Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2026: Dates, Tickets, Boat Access

The 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. Dates, hours, ticket prices, venues, water taxi and where to dock your own boat.

The 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) runs from Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, at six waterfront locations around Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tickets are sold online only, with no box office on site, and a one-day general admission ticket costs $48 as of October 2026.

This guide covers the dates and hours, what each ticket costs, the venues, the easiest ways to get around by water, and what to know if you plan to arrive on your own boat. Everything below comes from the show's official site, flibs.com, as checked in October 2026. Prices and schedules can change, so confirm on the official site before you buy.

Fort Lauderdale boat show 2026 dates and hours

The official site calls this the 67th annual show. The schedule is:

DayDateHours
WednesdayOctober 2812 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ThursdayOctober 2910 a.m. to 7 p.m.
FridayOctober 3010 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SaturdayOctober 3110 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SundayNovember 110 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday is the preview day and has its own, higher-priced ticket. Thursday through Saturday share the same hours, while Sunday closes two hours earlier.

Ticket types and prices

All tickets are per person and sold online only. The official ticket announcement lists these options:

TicketPriceValid days
Wednesday Preview$73Any one day, Wednesday to Sunday
Adult 2-Day Preview + General Admission$105Any two days, Wednesday to Sunday
Adult 2-Day General Admission$80Any two days, Thursday to Sunday
Adult 1-Day General Admission$48One day, Thursday to Sunday
Child 1-Day General Admission (ages 6 to 12)$19One day, Wednesday to Sunday
Windward VIP Experience$459One day, Wednesday to Sunday
  • Children under 6 get in free with an adult.
  • Active military members and veterans can request a free general admission ticket for Sunday, November 1, through a military ticket request form on the official site.
  • The Windward VIP ticket includes VIP club access at Superyacht Village and Bahia Mar, an open bar, food, one hour of early entry and free self-parking at Superyacht Village (first come, first served).

The official site states that online purchase is required because there is no box office at the show. Do not count on buying at the gate.

Where the show is held

The official site lists six show locations spread along the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River area:

  • Bahia Mar Yachting Center
  • Broward County Convention Center: vessels up to 50 feet, marine accessories, electronics and retail. The site lists 3,000 parking spaces here, and it is described as the transportation hub for the show.
  • Hall of Fame Marina
  • Las Olas Marina: brokerage yachts from 60 to 200 feet.
  • Pier Sixty-Six Marina: brokerage vessels of 100 feet and up at Pier Sixty-Six North.
  • Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South

If you mostly care about trailerable boats, outboards and gear, the Convention Center is the place to start. Large yachts are at the marina locations.

Getting around: water taxi, shuttles and parking

The show runs a dedicated water taxi between the Convention Center and the other show locations (Bahia Mar, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, Pier Sixty-Six and Superyacht Village). The official water taxi page lists these fares:

  • One-day pass: $15
  • Five-day pass: $65
  • Children under 5 ride free
  • Windward VIP ticket holders ride free

Water taxi tickets are bought on the water taxi operator's site, linked from the official page. Service starts one hour before the show opens and stops one hour after it closes. The site also has separate pages for shuttle and golf cart information, parking and Brightline train options. Read them before you go, since parking is limited near the marina venues. The Convention Center parking is the largest lot the site mentions.

Arriving by your own boat

The official water taxi page does not say how private boats can dock at the show venues, and it does not mention fees or reservations for visitors. Several venues are working marinas that host exhibitor yachts, so assume transient space is tight during show week and call ahead. If you want to cruise in, plan on a marina slip elsewhere on the Intracoastal, then take a rideshare, the shuttle or the water taxi to the show.

Our Fort Lauderdale marinas page lists six marinas near the show area. Marinalo data, October 2026:

MarinaPhoneFuel dockPosted rates
Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center954-627-6309YesOn request
Coral Ridge Yacht Club954-566-7886Not listedOn request
Lauderdale Marina954-523-8507YesOn request
Pier 66 Marina954-728-3578Not listedOn request
Port Royale Marina833-217-9198Not listedOn request
Sunrise Marina954-667-6720Not listedOn request

None of these six has an official rate sheet in our data, so we cannot quote a nightly price. Call and ask about show-week pricing and minimum stays. For rough Florida slip pricing by boat size, see our 40-foot slip price page. If you would rather tow, the Fort Lauderdale boat ramps page shows public launches, and the Florida fuel docks directory helps you fill up before or after.

Check the tides before you cruise in

The Intracoastal and the New River are tidal, and currents can be strong near inlets. Check the Fort Lauderdale tide times before you plan your arrival, and read ebb, flood and slack tide explained if the terms are new to you. Expect heavy boat traffic and wakes in show week. Follow posted no-wake and slow-speed zones, which are enforced.

Tips for a smoother visit

  • Buy tickets online ahead of time. There is no box office.
  • Pick your venues first. The show spans six sites, and you will not see all of them in one day.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection. Much of the show is outdoors on docks and decks.
  • Plan your water taxi or shuttle around the posted hours, and remember Sunday closes earlier, at 5 p.m.
  • Thinking of buying? Read our guide on types of boats and use the boat cost calculator to see what ownership really costs.

Planning your day

With six venues and a five-day run, a plan helps. Decide what you want to see before you buy: powerboats and gear at the Convention Center, brokerage yachts at the marina sites, superyachts at Pier Sixty-Six South. Use the water taxi between sites, since it runs from one hour before opening to one hour after closing. Check the official site's FAQ and parking pages for rules on bags, strollers and pets, which we did not verify here. Allow time at the end of the day for the return trip, because the water taxi, shuttles and roads all fill up as the show closes at 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday).

FAQ

When is the 2026 Fort Lauderdale boat show?

October 28 to November 1, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday, according to the official show site.

How much are Fort Lauderdale boat show tickets?

One-day adult general admission is $48, the Wednesday preview is $73, and children ages 6 to 12 pay $19. Children under 6 are free. Prices are from the official site as of October 2026.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

No. The official site says online purchase is required because there is no box office on site.

Is there a water taxi to the show?

Yes. A show water taxi connects the Convention Center with the other venues. A one-day pass is $15 and a five-day pass is $65, and children under 5 ride free.

Where is the Fort Lauderdale boat show held?

At six locations: Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Broward County Convention Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, Pier Sixty-Six Marina and Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South.

Can I dock my own boat at the show?

The official site does not publish a visitor docking program. Call a nearby marina well in advance and ask about transient space.

Sources

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