A not-to-be-missed event for American yachting
The Miami Boat Show is a must-attend event in Florida and beyond. Every February, several hundred of thousands of visitors from all over the U.S., Canada and even Europe come to discover the latest international innovations. So, what do you need to know to plan your visit?
Since three years. the Miami Boat Show and the Miami Yacht show became one, mainly between the stadium and the Marriott Biscayne Bay. In addition to the downtown part, which brings together four sites side by side, there's the famous Convention Center on Miami Beach, an enormous indoor exhibition space for small craft, engine manufacturers and equipment suppliers. Last but not least, Yacht Haven Grande welcomes superyachts to discover some of the world's largest yachts and take in the sights.
The Miami International Boat Show attracts over 100,000 visitors, so you won't be alone, and to make sure everything goes smoothly, the show has set up a gigantic organization with the creation of several marinas, land and sea shuttles, controls, information desks and several food courts.
How to get to the show?
By car
Even if the current location is better, parking remains a problem, and it's still quite expensive. You can opt for the official parking lots, but they are often fully booked and very expensive. There are also plenty of temporary parking lots, which are a little more affordable, but again, spaces are scarce. Then there's the traffic jam, which is always very bad in Miami.
A little tip: use applications like ParkMobile or Paybyphone, which allow you to reserve a parking space in advance and pay for it online.
Use an Uber / Lyft
The best solution is to take an Uber or cab from your hotel or AirB&B, since buses are slow and not always very reliable. These services are available in large numbers and their fares are reasonable.
The subway
If you're lucky enough to be staying near a metro station, this is also a good option. However, the metro has only two lines, which is not very convenient.
Take the train
If you're coming from a little further north in Miami, the Brightline may be a good solution. This train line links Fort Lauderdale to Miami, and the final station is 300 yards from the show.
How do I get from one site to the other?
Once at the show, you can choose between walking, taking the bus or the water shuttle.
To get from Museum Park Marina to Herald Plaza, the water shuttle is the best option.
To get to the Convention Center on Miami Beach, you can opt for the free (and air-conditioned) bus. However, with the traffic, this can take a very long time.
There's also a water shuttle which is not only faster, but also very pleasant.
The last option is to take your car, which forces you to pay for a second parking space and exposes you to being stuck in traffic.
Miami International Boat Show, Dates, Prices, Website
Dates: February 12 to 16, 2025
Opening hours Wednesday 12 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday 13 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Friday 1410:00am - 7:00pm
- Saturday 15 10:00am - 7:00pm
- Sunday 16 10:00am - 5:00pm
Prices
- 1 day $45
- 2 days (Preview - Wednesday - Sunday) $105
- 2 days (Wednesday - Sunday)$78
- Superyacht 1 day $140
- Herald Plaza VIP 1 day $350
- Convention Center VIP 1 day $350
- All sites - VIP 1 day $550
- Children (6 to 12 years) 1 day $17
- Under 12 Free
- Military and veterans (American) Free
ATTENTION: Tickets are only on sale online on the organizer's website)
Website: www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html
The six different sites
- Convention Center Miami Beach: You'll find boats up to 49 feet, engine manufacturers, marine accessories, electronics and equipment.
- Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park: Discover a collection of boating lifestyle activities, entertainment, innovative cuisine and educational seminars.
- Herald Plaza: Powerboats, motor yachts from 30 to 125 feet, Powercats, yacht tenders, engines, accessories.
- Venetian Marina:The marina dedicated to testing with over 150 test boats.
- Museum Park Marina: Discover the latest sailboats, catamarans and accessories.
- SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami:Discover an enclave for superyachts. This marina is home to the world's largest and most spectacular yachts. That access is only possible with VIP Windward or SuperYacht Miami tickets.
Hotels, AirBnB and others
Miami is naturally a city full of tourists. An event like this doesn't improve the situation, especially when it comes to hotels.
Not only is it hard to find a room, but prices skyrocket at this time of year.
Alternatively, AirBnBs are also very popular and quite expensive. It's best to book as early as possible.
Finally, if you already own a boat, the last solution is to sleep on board. If your boat is docked in Miami, it's very easy. On the other hand, if you're planning to find a marina for the duration of the show, the situation can be a little complicated, since to set up the boat show, many boats have to be moved...
Where to eat during the Miami Boat show ?
Nearly every Miami Boat Show site has a food court, a place with several food trucks where you can grab a bite to eat. Our advice is to try the different specialties, as there are sometimes some pleasant surprises.
If that doesn't suit you, Miami is full of restaurants, so you shouldn't starve.
