The third Malta Boat Show attracted more than 150 boats and yachts and around 70 exhibitors to Dockyard Creek in Malta's historic Three Cities, with Camper & Nicholsons Grand Harbour Marina serving as waterfront host. The event adds to Malta's international marine profile, already familiar to Afloat readers through the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
The four-day event, organised by Yachting Malta and the Ministry for Sustainable Mobility, concluded on Sunday, 1 November, with approximately 1.5km of quays occupied by motor yachts, sailing yachts, tenders, marine equipment and service providers.
International boat builders participated for the first time, while the new Malta Wake Show introduced a watersports element to the programme.
The show has expanded rapidly since its relaunch in 2024, when 80 boats and more than 45 exhibitors took part. The second edition in 2025 attracted 176 boats, with visitor numbers doubling and attendees travelling from 28 countries, according to Yachting Malta.
Harbour Showcase: Malta's historic Dockyard Creek hosted the four-day boat show, with approximately 1.5km of quays occupied by yachts, marine exhibitors and watersports displays. Photo: Andrea Azzopardi
Malta's Minister for Sustainable Mobility, Chris Bonett, said the event demonstrated the country's growing international maritime profile. He noted that Maltese marine businesses previously had to travel overseas to meet international companies and investors, whereas those visitors were now coming to Malta.
Describing the show as "a success for the industry", he linked its development to Malta Vision 2050 and the country's ambition to become an international maritime centre.
Gordon Vassallo, General Manager of Grand Harbour Marina, said: "It has been a privilege to welcome the Malta Boat Show to our waterfront. Watching Dockyard Creek fill with boats, builders and visitors from across Europe shows how popular Malta's yachting sector is. Grand Harbour Marina exists to bring the world's yachts to Malta, and supporting events like this is one of the most direct ways we can do that. We congratulate Yachting Malta and every exhibitor on a fantastic show."
After Dark: Motor yachts illuminated the waterfront at Grand Harbour Marina during the third Malta Boat Show, which attracted around 70 exhibitors and more than 150 boats and yachts. Photo: Andrea Azzopardi
Situated beneath the historic bastions of Birgu, Grand Harbour Marina provides year-round berthing for yachts and superyachts and is an established winter base for vessels operating in the central Mediterranean. Malta's Grand Harbour also hosted the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race start, which attracted a 108-yacht fleet in October.
The marina says hosting the boat show forms part of its longer-term commitment to Malta's marine industry, supporting international yacht builders, brokers and crews while generating business for marine services, chandlers and hospitality operators across Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua. The potential economic return from visiting large yachts is also a subject Afloat explores in its report on Ireland's developing superyacht market.
