The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, which is run by Informa Markets and the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) opens on February 11 and has a new look for 2026. The reconfiguration of show spaces will simplify moving to and fro between the different venues for 100,000-plus attendees than in the past.
Show management has partnered with the Brightline train service which has a station in Miami. There will be shuttle buses running from the station to Watson Island where show shuttles will transfer you to the Convention Center in Maimi Beach and the in-water displays on Collins Avenue. So, to avoid paying for parking and fighting the traffic, coming to the show by train makes sense.
The Mega yachts are back at the IGY Yacht Haven Marina on Watson Island and the new Sailor’s Cove is there are well with a good collection of cruising multihulls and monohulls. The Island has parking for up to 600 cars at $25 a pop. This is a good option for those driving to the show.
The Miami Beach Convention Center is once again the beating heart of the show with a massive indoor space that will host hundreds of boats up to about 50 feet. Plus, there will be accessory displays for gear, equipment, electronics and services. It is easy to spend two days here.
Right outside the Convention Center lies Pride Park which will have several venues for in-person seminars, food stalls and inter-active engagement. There’s even a large pool for boating and sailing demonstrations.
The main in-the-water venue for powerboats from 30 to 125 feet has moved back to Indian Creek which runs along the west side of Collins Ave., the main north-south thorough face on Miami Beach. You’ll find scores of boats along the river front and many vendor tents with all sorts of products and services.
There are several parking garages on Miami Beach but you have to get into one early and be prepared to pay a hefty price. Plus, leaving Maimi Beach in the late afternoon and evening during show days can take an hour of more due to the traffic on the causeways.
One thing to be aware of is that there are no ticket booths at the various venues. You need to buy tickets on the show website in advance and download the Q code onto your phone so it can be scanned as you enter each venue.
After all of the show’s iterations over the last decade, Informa Markets and NMMA have come up with a show layout that seems to work well and will make all of us attending the show less stressed about getting to the show venues that interest us. Hope to see you there.
Read more here. https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html
