Miami International Boat Show brings nautical novelties — and traffic
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Boats in Biscayne Bay during the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. Photo: Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images
The 85th annual Miami International Boat Show kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday across Miami Beach and its surrounding waterways.
Why it matters: If you're really into boating, then this is your Super Bowl.
- If you live in Miami Beach and your only mode of transportation is on four wheels, then this week may be difficult.
State of play: For the first time since 2018, the boat show's yacht collection returns to Indian Creek along Collins Avenue, albeit with a smaller footprint.
- It's one of three locations for the show this year: The other two are at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Pride Park and Sailor's Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami, near the MacArthur Causeway.
- One-day adult GA tickets are about $47. (Beach residents get a discount with a special promo code.)
Threat level: If you thought Miami Beach was busy during Art Basel, the Boat Show may blow that out of the water.
- Estimated attendance at the Boat Show will be about 100,000, compared with 70,000 for Basel, Miami Beach assistant city manager Maria Hernandez told commissioners last week.
- Residents can expect increased traffic throughout the city, including on the causeways.
- The city will try to deter cut-through traffic in single-family neighborhoods with signage and other measures.
- These two roads near the Convention Center will be closed until 6pm Feb. 19: Convention Center Drive from 18th Street to Dade Boulevard, and the eastern portion of 19th Street between Meridian Avenue and Convention Center Drive.
Other changes for this year's yacht display, which is setting up shop between 42nd and 44th streets, per Hernandez:
- The half-mile display area will be half what it used to be.
- There will be about 250 yachts, compared with 450 in years past.
- There will be no lane closures on Collins Avenue.
Boat show attendees will have complimentary shuttle and golf cart rides between all three show locations.
- The shuttles will also connect riders to and from the Brightline MiamiCentral Station.
- Golf carts will take attendees between the yacht display and the convention center.
- Recommended parking is either at Yacht Haven Grande Miami for $25 per vehicle per day or the Convention Center garage ($20 a day).
- Brightline is offering discounted rides, as well.