Last updated on April 21st, 2026 at 04:04 pm
Florida is surrounded by ocean and full of inland lakes, rivers, springs and wetlands, making boat-related activities dominate outdoor recreation during the state’s endless summers.
With more than a million registered vessels, Florida is the Boating Capital of the Nation, so it should come as no surprise that more than two dozen major boat shows are across the state each year, including some of the largest boat shows in the world.
Upcoming Florida Boat Shows
May 1-3, 2026. 6th Annual Florida Outdoor Expo
South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach hosts this event featurting outdoor activities and sports, including boating. Admission: $15. Friday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
June 26-28, 2026. Tampa Bay Boat Show
From yachts to kayaks and paddleboards, boating and fishing supplies. Boating and fishing seminars all weekend! This free admission event spans three days, pledging that, “you could be on the water by the end of the weekend”. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa, FL 33610.
June 26-28, 2026. West Palm Beach Summer Boat Show
128,000 square feet showcasing powerboats up to 40′ including center consoles, walk-arounds, cruisers, deck boats, pontoons, bass, personal watercraft and accessories. Admission $10. Hours: Fri, 12-7 pm; Sat, 11 am-7 pm; Sun, 10 am-5 pm. South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center, 9067 Southern Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33411. Web site: www.southflaboatshow.com
There are no boat shows scheduled in Florida during July, August and September.
Fall Boat Shows
September 18-20, 2026. Daytona Beach Fall Boat Show.
13 Central Florida boat dealers representing over 50 boat manufacturers in one location and see boats of all types at the show. Admission: $5, good any day of teh show. Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Location: Daytona International Speedway, Turn One Plaza Web site: daytonaboatshow.com
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, 2026. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
One of the world’s largest and best-known boat shows, the Fort Lauderdale show attracts more than 100,000 visitors and occupies three million square-feet of exhibits at seven locations. Boats include everything from 100-foot mega-yachts to flats fishing skiffs, with hundreds of booths with related products and accessories, dozens of seminars and more than 100 food vendors. Admission: Adult one-day, $46. Multi-day passes available online. Locations: Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall Of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Pier Sixty-Six Marina, and Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South. Web site: www.flibs.com
November 12-15, 2026. Fort Myers Boat Show
Largest display of boats, boating products, and services on Florida’s west coast, featuring over 500 boats on land, indoors and in the water, representing over 130 manufacturers. Hundreds of accessory exhibits feature everything from engines and electronics to boat lifts, boating services, fishing gear, clothing. Popular four-day event in downtown Ft. Myers on the Caloosahatchee River, with boats displayed in-water as well as on land, in addition to an indoor venue stuffed with accessories. Admission: $20. Centennial Park, 2000 W First St., Fort Myers, FL. Web site: https://goboatingflorida.com/boating-shows/
Dates TBA. Vero Beach Fall Boat Show
Boat dealers and suppliers from our local area will be displaying their product lines and will have staff available to answer your questions. From standup paddleboards and jet skis, to deck boats and pontoon boats, shallow water skiffs to offshore fishing machines and cruisers, and marine accessories and services. Admission and parking are free. Riverside Park, 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach (just west of the Riverside Theater).Web site: verobeachboatshow.com/
2027 Boat Shows
Dates TBA. Charlotte County Boat Show
Features hundreds of boats from major dealers, plus marine accessories and services. Boats are outdoors with accessory booths inside the exhibition hall. Be In The Know Zone offers valuable boating info and fishing tips and tricks from a local charter captain. Admission: $5 (16 and under free). Thursday through Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948. Web site: goboatingflorida.com
2027 Dates TBA. Daytona Boat Show
13 Central Florida boat dealers representing over 50 boat manufacturers in one location and see boats of all types at the show. Admission: $5. Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Location: Daytona International Speedway, Turn One Plaza Web site: daytonaboatshow.com
January 14-17, 2027. St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show
The Gulf Coast’s largest boat show. An impressive lineup of powerboats and sailboats displayed in-water and on land, as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. tent housing marine equipment and accessories. Other show attractions include educational seminars, kids fishing clinics and boat training courses. Admission: $22 per day. Thurs-Sun, 10 am-6 pm. The Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, 400 1st St South, in St. Petersburg. Web site: stpeteboatshow.com
2027 Dates TBA. Stuart Boat Show.
Largest boat show on Florida’s Treasure Coast featuring more than 205 local, national and international exhibitors displaying hundreds of boats in-water and on land. Additional exhibits include personal watercraft, marine electronics, outboard and inboard engines, safety equipment, accessories, boat lifts, fishing gear, nautical clothing and jewelry. Plenty of music, delicious food and drinks add to the festivities. Fri-Sat, 10 am-6 pm. Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission: $18. Waterfront marina, 55 NW Dixie Highway, Stuart, FL 34994. Web site: stuartboatshow.com
2027 Dates TBA. Naples Boat Show
The show features displays by marinas, boat dealers, and other marine-related businesses. The Naples Boat Show is owned and managed by the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. Hours: 10 am-5 pm. Admission: $20. ($15 in advance). Preferred parking at Sugden Park. Complimentary parking at the Collier County Government Center. Complimentary shuttle service to Sugden Park and Naples City Dock. Web site: naplesboatshow.com
2027 Dates TBA Jacksonville (January) Boat Show
78th Anniversary of the Jacksonville Boat Show! Large variety of boats on display, from skiing, fishing, cruisers, personal water-crafts and more. Admission: $15. Parking: $10. Friday 11am – 6pm; Saturday 10am – 6pm; Sunday 10am – 4pm. Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville, FL. Web site: boatjax.com
Feb. 10-14, 2027. Miami International Boat Show
The largest boat and yacht show in the world is held on Presidents Day weekend. Here you’ll discover everything — from kayaks to superyachts to the latest aquatic innovations. This show attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees to five locations: Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park (next to the convention center), Yacht Collection on Collins Ave waterfront along Indian Creek, Superyacht Miami and Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande. The five-day mega-festival features seminars, special events, and extraordinary yachts. Web site: www.miamiboatshow.com
2027 Dates TBA. Bonita Springs Boat Show.
A boat for every budget with hundreds on display by all of the area’s major dealers. In addition to boats, you will find plenty of marine accessories, engines, electronics, boat lifts, services, and how-to boat info. Admission: $10. Plenty of free parking. Hours: Thurs-Sat, 10 am-4 pm.; Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Bonita Springs Poker Room, 28010 Race Track Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Web site: goboatingflorida.com
2027 Dates TBA. Tampa Bay Boat Show.
The largest boating event in the Tampa Bay area showcases area boat dealers and manufacturers, from yachts to cruisers, kayaks to standup paddle-boards along with multiple vendors for the latest in boating and fishing supplies and accessories.Free admission. Parking subject to fairgrounds event pricing. 10 am-5 pm. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa, FL 33610. Web site: tampabay.com/expos/boat-show
2027 Dates TBA Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show.
Fishing, Fitness, Boating, Cycling, Kayaking, Outdoors, Paddleboarding and golf carts. Live entertainment and food trucks. Benefit PCB Rotary. AARON BESSANT PARK, 500 W Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. Web site: emeraldcoastboatshow.com
Dates TBA. Causeway Cove Marine Flea Market and Boat Show
New and used boat sale. Buy, sell, trade your marine gear and boats. Hours: 9 am-5 pm both days. Admission: $7. Causeway Cove Marina, 601 Seaway Dr. , Ft. Pierce, FL 34949. Web site: flnauticalfleamarket.com
March 25 – 29, 2026. Palm Beach International Boat Show.
Features more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. Admission: TBA. Wed-Sunday, 10 am-7 pm. Downtown Waterfront, 101 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach Fl 33401. Web site: pbboatshow.com
March 2027. Orlando Spring Boat Show
More than 600 boats on display. Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 am-8 pm; Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission: $10. (Kids under 12 are free.) Parking in the Convention Center’s West Lot is $20. Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse Hall B2, B3, B4 & C, 9400 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32189. Web site: orlandoboatshow.com
March 2027. Sunnyland Boat Festival, Tavares.
This antique and classic boat festival is one of the largest classic wood boat shows in the country with as many as 250 to 300 restored boats on display in the water and along one third of a mile of Lake Dora shoreline at Wooton Park in Tavares. The festival is more than 40 years old. Related story: Things to do in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis
April 2027. Vero Beach Spring Boat Show.
From stand-up paddle boards and jet skis, to deck boats and pontoon boats, shallow water skiffs to offshore fishing machines and cruisers, and marine accessories and services. Free admission; free parking. Hours: 10 am-5 pm. Riverside Park, 3280 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Web site: verobeachboatshow.com
April 2027. Suncoast Boat Show (Sarasota)
The Gulf Coast’s Premier Boat Show along 65,000 sq. ft. of dock space and features a selection of vessels in-water and on-land. From power boats and motor yachts to center consoles and sportfishers. You’ll also find tents packed with marine products and retail items like electronics, accessories, clothing, jewelry, art, and more. Hours: 10 am-6 pm. Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236. Web site: suncoastboatshow.com
Other Florda Rambler calendars of interest:
Boat Show FAQ
Is financing available at boat shows?
Yes. Representatives of both finance companies and insurance agencies specializing in boating are almost always available at boat shows, most often through the participating dealers. It’s always smart to research interest rates and get insurance quotes ahead of the shows. Sometimes, the dealer does have the best financing, but don’t bet on it. Same with insurance, which varies widely from insurer to insurer.
Do boat shows carry smaller boats, such as kayaks, canoe and jon boats?
Most boat shows carry boats in all sizes, but in my experience, the selection gets slimmer as boat size gets smaller. If your goal is to purchase a kayak, canoe or a jon boat, don’t get your hopes up. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule.
What about dinghys and personal watercraft?
Dinghys and personal watercraft are likely to have a greater presence at boat shows than kayaks, canoes or jon boats simply because they are often considered “accessories” to the larger boats that dominate boat shows.
Where should I go to buy a kayak?
Call a local kayak dealer and ask them when they are hosting “demo days” at a local park or beach. Kayaks are personal, and a great way to try one or buy one is during dealers’ demo days.
What are the registration requirements for a boat?
All boats over 16 feet and any boat with a motor must be registered with the state of Florida through your local tax collector’s office. For more information, visit flhsmv.gov.
Are there exceptions?
Non-motorized vessels less than 16 feet, non-motorized canoes, kayaks, racing shells, or rowing sculls, and vessels exclusively operated on private lakes or ponds are exempt from registration with the state of Florida.
What if my boat is registered in another state?
When visiting Florida, non-resident boaters may use their registration from another state for up to 90 days. After 90 days, the boat must be registered in Florida.
Do you need a license to operate a boat in Florida?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, needs a Boating Safety Education ID Card to legally operate a motorized vessel in Florida waters. This card is obtained by completing an approved boater education course. (For info, go here.) Non-residents can obtain a temporary certificate from approved vendors for short-term boating trips.
Is there a minimum age to operate a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, in Florida?
A person must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft in Florida and at least 18 to rent one.
