Top of a Boat Show Yacht

The Vancouver International Boat Show takes place in January at the Convention Centre and at the marina at Granville Island. Hundreds of boats are for sale.

Note: In past years the event happened in February at Granville Island and BC Place Stadium. In 2026 the show runs from January 14th to 18th at Granville Island and the Vancouver Convention Centre, so in a different month and at one of the same venues, but at a new venue too.

For the event’s official website, visit vancouverboatshow.ca.

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The Vancouver International Boat Show

An annual event for more than 60 years, the Vancouver International Boat Show is the premier boating event in Western Canada. It’s also the largest showcasing of the recreational boating industry in British Columbia.

At the event there are fishing boats, pleasure yachts, jet skis, kayaks and other sorts of vessels on display. There are also all kinds of motors and marine equipment.

Much of the event is indoors at the Vancouver Convention Centre at 1055 Canada Place, which is great if it’s a typical rainy winter day. The event also takes place outdoors by the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina at 1676 Duranleau Street. Free shuttle buses and water ferries run continuously between the two venues.

See the Vancouver Int’l Boat Show‘s website for full details about the event.

Checking out the Boat Show Boats — The Granville Island Marina

Boat Show Hours and Admission

This year’s Vancouver International Boat Show runs from Wednesday, January 14th, until Sunday, January 18th. At the Convention Centre, the hours of operation are from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Thursday to Saturday, and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

Note: The Granville Island Floating Show is only open until 5:00 pm everyday.

Admission to the event typically includes all show activities including educational seminars and live entertainment. Admission also includes access to both the outdoor floating show at the marina at Granville Island and the indoor show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Regular Admission Prices

Tickets for this year’s boat show are available online. There are different types of passes to choose from, each of which are valid for between one, two and all five days.

Online ticket prices in January 2026 are as follows:

Adults (ages 17 to 64): $20 for one day ticket and $27 for two days
Seniors (ages 65+): $17 for one day ticket and $22 for two days
Children (ages 16 and under): free
5-Day Pass (ages 17+): $30

Discounted Ticket Offers

If you sign up for the Skipper’s Club and then buy your Boat Show tickets online in advance you’ll save a few dollars. To save on admission, however, you have to sign up for membership before the show begins.

Another way to save is to attend the Vancouver International Boat Show after 5:00 pm. If you only go in the evening you pay just $5. During these evening specials, children ages 16 and under still get in free.

See the Vancouver Int’l Boat Show‘s website for tickets.

Metal Boat Show Boats — Boats at BC Place Stadium

Boat Show Activities

There is a lot more to do at the Boat Show other than just look at boats, motors and marine equipment.

At the Vancouver International Boat Show there are seminar speakers including do-it-yourself workshops, boating seminars and even cooking demonstrations some years. Don’t only look at the boats – get your money’s worth and attend the learning events too.

Over 100 seminars are scheduled for 2026. In past years, presenters have included boating experts, world explorers, environmentalists and even underwater treasure hunters. 2026 will be similar. In addition to all the seminars, over 150 exhibitors are expected to participate this year, and 30,000 or more people will attend the event.

Ukrainian Artist in Residence — Ukrainian Artist Inna Nagaytseva at the Boat Show

Ferry and Bus Shuttle Service

Admission to the Vancouver International Boat Show included access to complimentary bus and ferry shuttle services in the past. Because of the new location, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, this is to be determined for 2026.

When the indoor portion of the boat show was held in BC Place, a free shuttle bus service was offered every day throughout the event between the Floating Show at the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina and the main entrance at BC Place Stadium.

Complimentary Mini Ferry Service also runs continuously most years between the Granville Island venue and the Plaza of Nation’s dock near BC Place Stadium. This is to be determined for 2026.

For full details about the show, visit vancouverboatshow.ca.

Boat Show Video

Check out the video below to get an idea of what to expect at the Vancouver International Boat Show.

As you’ll see, in the past, the event took place both outdoors at Granville Island and indoors at BC Place Stadium. There are boats of all kinds on display and mini ferry boats that take passengers back and forth between the two venues.

The video shows scenes of the boat show from a few years ago, before the indoor portion moved to the Vancouver Convention Centre this year.

Tips & Advice

Below is a list of suggestions and other information to help you make the most of your visit to the Vancouver International Boat Show.

TIP #1: Both venues will likely be quietest on weekdays during the day and first thing in the mornings on the weekend. The Vancouver Convention Centre venue will also be busiest on rainy days while the Granville Island venue is less busy when it’s wet out.

TIP #2: Be sure to take in some of the educational seminars. They are interesting and you can learn a lot.

TIP #3: Especially if at the Boat Show when it’s not crazy busy, chat with the exhibitors. Ask questions, learn something new and have fun with the experts.

TIP #4: Check out the hotel discounts that might be available to you on the Vancouver Boat Show’s website if you’re coming from out of town. As of early December, information was still coming, so keep checking back. Some of the hotels have early cut-off dates but others are available until they are full.

TIP #5: Be sure to visit the Vancouver Maritime Museum if you like boats and marine history. Outside the museum, at the waterfront, you’ll find a beautiful collection of vintage boats in the Heritage Harbour.

TIP #6: Need to print the name of your boat on the side of your newly-purchased vessel? They might not be at the Vancouver Boat Show, but if you’re looking for a company to do printing on your boat, a sign company with expertise in that area is North Vancouver-based Jensen Signs.

Parking and Transit Tips

TIP #7: Take public transit if you can. The Vancouver Convention Centre has reasonable access to a SkyTrain station.

TIP #8: There is lots of parkade parking at or near the Convention Centre. Sometimes parking fees are at a premium during “special events,” but weekends are usually more affordable than other times.

TIP #9: There is pay parking at Granville Island, but it fills up quickly on busy days and is usually limited to a maximum of three hours. Give yourself lots of time, though, to get back from the Convention Centre before your time runs out.

TIP #10: The complimentary mini ferry service between the two venues can be a nice treat (if it is running in 2026), especially for the rare person at the event not used to being out on a boat. Have patience, though, at busy times as the lineups can get long. Also, if the docks are quite busy the ferries will be delayed as they may have to wait for a place to dock.