BRITAIN'S biggest boat festival is floating back to Southampton to showcase its finest yachts, kayaks and dinghies this September.

Southampton International Boat Show will host debuts from more than 330 boats, including yachts such as the Dufour 390 Grand Large, and 600 global marine brands are expected to set up stalls for the ten-day event.

And this year, organisers of the show British Marine have taken on new headline sponsor Borrow A Boat to enable passionate boat-lovers a chance to sail onboard the luxury water attractions.

Visitors can test the waters through a range of on-the-sea experiences, including stand-up paddleboarding and a 72ft race yacht.

Daily Echo:

Mayflower Park will be filled with festivities as the annual show becomes even larger this year, after the marina was expanded in size to accommodate more boats and activities.

British Marine CEO Lesley Robinson said: “At Southampton International Boat Show, powered by Borrow A Boat we have an ideal location to get people on the water and this year we want to get even more people enjoying new experiences in, on and around the water. We’ll be showing just how accessible, inclusive and flexible boating and watersports can be with something for everyone to enjoy.”

Below is everything you need to know if you're a boat-lover attending the event this year.

When is Southampton International Boat Show 2019?

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Starting a day earlier than last year, the show returns to the city from Friday September 13 to Sunday September 22.

Thousands of guest speakers and businesses will be hosting talks across the entirety of the action-packed event, with live music being played and interactive attractions including the Ocean Scene Mini Cruise, which is complete with bars and sundecks onboard.

There'll also be a Seaside Storytime Ship, where visitors can listen to stories of on-the-water adventures and join readers from Southampton’s libraries.

A boating stage - for beginners and enthusiasts - will enable people to meet well-known sailing personalities and learn skills ahead of going out to sea.

What time does it start and where will it take place?

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The popular boat event starts at 9.30am every day and ends at 6.30pm, except for the last day on Sunday August 22, when the event will close at 6pm.

Mayflower Park, along Town Quay, will be the venue of choice for the boats to twinkle against the waters, which is situated next to River Test.

The venue is about a 10 minute walk from the Southampton City Centre.

How to get to Mayflower Park

If you're arriving by train, the closest railway station to the show is Southampton Central, which is about a 25-minute walk or 10-minute taxi journey. There is a taxi rank situated just outside the station.

The postcode for the event is SO15 1ST, which will take you to the show entrance.

AA road signs will direct those travelling by car. These signs are located on motorways M3, M27, M271 as well as main roads surrounding Southampton.

There are 4,000 parking spaces available in total at the West Quay Podium car park as well as their multi-storey. Find out more about parking here.

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Visitors getting to the event on a bus can stop at Bargate, High Street, or Town Quay as these stops are five-minute walks from Mayflower Park.

A ‘City Link’ bus runs between Southampton Central train station and Town Quay, near Bugle Street, every 15 minutes and costs £1.

Those heading from Isle of Wight or Hythe can hop on a Red Funnel or Hythe Ferry, and then take a five minute walk to the boat show after it reaches Southampton. Ferry tickets can be bought at the same time as you buy your show tickets.

If you are flying to the show, Southampton Airport is a 20 minute drive from Mayflower Park, or you can catch a train from Southampton Airport Parkway Station to Southampton Central.

You can also take a U1C bus into the town centre, which is a short walk away from the show location.

Find out everything you need to know about getting to Mayflower Park here.

How to get tickets to Southampton International Boat Show 2019

Daily Echo:

There are a number of ticket options available for the annual event this year.

If you want to join in with the fun for one day, you'll need an Any One Day pass. This gets you entry to the show for one day of your choice and is the best option for those unsure of a date they can definitely attend. These are priced at £22.

A 'Monday to Thursday' ticket allows visitors to attend for one day out of those four days for £16.50 while a Friday to Sunday ticket enables people to visit for one day of the weekend for a price of £21.

Two day tickets cost £30 alongside various VIP packages, with prices starting at £45 for perks including meals, private entrances and access to a VIP lounge.

One child under 15 can attend for free but tickets for additional children cost £10.

You can buy tickets here.

Southampton International Boat Show 2019 events

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One of the show's most key attractions this year is the Try-a-Boat feature, enabling visitors to set sail on-board a high-speed RIB or float across waters under sail.

Adventure-seekers can also look forward to entering this year's purpose-built Try-a-Dive tank which allows divers to breathe under water.

Here is a list of other features available throughout the ten-day show:

Boat and exhibitors showcase

The £1.135million Sunseeker Predator 60 EVO will be unveiled at the show, which is boat builder Sunseeker's first model of a new product development plan.

Amongst the 600 marine brands at the event will be Gulf Craft, Nautor's Swan, Iguana Yachts, Hydrolift, and York Marina.

Tall Ship Shtandart

This is a replica of the 1703 frigate warship built by Peter the Great where people can discover the history of the famous ship.

Ocean Scene Mini Cruise

A mini cruise ship with sundecks and bars

Radio Sailing Pool

A competitive racing pool for families and friends who can go head-to-head with each other and race their very own Dragon 65 yacht alongside other models

Get Afloat

Beginners or advanced, anyone can take part in watersports including dinghy sailing and paddleboarding with the added expertise of Rockley Watersports team.

Boating stage

Speakers and well-known sailing personalities will be based at this stage, which is a space where the audience can come to meet hosts of guest talks as well as learn skills and insights from the most experienced.

Virtual Sailing Royal Yachting Association (RYA) will be on deck to provide a virtual reality experience allowing players to compete against other users at the show.

They will also have a stand outside the Holiday Inn Hotel and be providing talks on the Foredeck Stage throughout the show to provide top tips to help protect waters and the wildlife.

Talks by the RYA take place at:

Sat 14th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Sun 15th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Mon 16th – 14:30 to 15:00 – Marlow Ropes Stand (J300)

Sat 21st – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Rum and Gin Bar

Alcoholic beverages can be bought and tasted at this bar.

Seaside Storytime Ship

The storytime ship is a peaceful area where people can go to join readers from Southampton's libraries and hear stories about people braving the waters.

Environment clean-up

An operation to help protect and support the coastal habitat and wildlife will be open to the public during the show, with an Environmental Award set to be launched at this year’s show to recognise exhibitors who have significantly reduced their environmental impact at the event.