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World Boating Day celebrated by over 100 events
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Organised by The Superyacht Life Foundation, the second edition of World Boating Day featured events across 16 boat-loving countries.
Bilgin Yachts in Turkey
The second World Boating Day, held on May 24, featured more than 100 events across 16 countries in key boating destinations around the world. Founded by The Superyacht Life Foundation in 2024, the World Boating Day invites shipyards, dealers, marinas, sailing clubs and other yachting bodies to celebrate of life on the water.
Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation, said: “World Boating Day isn’t just about celebration – it’s a global invitation to experience the joy, connection and wellbeing that life on the water offers. It’s a moment to open our world and share the spirit of boating with everyone.”
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Australia
Events in Asia included the Asia Superyacht Night Hong Kong on May 8, held during the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit. Later in the month, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Benoa Marina in Bali also honoured World Boating Day.
In Australia, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show celebrated the occasion on the Saturday of the four-day event, while Riviera opened its doors to the public, hosting curated tours and discussions on future-focused yacht building.
In Italy, Benetti hosted over 2,000 visitors at the Italian builder’s Livorno shipyard in an event that also played a part in Blu Livorno, the city’s new biennial event dedicated to the sea and water.
Cantiere Rossini in Pesaro, Marche region
Cantiere Rossini’s refit facility in Pesaro, in the Marche region, also celebrated World Boating Day, while 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 its official event on August 30.
In the Netherlands, the 7 Dutch Shipyards Press Tour gave media exclusive access to leading builders, with a focus on sustainability and next-generation design, while Royal Huisman, VMG Yachtbuilders and Vitters also offered a unique look at their heritage and upcoming projects.
Pulina Exclusive Interiors studio in Italy
In France, the historic Port Vauban in Antibes invited schoolchildren to the port to find out more about sustainability. Young Professionals in Yachting Monaco hosted a thought-provoking session introducing students and young professionals to the diverse world of nautical careers. In the UK, the UK Sailing Academy highlighted career pathways in the maritime industry.
In Turkey, Bilgin Yachts, Ses Yachts and Mengi Yay made a splash with immersive events to raise awareness of the superyacht industry, while the Turkish Shipbuilders Association hosted a showcase for students, bringing along some of the key personalities from the country’s shipbuilding industry.
The Turkish Shipbuilders Association
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.
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 the US, MarineMax and Pier Sixty-Six Marina in Florida held family-friendly events blending entertainment and education on the boating lifestyle.
MB92 Group in Spain
Based in Amsterdam, The Superyacht Life Foundation is a non-profit industry body that champions positive people, places and projects in the superyacht industry, and is supported by almost 30 multi-sector partners including the likes of Lürssen, Benetti, Sanlorenzo and CRN.
