Sea Magazine Goes International: Invited to the 25th Hong Kong International Boat Show
An Invitation Like No Other
When the email came in, I thought it was a mistake. Sea Magazine, invited to the 25th Hong Kong International Boat Show? A little niche, sure, but we've always been about big waters and big dreams. Yet this was something entirely different.
Hong Kong—where skyscrapers hug the horizon tighter than a sailor grips the wheel in a storm. A city where the future dances with tradition in a hypnotic waltz, and where this legendary boat show would be held at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club. I prepare to pack my bag and jump on a plane, curious to see how the East does a spectacle the West thinks it’s perfected.
Hong Kong vs. The US: Two Sides of the Nautical Coin
Boat shows in the US are big, brash affairs. Miami, Newport, Fort Lauderdale—they’re all about excess. Towering yachts that seem designed more for Instagram than the open sea. Plastic champagne flutes, sunburned brokers with spray-on tans, and the kind of deals that would make Wall Street blush.
Hong Kong? This is a different beast entirely. The 25th edition will be a blend of elegance and precision, where every yacht feels like it has a story to tell. Here, it’s less about flaunting wealth and more about celebrating craftsmanship. I'll walk the docks, surrounded by polished teak decks and steel rails that gleam under a moody November sky.
It’s not just the boats—it’s the people. In the US, you’ll see wannabe influencers posing on the bow of anything that floats. In Hong Kong, the crowd is quieter, more discerning. Owners, shipbuilders, and sailors who’ve crossed oceans just to be here. There’s respect for the sea, a reverence for the culture of boating that feels ancient and profound.
The Gold Coast: A Nautical Oasis
The Hong Kong Gold Coast isn’t just a venue; it’s a vibe. Nestled in Tuen Mun, it’s a slice of paradise that feels like it’s been carved out of a painting. Palm trees sway against a backdrop of the South China Sea, the water stretching out to kiss the horizon. On one side, you’ve got lush green mountains; on the other, high-rise buildings that remind you that yes, this is still Hong Kong, a city that never really sleeps.
The venue itself is a blend of luxury and utility. The marina is pristine, the kind of place where even the smallest fishing boat looks like it belongs in a James Bond movie. The surrounding area is dotted with upscale restaurants, chic boutiques, and the kind of markets that make you wonder if you’re getting a deal or being swindled—and somehow, you don’t mind either way.
Highlights of the Show
The show itself will be a feast. Sleek sailing yachts share space with motorboats that looked like they could outrun a hurricane. Local shipbuilders showcase vessels with a distinctly Asian flair—minimalist lines, traditional design elements, and a focus on efficiency that feels lightyears ahead of what you’d see back home.
Then there will be the toys. Submarines you could pilot solo, jet boards that scream across the water like they are auditioning for a sci-fi film, and drones designed to track your every move from the sky.
But what truly stands out are the conversations. These aren’t just sales pitches—they are stories of journeys, of battles with the sea, and of what it means to live a life defined by the water.
A Closing Thought
The Hong Kong International Boat Show isn’t just an event—it’s an experience. It’s proof that boating is more than just a hobby; it’s a way of life. Standing there on the dock, with the scent of salt in the air and the hum of the city just over the hills, I can't wait to feel it.
Sea Magazine belongs there—not just as a spectator but as a participant in this global dialogue about the water, the vessels that traverse it, and the people who dare to dream beyond the horizon.
So here’s to Hong Kong, the boats, and the journey ahead. Let’s see where the tide takes us next.
Charlie is Editor-in-Chief of Sea Magazine
