Cruise Through FLIBS 2025 — But Make Las Olas Your Home Base

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS 2025) is one of the most anticipated marine events in the world. Each year, more than 100,000 visitors come to see luxury yachts, sportfishing boats, marine technology, and product debuts that define the future of boating.

And while the show itself spans multiple iconic locations across Fort Lauderdale, there’s one place that makes the experience even more enjoyable before, during, and after the event — Las Olas Boulevard.

Known as the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas blends dining, shopping, art, and nightlife, all just steps away from FLIBS.

Below is your insider’s FLIBS + Las Olas itinerary, complete with restaurant stops, transit hacks, and why Las Olas should be part of your FLIBS plan.

What You Need to Know About FLIBS 2025

• Dates & Show Hours:

  • Wednesday, October 29: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

  • Thursday, October 30 – Saturday, November 1: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

  • Sunday, November 2: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Locations:

  • Bahia Mar Yachting Center (main entrance & marina displays)

  • Las Olas Marina (in-water displays)

  • Broward County Convention Center (indoor exhibits & transportation hub)

  • Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South

  • Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

With multiple show sites spread across Fort Lauderdale, transportation and planning are key — and that’s where Las Olas Boulevard comes in as a perfect anchor to your FLIBS visit.

Why Pair FLIBS With Las Olas Boulevard

• Proximity & Access: Las Olas is just steps (or a short shuttle, ride, or Water Taxi hop) from several show sites like Bahia Mar and Las Olas Marina.

• Dining, nightlife & shopping: After a long day on the docks, Las Olas offers dozens of restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques — a perfect unwind zone.

• Scenic & walkable: The boulevard runs from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the beach, passing canals, views, bridges, and riverwalk scenery.

• Transportation hub: Las Olas has good parking, Water Taxi stops, and free/low-cost circulator services to help you bypass FLIBS traffic.

So don’t just show up — plan to stay, dine, and explore in Las Olas as part of your FLIBS visit.

Getting There & Around: FLIBS Logistics & Parking (with links)

• The Broward County Convention Center is the FLIBS transportation hub, offering 3,000 parking spots at a flat rate (approx. $20 per day) and direct access to shuttle, golf cart, or water taxi to all show locations. (FLIBS)

• FLIBS also publishes a detailed Parking Information page on its website with full garage lists and maps. (FLIBS)

• For offsite parking (or guarantees), services like SpotHero list garages around Fort Lauderdale during FLIBS. (SpotHero)

  
  

Tip: Skip beachside parking — it gets congested. Instead, park on Las Olas or at the Convention Center and take a Water Taxi or shuttle.

Water Taxi (link & tips)

• FLIBS offers its own water taxi service between show venues, starting one hour before show opening and ending one hour after close. (FLIBS)

• A one-day water taxi pass is $15; a 5-day pass $65. Children under 5 ride free. (Water Taxi)

• You can ride the general Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi system (which runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) to reach Las Olas, downtown, waterfront restaurants, etc.

• Water Taxi Stop 1 is right at the base of Las Olas Boulevard, making it a fantastic way to arrive without traffic or parking hassle. (Las Olas Boulevard)

  
  

Ride Circuit (local shuttle)

• Ride Circuit is Fort Lauderdale’s eco-friendly shared vehicle service. It covers destinations like Las Olas, the beach, and Brightline station. (Ride Circuit)

• The service is free (or very low cost, depending on location) and designed for short “last mile” hops within Fort Lauderdale.

FLIBS + Las Olas Itinerary

Morning

• Start your day with breakfast on Las Olas before the show. Favorites include Gran Forno Pronto or New River Barkery for pastries and coffee or Ol'Days and Java & Jam for a more elevated sit-down breakfast.

• From there, take a quick Water Taxi or Circuit shuttle to Bahia Mar or the Convention Center to begin exploring FLIBS.

Afternoon

• Break for lunch along Las Olas. Popular choices include Caffe Europa (Italian classics), American Social (elevated casual), Earls Kitchen, and Voodoo Bayou (Southern coastal fare).

• After lunch, head back into the show to catch seminars, browse exhibitors, or step aboard yachts and superyachts.

Evening

• Once the show closes, wind down with dinner and nightlife on Las Olas. Choose Ocean Prime for a seafood & steakhouse, Luigi's Tuscan Grill for an intimate setting, or Elba for a sophisticated Mediterranean dinner.