Relocated Miami show comes alive; in-water show grows

There are two boat shows in the Miami area during Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 11-15) and a few updates to make navigating them easier.

One show, renamed Yachts Miami Beach, is typically attended by megayachts and yacht crew. Formerly known as the Yacht & Brokerage Show, it was renamed to highlight more than two decades on Miami Beach.

The show is free, although attendees can buy VIP tickets. There are two invitation-only events: A Yachts After Dark yacht hop on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 7-10 p.m. and a SeaKeepers event on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 8-11 p.m. at Sunset Harbor Marina.

New to this year’s show is another in-water display area at Deep Harbour, a new megayacht marina at Island Gardens on Watson Island in Miami. The deep-water docks and a lounge are complete, but upland development is under construction.

Deep Harbour, the marina at Island Gardens on Watson Island, is scheduled to display yachts as part of Yachts Miami Beach this month. PHOTO/DORIE COX

Some yachts listed on the Show Management Web site for display at Island Gardens include the 280-foot M/Y Solandge, 252-foot M/Y Silverfast, 216-foot M/Y Natita, 206-foot M/Y 11/11, 205-foot M/Y Lady Lola, 193-foot M/Y SkyFall, 191-foot M/Y Unbridled, 180-foot M/Y Steel, 180-foot M/Y Sovereign, 180-foot M/Y Cakewalk, 171-foot M/Y Gravitas, 165-foot M/Y Deja Vu, 164-foot M/Y No Name, 164-foot M/Y Papi Du Papi, 150-foot M/Y Francine, 146-foot M/Y Lady L and 141-foot M/Y Copasetic.

Ground shuttle transportation from the main part of the show on Collins Avenue to Watson Island may be arranged by an exhibitor that has yachts on display at Deep Harbour. Car parking is available on site, although the general public will not have open access to yachts on display.

For captains and crew looking for accessories, electronics, engines, apparel and services, the other show to attend is the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS). This 75-year-old show has been relocated from the Miami Beach Convention Center to Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin on Virginia Key in Miami.

Getting from the megayacht show on Collins Avenue to MIBS will be different this year. Look for the shuttle bus that will pickup and dropoff south of Sunset Harbour Yacht Club at 18th Street and Purdy Avenue where water taxi service is available to MIBS. No parking is available at that location.

Workers are on site at the Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin in January  for the Miami International Boat Show on Virginia Key. PHOTO/DORIE COX

Visitors coming from all other locations are advised to plan ahead and prepay for tickets and parking passes. Parking will be limited on Virginia Key. Tickets start at $20 and parking ranges from $5-50.

For more information:

• Visit Yachts Miami Beach at www.showmanagement.com. Or download the MyBoatShow app from the AppStore or Google Play. The free app helps visitors find boats and marine products in the show and also works for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) and the Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS).
• Visit Miami International Boat Show at www.miamiboatshow.com.

Dorie Cox is associate editor of The Triton. Comments on this story are welcome at dorie@the-triton.com.