Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026

The Largest Boat Show in the World Returns October 28th

Every fall, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show brings boaters, yacht owners, marine businesses and visitors from around the world to South Florida. For many of our friends and clients from the Northeast, it also arrives at just the right time, as temperatures begin to cool up north and thoughts turn toward sunny days, boating and another winter in Florida.

The 67th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) runs Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Whether you are seriously shopping for a new boat, looking for the latest marine electronics and fishing gear, or simply want to enjoy one of Fort Lauderdale’s signature events, there is something here for just about everyone.

FLIBS is recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world, with more than 1,300 boats on display, approximately 1,000 exhibiting brands and more than 100,000 attendees. Nearly half of its visitors come from outside Florida, making boat show week one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year in the “Yachting Capital of the World.”

Why Fort Lauderdale Loves the Boat Show

• More than 100,000 attendees with 49% visiting from outside Florida
• Approximately 1,000 exhibiting brands with more than 1,300 boats on display
• More than $1.79 billion in economic impact for the state of Florida
• The boat show is the unofficial launch to the winter busy season in South Florida

FLIBS 2026 at a Glance

• Dates: October 28 – November 1, 2026
• Wednesday Preview Day: Noon – 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Adult General Admission: $48 for one day or $80 for two days
• Wednesday Preview Ticket: $73
• Children: $19 for ages 6–12; children under 6 are free with an adult
• Windward VIP: $459
• Transportation Hub: Broward County Convention Center
• Convention Center Parking: $20 per day
• Water Taxi: $15 for one day or $65 for all five days
• Important: FLIBS tickets must be purchased online. There is no onsite ticket box office.

Something for Everyone

You do not need to be shopping for a mega yacht to have a great time at FLIBS. The show includes everything from center consoles, sportfishing boats and cruisers to superyachts, personal watercraft, marine electronics, fishing and diving equipment, apparel, artwork and countless boating accessories and gadgets.

There are also seminars, fishing clinics, family activities, food and beverage options and plenty of places to simply grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

For serious boat shoppers, one day may not be enough. Casual visitors can usually see plenty in a full day, although two days gives you much more time to explore both the Convention Center and the extensive waterfront displays.

7 Boat Show Locations

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has traditionally been spread across seven locations connected by an extensive network of water taxis, shuttles and golf carts.

• Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• Broward County Convention Center
• Hall of Fame Marina
• Las Olas Marina
• 17th Street Yacht Basin at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
• Pier Sixty-Six Marina
• Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South

The “big boy” boats, including many of the larger yachts and sportfishing boats, can be found around Bahia Mar and the waterfront marinas. Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South is exactly what its name suggests, the place to see some of the largest and most impressive yachts at the show.

The Broward County Convention Center is home to fishing boats, runabouts, cruisers, marine accessories, fishing equipment, diving gear, personal watercraft and numerous exhibits. It also serves as the primary transportation hub for the show.

Our Local FLIBS Tips

After many years of attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, we have learned a few things that can make the experience much easier.

• Go during the week if you can. Saturday and Sunday are generally the busiest days. Thursday and Friday are usually more comfortable if you want to avoid the largest crowds.
• Start at the Convention Center if you are driving. Parking is plentiful, and you can connect from there to the other venues by shuttle, golf cart or Water Taxi.
• Wear comfortable shoes. FLIBS is huge, and you will probably walk much farther than you expect.
• Use the transportation system. Driving from venue to venue is rarely the easiest solution. Water taxis, shuttles and golf carts are part of the boat show experience.
• Give yourself time to enjoy the show. FLIBS is as much a social event as it is a boat show. Stop for lunch, have a drink and enjoy being on the waterfront.
• If you are seriously shopping for a boat, consider attending on Wednesday. Preview Day costs more, but it gives buyers the first opportunity to see new inventory before the busiest days of the show.
• Consider a two day pass if boats are your passion. The show covers more than three million square feet, and trying to see everything in one day can turn into a marathon.
• Go hungry. The food court at Bahia Mar has many amazing
• Escape the heat. The Marine Electronics Tent, SuperYacht Tiki Bar and Convention Center are some of our favorite air-conditioned spots to cool off during the show.
• Enjoy live music and a cool drink. Don’t miss the Goslings Island Bar at Bahia Mar with live music and plenty of Dark ‘n Stormy cocktails.

What’s New for 2026

FLIBS continues to expand beyond boats and marine equipment with new experiences each year. One fun addition for 2026 is a floating pickleball court at Las Olas Marina, including a tournament for yacht crew members.

The Blue Wild also returns to the Broward County Convention Center with marine-related exhibits, activities and educational programming. The FLIBS Kids Corner returns with arts and crafts, face painting, and marine and Halloween themed activities.

Superyacht Village

Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South is one of our favorite stops at FLIBS and the place to see some of the largest yachts in the show. Even if a superyacht is not currently on your shopping list, it is worth visiting just to experience the scale of the boats, the marina and the surrounding atmosphere.

Tip: Give yourself some time here. Grab a drink, enjoy the waterfront and take a break before heading to your next boat show location.

Windward VIP Experience

For visitors who want a more comfortable way to experience FLIBS, the Windward VIP Experience includes access to exclusive areas at both Superyacht Village and Bahia Mar.

VIP benefits include gourmet food, premium open bars, comfortable lounge areas, private restrooms, special activations, complimentary transportation between show locations and one-hour early entry through the Superyacht Village entrance.

Complimentary self-parking at Superyacht Village is also included on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tip: VIP tickets can sell out, so buy them early if this is how you want to experience the show.

Food, Drinks and a Break from the Heat

Part of the fun of FLIBS is taking a break from walking the docks and enjoying some food and a cold drink. Food and beverage options are located throughout the show, and the Convention Center includes concessions and a full-service bar. You will also find waterfront bars and hospitality areas around the marina venues.

Late October weather in Fort Lauderdale is generally very pleasant, but South Florida can still be warm in the afternoon. The air-conditioned Convention Center is one of the easiest places to cool down while continuing to explore the show.

Seminars, Fishing Clinics and Family Activities

The Convention Center is a good stop for families and anyone interested in learning more about boating, fishing and the marine environment. Expert-led seminars cover subjects ranging from fishing techniques and boating skills to conservation and sustainability.

Captain Don Dingman’s popular kids fishing clinics are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2:00 p.m.

The FLIBS Kids Corner at The Blue Wild includes face painting, arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities throughout the show.

Parking and Transportation

Start at the Convention Center

For 2026, FLIBS is encouraging visitors to use the Broward County Convention Center as the show’s transportation hub. Parking is available there for $20 per day. From the Convention Center you can take a Water Taxi, shuttle or golf cart to reach the other show locations.

If you are coming specifically to see the in-water displays at Bahia Mar, Las Olas Marina or Pier Sixty-Six, rideshare is another good option because parking near the beach and marina venues can become difficult during the busiest periods.

Water Taxi

The water taxi is still one of our favorite ways to get around FLIBS. After all, you are attending a boat show in the Venice of America. Why sit in traffic if you can travel by water?

Water Taxi service begins one hour before the show opens and continues until one hour after closing. One-day passes are only $15, five-day passes are $65, and children under 5 ride free.

FLIBS Water Taxi routes connect:

• Riverside Hotel and Bahia Mar
• Broward County Convention Center, Pier Sixty-Six Marina (North) and Bahia Mar
• GALLERYone DoubleTree Hotel and Bahia Mar
• Shooters Waterfront and Las Olas Marina

Brightline

Visitors coming from Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach or Orlando can also take Brightline to Fort Lauderdale. Complimentary shuttles run between the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station and the Riverside Hotel. From there, you can connect with the Water Taxi and continue to the show.

For visitors staying elsewhere in South Florida, Brightline can be one of the easiest ways to avoid boat show traffic altogether.

Show Tickets

Tickets for 2026 are available online only.

• Wednesday Preview: $73
• Adult One-Day General Admission: $48
• Adult Two-Day General Admission: $80
• Two-Day Preview + General Admission: $105
• Children ages 6–12: $19
• Children under 6: Free with an adult
• Windward VIP: $459 (These sell out)

Active-duty military members and veterans may also qualify for complimentary general admission through the FLIBS military ticket program.

Boat Show Schedule

• Wednesday, October 28: Preview Day, Noon – 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 30: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 1: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Weather

Late October and early November are typically great times to be outdoors in Fort Lauderdale. South Florida is transitioning out of the wetter summer months, temperatures begin to moderate and November marks the beginning of our traditional dry season.

Of course, anyone who lives in Florida knows that weather forecasts become much more useful as the event gets closer.

We will update this section during boat show week with the latest Fort Lauderdale forecast for all five days of FLIBS.

Waterfront Living in Fort Lauderdale

For many visitors, FLIBS is also a reminder of just how closely boating and everyday life are connected in Fort Lauderdale. This is one of the few places in the country where you can keep a boat behind your home, walk from a waterfront condo to your private marina on the Intracoastal, while living only minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.

Several new and established waterfront developments near the show offer marina access or private dockage, and place residents directly in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s boating lifestyle.

Featured Condos with Boat Slips

Make a Weekend (or a Week) of It

If you are coming down from the Northeast or elsewhere for FLIBS, there is no reason your trip has to begin and end at the boat show. One or two days at FLIBS is usually enough for most visitors, leaving plenty of time to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s beaches, waterfront restaurants, Las Olas Boulevard, live music and other South Florida attractions.

Check out our South Florida Local Event Calendar

And this is a particularly good time of year to visit. As fall settles in across the Northeast, South Florida is heading into the season that reminds many of us why we live here in the first place.

Come for the boats. Stay for the sunshine.

We’ll see you at the show.