Cue the champagne, slather on the sunblock: Miami’s most glamorous floating showroom is reclaiming the beachfront.
This year, Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) sails back to Collins Avenue in Miami Beach for the first time since 2018.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing the finest yachts in the world against the backdrop of iconic hotels like the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc,” said Andrew Doole, president of US Boat Shows at Informa Markets.
On now, the show runs until Feb. 15 and general admission tickets are $46 at MiamiBoatShow.com. A portion of ticket proceeds go to the Miami Beach Cupid Splash, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for conservation through an annual “polar plunge” event on Miami Beach.
Oriana Schneps, owner of the Yacht Edit, is particularly excited about the show’s return to Collins Avenue. Recently, “MIBS has lacked organic networking opportunities,” the Fort Lauderdale-based yachting industry insider said.
Unlike the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and the Palm Beach International Boat Show, “which naturally bring people together at local restaurants, previous MIBS events felt more scattered, and being on Collins should make it easier for the community to connect.”
And that’s not all there is to be excited about. For one thing, it’s the show’s 85th anniversary. At the same time, Miami’s Bob Hewes Boats will be fêteing its 100th year anniversary with a big bash. Attendees can also expect a redesigned show layout with three primary venues, markedly closer together than in previous years.
“Sailboats displayed in downtown Miami last year have a new home at IGY Yacht Haven Grande, which is less than five miles from Miami Beach Convention Center, the central hub of the show,” added Doole, noting that if you don’t have the funds required to buy a superyacht, fear not — the show is open “to the dreamers who want to be immersed in the boating lifestyle for a few days.”
For instance, stop by the Progressive Boat Show Experience at Pride Park to mix and mingle at the Goslings Rum tent, or tow the tots to the squeal and splash area in AquaZone by Nautical Ventures, or at Don Dingman’s Kids Fishing Clinic. Expect music, food trucks and seminars throughout.
And while MIBS is where builders come to showcase new yacht and megayacht models, Doole said that there will be plenty of debuts of affordable personal watercraft. “Today’s features make it easier for more people to have a fun day out on the water,” he said.
One prime example: the 2026 Yamaha CrossWave, which Doole calls a “groundbreaking” personal watercraft (PWC) for four. Bridging the gap between boats and PWCs, Doole appreciates that this model offers boat-like features, including walk-around deck access and a large fuel tank, making it ideal for fishing, cruising and longer trips.
Catamarans, too, are having a moment thanks to their stability. Brands like Leopard, Lagoon and Aquila will be exhibiting power and sailing catamarans at MIBS.
“Twin hulls offer more horizontal space per foot than single hulls,” explained Noah Holtgraves, lead data journalist at Yacht.com. “They are more stable and, because of their lighter displacement, are also much more fuel-efficient.”
He singled out the MIBS debuts of Veya 53 and Aquila 45 Sport, which is inspired by contemporary luxury SUVs. (Aquila will also debut the 50 Sail, its first sailing yacht, at the show’s Sailor Cove).
“The result of the innovative design is a monohull-like elegance [despite twin hulls] with more room than you’d expect from a yacht this size,” he said of Veya 53. “Even though it’s only a small yacht by definition, it has features like a vast foredeck saloon and an ocean terrace.”
The “micro” or “pocket” yachts are also “in.”
“These are luxurious recreational vessels that typically span 20 to 30 feet, though some definitions go up to 50 feet,” said Holtgraves, noting that the average cost of a new pocket yacht is around $150,000, making them attainable for upper-middle-class boat buffs.
“Interest in compact yachts and high-end day boats has increased, driven by buyers seeking more flexible, low-maintenance options that still offer luxury experiences,” echoed Schneps, pointing to brands like Wajer, Vanquish and Tecnomar. “Shorter trips, easier handling and lower operating costs make these vessels appealing, while their stylish design and performance features keep them desirable for social and recreational use.”
Look for examples at MIBS — like Cruiser Yachts 34 GLS Outboard, the Aquila 36 Molokai, NAVAN T30 and Wellcraft 28 T-Top. The former boasts an aft stateroom, a dinette, a Sunpad, a grill, a fridge and icemaker all in a mere 36.5 feet. Holtgraves described the latter as having “all the big-yacht capability you could want for hosting, day trips, fishing and an amenity-packed cabin for overnight adventures.”
Technology innovation will also be on display.
“The same high-tech features that owners expect in their homes and automobiles are must-haves in the newest vessels — and not just in yachts, but vessels of all sizes,” stressed Doole.
In addition to providing comfort, Doole said these features make boating more accessible to a wider audience by providing navigation and docking easier than ever. Prepare to be wowed by Brunswick’s Simrad AutoCaptain autonomous boating technology, the global launch of B&G Zeus SR, a chartplotter (marine navigation system) and the Sea Ray SLX 360, a 38-foot-1-inch, high-tech luxury cruiser making its MIBS debut.
Of course, whether it’s a micro or megayacht, if a vessel doesn’t attract the eyeballs of envious onlookers, did it even make a splash? Gone are the days of discreet embarkations — the age of social sharing for yachties is upon us.
“New Year’s celebrations in St. Barts highlighted this shift, with figures like Alix Earle sharing their onboard experiences,” Schneps said.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing the finest yachts in the world against the backdrop of iconic hotels like the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc.”
Andrew Doole, president of US Boat Shows at Informa Markets
Nautical superfans are also using tracking tools such as MarineTraffic to follow celebrity-owned vessels and notable yachts worldwide, often reporting their findings on social media.
When voyeurs get a peek inside these beauties, many are surprised to see what Doole refers to as “casual elegance” replacing the more formal setups of yesteryear. Expect less dark woods with ornate finishings and more bright interiors with contemporary design and sleek lines, he said.
“Beach clubs and activity decks with transom doors that fold down and partitions that slide all the way open can provide unobstructed views and let the ocean air in,” said Doole. “These spots become docks floating just above the water line with lounges, sunbeds and water toys,” he continued. (Two of the largest vessels at MIBS, Sanlorenzo SL120 and the Ocean Alexander 35P, showcase these design features.)
Schneps is jazzed to see yacht design moving beyond traditional white and blue hulls, with owners embracing bright colors and snazzy finishes.
“Bold hues, metallics and custom patterns are making yachts stand out on the water, while innovative shapes and personalized touches reflect a growing desire for individuality and visual impact,” she said.
But even in the highbrow and high-tech world of yachts, boys and girls just want to have fun. Accordingly, interest in adrenaline-driven water toys is peaking. Some of Schnep’s favorites are eFoils to let riders glide above the water, Seabobs for underwater exploration and wakeboards and Jet Skis offer fast-paced action.
Leave the kayaks and paddleboards to the rental set — yacht life is all about speed and spectacle. And who does that better than Miami?
Fresh hulls: The five biggest reveals and showstopping debuts at the MIBS
Boat show regulars know scoping out the biggest yacht and her runner-ups is a must. But after you’re done oohing and ahhing at the queen of the show — the 128-foot Mangusta Oceano 39, and her lengthy kin — let your bow, ahem, jaw drop at these exciting boating industry debuts.
Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht
If you’re in the market for (or daydreaming about) a 55-foot yacht, this Queensland luxury yacht builder has just the boat for you.
Being shown publicly at a boat show for the first time after its December launch on Australia’s Gold Coast, you can please a crowd on the roomy aft deck, take a catnap on the lounge and sunbeds of the forward deck, or tipple and tell tales in the saloon.
Guests can sleep in any of three staterooms, including a full-beam master suite and dedicated laundry. Another superb feature is the large hydraulic swim platform which can be lowered or raised to create a private beach of sorts that kids will go wild for while the nanny watches over ’em (and mom and dad retreat to the wine cooler and cocktail cabinet in the saloon).
Aquila 50 Sail Catamaran
Here’s the skipper’s scoop on specs for the global debut of this 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran. Built in 2025 with advanced composite techniques, Aquila’s 50 Sail lets nautical noetics choose from four-, five- or six-cabin configurations with private entrances (the boat sleeps up to 14 guests).
Another standout spec? Bridge-to-bow access for swift passage from the flybridge to the foredeck cockpit.
We also appreciate the multi-hull design for a stable ride and for the “wide beam” it creates so interior living spaces are generously open, much like a living room on land. For propulsion systems, select either diesel engines or the whisper-quiet Hybrid Ocean Drive.
Boston Whaler 330 Outrage
Reel ’em in with style and space on the reimagined Boston Whaler 330 Outrage. It features triple Mercury 425 engines and the new Whaler step hull (said to be “unsinkable”), both of which make for one of the smoothest, driest pelagic experiences you can get.
The 33-foot center console fishing boat also boasts next-gen Simrad electronics, smart storage in every nook and cranny, and elevated comfort.
Making its global launch at the Miami boat show, it’s looking to incite serious dock envy in the heart of every ardent and adventurous angler.
De Antonio D60
Indoor-outdoor living on your vessel? But of course! A pinch-me yacht, this 60-footer accommodates up to 12 people in two to three cabins with plenty of room to laze and graze, including a foredeck sofa, two bathrooms and optional Jacuzzi.
Catch its US debut at the Miami show after generating global buzz for the Catalonian company at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Winner of the European Powerboat of the Year 2026, the brand’s new flagship can travel at speeds of up to 46 knots thanks to its four hidden Mercury outboards producing up to 2,400 horsepower.
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