Fort Lauderdale: Private Sailing Charter & Captain, 4 Hours

Summary

Private sailing in fort lauderdale with captain and flexible route

You’ll drift past wild mansions and mega-yachts on this private Fort Lauderdale sailing charter, maybe spotting dolphins or manatees along the way. Take the wheel if you’re brave, relax in shaded seats with your own snacks, and soak up quiet moments with a local captain guiding you through hidden corners of the waterway.

What’s the experience like?

“You wanna try steering?” Captain Rick grinned at me, hands loose on the wheel like he’d done this a thousand times. I was still watching the water shift from green to this weird silvery blue as we left the dock in Fort Lauderdale — honestly, I didn’t think I’d actually take him up on it. But something about the way he said it made me want to say yes, so I did. The boat felt solid but also kind of alive under my feet. There was music playing somewhere (classic rock? maybe yacht rock?), and my friend had already found the shady spot near the cooler. She brought her own iced coffee — smart move.

The sun hit different out here, not sharp but sort of soft around the edges. We passed these ridiculous mansions along the water — one had a statue of a dolphin bigger than my first apartment. Rick told us stories about which yachts belonged to who (I forgot most of them except for “that’s where Gloria Estefan’s cousin lives” — he might’ve been joking). Sometimes you’d catch a whiff of sunscreen or salt, sometimes just that faint engine smell from another boat passing by. We watched for dolphins and manatees; saw one turtle poke its head up like it was checking if we were worth its time.

I tried steering for maybe five minutes before chickening out — it’s harder than it looks! Rick didn’t laugh but I could tell he wanted to. He showed us how to read the wind and let me pull a line (I still have rope burn on my hand). At some point we just drifted and listened to nothing but water slapping against the hull and some seagulls arguing overhead. It was weirdly peaceful; I didn’t expect that part to stick with me.

We could’ve stayed docked or gone further out — Rick said it was totally our call, that’s what makes this private sailing charter easygoing. There’s a shower if you get too hot (I did), and you can bring whatever food or drinks you want. Next time I’ll pack better snacks — chips don’t hold up in Florida humidity, lesson learned.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 4-hour Fort Lauderdale sailing charter

• Board the sailing boat
• Customize your sailing experience
• Sail out or stay docked
• Relax on shaded seating
• Listen to Bluetooth music
• Bring and store food and drinks
• Use fresh water shower if needed
• Take a turn at the wheel
• Cruise by mansions and yachts
• Watch for dolphins and marine life
• Return to dock

Top questions

How long is the Fort Lauderdale sailing charter?

The charter lasts 4 hours total.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes, you're welcome to bring your own food and beverages on board.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, restrooms are available on board during your cruise.

Are pets allowed on this sailing tour?

Yes, this activity is pet friendly and service animals are allowed.

Will we see dolphins or manatees?

You might see dolphins, manatees, turtles or porpoises swimming by—though sightings aren't guaranteed.

Is there shaded seating on the boat?

Yes, there are shaded seating areas available for comfort during your sail.

Can I try steering or sailing the boat?

The captain can offer instructions if you'd like to try steering or helping sail.

Does this include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is included; you'll meet at the dock in Fort Lauderdale.

What’s included

Your day includes a 4-hour private sailing charter in Fort Lauderdale with an experienced licensed captain at the helm, complimentary bottled water, shaded seating areas for relaxing out of the sun, Bluetooth music player for your favorite tunes, space to keep your food and drinks cool (bring whatever you like), life jackets and flotation devices for safety, plus a freshwater shower if you need to cool off mid-cruise—and there’s even a restroom on board for convenience before heading back ashore.