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Bigger and better — it’s the only ways to describe the Palm Beach International Boat Show, which once again returns to Flagler Drive in the heart of West Palm Beach. Kicking off today and running until the 23rd, this year there is more show than ever. There’s more time (that’s five full days instead of four in previous years). More indulgences (75 food and drink vendors to delight every passion and palette). And, most crucially, more boats.
This year, visitors can expect upwards of 1,000 luxury vessels, including over 200 superyachts.
“This year’s Palm Beach Show promises to be our most exciting and ambitious yet, thanks to its incredible growth and popularity,” said Andrew Doole, president of US Boat Shows for Informa Markets, which produces the show. “For the first time, we’ve extended the event, allowing more opportunities for exhibitors and attendees to connect and experience everything the show has to offer.”
Like many of America’s other leading boating events, the Palm Beach International Boat Show delivers large doses of fun while buoying the local economy.
More than 55,000 visitors are expected to arrive to the show, which is being held in the heart of Palm Beach’s new commercial and corporate heartland. Along with the thousands of jobs the show is creating, the event delivers some $1.05 billion in direct economic impact for the region — including $725 million in actual sales.
Beyond the sheer enjoyment of a day of fun in the sun, the Palm Beach show is a chance for the world’s top yacht leading and manufacturing companies to show off the most spectacular new models in their inventory. After all, this is Palm Beach, among the world’s leading centers of global wealth with yachties ready to both browse and buy.
“This year, we are presenting eight exceptional yachts valued at more than $221 million, ranging from 200-plus-foot superyachts to an explorer yacht and a 55-foot Hinckley, showcasing the breadth of our global fleet,” explained Jonathan Beckett, CEO of Burgess. “The Palm Beach Show is one of the most important events on our US radar. It’s where the buyers are, and our sales continue to show how vital this market is.”
But you don’t have to be a casual billionaire to sail-ebrate. For over 40 years, the Boat Show has been a something-for-everyone South Florida must-visit, ideal for the whole family. As Alyssa Freeman, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County put it, “If you’re not interested in boats at all, there’s so many other things, too. We have kid’s fishing clinics on the weekends, and at the end of the kid’s fishing clinic, the kids go home with a free fishing pole.”
This year. the show coincides with the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary (PBM+C) Art Fair — another one of the city’s annual marquee events — providing even more reason to turn these events into an annual culture-filled weekend. The Art Fair brings hundreds of world-class galleries to downtown West Palm Beach, and Windward VIP Club ticket-holders will have access to both events, plus a slew of luxurious amenities. Along with the adjacent Art Fair, the show has added a series of educational seminars on key yachting topics and a showcase of high-end cars to help complement the luxury lifestyle offerings.
Both shows reflect the new-found vigor of West Palm Beach, which now rivals Miami as a South Florida economic engine.
“The growth and interest in the Palm Beach International Boat Show can be attributed to several key factors,” said Doole. “First, the city of West Palm Beach has become a thriving, vibrant destination, experiencing notable growth — especially since COVID. Its appeal as a dynamic city draws both seasonal and full-time residents. Additionally, the timing of the show, just before Easter, captures both seasonal and full-time residents.”
This year’s show is both expansive and ambitious — with products and experiences that cover the entire range of the yachting lifestyle.
“You can literally walk around the show and buy everything from fishing sunglasses to a $120 million yacht without leaving the premises,” said Federico Ferrante, president of master Italian yacht builders Azimut Benetti Americas.
Spread over a series of docks and floating docks in the heart of what many now call America’s “Wall Street of the South,” the show features a series of distinctive experiences and display zones. There’s the main show, of course, which fans out along the water against a backdrop of West Palm Beach’s rapidly-expanding downtown. But that is just the beginning.
While there may be small-sized Jet Skis and other more modest-sized watercraft, the show this year sees some 45 yachts measuring 150 feet or longer and some 200 yachts 80 feet or longer ready for inspection. They’ll all be easy to find as Superyacht Show at Palm Harbor, a “show-in-show” where guests can both tour these jaw-dropping yachts, as well as attend educational seminars on owning, maintaining and chartering these truly massive boats.
“Its appeal as a dynamic city draws both seasonal and full-time residents. Additionally, the timing of the show, just before Easter, captures both seasonal and full-time residents.”Andrew Doole, president of US Boat Shows for Informa Markets
Meanwhile, over at the show’s AquaZone, visitors can get up close and personal with a wide range of water sports products and experiences — from low-intensity to high-impact. Head there for live demonstrations of water-sport vessels ranging from paddle boats and Jet Skis to electric foil boards and even aquabatics.
Oh, and of course there will be lots to eat and drink in between Boat Show experiences.
The event’s seemingly endless culinary offerings are overseen by show Corporate Executive Chef Vagn Nielson, a 20 year-veteran of notable gourmet foodie events. Greek gyros — check. Street tacos and hand-crafted burgers — sure! Stone crab, calamari and oysters — absolutely.
There are more than 75 different food and drink outlets across show and Marina. Among the most covetable: Goslings Dark ‘N Stormy Island Bar and the Anheuser-Busch Island Barge + Beer Garden.
It’s all part of the “sophisticated, yet relaxed atmosphere … that paired with great weather and the ease of access to great restaurants and shops produces a world-class show year in and year out,” said Thom Conboy, director of sales at Netherlands-based Heesen USA.
While the show may be focused on high-gloss, big-ticket vessels, organizers are also aware of the need to give back to the local community, while cultivating yachting awareness to those who might not have access to sailing. This year, the second in a row, the show’s official grant program awarded $500,000 to 29 local nonprofit organizations — bringing total grants to $1 million.
These include environmental, marine education programs and waterfront projects in Palm Beach County — ranging from educational activities and curriculum development to field trips, in-house programs and cultural events.
The show is also “green.” It’s committed to reducing its carbon footprint by reducing its reliance on diesel fuels and opting instead for renewable electricity.
The show’s food vendors are also adhering to a suitable mindset. They’re active in protecting local threatened and endangered sea turtles, while raising funds — and awareness — to protect endangered marine ecosystems via partnerships with the Miami Foundation and the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund.
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is more than just a chance for families to come together and brands to showcase their latest models. It’s a Palm Beach tradition for more than three decades, bringing together everyone who loves the sea and ocean and is committed to both enjoying and protecting the waves for many generations to come.
Yachts to watch at this year’s show
Fox by Burgess
Reaching nearly 115 feet in length, the newly completed Fox is a steel-hulled vessel named after 19th-century scientist Robert Were Fox the Younger — who hails from the same town as yacht builder Burgess. Fox can travel 3,0000 nautical mules carrying 10 guests in seven cabins — along with a crew of seven flying under a Maltese flag. The main deck includes a DJ station, a dining area and a bar, while a glass-walled family room is ideal for movie screenings — with nibbles provided by the nearby barbecue.
Bravado
Coming in at 147 feet long, Bravado pairs the best of high-tech German engineers with modern design and contemporary comfort. This large yacht can hold up to 12 guests in a total of seven cabins — with the eye-popping master suite sprawling over the bridge deck for truly spectacular views. A true posh “party” boat, the Bravado has a full-range of leisure amenities such as an alfresco hot tub, a bar and a series of grand dining and lounging areas across multiple decks.
Margueritte
A literal floating home-away-from-home, the Margueritte is a truly massive 201-foot-long vessel that lives up to its “superyacht” moniker. Designed for stealth on the outside, its interiors feature a modern-take on classical Art Deco styling. Marguerite is equipped to stay at sea for upwards of 30 days without stopping to resupply and can carry up to 12 guests in six suites, with the primary suite containing its own bathroom, boudoir and study. There’s also room for a whopping 17 crew members for the ultimate in high-seas indulgence. Amenities include a fully equipped gym, an alfresco Jacuzzi and — of course — Wi-Fi throughout.
Tasia by Feadship
What could be more indulgent than sitting in a stunning bathroom surrounded by luxury — and the calming roar of the sea. That’s Tasia, a 157-foot yacht from Dutch shipyard Feadship. Retrofitted last year, Tasia is anchored by a steel and aluminum hull and has a nearly unrivaled range of 5,900 nautical miles. An onboard elevator leads to each of its sun-filled decks, which includes five guest cabins with room for 10 guests and 10 total crew members. There’s an on-yacht gym and alfresco Jacuzzi — all set in dazzling white interiors by British design ace John Munford. This is a family-ready fun ship ready for the high seas.
Mucho Mas
This nearly 150-foot long beauty is notable for its sleek gray-and-white hull and ample outdoor spaces. The twin-engine vessel can travel 2,300 total miles with a shallow draft that allows it to pull into the most secluded coves and inlets. There are a total of five staterooms with space for 11 guests — including an owner’s stateroom with its own walk-in wardrobe, office area and a lounge. One of the additional state-rooms can be converted into a VIP suite for extra privacy while the grand sun deck includes a full bar, a barbecue, a misting systems, a sun pad, and a waterfall Jacuzzi with a bar.
