In early November 2025, Doha’s waterfront played host to a dazzling celebration of maritime luxury, innovation and heritage: the second-edition of the Qatar Boat Show.
The setting – where heritage meets horizon
Old Doha Port, once a working pearl-diving and fishing harbour, has been transformed into a contemporary luxury marina — complete with berths for superyachts up to 160 m in length.
In this setting, the Boat Show unfolded as more than an exhibition: it was a showpiece of Qatar’s ambition to become a global yachting hub, anchored in its maritime roots and propelled into the future.
Numbers that speak volumes
Some of the headline figures include:
- 505 global and regional brands participated, along with 85 exhibitors — a roughly 25 % increase over the inaugural 2024 edition.
- More than 65 luxury yachts on display, from 25 nations.
- Over 50 % of exhibitors were Qatari companies — signalling a growing domestic marine industry.
- Some 55 % of the yachts on show were 2025 models — underscoring the “what’s-new” angle of the show.
In short: the growth-trajectory is more than linear. It suggests the show is now genuinely playing in the big leagues of global boat shows.
Highlights on the water & on the shore
Global and regional launches
The show featured high-profile yacht premieres: the 74-metre “Ultra Vultra” by Amels and the “Ultima 55” from Sunreef were among the headliners. Regional builders such as Al Shaali Marine, Seven Craft and locally-based Tornado, Halul and Belhambar also disclosed new models.
Lifestyle & experiences
Beyond hulls and hardware, the show made no compromise on atmosphere: floating cafés, gourmet food-pop-ups, live music, art installations (e.g., the “Oshar” art gallery) and a drone-fireworks spectacular lighting up the marina at dusk.
Interactive zones included dive-tank shows, surfing simulators and fishing activations — broadening the appeal beyond the yacht-broker crowd.
Networking & business
As much as luxury yachts, the show showcased Qatar’s business intent. With a dense gathering of builders, brokers, marine-tech OEMs and high-net-worth visitors, the event positioned itself as a serious trade-and-deal platform for the region. Observers noted that Qatar now has one of the world’s highest fleet-to-billionaire ratios and is investing heavily in marina infrastructure.
Strategic significance for Qatar
The show sits at the intersection of luxury lifestyle and national strategy. Some insights:
- The event aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 which emphasises economic diversification, tourism growth and enhancing Qatar’s maritime capabilities.
- With 700 km of coastline and nearly 1,900 berths (including 108 designed for superyachts up to 160 m), Qatar is building the infrastructure to back up ambition.
- Local shipyards and marine technology firms are stepping up: the prominence of Qatari exhibitors and launching of locally-built vessels reflect a shift from pure import-and-display to build-and-innovate.
In short, the show is both a mirror of current success and a compass for future growth.
The charter takeaway: What does this mean for yacht-charter, for buyers and for the region?
- For charter brokers: The focus on new models and high-end superyachts signals an expanding charter inventory in the Gulf. Qatar is elevating itself from “nice port of call” to “destination of choice”.
- For buyers: The presence of world-class brands and local manufacturing means better access, shorter lead-times and regional support for ownership — plus the attractive backdrop of Qatar’s luxury ecosystem (marinas, hotels, services).
- For charter guests: The show-quality amenities and entertainment along the waterfront (floating cafés, drone shows, live performances) give a taste of what a luxury yacht stay in Qatar could look like.
- For the region: It further cements the Arabian Gulf (Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi) as a genuine high-end yachting corridor, not just a seasonal port of call.
Final thoughts
The Qatar Boat Show 2025 was not just another boat show. It was a statement. Qatar used the event to pivot its maritime narrative from emerging to established. With the gleam of superyachts, the hum of live entertainment and the buzz of business deals, Old Doha Port became both a showcase and a harbour for what’s next.
The Gulf is no longer just a sun-and-sea stopover — it’s a full-blown luxury maritime destination.
