Palm Beach International Boat Show 2027

What is the Palm Beach International Boat Show?

The Palm Beach International Boat Show, known as PBIBS, has run since 1982 along the downtown waterfront of West Palm Beach. It is owned by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and produced by Informa Markets, the same company that produces the Fort Lauderdale show.

The organiser says the show has drawn over 55,000 visitors in previous years, with more than 600 exhibiting brands, and that a 2022 analysis put its statewide economic impact at over $1.05 billion. It describes the next show as featuring more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet long. These are the organiser's own figures; a final 2026 attendance count has not been published.

What is new for 2027?

The 2027 show runs from Wednesday 17 to Sunday 21 March, earlier than in 2026, when it ran from 25 to 29 March. The headline addition announced so far is The Honours, an awards evening from The Superyacht Life Foundation, which says it is heading to Palm Beach for 2027 in partnership with the show. It recognises people whose connection to yachting has led to wider positive change. Its date, venue and how to attend have not been announced, so do not assume a show ticket includes it.

Tickets, the boat list and the 2027 seminar schedule had not been released when this guide was checked. The organiser's seminars page says to "stay tuned for the 2027 seminar schedule".

How is the show organised?

Unlike Fort Lauderdale's six sites, Palm Beach is one long show along Flagler Drive, with boats moored in the Intracoastal Waterway and exhibits on the shore. Over recent years the mix has included yachts and superyachts, sportfishing boats, cruisers, centre consoles and inflatables, along with marine accessories and the AquaZone of water activities.

The Superyacht Show at Palm Harbor is part of PBIBS, at the north end of the waterfront. The organiser says entry to it is included with both Windward VIP and general admission, so you do not need a separate ticket to see the largest boats.

As at every boat show, a ticket gets you onto the docks, not onto every boat. The FAQ says entry onto vessels is at the discretion of the exhibitor, manufacturer or broker, so if you are seriously shopping, arrange a viewing with the broker in advance.

When is it, and what are the hours?

The hours come from the organiser's show overview. Windward VIP guests get one hour's early access through the Banyan entrance only. In 2026, Wednesday was a preview day that needed a preview ticket; whether 2027 works the same way will be clear when tickets go on sale.

Where is it held?

The show takes place along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, on the mainland, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach Island. It is not on the island itself, which is a common mix-up. The Superyacht Show is at Palm Harbor Marina, 400 North Flagler Drive.

The nearest airport is the one long known as Palm Beach International. Since 9 July 2026 it has been called President Donald J. Trump International Airport, though airline bookings still use the code PBI. The airport authority has described it as about 2.5 miles from downtown West Palm Beach.

How do tickets work?

The organiser's homepage says 2027 tickets "will be available soon". When they are released, buy them online: the organiser says there is no box office at the show, and digital tickets are scanned at the entrance.

For a sense of price, the 2026 show charged $63 for an adult one-day preview ticket, $66 for two days of general admission and $85 for a two-day preview and general admission ticket. Those were 2026 prices only.

Windward VIP includes show admission plus the Windward VIP Club in the Lakeside Pavilion on Flagler Drive, with a premium open bar, gourmet food, pop-up activations, private toilets, golf-cart transport and the early entry. Guests must be 18 or older to enter the club. Its 2027 price has not been published.

How do I get there and get around?

The organiser points visitors to Brightline, the train linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, whose West Palm Beach station is downtown. For the 2026 show it ran shuttles and golf carts from the station and offered a train discount; those offers were for 2026 and have not been confirmed for 2027. The show also runs a free shuttle and golf-cart system between car parks and entrances; the 2027 routes will be published closer to the date.

Around downtown, the city's new West Palm Move service, which replaced RideWPB in September 2026, runs a fixed route every 8 to 10 minutes for $1, plus on-demand rides for $2. From the airport, Palm Tran buses leave from the outer curb on Level 1, and the airport authority points to the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station at 203 South Tamarind Avenue.

Where can I park?

The organiser's parking page currently lists these garages, from the 2026 show:

• Hibiscus Garage: 545 Hibiscus Street and 525 Okeechobee Boulevard.
• Datura Garage: 205 Datura Street.
• Phillips Point: 777 South Flagler Drive, Saturday and Sunday only.
• Esperante Corporate Center: 222 Lakeview Avenue, Saturday and Sunday only.

The city's own garages, including Banyan & Olive at 200 Banyan Boulevard and Evernia at 333 Evernia Street, normally charge $1 for the first two hours and up to $20 a day, but the city allows special event rates of up to $100, and its $5 weekend rate does not apply to special events. Expect higher prices during the show, and check the 2027 parking page before you drive.

What can I bring, and what should I wear?

The organiser's FAQ says there is no storage for personal belongings, including large bags and strollers, so bring only what you are happy to carry. No bag size limit, prohibited items list or dress code has been published.

Practical advice, not an official rule: March in South Florida is warm and sunny, the show is mostly outdoors along the docks, and boats commonly ask visitors to take their shoes off before boarding. Wear comfortable shoes that slip off easily, and bring sun protection.

Children, service animals and accessibility

In 2026, children aged five and under entered free with a ticketed adult, and Sunday was Family Day, with a discount for children aged 14 and under. The 2027 child prices have not been published. The Windward VIP Club is for adults 18 and over.

The FAQ says "only ADA certified service animals are permitted", so leave pets at home. The organiser has not published details of wheelchair routes or accessible toilets, and access onto boats varies; visitors who need step-free routes should contact the organiser before buying. West Palm Move offers wheelchair-accessible on-demand vehicles by phone request.

Who goes, and what do first-timers get wrong?

The organiser pitches Palm Beach as the place where wealthy buyers do their yacht shopping, and the docks are full of builders, designers and brokers with boats for sale. Alongside them come local families and boating fans for a day on the waterfront.

First-timers usually make a few mistakes. They head for Palm Beach Island instead of the mainland; they assume the show has a box office; they plan around last year's train offers, family discounts or shuttle routes; and they expect to board any boat they like. Buy online once tickets launch, start at the north end for the superyachts, and book any serious viewing with a broker ahead of time.