The excitement of sunnier days and warming waters surrounding Hilton Head Island are always cause for pre-summer boating season excitement. The eleventh-annual Hilton Head Island Boat Show, one of the premier in-water boat shows in the Southeast is showcasing everything required to start enjoying life on the water. According to boat show organizers, one of the unique things about the Hilton Head Island Boat Show is the ability for attendees to schedule appointments for sea trials, which are essentially test drives on the water.
The harbor of the South Carolina Yacht Club at Windmill Harbour is transformed into the weekend home for magnificent boat displays, recreational watercraft, Coast Guard and Sea Tow demonstrations, boating and fishing seminars and demonstrations, seminars, Artisan & Nautical Village, Resort wear Fashion Show, children’s activities and much more.
New this year is Taste of the Harbour. An upscale wine, spirits and culinary celebration is sure to become a marquee event for the Hilton Head Island Boat Show—especially with this year’s special guest vintners, Rob and Lydia Mondavi. Taste of the Harbour will take place on the Promenade of the South Carolina Yacht Club. The tasting events will take place over Friday and Saturday of the Boat Show weekend: Friday evening, 6:30-9:30 p.m. – VIP Patron Preview Party; Saturday afternoon, 4 – 7 p.m. – Lowcountry Pop-Up; VIP Wine Tasting with Rob and Lydia Mondavi, 6-7:30 p.m.
The show takes place on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Advance admission is $12 per person with children 12 and under free. At the gate, admission is $15 per person. Free parking is available in several locations throughout the Windmill Harbour neighborhood, with free trolley shuttle service to the South Carolina Yacht Club. Entry to the show is not permitted by boat, and the show takes place rain or shine.
The private South Carolina Yacht Club will be open to the public for dining, tours of the clubhouse and facilities. The South Carolina Yacht Club Grill will also have a special Boat Show menu for attendees available from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Windmill Harbour Marina is one of only three private locked harbors on the east coast, with boat slip rentals and storage available to the public. The private, Windmill Harbour gated community offers unparalleled security and convenience to boat owners.
Tickets and additional information are available online at www.hiltonheadislandboatshow.com.