FLIBS 2026: A Local's Guide to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The world's largest in-water boat show runs October 28 to November 1. Tickets, prices, parking, shuttles, the water taxi and how to get around that week if you are not going.
The world's largest in-water boat show returns to Fort Lauderdale from Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1. The 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) fills the city's waterfront with more than 1,300 boats and about 1,000 exhibiting brands, and it drew more than 100,000 visitors last year.
Whether you are going for the superyachts, taking the kids for a day, or just trying to get across 17th Street that week, here is what locals need to know.
The Essentials
| Day | Date | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday (Preview Day) | October 28 | 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Thursday | October 29 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Friday | October 30 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Saturday | October 31 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Sunday | November 1 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
- Where: Seven locations along the Intracoastal Waterway, A1A and 17th Street, connected by free shuttles, golf carts and a paid water taxi. Details are below.
- Tickets: Online only. There is no box office at the show.
- Weather: The show runs rain or shine, and all ticket sales are final.
- Saturday is Halloween. Plan for extra traffic around the beach that evening.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold only online at flibs.com. There is no box office at any show location, so buy before you go.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 1-Day General Admission | $48 | One day, Thursday through Sunday |
| Adult 2-Day General Admission | $80 | Any two days, Thursday through Sunday |
| Wednesday Preview | $73 | One day, any day Wednesday through Sunday |
| Adult 2-Day Preview + General Admission | $105 | Any two days, Wednesday through Sunday |
| Child 1-Day (ages 6 to 12) | $19 | One day, Wednesday through Sunday |
| Children under 6 | Free | With a paying adult |
| Windward VIP Experience | $459 | Premium bar, food, early access and complimentary parking |
A general admission ticket covers all show locations and the free shuttles. The water taxi is a separate ticket.
Military and veterans: The show offers active military and veterans a free one-day general admission ticket. The show's announcement and its FAQ describe the eligible day differently (one says Sunday, the other says any show day), so confirm the details on flibs.com before you go. You can request the ticket in advance or bring a military ID to register at the show.
Lost your ticket? Email cxteam@informa.com with the email address you used to buy it, or see the ticketing agents at the show entrances.
The Show Locations
FLIBS is not one venue. It is a string of marinas and a convention center along the Intracoastal, roughly between Las Olas Boulevard and 17th Street. One ticket gets you into all seven locations.
| Location | What to know |
|---|---|
| Broward County Convention Center | The show's transportation hub, with the main parking. Inside are boats, marine products, and fishing and diving exhibits, including the Blue Wild Expo for fishing, diving and watersports and a casting pond. Free seminars and fishing clinics are included with admission. Families will find the Kids Corner, with face painting and marine and Halloween-themed crafts, plus Kids Fishing Clinics on Saturday and Sunday. |
| Bahia Mar Yachting Center | A main in-water venue, and the stop most free shuttle routes serve. New this year, it hosts a second Windward VIP Cabana Club. |
| Las Olas Marina | Home to this year's new floating pickleball court. |
| Hall of Fame Marina | Part of the in-water show on the beach side of the Intracoastal. |
| Superyacht Village (Pier Sixty-Six South) | The biggest yachts at the show. |
| Pier Sixty-Six Marina (North) | Reworked for 2026 to host brokerage yachts longer than 100 feet. |
| Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina | The seventh show location, on the 17th Street side of the show. |
Plan on a lot of walking even with the shuttles. Organizers suggest comfortable shoes that slip on and off easily, since many boats ask you to remove them before boarding. Whether you can board any boat is up to that exhibitor.
Getting There: Parking, Shuttles, Water Taxi and Brightline
The simplest plan for most locals: park at the convention center and let the free shuttles do the rest.
Parking. The Broward County Convention Center garages at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd. are the show's official hub, with more than 3,000 spaces at a $20 flat daily rate. The show's parking page lists more than two dozen other garages and lots around downtown and the beach, but it does not post prices for most of them, so check before you commit. Windward VIP tickets include parking.
Free shuttles. Shuttles run from one hour before the show opens until one hour after it closes.
| Route | Stops |
|---|---|
| Purple | Convention Center and Bahia Mar |
| Green | Convention Center, Superyacht Village and Bahia Mar |
| Red | Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station and the Riverside Hotel |
| Blue | West Marine Center and Bahia Mar |
Free golf carts also run between Superyacht Village and Bahia Mar during show hours.
Water taxi. The prettiest way to get around, and a separate ticket. A one-day pass is $15 and a five-day pass is $65. Kids under 5 ride free, and Windward VIP ticket holders ride free. Buy at watertaxi.com/flibs. The water taxi runs from one hour before opening to one hour after closing, with stops including the Riverside Hotel, the Convention Center, Pier Sixty-Six, the GALLERYone DoubleTree, Shooters Waterfront, Las Olas Marina and Bahia Mar.
Brightline. Coming from Boca Raton or West Palm Beach? Take Brightline to the Fort Lauderdale station, ride the free Red shuttle to the Riverside Hotel, then catch the water taxi to the show.
What you cannot bring. Firearms and weapons, drones, pets (service animals are allowed), bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller blades and hoverboards. Bags of any size are allowed but are searched at entry, and there is no storage for bags or strollers. Food is sold at the show, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
What's New in 2026
- A floating pickleball court. Las Olas Marina gets a pickleball court on the water, with a tournament for yacht crew members during the show.
- A second VIP club. The Windward VIP Cabana Club adds a location at Bahia Mar, alongside the existing VIP space at Superyacht Village.
- Pier Sixty-Six North, reworked. The marina has been refreshed to host brokerage yachts longer than 100 feet.
- Celebrity chefs for VIPs. "Hell's Kitchen" chef Ryan O'Sullivan and "Below Deck" chef David White are part of the VIP dining lineup.
- A sustainability goal. The show has committed to becoming a zero-waste, net-carbon-zero business by 2030.
Why it matters to Broward: Organizers put the show's annual economic impact at about $1.79 billion and say it supports more than 100,000 jobs across the region. The show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets.
Not Going? How to Get Around That Week
If you live or work near the beach, downtown or the 17th Street corridor, the show affects you even if you never buy a ticket. The show drew more than 100,000 visitors last year, and they share the same few miles of road and water with exhibitors and crews for five days.
- Expect the heaviest traffic near the show's hubs. That means around the Convention Center and Eisenhower Boulevard, the 17th Street Causeway, Seabreeze Boulevard and A1A near Bahia Mar, and Las Olas Boulevard near the beach.
- Time your trips around show hours. Shuttles and water taxis start running an hour before the show opens and keep going an hour after it closes, so the busiest windows are mornings before opening and early evenings after closing.
- Saturday is also Halloween. Beach and downtown crowds overlap with the show's busiest weekend day.
- On the water, expect busier channels. The show's water taxi runs between show stops all day, and the marinas fill with visiting yachts.
- Check the city before you drive. The City of Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale Police typically post traffic advisories closer to the show. Check fortlauderdale.gov the week before.
Tips for Doing the Show Like a Local
- Buy tickets before you leave home. There is no box office, and the online ticket is what gets you in.
- Park once. Use the Convention Center garage and ride the free shuttles, instead of hunting for parking near Bahia Mar.
- Splurge on the water taxi for one leg. At $15 for the day, it is the best view of the show and skips the road traffic entirely.
- Wear slip-on shoes. You may be asked to take them off before boarding a yacht.
- Bring sun protection. Most of the show is outdoors on open docks.
- Taking kids? Children under 6 are free and kids 6 to 12 are $19. Start at the Convention Center's Kids Corner, and plan around the Kids Fishing Clinics on Saturday and Sunday. There is no stroller storage.
- Thinking about Preview Day? Wednesday is Preview Day and opens at noon. It costs more than a regular one-day ticket, but the Preview ticket can also be used on any other show day.
- Leave the drone and the dog at home. Only service animals are allowed, and drones are prohibited.
What to Bring to the Boat Show
Open docks, boat tours and a lot of walking call for a small, practical bag. These are the things we would actually pack. Links go to Amazon. You do not need to buy new gear if you already have something that works.
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Sun and glare
- Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, 8 oz: Broad-spectrum, water-resistant lotion for exposed skin during a day on open docks. Follow the label for application and reapplication.
- goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses: Polarized lenses cut glare from the water, with a lightweight frame and grip coating for sweaty walks between venues. Check the medium-fit measurements before ordering.
A small bag for a long day
- Earth Pak 10L Waterproof Dry Bag: A compact roll-top bag with a shoulder strap for keeping your small essentials together and protected from splashes on a water-taxi ride. Close it as directed; it is not a reason to dunk your electronics.
- Anker Zolo 10,000mAh Power Bank: A portable charger with a built-in USB-C cable for keeping your phone ready for tickets, maps and photos. Older iPhones with Lightning ports need their own cable.
- Nalgene 32-oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle: A lightweight reusable bottle with an attached screw cap and a wide opening that is easy to clean. Check the show's current rules before packing drinks, and plan water breaks throughout the day.
Wear the comfortable, easy-off walking shoes and sun hat you already trust. Many exhibitors ask you to remove shoes before boarding, and all bags are searched at entry.
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Sources
- FLIBS: Ticket sales launch announcement (August 4, 2026)
- FLIBS: Home page (dates, venues, boats and exhibitors)
- FLIBS: 2026 show maps and hours
- FLIBS: Convention Center
- FLIBS: Parking
- FLIBS: Shuttle and golf cart info
- FLIBS: Water taxi info
- FLIBS: Brightline
- FLIBS: Visitor FAQ
- Visit Lauderdale: What's new this year at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (September 8, 2026)
- YachtCharterFleet: FLIBS announces show updates as ticket sales open (August 7, 2026)
- Galati Yachts: 2026 FLIBS locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Fort Lauderdale boat show?
Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Hours are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
How much are tickets?
An adult one-day general admission ticket is $48, a two-day ticket is $80, and kids 6 to 12 are $19. Children under 6 are free. Tickets are sold online only.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
No. There is no box office at any show location. Buy online at flibs.com before you go.
Where should I park?
The Broward County Convention Center at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd. is the show's transportation hub, with more than 3,000 spaces for $20 a day and free shuttles to the marinas.
How much is the water taxi?
$15 for a one-day pass or $65 for a five-day pass. Children under 5 ride free. Buy at watertaxi.com/flibs.
Can I take Brightline to the show?
Yes. Ride Brightline to the Fort Lauderdale station, take the free shuttle to the Riverside Hotel, and catch the water taxi to the show.
Is the boat show good for kids?
The Convention Center has a Kids Corner with face painting and crafts, and Kids Fishing Clinics run Saturday and Sunday. Kids under 6 get in free.
Do veterans get in free?
Active military and veterans can get a free one-day general admission ticket. Confirm which day applies on flibs.com, then request it in advance or register at the show with a military ID.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Only ADA service animals are allowed.