The 10 Best Boat Shows in the U.S., According to Science*

Listen, I don't know who's voting in USA Today's poll. It could be people who are genuinely enthusiastic about their favorite boat show; it could be bots scheduled to vote once a day; it could be people who've only ever been to one, and for them, that makes it the best — and polling doesn't close for another week or so. But who cares? Boat shows are fun. Let's see the current top ten (and find out how the polling compares to the most recent reviews):

#10: San Diego International Boat Show

• San Diego, CA
• June 19-22
• Crowd: 7,000+ per day

There's not much information about last year's show — even on its own website, oddly — but the description for this year's show promises immersive events "similar to larger boat shows."

#9: Annapolis Sailboat Show

• Annapolis, MD
• October 9-12
• Crowd: 100,000+

This is distinct from the other three boat shows Annapolis hosts (Bay Bridge, Spring Sailboat, and Powerboat), and maybe for good reason: the fact that it's only sailboats seems to bring out a hard-to-beat enthusiasm among attendees. It's great for exhibitors, too: Eric LeVine, a sales director for Groupe Beneteau, called it "the Super Bowl of sailboat shows." This year, the show touts the debuts of nearly 20 new monohulls and catamarans as some of the reasons to attend, and the internet avidly agrees: reviews are packed with complaint-free endorsements like "just go, you won't regret it."

#8: Atlantic City Boat Show

• Atlantic City, NJ
• February 2026
• Crowd: 35,000

It's February in New Jersey, so this is an indoor show featuring smaller vessels. Fishing and other sports are the focus (like Detroit, below), skewed toward saltwater activities as opposed to freshwater. Attendees agree that it's the best boat show in the NYC metro area, with plenty of kid-friendly activities.

#7: Newport International Boat Show

• Newport, RI
• September 11-14
• Crowd: 50,000

Newport is synonymous with America's Gilded Age, cliffs lined with mansions, old money, and boating — which makes attending the show more like a vacation unto itself, with plenty to see and do that can't be seen or done elsewhere in the country. Last year's show was bigger than ever, and this year's will feature a new VIP lounge, as well as hands-on seminars (listed so far: diesel engine and electrical system troubleshooting) and panels on topics from boat financing to sailing downwind to semi-custom yacht ordering. Interestingly, a number of enthusiastic reviews were from brokers and exhibitors: Newport, they say, tends to deliver a crowd that already knows they're looking to buy, and they treat the show less like a spectacle and more like a shopping trip. Attendees also praise the show, with many telling those on the fence that it's a great excuse to visit a unique city.

#6: Miami International Boat Show

• Miami, FL
• February 2026
• Crowd: 100,000+

Like Fort Lauderdale, Miami — which also, by the way, claims to be the largest boat show in the world — has a particular focus on glamour and luxury, with offerings ranging from megayachts to cutting-edge kayaks. Officially the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, this year's exhibition reeled in a crowd looking for spectacle and what-to-expect, with superyachts available for charter ready for visitors. In reviews, habitual boat show-goers rate it highly, but warn attendees not to drive to the event, as parking can be difficult.

#5: Detroit Boat Show

• Detroit, MI
• February 2026
• Crowd: 45,000

Despite being nowhere near the ocean, Michigan has the second-highest number of registered boats in the U.S. — just after Florida. Given the time of year, Detroit's boat show is entirely indoors, and given the location, its focus is on activities suitable for the Great Lakes: you won't find any superyachts, but fishing and other sports get a rare (compared to coastal boat shows) spotlight here. Reviewers say most attendees are, accordingly, from all around the Great Lakes, and report a fun environment with no lines to wait in.

#4: St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show

• St. Petersburg, FL
• January 2026
• Crowd: 30,000

Billed as the Gulf Coast's largest, St. Petersburg doesn't have the laser-focus on luxury that its Gold Coast cousins do, but there's a positive tradeoff: attendees say it feels more easygoing, with non-nightmare parking and plenty of elbow room. Fishing and sport boats are the focus, but sailboats show up, too.

Notably, it's the only show on this list where vendors reported a strong shift: weary of multiple bruising hurricane seasons, Gulf Coast residents don't seem quite as enthused or ready to buy as boaters elsewhere.

#3: Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• October 29-November 2
• Crowd: 100,000+

The world's largest (in-water) boat show was bound to make this list. With so much room to make use of, there's plenty of space for the big attractions: superyachts are the stars of the show, here, and there are plenty to see. Last year's show boasted plenty of stunning luxury yacht debuts, and a VIP club for those seeking a little more convenience. Reviews seem to agree it's a must-see show, with one caveat: it's so large that you'll want to plan ahead to visit one area at a time.

#2: Palm Beach International Boat Show

• West Palm Beach, FL
• March 2026
• Crowd: 55,000

This year, Palm Beach beat out stalwart classic shows for sheer number of yachts to see, and much of the focus was on mind-boggling luxury, with top names on display for potential buyers. One particular positive, aside from the show's growth over the years, is brought up over and over again in reviews: the layout is compact and well-designed, making it easy for attendees to see what they want to see without spending all day walking.

#1: Newport Beach International Boat Show

• Newport Beach, CA
• May 1-4
• Crowd: 5,000 per day

This is essentially the Los Angeles boat show, which makes it something of a party celebrating luxury — that's also a boat show. That means, of course, there are eye-popping megayachts on display, in addition to European cars and other temptations for the Hollywood set. The show's organizers have intentionally cultivated the air of spectacle, so expect similar for this year.

It's not over yet

Voting continues until the 28th of April, so there's no telling how these rankings will change (and they are changing — I checked). If the current order makes you indignant, you can vote here; but at the very least, U.S.-based boat show-lovers have some great options in the upcoming months.