The 67th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) has returned to the sunshine state of Florida, running from 28 October to 1 November. BOAT's superyachts editor Risa Merl reveals her top tips for navigating the world's largest in-water boat show, with insights from colleagues and long-time industry attendees...
Getting around
While spread out, the show’s seven locations are all easily adjacent to the network of waterways that run through Fort Lauderdale, earning the city is moniker of the "Venice of America". Much like Venice, the best way to get around Fort Lauderdale is by water, especially during a busy time like FLIBS when the roads can be packed.
"I always recommend first timers get on the water taxi," says Mark Theissen, vice president of yachting at MTN Global. "It’s a good way to get around the show and the best perspective to appreciate Fort Lauderdale."
There are five water taxi routes at FLIBS this year, and a day ticket costs $15 while a ticket for the entire five days of the show is $65. Having attended the show many times, BOAT colleagues also caution to leave plenty of time for long water taxi queues. The show will also be operating shuttles and golf carts to whisk attendees to the various sites. Like the water taxis, these start to operate one hour before the show opens and stop one hour after the show closes.
For those driving to the show, long-time FLIBS attendee and BOAT contributor Marilyn Mower has some advice. "Don’t bother trying to park near the show, the traffic is nuts. Park near where you want to be after the show and Uber to the closest water taxi location – and don’t forget the Las Olas area water taxi stop," she says.
"Better yet, ask your yacht broker or charter broker for a lift from their office or your hotel. They all have minivans, luxury cars and SUVs rented to transport customers or potential customers as well as their staff for the show." Many brokerage houses and builders will also be welcoming their clients to private villas on the waterways and will have their own tenders to ferry clients around as well.
Stay in the news loop with BOAT’s live coverage
Keep up with the latest news from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026 with BOAT International’s live blog, featuring rolling updates from the docks, yacht debuts and launches, brokerage news, exclusive interviews and reports from the BOAT digital editorial team. Check back regularly for the latest developments.
If you’re attending FLIBS, come and see us at the BOAT International stand at Villa 9 in the Superyacht Village. Pick up the latest issue of the magazine and meet the teams from BOAT International Media, BOATPro and Dockwalk while exploring the show’s superyacht fleet.
Specialty areas inside the show
FLIBS has three million square feet (or more than 278,000 square metres) of exhibition space. Within this sprawl, there are many specialised areas depending on your interests. Anchoring the show this year is the Broward County Convention Center, offering an extensive selection of boats, marine accessories, fishing and diving exhibitions, seminars, and food and drink.
As well as plenty of space for tenders and toys within the centre, FLIBS is usually an excellent venue to scope out the latest water toys.
Families can head to the FLIBS Kids Corner in the heart of the Blue Wild Expo, where kids can get stuck into marine and Halloween-themed crafts and face painting. Don Dingman's popular "Hook the Future" kids fishing clinics will return on Saturday and Sunday, with attendees leaving with a free fishing rod and reel.
Take a break
The Windward VIP Experience returns this year, but with a significant upgrade. One location remains at the Superyacht Village, offering those seeking a more premium experience complimentary self-parking and access to a VIP lounge with gourmet food, a premium open bar, exclusive activations, private toilets and one-hour early access through the Superyacht Village entrance.
Guests can continue their experience at the Winward VIP Cabana club, now located at Bahia Mar Marine. This cabana-style retreat offers a more intimate setting with iconic waterfront views. Both locations will feature culinary talent from Chef Ryan O'Sullivan of Hell's Kitchen and Chef Dave White of Below Deck and Chopped. Also returning to Bahia Mar is the Goslings Island Bar, located on the water between Docks C and D.
Where to eat
Go beyond the festival-style food stalls and booze carts inside the show and head out for lunch or a cocktail. Luckily, there are excellent restaurants just outside the show boundaries.
Just north of the Hall of Fame Marina, you’ll find the Fort Lauderdale institution of Coconuts. This waterside restaurant is a must visit for lunch or a post-show drink. "My favourite treat after a long day at the show is to grab a dockside table at Coconuts and have a Green Goddess salad and a glass of chilled crisp sauvignon blanc," says Cecile Gauert, editor-at-large of BOAT International and a Fort Lauderdale local.
Coconuts is also a favourite among the entire team: BOAT International Media managing director Stewart Campbell recommends trying their Scoobies – blue crab fried in copious amounts of oil and garlic – washed down by a Bloody Mary.
If you’re at one of the locations on the 17th Street end of the show, like the Pier 66 Marina or convention centre, you have a bevy of restaurants on your doorstep. The iconic 17th floor rotating rooftop lounge, Pier Top, offers a selection of bites and nibbles accompanied by "Pier Potions" cocktails, such as the vodka-based Clutch Your Pearls and the foam-topped PTO On The Rocks.
Also on 17th Street is Boatyard, a long-standing Fort Lauderdale staple serving up laidback vibes and a large menu. A stone’s throw from the Superyacht Village and across from Pier 66, it’s the perfect place to head for dinner with colleagues and friends post show.
As a former Fort Lauderdale resident, this author highly recommends dining at Sushi Rock on Las Olas Boulevard. It’s just a three-minute (traffic depending) drive from the Las Olas Marina location of FLIBS, at the north end of the boat show.
Sushi Rock has been a Fort Lauderdale mainstay for decades and for good reason, known for its rock-n-roll themed sushi rolls, which are large both in size and on flavour. Try the Wallflowers roll, filled with shrimp tempura and topped by creamy baked crab, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a spicy tuna roll with kimchee and jalapeños. If you want to go all out, order the Snoop Dogg, an enormous roll with spiced ceviche served "hot dog style", which can be cut in half upon request.
From cocktail hours and superyacht parties, the show is also known for its nightlife. It’s not a boat show without ending up in a Fort Lauderdale haunt, like Waxy’s Irish Pub on 17th Street or Elbo Room on the beach, the ultimate dive bar that was made famous in the 1960 film Where the Boys Are.
Read More/News anchors: Day two at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026