Palm Beach International Boat Show

More than 55,000 boaters turn out for this increasingly popular early spring Florida boat show to inspect exhibits showing more than 600 brands. The show typically has a total of more than 800 boats and yachts on display.

Unlike the bigger shows in Ft. Lauderdale in October and Miami in February, the Palm Beach International Boat Show appeals to many because it takes place on a single site along Flagler Driver in downtown West Palm Beach. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the show is accessible to both yachts and show attendees.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and staged by U.S. Boat Shows with Informa Markets, the same organization that runs the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale shows. First run more than 40 years ago, the show has grown recently and now delivers more than $1 billion in economic impact for the State of Florida.

For younger and older boaters, AquaZone, with live aquabatic demos, provides a view into various water sports and innovative marine products with live demonstrations including educational seminars focusing on fishing and other marine topics take place in the Seminar Tent. In addition, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium features a display in collaboration with the local Reef Institute showcasing research and restoration work with a coral reef tank. 

A recap of the 2023 show.

What Type of Boats Exhibit at the Palm Beach International Boat Show?

The docks are full of a variety of yachts, from fast center consoles to mid-size cruisers, sportfishermen, and large motoryachts. Many smaller boats are presented on their trailers, along the water’s edge.

What is the Show Schedule?

The show runs for four days, from 12 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, March 21st, 10 am to 7 pm on Friday, March 22nd, through Saturday, March 23rd, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday, March 24th.

How Much Do Show Tickets Cost?

There’s no box office at the show site to buy tickets, so you’ll need to purchase a digital ticket in advance on the show website to be scanned as you enter the show. Three ticket options are available: One-Day, Two-Day and Windward VIP Experience for adults at $31, $56, and $390, respectively. 

Children under 6 are free, otherwise $16, except on Sunday when children 15 and under are free. Active military and veterans receive free entrance on Sunday, March 26, as well.

The Windward VIP program gives you access to the show an hour early (except Thursday) and access to the Windward VIP Club at the Lakeside Pavilion on Flagler Drive where there’s a premium open bar, gourmet food, and more. 

What Food and Beverage Can We Expect?

The boat show has more than 75 food concessions and satellite bars located within the show. You’ll find a range of food from street tacos and hand-crafted burgers to Greek gyros and woodfired picanha, not to mention oysters, calamari and fresh stone crab claws. When you’re ready to relax, stop by the Goslings Dark ‘N Stormy Island Bar or the Anheuser-Busch Island Barge + Beer Garden.

How Do You Get Around?

Boat show parking is available in more than a dozen lots within walking distance of the show or a short walk from the trolley service that loops through the town on a regular basis.

Is There a Palm Beach International Boat Show exhibitor map?

There’s a good map on the website, plus the show has an official app you can download from your favorite app store.

Boat Show Photos

Every year, the show organizers build a giant marina to accommodate the show on the Intracoastal Waterway along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Demos and watersports entertain kids and adults at the show’s Aquazone.

Most of the shoreside tents and boat displays are set up immediately alongside the waterfront, eliminating automobile traffic and creating an easy walk from one end of the show to the other.