2026 boating calendar
UPDATED: All the important boating-related dates of 2025UPDATED: All the important boating-related dates of 2026
Keen to amp up the excitement even if you’re not able to hit the water, but not sure how? Use our 2026 boating calendar as your guide to make the most of your year in boating. Simply click the event name for more information.
Don't forget to check the dates with event organisers before you go, as timings can change throughout the year.
January
Festival of Sails
January 24–26
Location: Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Geelong, Vic
Entry: Free
Each year Royal Geelong Yacht Club in Victoria hosts the annual Festival of Sails, a regatta featuring everything from passage racing to dragon boats. However, there’s a strong social side to the event featuring live music, on-land activities for adults and children, and even a flyover from the RAAF Roulettes.
February
Offshore Superboat Championships Round 2
February 21–22
Location: Wyndham Harbour, Vic
Four classes of boats ranging from beefy inboard-engined catamarans to production models you can buy in a showroom compete for the title of being the best offshore racer in Australia.
March
Auckland Boat Show
March 5–8
Location: Jellicoe Harbour and The Viaduct Events Centre in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland, NZ
Our cousins across the ditch have a healthy boat-building industry, and each year they get to show their talents off in central Auckland. With up to half of the annual output of some NZ brands ending up in the hands of Australian owners, the premieres at this show tend to have a lot of relevance.
Offshore Superboat Championships Round 3
March 14–15
Location: Corio Bay, Geelong, Vic
Four classes of boats ranging from beefy inboard-engined catamarans to production models you can buy in a showroom compete for the title of being the best offshore racer in Australia.
Palm Beach International Boat Show
March 25–29
Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USA
For four days in March, North American superyacht buyers descend on Florida for the last show of the US boating season. A lot of the yachts on show will be second-hand, so be prepared to haggle over the price.
May
Cairns Expo
May 8–10
Location: Cairns Showgrounds, Cairns, Qld
This lifestyle-focused event includes boating and jet skis alongside everything to do with caravans, camper trailers, hybrids, 4x4s and accessories, camping gear, fishing equipment and holiday destinations.
Offshore Superboat Championships Round 4
May 9–10
Location: North Haven, Port Adelaide, SA
Four classes of boats ranging from beefy inboard-engined catamarans to production models you can buy in a showroom compete for the title of being the best offshore racer in Australia. Further dates and venues will be released soon.
Mother’s Day
May 10
That annual day on which you order a bunch of flowers and somehow the order stuffs up and they instead deliver a fishing rod.
Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show
May 14–17
Location: Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland, NZ
New Zealand’s largest boat show has been around for more than six decades. It’s a showcase of the latest boats, outboard and inboard engines, electronics and accessories, as well as NZ’s largest supermarket for everything fishing. The best thing, though, is the show’s annual door prize: it's usually a pretty awesome boat package.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
May 21–24
Location: Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Qld
The annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has established itself as the biggest and best display of boats and all things boating in Australia. The four-day event includes a large on-water display and covers everything from tinnies and kayaks to multimillion-dollar luxury floating palaces. The show is also the home ground for Australian manufacturers who use the event as a launch pad for their best and newest products.
May 15–17
Location: Reid Park, Townsville, Qld
This lifestyle-focused event includes boating and jet skis alongside everything to do with caravans, camper trailers, hybrids, 4x4s and accessories, camping gear, fishing equipment and holiday destinations.
May 16–22
For a week each year, Australia's marine rescue agencies swing the focus to boating safety. Each year is themed; last year it was all about life jackets, one of the simplest tools to ensure you're always safe out on the water.
Darling Harbour is a spectacular backdrop for the Sydney International Boat Show
June
Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta
June 28
Location: Mindil Beach, Darwin, NT
They do things very differently in the Northern Territory, and nothing is a bigger example than the annual Beer Can Regatta. The event even has a handy guide to building your own entry at home.
Darwin 4WD, Boating & Camping Expo
June (dates TBC)
For two days the Darwin Royal Showgrounds and Exhibition Centre becomes a hub for 4x4 vehicles and accessories, new release boats, camping trailers, caravans, touring and towing accessories, camping equipment, demonstrations and displays of the latest products and services.
July
Sydney International Boat Show
July–August (dates TBC)
Location: Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay wharf, Sydney, NSW
Each year the spectacular Darling Harbour becomes the venue for the annual Sydney International Boat Show. The waters of Sydney Harbour make an ideal platform for boat ownership, with everything from luxury yachts to kayaks, and Sydney’s other great on-water pastime, sailboats. The show includes a large undercover display as well as an on-water component at the Cockle Bay wharf.
August
August 20–22
Location: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Qld
The annual Australian Fishing Trade Association Tackle Show in Brisbane is again opening its doors to allow recreational fishers to speak directly with manufacturers, importers and brand reps about their products. While you can talk about all things fishing tackle, you aren't allowed to buy it. Entry is free. The Thursday and Friday are trade days, while the Saturday is public day.
September
September 4–6
Location: Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, Perth, WA
Western Australia’s biggest boating extravaganza of the year is held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre. It features everything related to boating and fishing, with huge displays of the latest model trailer boats, jet skis, canoes and kayaks, engines, electronics, and navigation. The event also acts as a springboard for the state’s local manufacturers including Fury Custom Boats and Razerline.
Father’s Day
September 6
Seriously, how many more fishing rods do you need?
September 8–13
Location: Vieux Port and Port Canto, Cannes, France
Southern France comes alive over four days with the best and brightest that Europe's recreational boating industry can stump up. It's one of the most diverse boat shows on the international calendar, featuring everything from motor yachts to sailboats, cruising catamarans, dayboats and tenders.
October
SA Boat & Fishing Show
October (Dates TBC)
Location: Adelaide Showground, Adelaide, SA
Adelaide Showgrounds come alive with boating life, with all the latest products from the marine industry on display, plus all the latest safety and government information, travel advice, fishing gear and more. The event is held in conjunction with the Adelaide 4WD & Adventure Show, meaning you could easily walk away with the fully kitted-out rig needed to pull your boat.
October (Dates TBC)
Organised by the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, the Melbourne Boat Show returns to Melbourne's Docklands precinct and NewQuay waterfront for a celebration of all things boating.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
October 28-November 1
North America's largest boat show is the launching place for many US boat brands that like to pull the covers off their latest and greatest products. Again, if you want to look at anything new ranging from a jet ski right up to a superyacht, this is the place to be.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
