Published on: 08 August 2023
Don’t miss it, get your ticket today
With the 54th edition of the Southampton International Boat Show just around the corner (15-24 September) there is still time to get your ticket to the UK’s biggest boating festival, which this year boasts a whole host of exciting new attractions, revamped favourites and some welcome returns.
NEW – Bringing the festival vibe to the show is the Shipyard food court and music stage. With DJ sets and loads of live music, you’re sure to hear something to get your toes tapping and with a whole host of scrumptious street food stalls, it’s the perfect place to sit back, grab a drink and enjoy great food and music and reflect on a fantastic day at the show. Look out for the full music line up coming soon.
NEW – Is it a bottle or is it a boat? Just when you think there’s nothing more that can surprise you, head to the Bottle Boat Stage and Bar, located in Mayflower Park, adjacent to the Guinness Bar. With its acoustics sets, displays of live pirate fighting and local sea shanties, this real-life bottle boat has also sailed across the Atlantic.
NEW – Don’t miss the impressive tall ship ‘Thalassa’ where you can step aboard and explore this majestic vessel, learn about its history, and even get a taste of life at sea. ‘Thalassa’, is a 47m Dutch tall ship and one of the most beautiful and fastest sea sailors of the Dutch fleet. Rigged according to old traditions she perfectly combines modern safety conveniences, with adventurous sailing. Plus, as part of Try-a-Boat+, for a small additional cost, you can enjoy a 2-hour evening sail onboard this amazing craft.
NEW – Feel the roar of the engines when on Saturday 23 September, the boat show plays host to round 6 of the 2023 United Kingdom Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (UKOPRA) Offshore Championship. Watch as these powerful craft head out to compete in the final race of the 2023 season and keep an eye on the On the Water stage for the fleet parade.
NEW – Joining the amazing ‘On the Water Stage’ line up for the first time is the incredible jet ski car, you have to see it to believe it. Alongside back flipping jet skiers and breathtaking aerial acrobatics of the flyboard, you’ll be amazed at the high-octane thrills and incredible stunts. Don’t miss it!
NEW – Step inside the inner workings of maritime emergency with a full safety demo from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Witness a man overboard recovery and listen in to a mayday call to get a real insight into the whole process.
NEW – Southampton International Boat Show is delighted to welcome British Canoeing to the show. Drop by its stand for the low down on all things canoeing, they will also be giving a helping hand over at the watersports lake and you may even run into an Olympian or Paralympian, so get ready for a selfie or to ask your burning questions.
NEW – This year’s show charity is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s seagrass restoration project, which seeks to see seagrass habitats in the Solent restored to their historical levels and for seagrass to be present in all locations that could support it. You can show your support by donating from £1 to £100, when you purchase your show tickets as part of the checkout process. There will also be opportunities to make donations at the show on the Trust’s stand and at donation points located at the bars around the show.
Alongside all these incredible new attractions, some of our show favourites are getting a bit of a revamp or relocation…
RELOCATION – A show staple is the Foredeck Stage, where leading experts share their knowledge and insight on a whole host of boating related topics. This year the stage is on the move and you’ll now find it nestled within Ocean Hall. Take a seat and enjoy a packed programme of engaging and informative talks, interactive Q&A sessions and lively debates. With sessions on everything from mooring tips and seagrass, to canoeing tips from Olympians and Paralympians, plus knot tying tips for kids with the show’s resident friendly pirates, there promises to be something for everyone. Visit the show website for the full speaker line up.
REVAMPED (WITH A TOUCH OF SOMETHING NEW) – With a 2023 make-over and new location, show favourite, the Guinness Bar returns bigger and better than ever, providing a traditional place for sailors to meet up and spin their yarns, accompanied by a pint of mild stout, alongside other cold drinks, tasty street food and sweet treats. Plus, new for 2023, just for fun, get your face or logo printed on your pint! You can also catch up on some live sports on our new live screens located in the Guinness Bar area and around the show.
And that’s not all…
WELCOME RETURN – Following the hugely successful inaugural event in 2022, we are delighted to see the return of the Rose Road Association mass swim event. Working with event partners Reese Leisure, it offers a rare opportunity to swim around one of the busiest ports in the UK past tall ships and super yachts. Swimmers will take to the water at 9am on Sunday 17 September and complete the 1km. It promises to once again be quite a spectacle.
WELCOME RETURN – Be ready to look skywards, as we see the welcome return of the Red Arrows, Spitfire and Hurricane. Last seen in the skies above the show in 2015, on Sunday 17 September the amazing Red Arrows will once again thrill audiences with a magnificent fly past (time tbc). Whilst on Saturday 23 September, look skywards at approximately 3pm as a World War II icon, the Hurricane provides a stunning fly past. Then on Sunday 24 September, the Hurricane is joined by another British icon, the Spitfire, so listen for the craft’s distinctive sounds as they fly past the show just after 11.30am.
And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite we have all your show favourites, including some 600+ exhibitors showcasing everything from kayaks to catamarans, SUPs to superyachts, journey through the show zones showcasing different types of on water activities. Check out oar-inspiring boats in the spectacular custom-built show marina with hundreds of the world’s most prestigious sailing and power boats, as well as high-end tender and chase boats.
You can also get your toes wet with a whole host of on the water activities. Sail a yacht, take the throttle of a motorboat, or feel the power of RIB blasting around Southampton water, with Flexisail. Try your hand at single or double handed dinghy sailing, grab a friend and try out the double kayaks or have a go at stand-up paddleboarding with the whole family, with our partners Rockley Watersports. You can even enjoy a mini cruise! What’s more, these are all included in the price of your ticket!
With a whole host of attractions on and off the water and the best of all things marine, the Southampton International Boat Show really has something for everyone, and you’re guaranteed a sea-sational day out.
What are you waiting for, get your ticket today!
Tickets for the Boat Show can be purchased online at www.southamptonboatshow.com/visitor-information/tickets/
Upgrade your visit and check out our exclusive VIP packages – https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/vip/
The show is open from 10am – 6pm daily except the final Sunday when the show will close at 5pm.
