Fort Lauderdale Sailing Charter: 2 & 4-Hour Private Boat Tours

Captain Dan's Fort Lauderdale Sailing Charter Lets You Choose What Happens Next

You choose your Fort Lauderdale sailing charter's length (2 or 4 hours), route, and activities (swimming, snorkeling, learning to sail, or just relaxing) with Captain Dan adjusting based on weather and your group's preference. The boat holds up to six people, includes safety gear and onboard refreshments, and departs from a private residence on the New River. Semi-private or all-private options available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fort Lauderdale sailing charter experience

• Board at private residence
• Take group pictures
• Meet Captain Dan
• Choose sailing options
• Sail on New River
• Pass Port Everglades
• Sail Atlantic Ocean coastline
• Relax, swim, or snorkel
• Learn to sail or drive boat
• Return to private residence

The experience

The boat doesn't feel like you'd expect. It's smaller than the mega yachts lined up across Port Everglades, but that's exactly the point. You board at a private residence on the New River, the one locals call the Venice of America, and within minutes you realize you're not following a script. Captain Dan, who's been sailing these waters for over twenty years, doesn't hand you an itinerary. Instead he asks what you want: ride the bow in a bean bag chair with a drink, learn to actually sail the boat yourself, head out to the Atlantic, or drop anchor and swim. The day belongs to you, and that freedom is what makes a Fort Lauderdale sailing charter feel different from the standard tour boat experience.

You get to choose the length too (two hours or four), and whether you want semi-private (other guests might join) or completely private. Either way, the boat carries a maximum of six people, so it never feels crowded. The sailboat comes equipped with all the safety gear, child life jackets if you need them, and flotation devices. If you're bringing your own food and drinks, there's onboard refrigeration, ice, cups, plates and cutlery already waiting. Anniversaries, birthdays, bachelor parties, sunset dates: Captain Dan's seen it all and adjusts the route and pace to match what the group actually wants to do that day.

The route itself moves through three distinct stretches: the mangrove-lined New River with its mix of natural shoreline and waterfront homes, then past the working port where container ships and cruise liners sit anchored, and finally out into the open Atlantic along Fort Lauderdale's coastline. You might snorkel, you might just sail, you might take the helm and feel what it takes to keep the boat moving. Weather and your group's preference shape what happens, which means no two charters are quite the same. You end the day back at the private residence with group photos, and that's when it hits you. You actually got to decide what a sailing day looked like instead of following someone else's schedule.

What’s included

• Your Fort Lauderdale sailing charter includes bottled water, ice, cups, plates, cutlery, and onboard refrigeration.
• Safety equipment and child life jackets are provided.
• You can bring your own food and beverages.
• The boat departs and returns at a private residence on the New River, and group photos are taken at the end of your day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Charter Sailing Trip10:00 and 14:30Private Sailing Charter: This option is offered as a private 4-hour river cruise, ocean sailing and swimming experience for 1 to 6 people at a flat rate of $600. Duration: 4 hours

Sailing Charter10:15 and 14:30Shared Sailing Charter: This option is offered as a shared 4-hour river cruise, ocean sailing and swimming session for up to six guests.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 10:15 and 14:30

GroupUp to 6

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by A Day on the Water

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a sailing day that actually fits what you want to do, not a fixed route, and you'd rather have a licensed captain handle the boat while you decide whether to swim, snorkel, learn to sail, or just relax. The small group size and flexible itinerary are what make it work.

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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.

How long is the Fort Lauderdale sailing charter?

Two hours or four hours, depending on which option you choose.

What's included in the charter?

Bottled water, ice, cups, plates, cutlery, and onboard refrigeration. Safety equipment and child life jackets are provided. You can bring your own food and beverages.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. The boat has onboard refrigeration, ice, cups, plates and cutlery available for your use.

What's the difference between semi-private and all-private?

Semi-private means other guests may purchase the remaining seats on the boat. All-private means your group books the entire boat. Both options have a maximum of six guests total.

Who is the captain?

Captain Dan, a licensed boat captain with over 20 years of local sailing experience in Fort Lauderdale.

Can children go on the charter?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Child life jackets and flotation devices are available.

Can I learn to sail?

Yes. You can take the helm and learn to drive the boat under sail if that's what your group wants to do.

Where does the charter start and end?

At a private residence on the New River in Fort Lauderdale.

Is swimming and snorkeling available?

Yes, swimming and snorkeling are options depending on your group's preference and weather conditions.

What if I'm not fit or experienced?

The charter is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Captain Dan adjusts the experience to match your group's comfort and interests.