The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) runs October 28–November 1, 2026. Wednesday, October 28 serves as the preview/buyer day; the show opens to the general public Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are online-only — no box office operates on-site — so purchase and save your confirmation before you arrive.
Table of Contents
- Quick facts: what makes FLIBS worth the trip
- When is the Fort Lauderdale boat show and what are the daily hours?
- Where the show takes place across seven venues
- How tickets work and what you can expect to pay
- Planning your trip: airports, hotels, parking, and shuttles
- What you will actually see at FLIBS
- Practical tips for getting the most out of your visit
- How to arrange private viewings and sea trials at FLIBS
- FLIBS vs. the Miami boat show: which one suits you?
- COVID-19 updates for the 2026 show
- Contact information for FLIBS organizers
- Key Takeaways
- The show is only the beginning
- Plan your FLIBS charter viewing with Exoticacharters
- Useful sources and official resources
Quick facts: what makes FLIBS worth the trip
Produced by Informa Markets and owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), FLIBS is widely recognized as the largest in-water boat show in the world, spanning seven venues connected by roughly six miles of floating docks. That scale is not just a boast; it shapes every logistical decision you make, from which day to arrive to how many venues you can realistically cover.
- Organizer: — Informa Markets / MIASF
Scale note: The 2025 Fort Lauderdale boat show drew more than 100,000 attendees across its five-day run.
When is the Fort Lauderdale boat show and what are the daily hours?
The official 2026 Fort Lauderdale boat show schedule runs Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1. Wednesday opens at noon, giving serious buyers a quieter window before the crowds build. Thursday through Saturday run the longest hours, ideal for covering multiple venues. Sunday closes early, so plan accordingly.
| Day | Date | Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | October 28 | 12:00 PM–7:00 PM | Buyers, brokers, private viewings |
| Thursday | October 29 | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Trade visitors, sea-trial appointments |
| Friday | October 30 | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Mixed buyers and general public |
| Saturday | October 31 | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Families, general public (busiest day) |
| Sunday | November 1 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Last-day deals, lighter crowds |
External trade listings and manufacturer event pages confirm these dates independently.
- Wednesday is the quietest day and the best choice for buyers who want unhurried access to brokers and vessels.
- Saturday draws the largest general crowds; arrive early or expect congestion at the main docks.
- Sunday's 5:00 PM close means you lose roughly two hours compared to a mid-week day.
Where the show takes place across seven venues
FLIBS does not happen in one location. Seven distinct venues spread across Fort Lauderdale's waterfront, connected by floating docks and water taxis. Walking the entire footprint in a single day is ambitious; most serious attendees plan two days minimum.
- Broward County Convention Center — Indoor exhibition halls for manufacturers, marine technology, accessories, and industry programming.
Pro Tip: Download the official FLIBS venue map from flibs.com before you arrive. The floating-dock network is genuinely complex, and navigating it without a map costs time you could spend on board.
How tickets work and what you can expect to pay
There is no box office at the show. Every ticket must be purchased in advance through the official FLIBS website. This is not a soft recommendation; it is a hard requirement. Arriving without a ticket means turning around.
| Ticket Type | Representative Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-day adult | Varies by day | Wednesday preview typically priced higher |
| Multi-day combo | $80–$105 | Best value for buyers attending 2+ days |
| VIP / Windward | Premium tier | Includes priority boarding and hospitality access |
| Military / complimentary | Available | Check official site for eligibility |
- Multi-day combos are the practical choice for anyone with broker appointments or sea-trial schedules.
- Prices and availability shift as the show approaches; early purchase locks in lower rates.
- Refund and exchange policies are published on the official ticketing page; confirm before buying.
Planning your trip: airports, hotels, parking, and shuttles
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) sits roughly three miles from Bahia Mar, making it the obvious arrival point. Miami International Airport (MIA) is a viable alternative, about 30 miles south, though traffic during show week adds time.
- Official hotel partner: onPeak manages the official hotel block for FLIBS. Booking through onPeak connects you to properties with negotiated rates, shuttle links, and show-week availability guarantees. Visit Lauderdale's event guide also lists local accommodation options and area tips.
- Extended stays: For attendees combining the show with a longer South Florida visit, resort packages near Boca Raton offer a comfortable base; The Boca Raton certificates are one option worth considering for a relaxed post-show stay.
Book accommodation early. Show week fills Fort Lauderdale hotels faster than almost any other annual event in South Florida.
What you will actually see at FLIBS
The centerpiece is the in-water inventory: hundreds of vessels ranging from 20-foot center consoles to 200-foot superyachts, all accessible for walkthroughs. No other show in the world puts this volume of boats on the water in one place.
- Indoor exhibits: — The Broward County Convention Center hosts marine electronics, navigation technology, safety equipment, and accessories.
- Charter-focused displays: — Brokers representing crewed charter fleets attend in force, making FLIBS one of the best venues in North America to compare charter options side by side.
Buyers focused on large yachts should prioritize Bahia Mar and the Superyacht Village. Families and first-time visitors get the most from Hall of Fame Marina and the Convention Center. Charter clients benefit most from Wednesday's quieter pace, when brokers have time for real conversations.
Practical tips for getting the most out of your visit
Best days: Wednesday for serious buyers; Thursday and Friday for a balance of access and atmosphere; Saturday if you enjoy the energy of a full crowd but can tolerate the wait times.
- Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. You will cover significant distance on floating docks.
- Bring a power bank; signal and battery drain faster than expected on a full show day.
- Carry business cards if you are attending as a buyer or charter client.
- Pack a light rain layer; October in Fort Lauderdale can deliver brief afternoon showers.
- Plan no more than three or four venues per day if you want meaningful time at each.
Accessibility: FLIBS publishes accessibility information on its official site, including details on mobility assistance and accessible routes across the venue footprint. Check the official site before arrival to confirm current provisions.
Health and safety: No COVID-19 restrictions are currently in place for the 2026 edition. Standard venue health and safety guidelines apply; confirm any updates on the official FLIBS site closer to the show dates.
Pro Tip: Arrive at Bahia Mar by 10:00 AM on Thursday or Friday. The superyacht docks get crowded by midday, and brokers are most available in the first two hours of the day.
How to arrange private viewings and sea trials at FLIBS
Serious buyers and charter clients who want private viewings or sea trials need to plan well ahead. The show is busy; brokers and captains manage multiple appointments across five days.
- Six to eight weeks before the show: — Contact brokers and exhibitors directly using the official FLIBS exhibitor directory. Identify the specific vessels you want to see and propose two or three date/time options.
The official exhibitor resource guide lists vessel-specific boarding and insurance requirements; review it before your appointments to avoid surprises dockside.
FLIBS vs. the Miami boat show: which one suits you?
FLIBS and the Miami International Boat Show are the two dominant marine events in South Florida, but they serve different purposes and run at different times of year.
- Scale: — FLIBS is the larger event by in-water inventory and venue footprint. The seven-venue, floating-dock format is unique globally.
For charter clients and large-yacht buyers, FLIBS is the more productive show. The depth of inventory and broker presence at Bahia Mar and the Superyacht Village simply has no equivalent at any other North American event.
COVID-19 updates for the 2026 show
No COVID-19 entry requirements or attendance restrictions are currently in place for FLIBS 2026. The show returned to full capacity in recent editions without health-related limitations. Organizers recommend checking the official FLIBS website for any updates closer to October, as guidance can change. Standard venue conduct and safety policies remain in effect.
Contact information for FLIBS organizers
For ticketing questions, exhibitor inquiries, or general show information, contact the organizers directly through the official FLIBS website at flibs.com. Informa Markets manages exhibitor relations and can be reached through the exhibitor portal linked from the official site. For local visitor services, accommodation, and area logistics, Visit Lauderdale maintains a dedicated FLIBS event page with contact resources.
Key Takeaways
FLIBS 2026 runs October 28–November 1 across seven venues in Fort Lauderdale; tickets are online-only and multi-day combos ($80–$105) offer the best value for buyers attending multiple days.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Official 2026 dates | October 28–November 1; Wednesday 12:00 PM–7:00 PM, Thursday–Saturday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
| Tickets are online-only | No box office on-site; purchase in advance at flibs.com and save your confirmation. |
| Seven-venue footprint | Bahia Mar, Broward County Convention Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, Pier Sixty-Six Marina, Superyacht Village, and connecting dock sections. |
| Book viewings early | Contact brokers 6–8 weeks ahead; reconfirm appointments 48–72 hours before the show. |
| Exoticacharters for charter planning | Exoticacharters can help you identify and arrange crewed charter viewings tied to your FLIBS schedule. |
The show is only the beginning
There is a version of FLIBS attendance that most guides do not describe honestly: you spend two days walking docks, collecting brochures, and talking to brokers who are managing six other conversations simultaneously. You leave with a folder of spec sheets and no clearer sense of what you actually want to charter.
The show works best when you arrive with a shortlist, not an open mind. Know the vessel type, the region, and the experience you are after before you step onto the first dock. Wednesday's quieter pace is genuinely valuable for this reason; a broker with time to talk is a different conversation than one managing a Saturday crowd.
What FLIBS does exceptionally well is concentrate the world's most extraordinary crewed charter inventory in one place for five days. The Superyacht Village alone represents a caliber of vessel you would otherwise need to visit Monaco or Palma to see. For anyone seriously considering a crewed expedition charter, whether to the Galápagos, French Polynesia, or Alaska, walking those docks with a clear brief is one of the most efficient ways to narrow your options. The show is a tool; how you use it determines whether you leave with a booking or just a sunburn.
Plan your FLIBS charter viewing with Exoticacharters
Attending FLIBS with a real charter brief in hand changes everything about the experience. Exoticacharters specializes in fully crewed luxury yacht charters to extraordinary destinations, with a team of former captains and water sports professionals who know exactly which vessels and operators deliver on their promises. Rather than navigating the show floor alone, you can arrive with a curated shortlist of vessels matched to your itinerary, whether that is a diving expedition in remote Pacific waters or a wildlife charter in Alaska.
Speak with an Exoticacharters specialist before the show to align your viewing schedule with the crewed yacht options that fit your destination and group. Browse the full luxury yacht collection to identify vessels worth prioritizing at FLIBS, and arrive at Bahia Mar knowing exactly what you are looking for.
Useful sources and official resources
Confirm all hours, venue details, and ticketing information on the official FLIBS site before you travel; details can update closer to the show.
- Exhibitor Resource Guide — Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
- FLIBS show overview
- Ticket Sales Now Live for Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | Boating Industry
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (official site)
- FLIBS 2026 Guide — Trillionaire Daily
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | Event Guide & Tips — Visit Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — TradeFairDates