Originally Posted: October 29, 2024
Updated: October 22, 2025
FLIBS 2025 Guide: Dates, Venues, VIP & Water Taxi
Arriving at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, commonly known as FLIBS, can be daunting—after all, it is the world’s largest in-water boat show, with 100,000 attendees, scouting over 90 acres of exhibitor space, plus the mega-number of Megayachts gathered in South Florida, now for 66 years.
“It’s going to be a jammed-packed show,” says Andrew Doole, president of the U.S. Boat Shows division of London-based Informa Markets, a leading global exhibitions organizer producing FLIBS and other international boat shows. “Since we’ll see everything from runabouts to Superyachts, after a challenging year, manufacturers are looking forward to this and it is going to be a very full show with an upgraded experience for attendees.”
This primer will facilitate your flow through the show, enhancing your FLIBS experience, making it enjoyable and memorable.
Quick Facts: Dates, Locations, Why It’s Massive
- Dates: October 29 – November 2, 2025 (66th edition).
- Daily hours: Wed 12–7 pm; Thu–Sat 10 am–7 pm; Sun 10 am–5 pm.
- Venues (7): Bahia Mar Yachting Center; Broward County Convention Center; Hall of Fame Marina; Las Olas Marina; 17th Street Yacht Basin; Pier Sixty-Six Marina; Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South.
- Scale: The world’s largest in-water boat show; 100,000+ attendees and 1,300+ vessels last year.
- Tickets (digital only): GA 1-Day $46 (Thu–Sun); GA 2-Day $77; Preview Day (Wed) $70; 2-Day Preview+GA $100; Child (6–12) $18; under 6 free with adult. (Purchase here)
- Windward VIP (1-day): $439 + fees; access to all locations; premium F&B; Windward VIP Lounge at Superyacht Village and Cabana Club at Hall of Fame; early entry via SYV; complimentary self-parking at SYV (first-come).
- Water Taxi: Day pass $15; 5-day pass $65; runs 1 hour before opening and 1 hour after closing; VIP and annual pass holders ride free.
- Shuttles: Complimentary shuttle buses connect all show sites.
- Kids’ clinics @ BCCC: Capt. Don Dingman fishing clinics Sat & Sun at 12–1 pm and 2–3 pm.
- Maps: Transportation, Bahia Mar, and Convention Center maps available on the official site.
- Military appreciation: Active military & veterans receive complimentary GA on Sunday (advance verification required).
- Pier Sixty-Six update: Property and the rotating Pier Top lounge have reopened.
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Where to Start (BCCC → Pier Sixty-Six → Bahia Mar)
Depending on what kinds of boats or gear you want to see, you can start at either the Broward County Convention Center where fishing-centered and smaller boats are located inside the air-conditioned, newly renovated facility. Across the 17th Street Causeway, at the also newly reinvented Pier Sixty-Six Marina, are a variety of boats including the Superyacht Village—itself an extravagant experience.
Bahia Mar Yachting Center is the other main site for the show, across the 17th Street Causeway on Seabreeze Boulevard, the beachfront road, A1A. This landmark has alphabetized docks from A-I which display a dizzying array of in-water boats, yachts, equipment and accessories.
Let’s break it down for navigational ease. The Boat Show recommends starting at the Convention Center, which has limited garage parking and is a Water Taxi stop—more on that later—the Water Taxi is the best way to get around the show.
Broward County Convention Center (what’s inside, seminars, kid zone)
The glass-encased waterfront BCCC has hosted FLIBS for many years, but now, with its totally renovated footprint, view of the Intracoastal waterway and expanded exhibit space, the Convention Center will offer much more—not only boats, but added technology, conference rooms and ballrooms, and exterior spaces with additional exhibitors and access to water transportation. The 30’ black granite sculptures by Kent Ullberg, depicting leaping sailfish along with ballyhoos and mullet, returns to the new outdoor plaza, incorporated into a fountain feature that exemplifies the wonder and wildlife of our oceans. A new outdoor restaurant is coming soon.
Inside the Convention Center’s added space, now totaling over 350,000 square feet, it showcases a wide variety of boats and also offers educational seminars for adults. A Kid’s Corner in the lobby, hosts fishing clinics at 12 noon and 2 PM with the entertaining Capt. Don Dingman, host of the show Hook the Future on the Sportsman Channel to help introduce youngsters to the sport.
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New: Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel attached to BCCC (lodging hub)
The BCCC is now attached to the just-opened, 800-room Omni Hotel. With its ocean views, Mangrove Pool Bar, Hidden Key and Sandbar lounges, as well as the High Tide, Fair Ketch and Reef 76 Kitchen & Bar, the Omni has been the missing link to the Broward County Convention Center; its top-notch accommodations and meeting rooms make Fort Lauderdale an even more attractive location for international conferences—and the ideal home base during FLIBS. The Omni’s rooftop Ibis Sky Lounge caters to the 21+ crowd, with its panoramic skyline view perfect for romantic cocktails, while the Mokara Spa is an added feature for relaxing after a big day at the boat show and includes a 24-hour fitness center and rooftop pool with private cabanas.
Pier Sixty-Six & Superyacht Village (what’s new, Pier Top, concierge)
Long-awaited due to damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, the renovation of Pier Sixty-Six was worth its $1 billion renovation cost. The legend has returned to Fort Lauderdale’s prestigious waterfront, gracing the northeast side of 17th Street, completing the Intracoastal Waterway profile. With its independently owned 325-room hotel, residences and marina, Pier Sixty-Six now presents options for buyers, guests and yachters, as well as those seeking dock-and-dine destinations. Every room comes with coastal views, and, overlooking the 164-slip marina accommodating up to 400’ yachts, are several pools and restaurants offering alfresco or inside dining and cocktails.
The iconic Pier Top revolving circular restaurant is back Thursday through Sunday, offering unmatched views of Fort Lauderdale as it leisurely rotates 360 degrees. (Tip: Note your table location if you go to the restroom, as it may be slightly different when you return.) The Pier Top was also granted historic landmark designation by the City of Fort Lauderdale, given its 1950s origins and literally elevated status.
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According to Marina Director Megan Lagasse, the concierge services of Pier Sixty-Six convey an “understanding of the mindset and needs of the yachting customer,” creating a community where an elevated level of service provides privacy and access—including to the nearby Port Everglades and multiple choices for top-quality provisioning. Pier Sixty-Six is also home to several prestigious yacht brands, including Lürssen, Benetti, Azimut, San Lorenzo and Voltari Electric Boats. MTN SAT, a premium satellite network integrator and Glancy Fawcett luxury tableware and linens offer added yacht services.
Marina operations features include zero bridge restrictions, quick-charging electric stations, high-speed fueling, 24-hour security, deep water ocean access and a 30’ draft. The marina is also a designated foreign-trade zone (FTZ) by the United States Customs and Border Patrol, the first of its kind in the U.S., allowing foreign-flagged vessels to be shown for sale to U.S. citizens in U.S. waters.
Superyacht Village: A Must-See
The Superyacht Village, host to the biggest vessels at the show, is located across from Pier Sixty-Six on the southeast side of 17th Street, also the home of the show’s Windward VIP Club. This daily ticket has a steep price tag but elevates the FLIBS experience and includes gourmet food and beverages, private restrooms, free water taxi service, one-hour early access and free self-parking at the Superyacht Village which is first come first served. A Cabana Club VIP satellite location will also be offered at the Swimming Hall of Fame beachside, north of Bahia Mar. Digital daily tickets at $439 plus a $15.70 transaction fee must be purchased online at eventspass.com. You only live once!
Bahia Mar Yachting Center (main hub, food & rest stops)
This Suntex yachting center (801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-627-6309), designated as a Clean & Resilient Marina, is normally a resort destination offering boat slips, services, a Hilton Hotel with restaurants, pools and tennis, across the street from Fort Lauderdale Beach. However, during FLIBS, Bahia Mar becomes a hub abuzz with boat, yacht, electronics, engine and accessory exhibits spanning miles of docks, stands and tents. Walkable end-to-end, there are refreshment stops along the way, including Gosling’s Island Bars and Stella Artois’ floating barge bars. Snack and beverage carts and a food court offer sustenance on the run. (My personal favorites are the Mama’s Empanadas and Dolce Vita Gelato mini cars.) Bahia Mar is where everything that floats—plus apparel, accessories, engines, electronics and toys—can be found. The Bahia Mar Hotel’s lobby bar is a convenient stop as is onsite parking. The nearby Hilton Doubletree Hotel and various beach bars and restaurants enhance this side of the show. Visit bahiamaryachtingcenter.com.
More Marinas: Las Olas, Hall of Fame, 17th Street Yacht Basin (who/why)
Las Olas Marina
Another Suntex Marina, this location was recently renovated to offer expanded boat slips and services and is located at 151 Las Olas Circle, closer to Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant downtown with its shopping and dining destinations. Captains and crew can enjoy a rooftop plunge pool, outdoor kitchen and grill, fitness center, and a private lounge as well as all the marina amenities and docking facilities. An added attraction to the marina is the new Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale, an upscale classic steak and seafood dinner restaurant with a sophisticated atmosphere and menu, located at 171 Las Olas Circle; 954-302-3838.
Hall of Fame Marina
Also a Suntex, Clean & Resilient Marina, this marina is part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame complex, a competitive aquatic and diving center that has been under renovation to include a unique 27-meter dive tower. Located at 435 Seabreeze Boulevard, just north of Bahia Mar, Hall of Fame Marina has been a part of FLIBS since its inception and is the gateway to Fort Lauderdale’s waterways.
17th Street Yacht Basin is a protected “hurricane hole,” the closest marina to the Port Everglades Inlet with direct ocean access. The marina boasts 850 feet of parallel Superyacht face dock, directly on the Intracoastal Waterway. With 30 interior slips that accommodate boats up to 70′, this marina, located at 1881 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, shares all the amenities offered to guests at the adjacent Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
Getting Around: Water Taxi, Parking, Golf Carts (pricing, stops, hours)
We won’t sugarcoat it—traffic around the show is hectic. While convenient Golf Cart transport is a cool and fun way to get around the areas from Bahia Mar to the Broward County Convention Center and parking lots, there is nothing like arriving by water. A cool breeze, warm sun, comfortable seat and friendly captains, who often offer cold beverages—you can’t beat this method of moving between show venues.
A regular service in Fort Lauderdale, the Water Taxi ups its game with a number of additional boats of various shapes and sizes at the reasonable rate of $15/day or $65 for a five-day pass—and children under 5 years old ride free. The Water Taxi also facilitates parking by servicing remote lots at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard, the GALLERYone DoubleTree Hotel on Sunrise Boulevard, the Broward County Convention Center and Las Olas Marina, all picking up and dropping off at Bahia Mar. The taxis operate one hour before and after the show’s opening and closing. For more information, click here.
Best of Show & TV Coverage (what it is, when to watch)
FLIBS is not only known by boat show attendees. Coverage is also seen on national TV on a one-hour FOX Sports special including The Best of Show awards (flibs.com/en/experience/best_of_show). Celebrity judges—Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Ricky Carmichael, Lesley Visser, O.J. McDuffie and others—have joined show hosts, NASCAR announcers Jamie Little and Josh Sims and Supercross/Motorcross broadcaster Will Christien to select the top boats and yachts in two classes: under 60’ and over 60’. The winners are announced at the show’s end and are part of the broadcast in December on FOX Sports 1 and 2 and FOX Sports Racing.
Says sports broadcaster Jeff Swoboda, who along with car racer and broadcaster Townsend Bell founded the TV show seven years ago, “There is such an array of new technology every year—things that make boating even more exciting—we can’t wait to see what this year’s show has in store.”
Big By the Numbers (use FLIBS photos)
Total sales for all Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show participants last year were estimated at $823.5 million, according to Thomas J. Murray & Associates, Inc., a financial and technological research company that annually reviews economic activity for the show’s owners, Marine Industries Association of South Florida. The trade association keeps tabs on the show’s value and economic output throughout the area and state, last year estimated at $1.778 billion—far more than a Super Bowl.
Where Locals Go
While cruising through FLIBS, you may miss some local “flavorites,” maybe more off the beaten path, so here are a few for your consideration.
On Fort Lauderdale Beach
Coconuts, just north of Bahia Mar, is an on-water hot spot known for upscale dining in a casual atmosphere. Normally, you can arrive by boat or by car, but during FLIBS, leave your boat at home—every single dock, including temporary ones, is completely full. Bonus: You can bring your dog. 429 Seabreeze Blvd.,
Casa Playa, a new location for the popular Cuban cuisine-themed Chimney House, this modern version of the locally favorite pre-or post-theater destination, offers a beachy feel with the same excellent food and service. Just west of A1A at 401 North Birch Road.
Off 17th Street
Southport Raw Bar is a Fort Lauderdale tradition for relaxed interior and picnic table exterior dining. Fresh seafood in the heart of the area’s marine industry, bring the whole family and chill—wine & beer only.
Kelly’s Landing at 1305 SE 17th Street, tucked-around the NW corner of the Southport Shopping Center, is a New England seafood restaurant that locals love—especially the lobster tail specials and seafood chili! Sidewalk and indoor or bar seating—it’s tight, but friendly.
Boatyard, 1555 SE 17th Street, neighbors yacht builders’ and brokers’ offices and offers a sophisticated but casual atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor bars and seating. The cool South Florida ambiance brings people back year after year. (You may even remember it as the old Bimini Boat Yard!)
Pro Tips:
- The show does offer hotel reservation services through ONPEAK, click here.
- For those chartering or flying in aboard private jets, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, (FXE), a general aviation airport is 5 miles north, a quick limo, cab or rideshare from the show. 6000 NW 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, 33309. 954 828 4955
By Marilyn DeMartini
People Also Ask (FAQ):
Q: When is FLIBS 2025?
October 29–November 2, 2025.
Q: What are the show locations?
Seven venues including Bahia Mar, BCCC, Pier Sixty-Six Marina, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, 17th Street Yacht Basin, and Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South.
Q: What’s the easiest way to get around?
The Water Taxi runs between venues; day passes $15, five-day passes $65; VIP tickets include complimentary rides.
Q: How much is the Windward VIP ticket and what’s included?
$439/day with gourmet F&B, private restrooms, early entry via Superyacht Village, and complimentary self-parking at SYV (first-come, first-served).
Q: Is Pier Sixty-Six and Pier Top open?
Yes—property reopened after a full renovation; Pier Top lounge offers 360° views.
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