How bad will Miami traffic be near the boat show? Bad enough to share this
This is gridlock week in Miami. And aside from Art Basel, nothing gives off bad traffic vibes like the annual boat show.
If you dare to drive near the venues, bring some patience. Expect backups and a few detours. Some drawbridges may be up for longer than usual as well.
And if you don’t have to be anywhere near the boat show, go find a lesser Miami traffic jam to conquer.
If you have tickets to the boat show, which runs through Sunday, you know what to expect and how to get around. But what about the rest of us locals just trying to move around in Miami Beach and Miami?
Here’s a survival guide to get past the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show:
The where and when of Miami International Boat Show
Hours: The 2026 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show hours starting on Feb. 11: Noon-7 p.m. Wednesday. Thursday-Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: These are the four primary locations for this year’s event — and where you’ll find the most people and resulting traffic jams:
- Miami Beach Convention Center at 1901 Convention Center Dr. Boats up to 50 feet, engine manufacturers, marine accessories, electronics and retail pavilions.
- Miami Beach Yacht Connection along the 4700 block of Collins Avenue. Powerboats, motor yachts from 30 feet to 125 feet, yacht tenders, engines, marine accessories and retail pavilions.
- Sailor’s Cove at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami (838 MacArthur Cswy. at Watson Island Park.) Here’s where the premier sailboats are docked side-by-side at the marina. Sailing gear and accessories. Connect with sailing experts and manufacturers.
- Pride Park Just outside the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Progressive Boat Show Experience features experiential boating lifestyle activations, entertainment, cuisine and educational seminars.
Traffic jams and street closings
Miami Beach police will be working key corridors to manage traffic flow, ease congestion and give tickets for violations. Bridges will be locked down more often. Residential areas will be monitored to deter cut-through traffic.
“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider alternate routes,” police said in social media posts.
Here are the areas where police will be helping with traffic:
- Convention Center: Officers will be along Convention Center Drive, Washington Avenue, 17th Street and Dade Boulevard during the boat show. Streets will be open.
- Fifth Street: Officers will be stationed along the intersection corridor of Fifth Street to keep traffic moving. Streets are open.
- 71st Street: Officers will be along major intersections on Dickens Avenue between 71st and 73rd streets to regulate traffic flow. Roads open.
- 41st Street: Northbound traffic at 41st and Pine Tree Drive will be modified to northbound and eastbound movement. The ongoing pilot program that prohibits left turns on Sheridan and Royal Palm avenues remains in effect from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Details on drawbridges:
- East Venetian Causeway: The drawbridge will be closed to boat traffic from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- 63rd Street Bridge. The drawbridge will not open during the 7:10 a.m.-9:55 a.m. morning rush hour or the 4:05 p.m.-6:59 p.m. afternoon rush hour through the boat show. Plan ahead and expect delays, police say.
If you are going the boat show
READ MORE: See how to get to and from the four sites
The boat show folks suggest taking amenities like the Brightline train, which is offering a 15% discount on some tickets between Feb. 11-15, and then taking advantage of free shuttles that connect to the major locations.
They also suggest parking once rather than trying to use a car to motor between the four locations and then shuttling over.
Self-parking is available at IGY Yacht Haven Grande Miami for $25 per car per day. The Miami Beach Convention Center garage has a flat rate of $20 per day and is a central shuttle hub.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM.
