? Port Canaveral is now the world's busiest cruise port, with 4,072,396 multi-day passengers setting sail in 2022, according to the Florida Ports Council.

For 2026, the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, remains the premier destination for shark encounters in the United States. It offers two distinct experiences: cage diving for those who want a barrier and cageless snorkeling for the more adventurous. In these crystal-clear waters, you are virtually guaranteed to see Galapagos, Sandbar, and occasionally Tiger sharks. Another top-tier location is Jupiter, Florida, famous for its "Shark Alley" where you can drift-dive with Lemon, Reef, and Bull sharks in the warm Gulf Stream. For those on the West Coast, San Diego offers unique seasonal opportunities to swim with Mako and Blue sharks in the open ocean. These tours are led by marine biologists and emphasize conservation, turning a "scary" bucket-list item into an educational experience that highlights the vital role sharks play in the marine ecosystem.

As of early 2026, Port Canaveral holds the title of the busiest cruise port in both Florida and the world, officially surpassing PortMiami in annual passenger movements. In the 2025 fiscal year, it handled over 8.6 million revenue passenger movements, marking a historic high. The port's strategic location in Brevard County—serving as a gateway to the Orlando theme parks and the Space Coast—has fueled its massive growth. While PortMiami remains a close second and is often referred to as the "Cruise Capital of the World" due to its sheer number of luxury cruise brands and iconic skyline, Port Canaveral’s expansion of terminals and parking facilities has allowed it to handle more daily volume. For cargo, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Port Tampa Bay are among the busiest in the state, with Port Tampa Bay leading in terms of total tonnage due to its significant role in moving petroleum and bulk materials.

The busiest port in Florida by total cargo tonnage is Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT).

However, it’s important to note the distinction between different types of “busiest”:

1. Overall Cargo Volume (Tonnes): Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT) consistently leads in total cargo tonnage, handling a diverse mix of containers, vehicles, bulk, and breakbulk cargo.

2. Container Traffic (TEUs - Twenty-foot Equivalent Units): For containerized goods (the standard shipping box measure), PortMiami is the leader. It is often called the “Cargo Gateway of the Americas” and is the closest U.S. port to the Panama Canal, specializing in containerized cargo and cruise passengers.

3. Cruise Passengers: By a massive margin, PortMiami is the busiest cruise port in the world, often dubbed the “Cruise Capital of the World.”

Key Ports at a Glance:

• Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT):

  • Claim: Busiest overall cargo port in Florida.
  • Strengths: Largest total tonnage, major hub for automobiles, Asian and South American container trade, and a strategic military outload port.

• PortMiami:

  • Claim: Busiest container port (by TEUs) and busiest cruise port in Florida (and the world).
  • Strengths: Deep dredge allows it to serve the largest container ships, premier hub for Latin American trade and global cruise lines.

• Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale):

  • A close competitor in both container cargo and cruise passengers, often ranking just behind PortMiami in both categories. It’s also a major hub for petroleum and fuel storage.

• Port Tampa Bay:

  • The largest port in Florida by land area and a major hub for bulk cargo like petroleum, fertilizers, and agricultural products. It is also a growing container and cruise port.

In summary: If you mean busiest by the total volume of all goods moved, it’s JAXPORT. If you mean busiest for shipping containers or cruise ships, it’s PortMiami.