Fort Lauderdale Private Boat Charter Haulover Sandbar

Steer your own route through Fort Lauderdale's waterways on a private pontoon

A private boat charter in Fort Lauderdale lets you cruise the New River and Intracoastal waterway on your own pontoon with Captain Mike, stopping at Haulover Sandbar, waterfront restaurants, or anywhere else you choose. Spot dolphins, manatees, and luxury homes along the way. The boat includes a floating mat, cooler with ice, and Bluetooth sound system, and you bring your own food and drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat charter and sandbar visit

• Board private pontoon boat
• Cruise Intracoastal waterway and New River
• Spot dolphins, manatees, and waterfront homes
• Anchor at Haulover Sandbar for swimming
• Optional stop at waterfront restaurants
• Enjoy custom day or night trip

The experience

Fort Lauderdale's waterways open up differently from a private boat. You navigate the New River, known as "America's Venice", and the Intracoastal on a comfortable pontoon that holds your group alone, with no schedule dictating where you stop or how long you stay. Captain Mike runs the boat. You decide whether the day centers on Haulover Sandbar, a quiet anchorage, a crawl of waterfront restaurants, or a mix of all three. The floating mat, cooler with ice, and water are already on board.

What you see depends on where you point the boat. Dolphins and manatees show up along the river. The mega yachts and waterfront mansions line the banks whether you're cruising at dawn or under the city lights at night. You can anchor at sandbars to swim, pull up to a restaurant dock for lunch, or just drift through the quieter stretches. The Bluetooth system plays your music the whole time.

Trips run anywhere from two hours to a full day, and every hour is built around what your group wants to do. Bring your own food and drinks (the cooler keeps them cold), and the experience stays entirely yours. Children ride comfortably. The boat suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Comfortable pontoon boat for your private group.
• Captain Mike as your guide.
• Bluetooth sound system.
• cooler with ice.
• water.
• and a large floating mat for the water.

Options for this experience

4 options

The QuickieGuide in English · No fixed timeLasts 1 hour. The Quickie: A quick, delightful escape on the water, ideal for a busy schedule and for sharing special moments with friends and family.

Quick 2-hour tripGuide in English · No fixed timeLasts 2 hours. Quick 2-hour trip: Cruise at a leisurely pace through the calm saltwater channels of Southeast Florida.

3 Hour TripGuide in English · No fixed timeLasts 3 hours. Awesome 3-hour trip: Find the most captivating cruise, gliding along scenic waterways and taking in the beauty of South Florida, day or night.

Private cruise or sandbar trip of 4 hours in Fort LauderdaleGuide in English · No fixed timeLasts 4 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Water Limo Pontoon Boat Charters

Is this one for you?Pick the length and stops that fit your group's pace: a quick two-hour spin through the waterways, a half-day anchored at Haulover Sandbar, or a full day mixing restaurants, sandbars, and wildlife spotting. Everything bends to what you want to do.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Haulover Sandbar like, and can we anchor there to swim?

Haulover Sandbar is a shallow anchorage in the Intracoastal where you can stop to swim and relax in the water. It's a popular spot on the charter route, and your captain can anchor there as part of your custom itinerary.

Can we stop at waterfront restaurants and bars along the New River?

Yes. The New River has waterfront restaurants and bars along its banks, and the charter can include stops at any of them. You pull up to the dock, spend as long as you want, and the boat waits for you.

What wildlife might we see on the water?

Dolphins and manatees are common along the New River and Intracoastal waterway. You'll also see luxury yachts and waterfront homes throughout the cruise, especially in the busier sections near the ports.

Do we need to bring our own food and drinks?

Yes, you bring whatever food and drinks you want. The boat includes a cooler full of ice to keep everything cold, and water is provided. This lets you customize your refreshments entirely.

How long does a charter typically run?

Charters range from two hours to a full eight-hour day, depending on what you want to do. You choose the length and the itinerary when you book.