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Florida Boat Shows for Fall 2025/ Spring 2026: Complete Guide for Buyers & Boaters


If you’re a boater, boat buyer, or just love the marine lifestyle, the Florida boat show season in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026 has something big for everyone. From superyachts to center consoles, from first-time buyers to luxury seekers, the shows below are the major events to put on your calendar. In this guide, you will learn what makes each show special, the dates, what types of boats will be featured, how easy it is to navigate & park, and who each show is best for.


Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) — October 29 to November 2, 2025


Dates & Location: October 29 - November 2, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Scale & Boat Types:

  • Over 1,300 boats and yachts on display.

  • More than 1,000 exhibiting brands.

  • Boats range from small center‐consoles, sportfishing boats, tenders, and inflatables up to very large superyachts.

What’s Unique:

  • It is one of the world’s largest in-water boat shows.

  • Multiple venue locations: Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, SuperYacht Village, etc.

  • Strong luxury yacht presence, many world / U.S. debuts of new models.


FLIBS Official FLIBS website: https://www.flibs.com/en/home.html


Fort Myers Boat Show — November 13-16, 2025


Dates & Location: November 13-16, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Scale & Boat Types:

  • Around 600 boats

  • Mix of marine manufacturers & dealers; both in-water and land-based exhibits.

What’s Unique:

  • Gulf Coast setting; less crowded than the big South Florida shows.

  • Good place to see mid-size cruisers, sport boats, and regional dealers.




St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show — January 15-18, 2026


Dates & Location: January 15-18, 2026, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Scale & Boat Types:

  • Primarily powerboats and sailboats. “Power & Sailboat Show” name reflects the mix.

  • Many regional exhibitors; good variety in accessories & boating gear.

What’s Unique:

  • More focused audience (those interested in sail + power), likely more relaxed than superyacht shows.

  • Good educational / demo value for those curious about sailboats or combining power/sail usage.


St Pete Boat Show Official website: https://www.stpeteboatshow.com/en/home.html

St Pete Boat Show - Where to purchase tickets: not yet on sale; get updates here: https://www.stpeteboatshow.com/en/attend/get_updates.html



Miami International Boat Show — February 11-15, 2026


Dates & Location: February 11-15, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

Scale & Boat Types:

  • Large scale show, with many exhibitors, boats of all kinds: powerboats, sailboats, smaller and large yachts, tenders, luxury boats.

What’s Unique:

  • As usual, high-glamour; innovation; big brand premieres.

  • Multiple venues, in-water & land displays; strong draw from both domestic & international buyers.


Miami Boat Show Official website: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

Miami Boat Show - Where to purchase tickets: not yet on sale; get updates here: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/attend/get_updates.html


Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) — March 25-29, 2026


Dates & Location: March 25-29, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida, along Flagler Drive.

Scale & Boat Types:

  • Over 1,000 boats expected.

  • More than 600 exhibitors.

  • Variety from small inflatables, center consoles, sportfishing, all the way up to large superyachts.

What’s Unique / Highlights:

  • “Windward VIP” experience for premium access, lounges, gourmet food, etc.

  • The AquaZone: watersports demos (flyboarding etc.) and water-lifestyle activations.

  • Superyacht Show section (dedicated marina area) for luxury yachts.


Where to purchase tickets: not yet on sale; get updates here: https://www.pbboatshow.com/en/attend/get_updates.html


Comparing the Shows: What to Expect & How to Choose

Here’s how these shows stack up in terms of what matters: navigation / size, crowds, parking & transport, best for first-time buyers etc.

Criteria

Best Choices in Season

Trade-Offs / Things to Plan

Size / Variety

FLIBS (Oct 2025), Miami (Feb 2026), and Palm Beach (Mar 2026) lead in variety; you’ll see the widest range from smaller to superyachts.

With size comes complexity — more venues, longer walks, need to plan logistics.

Crowds & Attendance

FLIBS has the highest attendance; Palm Beach draws large numbers too (50,000-plus).

Big days (weekends) will be crowded; early arrivals help. Downtown parking atthe Palm Beach show is expensive.

Ease of Access & Parking

Shows like St. Petersburg, Fort Myers may be easier; Palm Beach downtown along Flagler offers multiple parking / shuttle / transit options.

Big shows like FLIBS require planning ahead for parking / hotel; traffic can be heavy.

Best for First-Time Buyers / Moderate Budgets

Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, possibly Palm Beach (if not going for superyachts) — more manageable, less overwhelming.

If you go to FLIBS or Miami, stick to the sections relevant to your budget; skip superyacht areas if out of range.

Special Features / Unique Experiences

FLIBS: premier in-water display, many world/U.S. debuts. Palm Beach: AquaZone, VIP experiences. Miami: innovation, multiple venue styles. Fort Myers & St. Petersburg: relaxed pace, good chance to talk to dealers and get hands-on.


Summary & Recommendations: Florida Boat Shows for Fall 2025/ Spring 2026


  • If you want maximum exposure to boats of all sizes and vendors from every domain: we recommend attending FLIBS (Oct 2025) or Miami (Feb 2026)

  • If you’re buying your first boat or have a moderate budget: consider Fort Myers or St. Petersburg.

  • For luxury, superyachts, innovation: definitely include FLIBS, Miami, and Palm Beach. Pro Tip: you plan to attend the Palm Beach Boat Show for the day, we recommend parking well offsite at a large retail store parking lot and taking an Uber/Lyft to downtown. It will save you a lot on parking.



Meet the Ward Yacht Sales Crew!

If you are planning to attend one of the Florida boat shows during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 season, let us know so we can plan to connect with you in person. We would love to meet with you, answer questions, and even help be your guide. Contact us today and let's plan to connect!

 
 
 

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