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.

The event is where you’ll find the biggest sale of vessels and marine accessories west of Ontario. There are boats of all kinds to check out as well as boat equipment, service providers, educational seminars and more! It’s a fabulous event for everyone who likes boating and being out on the water.

In 2026 the show takes place from January 14th to 18th.

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

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The Vancouver Boat Show in 2026

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.

Where Does the Boat Show Take Place?

In 2026 much of the event is indoors in the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre at 1055 Canada Place. The event also takes place outdoors by the Granville Island Maritime Market & Marina at 1676 Duranleau Street. Free shuttle buses run continuously between the two venues.

Note: In past years the event has 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.

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 daily.

Admission to the event 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 either one, two and all five days.

Online ticket prices in January 2026 are as follows:

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

TIP: If you go in the evening after 5:00 pm, it’ll cost just $5. Regardless of when you go, children ages 16 and under get in for free.

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

Metal Boat Show Boats

Boat Show Activities

Over 100 exhibitors participate this year, and 30,000 or more people will likely attend the event. There is a lot more to do at the Boat Show other than just looking 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. Presenters typically include boating experts, world explorers, environmentalists and more. In 2026 there’s a special series called Women on the Water that focuses on empowering women. There’s just one seminar from that series on each of the first three days, but nine of them on the Saturday.

Seminar Schedule

Below are some examples of the seminars available to enjoy at this year’s event. It’s not a complete list. For that click Seminars & Workshops.

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

1:00 pm – The Science of Salmon Fishing with Bill Haymond
1:15 pm – Sail Maintenance, Service and Cleaning with Jason Fanjoy
2:00 pm – Coastal Navigation 101 with Dorothy Cunningham
3:45 pm – Fresh vs Saltwater Boating, What’s the Difference Really? with Andy den Otter
5:30 pm – Secrets to Successful Crabbing and Prawning with James Patrick
(There are other seminars too!)

Thursday, January 15th, 2026

2:00 pm – Favorite Anchorages in the Pacific Northwest with Mark Bunzel
2:00 pm – Introduction to Radar for Boaters with Luciano Nisi
2:30 pm – DIY Electrical Audits on your Boat with Jeff Cote
3:30 pm – Ask the Experts: Women on the Water
4:30 pm – Marine Weather 101 with Ross MacDonald, David Wray and Gary Lee
(There are other seminars too!)

Friday, January 16th, 2026

11:30 am – Cruise to Alaska with Lynne Picard and Jim Burgoyne
12:00 pm – Cool Products and Space-Saving Tips for Recreational Boaters with Missy Gervais
4:30 pm – Docking and Line Handling Workshop with Tracy Sarich
5:20 pm – Common Boating Accidents and How to Avoid Them with the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue
6:30 pm – Mould: Prevention, Protection and Cleaning with Peter Bristow
(There are other seminars too!)

Saturday, January 17th, 2026

12:15 pm – West Coast of Vancouver Island with Lynne Picard and Jim Burgoyne
1:00 pm – Loving the Learning Curve with Women on the Water
1:15 pm – Whale, Hello!! with Catriona Day
1:30 pm – Practical Cruising: Cruising for Couples with Liza Copeland
6:30 pm – Women on the Water Social
(There are other seminars too!)

Sunday, January 18th, 2026

12:15 pm – Integrating your Navigation with Lyle Wetsch
1:15 pm – Preparing for a Multi-Year Offshore Cruise with Ethan and Danielle Schlegel
2:15 pm – Whale Safe Boating with Dr. Felicia Vachon
3:10 pm – The Electric Fleet Forecast: Global Trends and What’s on the Horizon
4:10 pm – Electric Sunday Roundtable Q&A
(There are other seminars too!)

Event Shuttle Service

Admission to the Vancouver International Boat Show includes access to complimentary bus services between Granville Island and the Vancouver Convention Centre. (In past years, when parts of the event took place at BC Place Stadium, there was also a ferry shuttle service, but not this year.)

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 took 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 in 2026.

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 will be 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 you’re at the Boat Show when it’s not super busy, chat with the exhibitors. Ask questions, learn something new and have fun with the experts.

TIP #4: Be sure to also visit the Vancouver Maritime Museum sometime 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. Also, if you use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER you can save 25% on admission to the museum.

TIP #5: 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.

Hotels, Parking & Transit Tips

TIP #6: Check out the hotel discounts available to you on the Vancouver Boat Show’s website if you’re coming from out of town (or are a local wanting a staycation). Some of the hotels have early cut-off dates, but others are available until they are full. Hotels offering discounts in 2026 include the Pinnacle Harbourfront, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown, Executive Hotel Le Soleil, and a couple of others, all of which are close to the Convention Centre.

TIP #7: Another place to check out hotel deals is the website StayVancouverHotels.com. If you book through that site you can get a bonus gift, including your choice of a gift card to be used at a variety of different places. You can also sometimes get tickets to events.

TIP #8: Take public transit if you can. The Vancouver Convention Centre about a 12-minute walk to both Waterfront Station and the Burrard SkyTrain Station in different directions.

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 #10: 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.