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Don’t just visit the Chesapeake Bay

Explore, unwind, and create memories on the water.

Imagine a Saturday morning on the water. Coffee on the dock as Annapolis wakes up. Cruising by historic waterfronts. Anchoring in a quiet cove with friends and family. Enjoying dinner at a waterfront restaurant before heading back as the sun sets over the harbor.

That’s the Chesapeake lifestyle.

With miles of shoreline, charming waterfront towns, protected waters, and endless places to discover, the Bay offers a unique combination of adventure and accessibility. It feels like a getaway, but it’s closer than you think.

Every fall, the Annapolis Powerboat Show brings that lifestyle to downtown Annapolis.

From October 8–11, City Dock transforms into a waterfront experience where visitors can step aboard hundreds of boats, explore the latest innovations, meet boating experts, and discover what life on the water could look like.

You don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the show. You just have to be curious.

Find Your Place on the Water

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is your chance to explore the many ways to enjoy the Chesapeake.

Looking for a way to spend weekends with family and friends? Explore spacious pontoon boats and deck boats built for relaxing, entertaining, and making memories on the water. Interested in adventure? Discover center consoles designed for exploring, fishing, and cruising the Bay’s many destinations. Dreaming about longer escapes? Step aboard cruisers and yachts built for comfortable weekends and extended adventures.

Every boat offers a different way to experience the water. The show gives you the opportunity to see them all in one place, compare options, ask questions, and imagine what your own Chesapeake adventures might look like.

More Than a Boat Show

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is about more than boats. It’s about the people, places, and experiences that make life on the water special.

Spend the day exploring the docks, then continue your Annapolis adventure beyond the show grounds. Enjoy waterfront dining, browse local shops, stroll historic streets, and take in views of one of the most beautiful harbors on the Chesapeake. Meet passionate boaters, connect with marine experts, discover new products and innovations, and experience the energy of Annapolis’s signature fall events.

From first-time visitors to longtime boating enthusiasts, there is something new on every dock.

Discover How Easy It Is to Get Started

Not a boater yet, and not sure where to begin? The Annapolis Powerboat Show makes the first step easier by giving you the chance to learn, ask questions, and experience life on the water firsthand.

Explore educational opportunities designed for every level of interest. Attend free seminars led by boating experts, learn more about navigation and safety, and discover resources that will help you feel comfortable on the water.

Visitors may also experience boats in action at the PropTalk Demo Dock, where select models are available for on-water sea trials. For those looking to build their skills, BoatUS on-water training offers hands-on instruction to help new boaters gain confidence at the helm.

The Annapolis Powerboat Show is more than a place to see boats. It’s a place to explore the boating lifestyle.

Your Next Adventure Is Waiting

The Chesapeake Bay offers endless ways to make the water part of your life.

A quiet morning cruise. A waterfront lunch. An afternoon anchored with friends. A new hobby waiting to be discovered. The Annapolis Powerboat Show brings those possibilities together in one unforgettable weekend.

Come curious. Walk the docks. Step aboard. Experience the boating lifestyle for yourself.