Dubai International Boat Show 2023: Everything to Expect

Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is the largest and most established boat show in the UAE, GCC and Middle East. Whether you want to buy a boat, discover luxury yachts and superyachts, explore the latest diving and aquatic innovations or ride the sparkling waves, it’s the perfect event to live a little more.

Making a return in 2023, the DIBS is once again set to be an unmissable marine and luxury lifestyle event. Showcasing the finest in luxury superyachts and leisure craft from around the globe, this truly world-class event brings together boat buyers, sellers and enthusiasts.

Relocating to the glamourous location of Dubai Harbour in March 2022, the DIBS is situated in a world-class maritime neighbourhood like no other. With its cosmopolitan lifestyle, unprecedented marina berth mix, the region's most advanced cruise terminals and extraordinary location, Dubai Harbour is the ideal home of the world-renowned boat show.

Some of the largest and most exciting yachts in attendance this year include:

SOARING

Ocean Independence will be exhibiting at the Dubai International Boat Show for the first time, with the stunning 68-metre Soaring on display. Her exterior design and interior design is by Focus Yacht Design, with naval architecture penned by Abeking & Rasmussen.

Soaring is a bespoke superyacht built for an experienced owner with a demanding brief. Some of the requests of the owner included a private owner’s deck with an aft looking grand master suite, the biggest possible tender and a gym complete with a wellness centre with direct access to the water.

"We are happy to be able to offer a new and premium-quality vessel with Soaring. The design, the layout and, of course, the quality of this 68-metre yacht engineered by one of the most prestigious yards worldwide into a very attractive offer in this very popular size," commented Peter Hürzeler, Managing Partner of Ocean Independence.

In terms of performance, Soaring has a top speed of 16 knots, a cruising speed of 14 knots, a fuel capacity of 180 litres, and a water capacity of 39 litres. She also has a range of 4,500 nautical miles.

SX 88

Represented by Sanlorenzo's Middle East dealer, the shipyard will display one of its most acclaimed models, the SX88 crossover, which prides itself on introducing a new type of yacht to the market.

SX88, a synthesis between the classic motor yacht with flying bridge and the explorer typology, is designed for true sea-going enthusiasts, experienced and demanding owners, who choose to experience their craft in a new and dynamic way, in constant connection with the external environment.

The most valued feature of this 27-metre yacht is the opportunity to completely open the space from stern to bow, thus creating a truly open loft.

77m+ 'BEACH' Line Trio

Dutch design studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design has announced the launch of a new line of superyachts. Named ‘BEACH’, the new series features three distinctive designs in three impressive lengths: 77m, 88m, and 99m.

The BEACH series' interior style is relaxed and informal, whilst remaining open to individual accents in art, furniture, and colour to accommodate an owner's personal taste and style. Each yacht length boasts full-height glass façades at the higher deck cabins and lounges, to offer bounds of natural light and create a feeling of limitless space between the indoors and outdoors.

Sustainability

This year's show also features a programme of initiatives to promote sustainability, combining community, creativity, and a love for our oceans.

Dubai Can is a sustainability initiative by the Crown Prince of Dubai that aims to protect the environment by reducing single-use plastic water bottles across the city. There has since been a saving of more than 5 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles at the public fountains across the city.

Trust Your Water is a water solution company with expert personnel who have a thorough knowledge of water purification and sanitation. TYW have partnered with DIBS to provide filtered water throughout the show at water stations for every visitor to use and refill their bottles. 

SunKiss is created with Sustainability and CSR in mind: reef friendly formulations, employee wellness programme, proudly made in the UAE minimising the carbon footprint, and presented in aluminium - refillable, reusable and recyclable bottles.

Ethical Yacht Wear was founded to fill a gap in the crew uniform market by supplying 100% ethical, sustainable material, 100% fair trade crew uniform, having prevented over half a million plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans through sustainable uniform.

Additonally, over 40 UAE schools in the GEMS Education network will take part in a DIBS-led art competition to celebrate World Whale Day. 

Since its inception in 2004, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project has rehabilitated an incredible 1,600 turtles, releasing them back into their natural habitat.

In January 2023, Atlantic Ocean Row completed 5,252 un-aided row across the Atlantic. In partnership with unep clean seas initiative, come to hear about their journey and sustainability efforts.

The show remains an opportunity for exhibitors and visitors to come together in an incredible setting, surrounded by the latest in yacht technology and design. With plenty of opportunities, this event is a must for your 2023 yachting calendar.