Fort Lauderdale: Private Yacht Cruise 2-6 Hours & Sandbar Stops

Your Captain Waits at the Dock. You Just Show Up

You board a private Sundancer 37 at Bahia Mar with a captain and cooler already loaded. Pick your duration (2, 4, or 6 hours), and your stops: the Intracoastal Waterway, sandbars for swimming, or waterfront restaurants. The captain navigates. You bring sunscreen. Groups up to six, English or Spanish guide, and you control the music.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private yacht cruise Fort Lauderdale

• Depart from Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• Cruise Fort Lauderdale channels
• Pass by the wharf on the river

The experience

The moment you realize you don't have to navigate, anchor, or figure out where the sandbars are, something shifts. You pull up to Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale, and there's a Sundancer 37 with your name on it: captain already aboard, cooler packed with ice, Bluetooth stereo ready for whatever playlist you want. No experience needed. No license required. That's the whole point.

The Fort Lauderdale yacht cruise runs 2, 4, or 6 hours depending on what you want to do. Two hours gets you through the Intracoastal Waterway (locals call it the "Venice of America"), where you'll pass waterfront mansions and mega-yachts so close you can see the details. Your captain knows which sandbars are worth stopping at, and if you want to jump in and swim, you just ask. Four hours adds time to explore the quieter spots, maybe grab drinks or appetizers at a waterfront restaurant without rushing back. Six hours is the full day: sightseeing, swimming, a proper meal, and the kind of pace where you actually relax instead of watching the clock.

The boat itself handles the logistics. Restroom on board, so you're not stuck. Bluetooth stereo so you control the music. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, and they're there to answer questions, not narrate. The captain handles everything else: the channels, the tide, the docking. You bring sunscreen and a towel. Groups stay small, usually under six people, which means no crowds and no feeling like you're on a tour bus that happens to float.

One thing to know: the lead traveler signs a Bareboat Charter Agreement before departure. That's USCG law, not the company being cautious. It takes five minutes and just confirms you're comfortable being on the water. Weather can shift plans, so the supplier's weather policy applies, but Fort Lauderdale's climate is stable most of the year. If you're pregnant, this one's not recommended. Everyone else, any fitness level, is fine.

What’s included

Your day includes a professional captain, a cooler stocked with ice, landing and facility fees, an on-board restroom, a Bluetooth stereo system, and an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Depending on your chosen duration, you'll cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, visit sandbars for swimming, and have the option to stop at a waterfront restaurant for drinks or a meal.

Options for this experience

3 options

Two-hour yacht charterGuide in English or Spanish · 10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Lasts 2 hours, on a 37-foot yacht

4-Hour Yacht CharterGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Lasts 4 hours, with a cooler and ice, on a 37-foot yacht

6-Hour Yacht CharterGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 1 Jan 2027 · 5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Lasts 6 hours, on a 37-foot yacht

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

Information

Lasts 2h–6h, runs every day, 10 start times, from US$ 299 per group, with a live guide in English and Spanish, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:30, 17:30, 19:00 and 20:00

GroupPrivate3 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Book up to4h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Bruschi Boat Rental

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private boat experience without the responsibility of operating it: the captain and pre-loaded cooler mean you show up and swim, not plan logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need a boating license to go on this Fort Lauderdale yacht cruise?

No. The captain handles all navigation and operation. You just need to sign the Bareboat Charter Agreement before departure, which is a USCG requirement.

Can we stop to swim during the cruise?

Yes. Sandbars are available on all three options (2, 4, and 6 hours). Tell your captain before you leave, and he'll take you to one where the water is clear.

What's included in the price?

The captain, cooler with ice, landing and facility fees, restroom on board, Bluetooth stereo, and a guide in English or Spanish. Food and drinks at restaurants are separate.

How many people can fit on the Sundancer 37?

Groups up to six people. Larger groups may need a different arrangement. Contact the operator.

What if the weather is bad?

The supplier's weather policy applies. If conditions are unsafe, they'll reschedule or offer a refund. Check their policy before booking.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

The cooler with ice is provided. You can bring your own drinks and snacks, or stop at a waterfront restaurant during the 4 or 6-hour options.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller on the boat. It's suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I play my own music?

Yes. The boat has a Bluetooth stereo, so you can connect your phone and play whatever you want.