World Boating Day Returns May 23 and the Industry Is Invited

Recreational boating will take center stage globally as World Boating Day returns May 23. The international celebration unites the boating community and welcomes new audiences to discover the lifestyle. Last year's celebration included 100 events in 18 countries, reaching more than 21 million people worldwide.

World Boating Day 2026 centers on the theme "What Floats Your Boat?" and will feature boating-centric events throughout the week of May 18-24, aligning with the start of the summer boating season.

For NMMA members and the broader marine industry, World Boating Day presents a coordinated opportunity to engage new and existing audiences through local and digital activations. Dealerships, yacht clubs, rental operators and waterfront communities can host open houses, on-water demonstrations and educational experiences designed to meet a range of interest levels.

Local activations also provide opportunities for businesses to connect directly with prospective customers, showcase products and services, and build relationships within their communities. Each new participant represents potential long-term engagement that supports industry growth and workforce development.

Discover Boating is supporting World Boating Day through coordinated promotion across its channels, including email, web and social media. These efforts are designed to increase visibility for participating businesses and drive awareness of the initiative.

Participants are encouraged to share event content using #WorldBoatingDay and tagging @WorldBoatingDay and @DiscoverBoating to help amplify reach.

Register your event or learn how to participate HERE.