Sydney's boat show calendar took on a new shape this year, and the second instalment is shaping up to be the more spectacular of the two. The Sydney International On-Water Boat Show, running from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 November 2025 at Darling Harbour, builds on a 55-year tradition while representing something genuinely different: a purpose-built, on-water experience separated entirely from the indoor exhibition format that preceded it earlier in the year at Olympic Park.
The two-show model is a deliberate evolution, splitting the boating world into distinct chapters. Boating Industry Association President Adam Smith has been direct about why the change made sense. "Following on from the 55-year legacy of the Sydney International Boat Show, it's fantastic to see its evolution. These changes ensure the show stays current, appealing, and set the right tone to represent and sell the marine lifestyle to Australians and beyond," he said.
Cockle Bay will hold more than 200 boats on the water, with the onshore presence stretching through Palm Grove, Tumbalong Boulevard, and Tumbalong Park. Opening hours run from 11am to 7pm Thursday through Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday, a schedule crafted to take full advantage of Sydney's springtime evenings. Tickets go on sale 27 September, with early-bird pricing at AUD$24 plus fee available for 48 hours, and children under 16 admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
The single most anticipated development is the return of Maritimo to Sydney's waterfront. The Australian luxury boatbuilder has been absent from the city's on-water show for five years, and its reappearance this November carries real symbolic weight. Maritimo has long stood for serious offshore capability wrapped in refined, practical luxury, with flybridge and sedan models built around long-range coastal and bluewater cruising. Five years away from Sydney's premier event has done nothing to diminish the brand's following, and its return signals a broader confidence in the premium end of the market.
Smith noted the significance of having a flagship Australian brand back in the fold. "It's exciting to see leading Australian brands on board, showcasing the strength of our boating industry and lifestyle," he said. "By moving beyond the traditional exhibition model, we're creating a true festival of boating that reflects the vibrancy of Sydney in spring."
The international marquee names will add considerable lustre. Princess Yachts and Horizon Yachts have both confirmed they will be on the water, joining Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Fleming Yachts, Leopard Catamarans, Sealegs International, and Carbon Yachts among the exhibitors. Supporting suppliers including Raymarine, Pantaenius, and Club Marine round out a line-up that allows visitors to move from hull inspections to electronics, insurance, and safety gear without leaving Darling Harbour.
The multihull story deserves its own attention. Fountaine Pajot, the French sailing catamaran builder, recently unveiled four new models at Cannes in what the company described as an unprecedented product launch. One of those boats, the FP41, is heading to Australia in October and will make its local debut on the Darling Harbour pontoons through The Yacht Sales Co.
The FP41 anchors the lower end of this new generation, offering luminous interiors, a raised helm station, and a flexible cockpit layout that signals a refreshed design direction for the brand. It is the entry point to a family that will eventually include the FP44, FP48, and the flagship FP55, which will become Fountaine Pajot's first flybridge sailing catamaran. The range incorporates ODSea+ electric propulsion options and large-scale solar arrays, pointing toward a commitment to more responsible passage-making without compromising the performance and space that define the brand's appeal.
The atmosphere surrounding the boats matters as much as the boats themselves. Roving performers, live music, interactive activations, and gourmet food and wine along the harbour edge will give the event the feel of a genuine spring festival rather than a conventional trade and consumer exhibition. The layout and the programming are designed to hold people well beyond the time it takes to walk the pontoons.
"This show will capture the very best of life in, on and around the water," Smith said. "From luxury to lifestyle, it's about celebrating everything Australians love about the marine world and our water-based culture."
For Kiwis considering the trans-Tasman trip, the November timing and the breadth of the line-up make a compelling case. The chance to step aboard Maritimo models fresh from five years of refinement, compare offshore designs from Princess and Horizon side by side, and see Fountaine Pajot's new generation in the flesh for the first time in Australia amounts to a concentrated look at where the premium boating market is heading. The setting, a working harbour at the tail end of a Sydney spring, provides the rest.
