What To See at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Every fall, more than 1,500 boats and 100,000 boat lovers descend on Fort Lauderdale for the world’s largest in-water boat show. The event covers over 90 acres on land and water, including seven show locations filled with activities.
This year’s 64th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs Oct. 25-29. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
In This Article
About the Boat Show
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) started back in 1959, created by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and featuring just over a dozen exhibitors the first year. Since then, it’s grown into a five-day extravaganza with boat displays, music, food, seminars, demonstrations, and more.
“It’s a really fun week,” says Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis. “You see large boats, you see small boats, and everything in between. We look forward to it every year, and every year, it gets bigger and bigger.”
All told, FLIBS has an economic impact of over $1 billion on the South Florida community, Trantalis said, not just from boat sales but also employment, tourism, and related industries.
And Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place for it. Known as the Venice of America, Greater Fort Lauderdale has over 300 miles of inland waterways, 24 miles of beaches, and more than 100 marinas. And the 50,000 yachts registered here give it yet another nickname: the Yachting Capital of the World.
The show makes the most of Fort Lauderdale’s various venues, including the Broward County Convention Center, Las Olas Marina, the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the 17th Street Yacht Basin, and more, each with thousands of displays of boats and related accessories from over 300 exhibitors.
What To See at the Show
So, who attends? Trantalis said it’s for boating enthusiasts and anyone who just wants a day in the sun.
“It’s a party atmosphere,” he said. “Tourists from France and Argentina, as well as billionaires from Chicago and San Francisco, all converge on Fort Lauderdale that week. It’s a great event for families, visitors, friends — everybody can participate and see some of the best watercraft that the industry has to offer.”
If you own or dream of owning a boat, the show lets you explore the latest trends in marine technology and meet with boat dealers worldwide. Held in the fall, right after manufacturers release models for the next year, FLIBS has more domestic and international boat debuts than any other show in the country.
You also won’t want to miss the SuperYacht Village at Pier 66 South, where the largest luxury vessels plus personal submarines, yacht toys, and more are on display.
But if you’re just a casual visitor, there’s still plenty to do. Snack your way through over 100 food concessions and bars, including floating cocktail barges. Free educational seminars cover topics like marine conservation, fishing techniques, and water safety.
Love cars? On Friday night, Oct. 27, classic and collectible automobiles take over the Superyacht Village for the Fort Lauderdale Concours. The special event also includes art, fashion, a live band and DJ, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a display of high-end sneakers designed to match the cars.
Families can stop by the Kids Corner at the convention center for marine-themed arts and crafts, face painting, and fishing clinics led by an expert angler and TV show host who’s taught thousands of children to fish. And everyone will enjoy the live water sports demonstrations in the 40,000-gallon AquaZone.
“What I love about the boat show is it’s not exclusive to just rich people,” Trantalis said. “It’s a place where everybody can come and join the event. You can appreciate an industry and a lifestyle that you can aspire to be a part of. That’s part of the American dream, to sail on the blue waters of Florida, whether you enjoy fishing, diving, searching through the coral reef… and Fort Lauderdale is definitely the epicenter of the yachting and boating world.”
Tips for Visiting the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
There won’t be any on-site ticket sales, so be sure to buy tickets in advance online. A one-day ticket costs $42, and a two-day ticket is $70. For kids ages 6-15, a one-day ticket is just $16. On Oct. 29, active-duty military and veterans get in free, as do kids 16 and under with a paid adult.
If you feel like a splurge, VIP tickets include early show entry, food and drinks, a gift bag, complimentary water taxi rides, and access to the Windward VIP Club, a lounge area with an open bar, pop-up events, comfortable seating, and some of the best views of the boats on display at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center.
Transportation is easy. You can park at the convention center for the day and take the shuttle or water taxi to the other show locations.
It’s also a good idea to book your hotel a few weeks in advance, and you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring sunscreen.
In the Area
There’s lots to do in Fort Lauderdale on and off the water. Extend your trip for a few extra days to make the most of it.
On land, you can choose from museums, theaters, parks, and a host of cultural attractions. Maybe you’ll visit the romantic courtyard of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens or shop and dine along the famous Las Olas Boulevard.
You’ll probably spend a day at the beach. Just pick your favorite — or take a road trip to all eight beaches in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
When you’re ready to get active on the water, you’ve got options: water skiing, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking or almost any other water activity you can think of. Local retailers can rent equipment or show you the ropes. For example, you can learn to wakeboard in nearby Deerfield Beach at Florida’s longest-running cable park.
And keeping with the theme of FLIBS, you can always charter your own boat or take a boat tour. The popular Jungle Queen cruise shows you the waterfront homes of the rich and famous, with dinner and a show included. Meanwhile, an airboat tour ride will show you a very different kind of aquatic landscape — the Everglades.
