Fort Lauderdale: Private Boat Tour with Captain & Coolers

Summary

Private boat day in fort lauderdale with captain and sandbar stop

You’ll board a private boat in Fort Lauderdale with a local captain who keeps things fun and easygoing. Cruise past waterfront homes before anchoring at the sandbar for swimming or floating (all gear included). Bring your own drinks—ice and coolers are ready—and soak up city views from the water. It’s relaxed, social, and feels like summer should.

What’s the experience like?

“You brought enough snacks for an army?” our captain joked as we climbed onto the Sea Ray at the dock in Fort Lauderdale. I liked him right away — he had that easy way of talking that makes you feel like you’re already friends. The boat felt solid under my feet, sun already warming the seats. We stashed our bags in one of the coolers (ice was included, which honestly saved us), and someone from our group immediately started arguing about who got to DJ first. Typical.

The ride out was smoother than I expected. There’s something about gliding past those waterfront houses — some with little dogs barking on balconies, others just silent behind their big glass windows — that made me wonder what it’d be like to live here year-round. Our guide pointed out a few famous places but didn’t overdo it; mostly he let us just take it in. The city looked different from the water — more relaxed somehow, less showy than I thought it’d be.

We anchored at the sandbar after maybe 30 minutes? Hard to say — time gets weird when you’re laughing and passing around cold drinks (yes, you can bring your own alcohol). The water was warm and shallow enough to stand in, kind of soft underfoot with patches of sea grass. Someone handed me a floating noodle and I just drifted for a while, listening to distant music from another boat and smelling sunscreen mixed with salt air. At one point I tried saying “cheers” in Spanish to a group nearby; Li laughed when I butchered it but they smiled anyway.

I didn’t expect to feel so far away from everything — even though downtown Fort Lauderdale was right there behind us. When we finally headed back, sunburnt and salty, I kept thinking about how simple it all felt: just good company, water everywhere, nothing fancy but nothing missing either. Still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat trip to Fort Lauderdale sandbar

• Meet the captain
• Boat ride to sandbar
• Enjoy sun and water
• View city skyline

Top questions

How long is the private boat rental in Fort Lauderdale?

The private boat rental lasts 4 hours total.

Does the tour include a captain?

Yes, a local captain is included for your trip.

Can we bring our own alcohol on board?

Yes, you can bring your own alcohol on this tour.

Are water and ice provided during the trip?

Yes, both water and ice are included along with two coolers.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The maximum capacity is 8 people per booking.

Is there swimming or floating equipment available?

Yes, floating devices are provided for use at the sandbar.

Where does the boat stop during the tour?

The main stop is at the sandbar near Fort Lauderdale Beachfront.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes a private Sea Ray boat with a friendly local captain guiding you through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. Water, ice, two coolers for your own drinks or snacks, plus floating devices for relaxing at the sandbar are all part of the experience before returning to shore together.