World Boating Day Sparks Worldwide Events

The second edition of World Boating Day on May 24, united ocean lovers, maritime enthusiasts and curious newcomers in a globe-spanning celebration of life on the water. From exclusive dockside gatherings to behind-the-scenes shipyard adventures, more than 100 events across 16 countries highlighted key boating destinations around the world. Here are just a few highlights from this landmark global celebration.

• The 7 Dutch Shipyards Press Tour gave exclusive media access to the Netherlands’ leading shipyards, sparking global conversations around sustainability and next-generation design.
• Australia’s Riviera and Italy’s Benetti opened their doors to the public, hosting curated tours and discussions on future-focused yacht building.
• Bilgin Yachts, Ses Yacht and Mengi Yay made a splash in Turkey with immersive events to raise awareness of the superyacht industry.

Other prominent shipyards participating included Cantiere Rossini, Royal Huisman, VMG and Vitters, each offering a unique look at their heritage and upcoming projects.

• Freedom Boat Club, in Australia’s Brisbane and Sydney locations and across Spain welcomed new boating enthusiasts with special events aimed at demystifying boat ownership.
• In Florida, Marine Max and Pier Sixty-Six Marina held family-friendly events blending entertainment and education on the boating lifestyle.
• The historic Port Vauban in Antibes invited school children to the port to find out more about sustainability.
• West Istanbul Marina invited local boating fans to an open day, calling on the public to come and enjoy a day by the docks, and Emre Boyoglu Media gave a yacht photography workshop at Sunseeker Turkey.
• In Italy, TEDx Forte dei Marmi – co-hosted by Next Yacht Group and WOSA – invited guests to kick off the summer season and celebrate Italian Yachting ahead of the official event in August.
• Young Professionals in Yachting Monaco hosted a thought-provoking session introducing students and young professionals to the diverse world of nautical careers.
• The Turkish Shipbuilders Association hosted a showcase for students, bringing along some of the key personalities from the country’s shipbuilding industry.
• In the UK, UKSA (UK Sailing Academy) highlighted career pathways in the maritime industry. The full list of 2025 events is available here.

From Monaco to Miami, Istanbul to Antibes, World Boating Day continues to build momentum as a platform for connection, collaboration, and celebration. With thousands of attendees and millions reached online through the #WorldBoatingDay and #WaveForBoating campaigns, the 2025 edition reinforced the boating industry’s role as an engine of joy and community.

Plans are already underway for World Boating Day 2026, with more cities and events expected to join the movement