VIP Yacht Experiences Fort Lauderdale: 12 People, 40 ft Sundancer

Pick your hours, pick your stops. The captain and yacht are yours.

You board at Bahia Mar, take the wheel of a 40-foot Sundancer with a Coast Guard–certified captain on hand, cruise past waterfront mansions and mega-yachts on the Intracoastal Waterway, anchor at a sandbar to swim or float, and can dock at a waterfront restaurant if you want to eat. The 2-hour version is a taster. 4 or 6 hours lets you actually settle into it. Coolers, ice, and a sound system are included. Bring your own drinks and sunscreen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yacht cruise and sandbar stop

• Depart from Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• Cruise Intracoastal Waterway
• View waterfront mansions and yachts
• Anchor at sandbar for swimming
• Relax on deck and sunbathe
• Optional stop at waterfront restaurant
• Return to marina

The experience

The moment you realize you can steer a 40-foot yacht without a boater's certificate is the moment the day shifts. Your group boards at Bahia Mar Yachting Center, and the crew walks you through the basics. It's not complicated, and the captain you've selected (required by Coast Guard law) is there to make sure nobody ends up in the mangroves. The Intracoastal Waterway opens up in front of you, lined with mansions that cost more than most towns, mega-yachts that make you stare, and the kind of water that changes color as you move through it. You can run the 2-hour version if you're just testing the feeling, or commit to four or six hours and actually live in it.

The sandbar stops are the real reason people book this. You anchor in water so clear you can see the bottom, and the choice becomes: jump in and float, or stay on the sun deck with a drink and watch other people jump in. The yacht has a Bluetooth speaker, so your playlist becomes the soundtrack to the afternoon. There's a cabin below with a bathroom and kitchen, coolers stocked with ice, and a rule that says bring your own drinks: nobody's marking up a beer here. If you want to eat, you can motor to one of the waterfront restaurants and dock right there, order appetizers or a full meal, and come back to the boat to finish the day on the water.

The constraint is real: whoever books has to be on the boat, and the lead traveler signs the bareboat charter agreement. That's not a hassle, it's the thing that makes this work. You're not hiring a service, you're renting the boat and the crew makes sure you don't sink it. Weather can cancel you, and pregnant travelers and anyone with spinal injuries should skip this one. But if your group is healthy, ready to move around a deck, and wants to feel like they own a piece of Fort Lauderdale for a few hours, this is the thing.

What’s included

• Your day includes the 40-foot Sundancer yacht with a spacious sun deck and shaded seating, a fully equipped cabin with bathroom and kitchen, Bluetooth sound system, coolers stocked with ice and bottled water, landing and facility fees, fuel surcharge, and a Coast Guard–certified captain.
• You bring your own drinks (BYOB friendly), snacks, sunscreen, swimwear, and towels.
• The lead traveler signs a bareboat charter agreement and selects the captain before departure.

Options for this experience

3 options

2-Hour Yacht Charter for Up to 12 PeopleGuide in English or Spanish · 10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Lasts 2 hours, for a 12-person yacht with gas included

4-Hour Yacht Charter for Up to 12 PeopleGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Lasts 4 hours, for a 12-person yacht with gas included

6-Hour Yacht Charter for Up to 12 PeopleGuide in English or Spanish · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Lasts 6 hours, for a 12-person 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$ 184.50 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish 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

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Book up to2h before

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bruschi Boat Rental

Is this one for you?Right for groups of friends or family who want to feel like they own a boat for a few hours without the licensing hassle. Plan for the captain to be on board. That's what makes it legal and safe, and it's also what keeps you from running aground.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need a boater's license to drive the yacht?

No. The lead traveler signs a bareboat charter agreement, and a Coast Guard–certified captain you select comes aboard to supervise. You can take the wheel, but the captain is there.

What's included in the price?

The yacht, coolers with ice and bottled water, fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, and a restroom on board. You bring your own drinks and snacks, or dock at a restaurant.

Can we stop at a sandbar?

Yes. Let the captain know before the trip starts, and you can anchor at one of Fort Lauderdale's sandbars to swim, float, or lounge in the sun.

How many people can fit on the boat?

Up to 12 people. The group size is part of what makes it feel private.

What if the weather is bad?

Weather policy applies, and the tour can be cancelled or rescheduled if conditions are unsafe.

Can we bring our own music?

Yes. The yacht has a Bluetooth sound system, so you can play your own playlist while you cruise.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes, there's a restroom on board, and a full cabin below deck with a kitchen.

Can we dock at a restaurant and eat?

Yes. On 4- or 6-hour trips, you can motor to a waterfront restaurant, dock, and order food or drinks before heading back out.