The annual BC Boat Show returns to Sidney, British Columbia, from April 30 through May 3, 2026, welcoming thousands of visitors to the Port Sidney Marina for the West Coast’s largest in-the-water boat show.
Organized by the British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association, the event showcases more than 200 new and used watercraft. Visitors can explore a wide variety of vessels, ranging from paddle boards to luxury yachts, spread across 2,000 feet of dock space. Show Manager Steven Threadkell expects between 3,000 and 5,000 attendees this year, noting that the event has become a primary destination for serious boat shoppers.
The 2026 show features 13 exhibitor booths, and attendees may see new technology like the Arc electric wake boat. Additionally, the Mill Bay Marine Group will have the heritage boat Providence on-site for guests to explore, with free ice cream served on board. With the recent removal of the federal luxury sales tax on boats, industry experts anticipate that shoppers will find more competitive pricing on new vessels during this year’s season-opening event.
The show is accessible to visitors traveling to the community of 12,318 residents. To help manage traffic, organizers are providing a free shuttle service from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, and free parking is available at the top of Beacon Avenue in Sidney.
Daily admission to the show is $15 per person, with a reduced rate of $14 for seniors and students. Children 16 and under can enter for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The event will be open on Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, May 2, the show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, May 3, it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The marine industry remains a vital part of the local economy in Sidney, which serves as a gateway to major cruising destinations in the Salish Sea.
