The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, known as the largest in-water boat show in the world, will be taking over Fort Lauderdale from October 25th to 29th. Typically attracting over 100,000 attendees and featuring over 1,000 brands and boats, the show is a must-see for boaters in the area.
The show, owned by Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets, will be dispersed across seven locations comprising about 90 acres. Locations include the Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, 17th Street Yacht Basin, Pier 66 Marina, and Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South.
The Broward County Convention Center is the place to start your boat show experience. There will be plenty of parking spots convenient to water taxis and shuttles that go to all show locations.
The convention center itself also features runabouts, cruisers, fishing boats, electric vehicles, water sports items, and more. A pool at the convention center, the AquaZone, presented by Nautical Ventures, will feature professionals providing demonstrations of innovative water sports items and marine products. Children can enjoy arts and crafts sessions or kids’ fishing clinics, and adults can attend seminars on sustainability and fishing techniques.
Also, Superyacht Village is a highlight of the show. There, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show presents the grandest and most luxurious boats. Not only can you explore these boats but also chat with reputable yacht builders. You may even step into the boat that earns the Best of Show award, chosen among a group of debut nominations by an elite panel of independent judges. The decision is based on performance, architecture, technology, and design. A special scheduled to air on Fox Sports will announce the award.
The boat show has partnered with Proof of the Pudding to enhance the guest experience and ensure that visitors have a broad range of food options to choose from. Throughout the show’s venues, various cuisines will be offered, with consideration toward dietary restrictions as well. Goslings’ Dark N’ Stormy Island Bar, Anheuser-Busch Island Beer Garden, and Stella Artois Barge will be key places to visit.
Visitors can choose from many ticket options. A one-day general admission ticket costs $42, a one-day Wednesday preview ticket costs $64, a two-day general admission ticket costs $70, and a one-day general admission ticket for children costs $16.
If you want to take your experience up a notch, purchase a Windward VIP ticket, which allows you to enjoy free transportation throughout the show’s grounds, be one of the first to see the show’s boats an hour early through the Bahia Mar South Entrance, and enjoy the amenities of an open bar, food, and more at the exclusive Windward VIP Club. The one-day Windward VIP ticket costs $398.
The Windward VIP + Fort Lauderdale Concours bundled ticket adds an additional perk: a VIP classic cars evening event on Friday, October 27th. This event will not only showcase classic cars but also collector sneakers matching the cars, music, fine art, cocktails, and more. This bundled ticket costs $523 per adult.