February: Miami International Boat Show-World famous boat show. More information.
March: Palm Beach Boat Show - The 7th largest boat show in the country and the third largest in Florida (behind Fort Lauderdale and Miami.) It's held on the Intracoastal Waterway along Flagler Drive (between Banyan and Fern Streets) in Downtown West Palm Beach.
Tyically about 50,000 people visit the weekend show to see approximately 1,000 boats on display. More information.
May: SunFest-Downtown West Palm Beach�s premiere annual event. It�s South Florida�s largest art and music festival. Each year there is a fabulous fireworks show. The show can be viewed by boat from the Intracoastal Waterway. All of the spectator boats will try to leave immediately after the fireworks end. It�s best to wait 15-30 minutes for boat traffic to clear. Watch out for impaired captains.
More information.
MAY: Fort Lauderdale Air & Sea Show: Thousands of boats and hundreds of thousands of people show up for this huge annual event. The Blue Angels usually headline this nationally known air show. More information.
July 4th: West Palm Beach Fireworks: The City puts on an annual fireworks show that is spectacular. The show can be viewed by boat from the Intracoastal Waterway. All of the spectator boats will try to leave immediately after the fireworks end. It�s best to wait 15-30 minutes for boat traffic to clear. Watch out for impaired captains.
The �4th on Flagler� is South Florida's largest free Independence Day extravaganza, featuring three stages of entertainment, kids activities and fireworks over the Intracoastal Waterway. 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. For more information call (561) 659-8007.
Late July: Lobster Mini-Season-Two day period when recreational divers can hunt lobsters prior to start of commercial lobster season. This short �sport� season is very popular in both the West Palm Beach area the Keys. The Coast Guard reports an unusually high number of rescues are required during mini-season, typically by divers that have been swept away from their boats by the Gulf Stream.
You must have a Florida saltwater fishing license ($14) with a crawfish stamp ($2.50.) Licenses available in the sporting good sections at Wal-Mart and K-Mart.
Limit: 12 spiny lobsters per person per 24 hours. Do not take female lobsters with egg sacs regardless of size. Don�t take lobsters smaller than tree inches across the carapace (the area between the eyes and the beginning of the tale.) Divers must measure lobsters underwater and release those that are too small. All divers must be certified. Limits are strictly enforced (law enforcement set up a hotline to report violators, 800-432-2046.) Be prepared to be questioned or have your boat boarded during mini-season.
Regular lobster season runs on specified dates August through March.
October: Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show-World�s largest boat show. People from all over come here for this one. It�s about an hour south of West Palm Beach and well worth the price of admission. More information.
Early December: Holiday Boat Parade Of The Palm Beaches-Very popular for both boaters and spectators. Decorate your boat and join the fun (registration required)! Because of the route, it can actually be difficult to view this parade from your boat. Lots of people try. It�s tough to find a good spot to drop anchor. Sometimes it�s better to watch from onshore. Watch out for huge numbers of spectator boats at ramps and on the ICW this night. Click here for more information.
Mid-December: Fort Lauderdale Holiday Boat Parade: Billed as the world's most-viewed boat parade. Click here for more information.
Local Boating Info