This year’s Southampton International Boat Show, being staged between 18th-27th September, is returning to Mayflower Park – and the purpose-built show marina will be home to more than 250 boats.
This creates an impressive waterfront showcase unlike anywhere else in the UK. Wander through dedicated zones featuring everything from sailing yachts and powerboats to paddle boards and personal watercraft, discover unique attraction vessels or step aboard a range of boats. There will also be live stage entertainment, food outlets as well as the chance to get out on the water.
Organisers of the show have announced the RNLI as its Charity of the Year for 2026. As the charity that saves lives at sea, the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews, beach lifeguards, water safety advisers and international teams work tirelessly every day to rescue those in danger while promoting water safety through education and prevention. Throughout this year’s Show, visitors will have the opportunity to discover more about the charity’s work, meet the people behind the rescue service and support its lifesaving mission.
As Charity of the Year, the RNLI will play an important role throughout this year’s show, giving visitors the opportunity to explore its lifeboats, learn valuable water safety advice and gain a greater understanding of the charity’s lifesaving work. Through optional ticket donations and activities at the Show, visitors can also help support the RNLI in continuing its mission to save lives at sea.
Once again, Isle of Wight companies and organisations will be at the show. Island RIBS which is based in Cowes will have berths on the marina -M935/M936. Every Island RIB is built from their own designs, using their own tooling at the workshops in Cowes. They offer apprenticeships to young people keen to get into the marine industry.
East Cowes Marina is now part of Premier Marinas which operate18 marinas across the south of England. Recent additions to their network include Haslar and Portland as well as East Cowes. Find their stand on The Promenade W28. Nearby is Island Optics which, is Island based but part of Capture Perfect, which exhibits at shows across the country, demonstrating the latest optical equipment from a range of suppliers. They recently had a stand on the Parade for North Sails Cowes Week and have over 40 years experience in selling Binoculars , Scopes and in the last few years Thermal devices. Find them on The Promenade W46.
MB Boats (Microboats) based in Bowcombe Business Park has been building boats since 1965.They manufacture a range of boats to suit everyone from the Microboat dory at 8ft 9” up to the Seaspray 21 Offshore Sport. Find them near the main show entrance on A50. This year will be their 39th Southampton Boat Show, having been exhibiting there since 1986.
At The Lake Club at L44 you will find UKSA.
Well know on the Island for almost 40 years, UKSA has been inspiring people of all ages to achieve their ambitions on the water. They are one of the UK’s leading providers of maritime education, professional training and water sports experiences. They will also have boats on the Marina-M926 to M928 where they are part of “Try a Boat” on the following days-18th -21st and 25th -28th. Over the first weekend, 18th,19th,20th The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will take to the skies above the show – subject to weather and operational conditions.
Sunsail is one of the main supporters of Cowes Week, where as well as hosting the main bar on the Parade they offered sailing holidays to the British Virgin Islands on the BVI stand. Both Sunsail and BVI will have stands at the show in the New Wave Hall. (Sunsail-H58 BVI-H 24).
As already reported by Island Echo, Red Funnel, which is now a supporter of the show, is offering a special price ticket for travel and show entry. Mayflower Park is just a short walk from the ferry terminals in Southampton.
At certain times during the show Captain Ted Funnel will be on hand to welcome children of all ages.
