $78. The special Wednesday preview, when crowds will be smaller and you’ll get more individual attention, are $66.

SuperYacht Miami tickets are sold separately and begin at $140 for single-day admission Thursday-Sunday, $166 if you want access to Wednesday’s preview. SuperYacht tickets also grant you admission to the show’s other five venues.

Windward VIP tickets start at $350 and include access to designated lounges at Herald Plaza and the Miami Beach Convention Center as well as a premium open bar and golf cart transportation from ICON Electric Vehicles. VIP ticket holders will also receive free shuttle and water taxi transportation between venues and get access to SuperYacht Miami.

Getting To The Boat Show

The Boat Show has partnered with SpotHero, a service that helps you reserve parking spaces in lots and garages and valet services at rates of about half of what they would be if you drove up. You can check for spaces on the app, although those going to the Miami Beach Convention Center should park at the 17th Street garage a block south. Other venues may have surface lots nearby, but rideshares and public transportation may be easier.

You can also take the high-speed Brightline train from points north, including Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura. It stops at MiamiCentral Station in Downtown Miami, conveniently near several of the show’s top venues.

Getting between venues is pretty simple, as ticket holders can take free boat show shuttles or golf carts. Shuttles will run on four different loops connecting the venues. Golf carts will run on three different routes, connecting MiamiCentral Station to Herald Plaza; Herald Plaza with the Kaseya Center and Museum Park Marina; and Maurice Gibb Park to the convention center and Pride Park.

This year’s show will also offer a water taxi between all six locations. Tickets are available for $10 per day (they’re included with Windward VIP tickets).

Sustainability and the Boat Show

Although the footprint of the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is large, it has made great strides in minimizing its environmental impact. The show has eliminated the use of diesel generators for its exhibits, using only sustainable energy sources for everything from pop-up venues to its electric golf carts. Informa, the show’s parent company, also donates $300,000 to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and raises money for the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund to help clean up Miami’s main waterway.

The boat show’s catering service is phasing out straws and will use no Styrofoam in its mission to produce zero landfill waste. To protect Florida manatees, the show has an extensive manatee spotting program in conjunction with Nova Southeastern University; spotters will be placed on all boats moving throughout the show to ensure no manatees are harmed. Informa has also joined forces with Yacht Carbon Offset to offset 3,345 tons of CO2e, helping to fund sustainable energy projects in Chile and Jamaica.

By: Matthew Meltzer | January 2, 2025