Summer is prime time for life on the water, and this season’s hottest happenings stretch from Florida and the Bahamas to the Great Lakes and Caribbean. Discover new waterfront restaurants, prestigious fishing tournaments, luxury yacht experiences, marina openings, and can’t-miss boating events that make the most of summer cruising season.
Southeast Boating Highlights
SeaHawke Prime Brings Waterfront Fine Dining to Palm Beach
Step off the boat and into a culinary theater.
Fronting the Lake Park Harbor Marina in Palm Beach, lauded chef David Burke has unveiled his first Florida restaurant, SeaHawke Prime by David Burke. The decor is just as whimsical as the dishes: A boat is suspended from the ceiling in the dining room, where you’ll find some cabana-style booths, while another space features a wall made of Himalayan salt—and then there are those marina views.
Along with Burke’s patented pink Himalayan salt-aged steaks, there’s seafood and sushi (lobster dumplings? Yes, please), and theatrical presentations. Look out for a bread basket containing Burke’s famous popovers, cornbread, crispy cheese, and bread fashioned like fish; candied bacon that comes fastened to a clothesline; and a cake-pop tree featuring bubblegum whipped cream.
Also new: Walk next door to Birdie Dockside Bar & Grill, a golf-inspired hot spot with indoor-outdoor seating, three suites with Full Swing golf simulators, and live music from local bands.
If arriving by boat, there’s 200 feet of dockage, but you’ll need to call ahead to the dockmaster for slip availability. seahawkeprimebydb.com
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Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament Returns to Islamorada
The annual Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament is the Super Bowl for anglers.
This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, which takes place June 15-19 at Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar in Islamorada, Florida. Considered by anglers everywhere to be one of the most prestigious fishing competitions—it’s commonly known as the Wimbledon of tarpon fishing—the elite invitational tournament brings together anglers and guides in pursuit of the prized, elusive silver king. Points are awarded to contestants on a per-pound basis; the fisherman with the highest total points at the end of the five days is named the grand champion. For rules and to apply, visit goldcuptt.com.
Midwest Boating Events
Chicago’s New In-Water Boat Show Debuts on Lake Michigan
Talk about an epic location for a boat show. The inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show produced by Informa launches June 12-14, 2026, in downtown Chicago’s Burnham Harbor set along Lake Michigan with the city skyline as the backdrop.
“Chicago’s boating community has long expressed the need for an in-water show, and we’re excited to bring this vision to life at the perfect location,” says Andrew Doole, president of U.S. Boat Shows for Informa.
Boaters of all skill levels will be able to see and board some of the industry’s most covetable yachts and powerboats. Spring Brook Marine will showcase prominent European favorites like Cranchi, Prestige, Sirena, and Jeanneau; Gordy’s Marine will feature sleek Cobalt models; and Skipper Bud’s highlights brands like Tiara, Cruisers, and Azimut.
Expect live entertainment, gourmet cuisine, exhibits with the latest marine technology, and VIP experiences, including The Yacht Club Lounge inspired by Chicago’s prestigious yacht club tradition, to connect and network with yacht club members and boating enthusiasts. windycitybys.com
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Gulf Coast Fishing Tournaments
America’s Oldest Fishing Tournament Returns to Louisiana
The oldest fishing tournament in the country returns—bring the family.
Established in 1928, the Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo is the oldest fishing tournament in the United States. What began as a modest event comprising a few dozen boats has evolved through the years to become distinctly family-oriented and include multiple fishing categories, live music, local cuisine, and games, such as crab races and cornhole tournaments.
Conservation efforts—catch-and-release practices and partnerships with research institutions to study tarpon migration, for example—exemplify the festival’s commitment to preserving the island’s coastal environment and ensuring the rodeo’s legacy for the future. You’ve still got time to participate and make your bid for the $10,000 grand prize—the tourney takes place July 23-25 in Grand Isle, Louisiana. tarponrodeo.org
Northeast Yacht Experiences
Charter, Cruise and Entertain Without Boat Ownership
Membership in Yacht Hampton has its privileges.
Looking to dip your toe into an easy life on the water? Hospitality-led yacht club Yacht Hampton now operates on a seasonal, dual-residency model that caters to how its members naturally move throughout the year. That means summers in the Hamptons and winters in Palm Beach County.
Through its proprietary FleetShare membership, the brand connects both regions into a single, continuous yachting experience, giving members access to a globally curated fleet and concierge-led service. The first-of-its-kind model boasts more than 28 hand-selected vessels and offers single-day charters for travelers and residents. The boats lend to a range of experiences, from dock-and-dine outings and sunset cruises to full-day charters and hosted onboard events. In the Hamptons, operations run through September, with primary departures from Sag Harbor and surrounding East End marinas.
“It’s not just about building an elevated boat club, but about creating meaningful ways for people to connect with the sea through ease and access,” says Joe Ialacci, founder of Yacht Hampton. “Just as you wouldn’t go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, you wouldn’t come to the Hamptons without experiencing the coastline from the water. That’s where so much of life happens in the summer, and we’ve seen our fleet become part of those moments.” yachthampton.com
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Bahamas Summer Escapes
Coral Sands Unveils Renovated Beachfront Retreat
Dock in Harbour Island for this pink-coral dream.
Set on a covetable slice of pink-tinged beach and fronting turquoise water on Eleuthera’s chic Harbour Island, the storied Coral Sands Inn & Cottages has unveiled a fresh renovation complete with new amenities.
Choose from rooms and suites inside The Inn, garden and sea cottages, or private beachfront homes all dressed in wicker and rattan furniture, custom wallpaper, and sporting fun details like sink vanities shaped like shells. Sip a cocktail oceanfront at the Coral Sands Beach Bar or find your perch on a scalloped barstool at The Pink Mermaid Bar, a stunner with seashell chandeliers and underwater-themed ceiling murals.
There are tennis and pickleball courts splashed in pink and turquoise hues, an open-air fitness center, and the concierge can set up everything from fishing trips to horseback riding on the beach. A new spa is expected to open later this year. coralsands.com
Photos: Boz Gagovski
In & Out Shootout Brings Tournament Action to Abaco
The action gets reel this month in Marsh Harbour. Set for June 17-20 at Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, the In & Out Shootout brings a fresh twist to tournament fishing with a head-to-head showdown between inboard- and outboard-powered boats.
The format of the event, organized by Skip’s Tournaments, leans into friendly rivalry, splitting teams into distinct divisions while tracking cumulative points to determine which power class ultimately comes out on top. It’s the kind of setup that keeps the competition lively both on the water and back at the docks, where evening weigh-ins, casual social gatherings, and a closing awards ceremony round out the experience. skipstournaments.com
Caribbean Marina News
New Private Marina Enhances Luxury Caribbean Resort Experience
Slip into luxury in Turks & Caicos. At The Strand Turks & Caicos, getting on the water just got even easier—and a lot more fun. The oceanfront resort has debuted a new private marina, currently home to eight slips for boats up to 40 feet, with more on the way by late 2026. Whether you’re pulling in for the day or staying awhile, slips are available for daily and monthly use, with homeowners getting first dibs.
But the real draw is what happens once you leave the dock. Guests can hop aboard the resort’s Boston Whaler for everything from snorkel runs in those famously clear waters to sunset cruises, Caicos Cays escapes, and laid-back Catch & Cook outings. Not staying on property? No problem. Visiting boaters are welcome to tie up and head ashore for a meal at The DelMar Restaurant—a perk only a couple of resorts on the island can claim.
Tucked along the quieter stretch of Cooper Jack Bay, The Strand balances that just-discovered feel with plenty to do back on land, from ocean-facing suites and spacious villas to tennis, pickleball, and a full lineup of watersports. thestrandtci.com
