Sanctuary Cove Boat Show 2026 Wrap-Up | 36° Brokers

Another Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has come and gone, and after four days on the docks, countless conversations and more boat tours than we can count, we're heading home with plenty to be excited about.

Leading into the show, it looked like Mother Nature might have other plans. The Gold Coast experienced some serious rain and flooding during setup week, making life pretty difficult for exhibitors and contractors trying to get everything ready. Thankfully, the weather turned just in time. While it remained a little windy throughout the event, the rain stayed away, the sun came out, and Sanctuary Cove was back to looking exactly as it should.

One thing that stood out this year was just how much effort Beneteau put into its display. Visitors were welcomed through a dedicated Beneteau exhibition space before making their way down to an impressive on-water showcase featuring eight models. It created a great experience for visitors and gave people the opportunity to compare a wide range of boats in one place.

For us, one of the standout boats of the show was undoubtedly the new Beneteau Oceanis 52 making its APAC debut. Arriving as BEeneteau celebrates 40 years of the Oceanis range, the new model attracted plenty of attention throughout the week.

What impressed us most was the cockpit layout. It's quite different to previous Oceanis models and feels like a genuine step forward in the way the space is used. Whether you're entertaining at anchor, sailing offshore or simply enjoying time with family and friends, the layout just works. It was one of those boats that had people staying onboard longer than they planned because there was always something else to look at.

The Beneteau First 44 continued to attract plenty of attention from performance-minded sailors, while the Swift Trawler 48 reminded visitors why it remains one of the most popular long-distance cruising boats in the range.

Over in the multihull world, the Australian premiere of the Excess 13 proved to be another major talking point.

For us, it was particularly rewarding to see the response the boat received. Earlier this year, we delivered an Excess 13 to New Zealand owners through the European Delivery programme, with the owners now enjoying the Mediterranean cruising season and making the most of everything the model was designed for.

It was easy to see why the Excess 13 generated so much interest throughout the show. The boat offers a refreshing mix of sailing performance, practicality and modern living, appealing to owners who still enjoy being actively involved at the helm while wanting the comfort and space expected from a modern cruising catamaran.

Thursday evening was another highlight. As the sun began to set over the marina, the Excess 13 hosted a relaxed cocktail event that quickly became one of the most enjoyable social gatherings of the week. With live music playing, drinks flowing and a spectacular Gold Coast sunset providing the backdrop, it was easy to understand why the boat has developed such a strong following.

The growing list of awards certainly doesn't hurt either, with the Excess 13 continuing its impressive run of international recognition since launching last year.

 

Lagoon also drew plenty of attention throughout the event, particularly as more sailors look for ways to combine cruising, remote work and extended travel.

One trend that became increasingly obvious throughout the show was how manufacturers are designing boats around the reality of modern life. More owners are spending longer periods onboard and many are working remotely while cruising.

The Lagoon 38 and Lagoon 43 both feature dedicated workspaces within their owner-focused layouts, while the upcoming Lagoon 47 introduces a flexible "Smart Room" that can be configured as a guest cabin, utility room, dressing room or home office depending on the owner's needs.

It's a simple idea, but one that reflects how much cruising has changed over the past decade.

Of course, Sanctuary Cove is about far more than the boats.

One of the things we always enjoy most is catching up with dealers, factory representatives and owners from around the world. These events provide a great opportunity to share ideas, learn what's happening in different markets and hear firsthand how owners are using their boats.

The setting certainly helps too.

Sanctuary Cove has a completely different feel to many boat shows. The marina, restaurants, waterfront boardwalks and village atmosphere make it a genuinely enjoyable place to spend a few days. Golf carts zip around everywhere, people move between displays at a relaxed pace and there's always somewhere to stop for a coffee, a drink or a good conversation.

And if you happen to sneak away for a round of golf while you're there, don't be surprised if a few kangaroos join you on the course.

Most importantly, the show reinforced something we've been seeing for a while now. While buyers remain considered in their decision-making, there is still strong interest in quality boats, particularly those that offer genuine cruising capability, practical layouts and a clear sense of purpose.

A huge thank you to BENETEAU, Lagoon, Excess, the wider dealer network and everyone who took the time to stop by and chat with the 36° Brokers team throughout the week.

If you've never been to Sanctuary Cove, we'd highly recommend putting it on the bucket list. There really is no better place in the Southern Hemisphere to step aboard such a diverse range of boats, compare options side-by-side and immerse yourself in the boating lifestyle for a few days. We're already looking forward to next year.

If you couldn't make it to Sanctuary Cove this year, don't worry. We can still help you explore many of the models that were on display. Whether you're interested in a new Beneteau, Lagoon or Excess, our team can organise private viewings, sea trials, factory visits and help answer any questions about ownership, specifications and delivery options. 

Sometimes the best boat-buying conversations happen away from the crowds.

Contact the team at 36 Degrees Brokers today :)