When you picture the Southampton International Boat Show, dogs probably aren’t the first thing that spring to mind. Superyachts, sailing boats and paddleboards? Absolutely. A day out with your dog? Perhaps less obviously.
But with the show taking over Mayflower Park and Southampton’s waterfront for ten days every September, we wanted to find out whether this huge boating event could also work as a dog friendly day out. So, we headed to Southampton International Boat Show 2026 with Archie to see what it’s actually like to visit with a dog.
Is Southampton International Boat Show dog friendly?
Yes, and we were actually really impressed by how dog friendly it was.
There were plenty of other dogs exploring the show when we visited and we didn’t come across any areas where Archie wasn’t allowed, aside from the boats themselves. He joined us around the marina, through the main indoor hall and into the various food and drink areas without any problems.
One thing that particularly stood out was the number of water bowls around the show. There were loads dotted around, which was really good to see and made it feel as though dogs had genuinely been considered rather than simply being allowed through the gates. We also spotted dog treats on a few of the stands. We didn’t personally get offered any, but I’d imagine if you stop for a proper conversation with one of the exhibitors, your dog may well benefit too!
Can dogs go on the boats at Southampton Boat Show?
Generally, dogs aren’t allowed onto the superyachts – which is completely understandable.
That didn’t stop Archie from getting a very brief taste of superyacht life, though… Two incredibly kind owners allowed us to get a quick photo with him. On one boat he sat on the mat at the front, while on another I carried him aboard for a picture. These were very much exceptions rather than the rule, so I certainly wouldn’t visit expecting your dog to be allowed onto the boats.
For us, this wasn’t an issue though. There is so much to see around the marina itself that we still felt we could experience the show properly with Archie in tow. But it’s worth baring in mind if you’re visiting solo with a dog and want to step on board the super yachts.
What is Southampton Boat Show actually like?
The Southampton International Boat Show is one of Europe’s largest on-water events and the biggest show of its kind in the UK. For 2026, more than 500 boats were on display, including over 250 within the purpose-built marina (as in on the actual water). At one end of the scale you could find paddleboards, kayaks and dinghies; at the other was the enormous 27 metre Sunseeker 90 Ocean.
But it’s important to know that you don’t have to be in the market for a boat (and you don’t have to pretend). The atmosphere was really relaxed and welcoming. The staff on board the boats are more than happy for you to look around and ask questions (with the exception of a few, which are by appointment only).
Is it worth visiting if you’re not into boats?
Yes. We would definitely recommend it. There was enough variety to make wandering around genuinely interesting. Alongside the hundreds of boats, we spotted everything from narrowboats to cars and even motorbikes.
There are also opportunities to actually get out on the water, including powerboats and RIBs. Visitors can try kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake, while there’s even a dive tank for those who fancy trying scuba diving.
More than 110 talks, workshops and demonstrations also formed part of the 2026 programme. We weren’t particularly interested in the talks ourselves, but there was plenty happening throughout the site. The main indoor hall was probably the one part that felt much more geared towards serious boating enthusiasts. Expect lots of engines, equipment, technology and different boat parts. If you actually own a boat, you could probably spend a considerable amount of time in there. For us, it was more of a quick wander through.
Shopping was also quite limited unless, again, you were shopping for something boat-related. I wouldn’t visit expecting rows of lifestyle stalls or lots of opportunities for general shopping.
But as somewhere to wander around, nose at some spectacular boats and spend a few hours doing something a little different, we really enjoyed it.
Tips for visiting Southampton Boat Show with a dog?
There are a few things worth bearing in mind if you’re planning to bring your dog. Firstly, be particularly careful around the marina. You’ll be walking along pontoons with water on either side, so we’d recommend keeping your dog on a short lead – even if they’re not normally tempted to jump into water. It would be surprisingly easy for a distracted dog to end up taking an unexpected swim.
It’s also worth considering when you visit. We went on a Wednesday and found the show fairly quiet, but I can imagine weekends being much busier, particularly around the marina.
Dogs are welcome in the food and drink areas, although these were among the noisier parts of the show, with music playing and plenty going on around you.
There isn’t a huge amount of shade outdoors either. As the show takes place towards the end of September this hopefully won’t be too much of an issue, but on a warmer day the indoor hall provides somewhere covered to take a break. There are plenty of water bowls dotted around the show, but as always, we’d still recommend carrying your own water and bowl just in case.
Ultimately, you know your dog best. Confident dogs who are comfortable with crowds, noise and unfamiliar environments should have a great day, but it may not be the right event for dogs who find busy places overwhelming.
Planning your visit
Southampton International Boat Show 2026 runs from 18th – 27th September 2026 at Mayflower Park in Southampton.
The show features more than 500 watercraft, including over 250 boats in its purpose-built marina, alongside demonstrations, talks, food and drink, entertainment and opportunities to get out on the water.
Children aged 15 and under can attend free when accompanied by an adult, while adult tickets are available online from £29 and concessions from £23.
The DOG Verdict
Southampton International Boat Show gets a definite paws up from us. We went expecting dogs to be tolerated rather than particularly catered for, but the number of water bowls, the amount of other dogs around and the fact that Archie could join us almost everywhere made it feel genuinely dog friendly.
More importantly, we enjoyed the event itself. You absolutely don’t need to own a boat, be looking to buy one or even know much about boating to have a good day here.
Would we return? Definitely – although it’s probably the kind of event we’d personally visit every other year rather than annually.
Best for: Confident dogs who are comfortable with crowds and busy environments
Dog friendly: Yes – although dogs generally aren’t permitted aboard the boats
Worth visiting if you’re not into boats? Surprisingly, yes
Our tip: Visit midweek if you can for a potentially quieter experience
PR visit, but as always, opinions are our own 🤍
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