Miami Bay: Private Sailing Charter & Biscayne Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (76 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/49

Duration4h–12h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · PT +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

Set sail from Coconut Grove past Key Biscayne with dolphins and city lights

You’ll sail Miami Bay with a local captain, try your hand at steering or paddleboarding, swim near Key Biscayne, and maybe even spot dolphins if luck’s on your side. Lunch is grilled onboard while city views drift by—expect salty air, relaxed company, and plenty of time to soak in Biscayne’s colors.

4h–12h

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sailing and water activities

Sail Miami Bay and Biscayne Bay
Pass under Rickenbacker Bridge
View Miami skyline and waterfront
Anchor near Key Biscayne for swim
Swim and paddleboard at anchorage
Enjoy barbecue on board
See stilt vacation homes south of Key Biscayne

The Experience

I didn’t expect the water to look so green-blue right off Coconut Grove. We met our captain—Carlos, who grew up sailing these waters—and within minutes we were gliding out into Biscayne Bay. There was this salty breeze that made my hair stick to my forehead in the best way. Carlos pointed out the old stilt houses off Key Biscayne, telling stories about rum-runners and hurricanes like he’d lived through half of them himself. I tried steering for a bit—turns out it’s harder than it looks when you’re laughing at your own awkwardness.

We anchored near Rickenbacker Trail where the skyline kind of floats above the water. Someone spotted a dolphin fin (I missed it, but I caught the splash). Lunch was skirt steak grilled on deck—smelled smoky-sweet, mixed with sunscreen and ocean air. The captain handed me a paddleboard and gave me a quick lesson; I wobbled so much that even the pelicans looked amused. There was time to just lie back on deck too, listening to distant reggaeton drifting from another boat, sun warm on my face.

If you go for the longer charter, you can snorkel near Biscayne or even head down to Elliott Key if you’ve got all day—Carlos said it’s about 18 nautical miles south, which sounded far but tempting. The water gets clearer there, apparently. I liked that we could do as much or as little as we wanted; nobody rushed us or hovered. There’s something about seeing Miami’s glass towers from out on the bay that makes them feel less… sharp? Hard to explain but I still think about that view sometimes.

What’s included

Your day includes private use of a stylish 40-foot Beneteau sailboat with safety equipment approved by the US Coast Guard, restrooms and an outdoor shower onboard, water plus fridge and ice for drinks, paddleboards for those who want to try, barbecue lunch on longer tours (think smoky skirt steak), plus all guidance from your experienced local captain before returning to shore whenever you’re ready.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Destino Charters Miami