Fort Lauderdale Boat Cruise: Yachts, Sandbar & Dance Party

Fort Lauderdale's Sandbar Party Cruise: Yachts, Water & Live Music

You get a guided cruise past Fort Lauderdale's most expensive real estate, a swim stop at the sandbar with floats included, and a dance party back to shore. Bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard bathroom and cooler, and plan to arrive 30 minutes early. The 10am, 1pm, and 4pm times include the swim. 7pm is a sunset cruise through downtown instead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fort Lauderdale boat cruise and swim stop

• Arrive 30 minutes early at dock
• Board boat with BYOB and swimsuits
• Cruise past yachts and mansions downtown
• Tour Las Olas Isles mansions
• Explore port with cruise ships and freighters
• Anchor at Fort Lauderdale Sandbar
• Swim and use floats at sandbar
• Enjoy music and party on board
• Dance party cruise back to dock

The experience

There's something about pulling away from the dock and suddenly being surrounded by water, mansions, and the kind of boats you've only seen in magazines. The Fort Lauderdale boat cruise hits different because it's not pretending to be something it isn't. It's a party on the water, and the crew knows it. You're on the Intracoastal side of Fort Lauderdale Beach, the captain's already pointing out yachts and the homes of people whose names you might recognize, and the vibe is loose. The 10am, 1pm, and 4pm departures all include a swim stop at the famous Fort Lauderdale Sandbar, where dozens of boats anchor and the whole thing feels like a floating block party.

The route takes you past Las Olas Isles (where some genuinely wealthy people live, surrounded by water and more yachts), and through the massive port with cruise ships and cargo freighters that remind you how much water is actually around South Florida. They call it the Venice of America for a reason: 160 miles of canals. Your captain and crew guide you through it all, and they're not there to be quiet. They want people to have fun. You bring whatever food and drinks you want (no glass), there's a community cooler stocked with free bottled water, and there's a bathroom on board, so you're not stuck. The floats (unicorn and flamingo rafts) go in at the sandbar, and that's when things get real. You jump in, swim around, float around, and then it's back on board for the dance party on the way back to dock.

The 7pm departure skips the swim but cruises through Downtown Fort Lauderdale at sunset, which is its own thing entirely. Either way, arrive 30 minutes early to park and find the dock. The boat leaves right on time, and missing it means no refund. Bring your bathing suit if you're going for one of the swimming times, and know that the whole experience is built around people actually letting loose, not standing around taking photos.

What’s included

Your day includes the guided cruise past yachts, mansions, and the port, a swim stop at the Fort Lauderdale Sandbar with floats and water toys (on 10am, 1pm, and 4pm departures), bottled water from the community cooler, use of the onboard bathroom, and a dance party on the return to dock. You bring your own food and drinks in whatever quantities you want.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Dock i, north (back side) of the hotel. Walk through the parking lot to get there.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Staying Afloat Party Boat

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a party atmosphere on the water without the formality of a dinner cruise or the cost of renting your own boat. The crew's job is to keep the energy up, which is what makes a random afternoon on the water feel like an actual event.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

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.

What's included on the boat?

Floats and water toys for the sandbar, bottled water in a community cooler, a restroom on board, and the guided tour. You bring your own food and drinks (no glass).

Can I swim on every departure?

The 10am, 1pm, and 4pm departures include a swim stop at the sandbar. The 7pm departure cruises through Downtown Fort Lauderdale instead and does not include swimming.

How long is the cruise?

The itinerary spans 2–4 hours depending on the departure time and how long you spend at the sandbar.

What should I bring?

Bring your bathing suit, any food and drinks you want (no glass bottles), sunscreen, and arrive 30 minutes early to find parking and the dock.

Is there a bathroom on board?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

What happens if I'm late?

The boat departs at the scheduled time. If you miss it, refunds are not issued, so arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Can I bring glass bottles?

No glass is allowed on board. You can bring any other food and drinks you like.