Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show 2023 Preview
Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by Boatsetter Team
The Miami boat show (now known as The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show) is a premier event in South Florida and boaters come from all over the country and as well as from distant corners of the world to shop for boats, electronics, motors, and more.
- When: February 15-19, 2023
- Where: Miami Beach Convention Center
- General admission: $42
- Get a boat
Miami Boats for rent— From $44/hr
MIBS preview: close look into general admission
The show will run from Wednesday to Sunday (February 15-19). This big event will take place among the new Miami Beach Convention Center and five other venues.
Pro Tip: You’ll want to bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and re-download Uber to avoid Miami traffic.
The show will open each day at 10:00am and will include:
- Pride Park (Find activities and marine accessories here)
- One Herald Plaza— Powerboats and motor yachts (30-125”)
- Venetian Marina— 150 power vessels
- Museum Park Marina— sailboats and sailing gear
- IGY Yacht Haven (on Watson Island)— SuperYacht showcase
Hundreds of exhibitors and boat builders will be on hand to walk you through their latest models while equipment manufacturers will showcase everything from marine electronics, to fishing lures, to electric propulsion systems.
What to do
There’s so much to do throughout the five days of the show. Pro Tip: A bit of planning wouldn’t hurt.
- Rent a boat and explore Biscayne Bay, you don’t need to own a boat to explore the water.
- Learn what’s new at the electric propulsion pavilion or get multi-species fishing tips at the Hook the Future demo series.
- Hone your skills with over 50 scheduled seminars at the Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center.
- Visit the AquaZone at Pride Park with its 40,000-gallon pool, in-water demos, and hands-on gear testing.
- Learn about marine environment conservation at the Costa Conservation Village and the Volvo Penta Sustainability stage.
- Take in a concert with a live band each night (Thursday-Sunday) at 4:00-7:00 pm.
VIP experiences at MIBS
Ticket prices vary by what you choose to do and when. Individual tickets start at $42 and range up to $325 for the Windward VIP Experience which offers entry to the exclusive VIP Club, premium food and drinks, and complimentary water taxi service. SuperYacht Miami tickets, which provide access to the most luxurious private yachts, are sold separately and start at $130.
Knowing the area
Comprehensive venue maps are available online so you know how each part of the show is laid out. Parking is plentiful, but traffic in Miami can be a bear so plan to use the free show transportation system, including water taxis and shuttle buses that will travel between venues. Leave the driving to someone else and you’ll be glad you did.
The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is hotly anticipated each year and a great way to spend your Presidents Day Weekend. Come for the shopping, stay for the interactive attractions, enjoy dining and cocktails, and then get out on the water. This is the grandpappy of boat shows and even if you’re new to boating, you may just find yourself developing a lifelong passion for the water.
Learn about the one of the most popular boat shows in Seattle
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Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin.
A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide.
Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico.
