Miami Bay: Private Sailing Charter & Biscayne Snorkeling

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.

Options for this experience

6 options

From US$ 425 to US$ 750 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Sailor's Bite - Private, 3 hours 6 departure times: the first at 14:00, the last at 20:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 6 per booking On board: a fridge, water, towels, a toilet and an outdoor shower. Private sailing charter, 3 hours. Optional on request: we will show you our menu options, ranging from a charcuterie board to 3-course meals prepared on board. Sailboat: Beneteau Oceanis 400. A captain certified by the US Coast Guard is required; the fee is paid upon boarding.

Sailing Mantras - Private, 4 hours 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 19:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 6 per booking On board: a cooler with ice, water, towels, a toilet and an outdoor shower. Snorkeling and paddleboarding: snorkeling gear, paddleboards and group lessons. Private charter: we design the experience around your preferences, our sailing expertise and what the weather dictates. Duration: 4 hours, enough time to sail around the bay, get close to the Miami waterfront and Key Biscayne, and stop for water activities. Yummy meal ($45 per person): a loaded charcuterie board, plus beef, fish or chicken grilled on board, a side and dessert. Mystiko: a stylish 40-foot Beneteau Oceanis 400 sailboat that comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests. A captain certified by the US Coast Guard is required; the fee is paid upon boarding.

Beyond the Bay - Private, 5 hours 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 6 per booking On board: a cooler with ice, water, towels, a toilet and an outdoor shower. Paddleboarding: want to learn to paddle board, or already know how and want to go for a ride while out there? Just let us know. Private charter: we design the experience around your preferences, our sailing expertise and what the weather dictates. Duration: 5 hours, enough time to venture beyond the bay into open ocean south of Key Biscayne, then turn north and return past Fisher Island. Yummy meal: a loaded charcuterie board, plus a sandwich* and chips*, and dessert; *or grilled beef, fish or chicken on board with a side*. Get more sailing: this route takes us outside Biscayne Bay and back past Fisher Island, the port and the Miami waterfront. Mystiko: a stylish 40-foot Beneteau Oceanis 400 sailboat that comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests. A captain certified by the US Coast Guard is required; the fee is paid upon boarding.

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Sailing + Snorkeling, 6 hours 9 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 15:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 6 per booking On board: a cooler with ice, water, towels, a toilet and an outdoor shower. Snorkeling and paddleboarding (extra fee; see the excluded section for the price): snorkeling gear, paddleboards and lessons. Private charter: we design the experience around your preferences, our sailing expertise and what Mother Nature dictates. Duration: 6 hours. Yummy meal ($45 per person): options include a loaded charcuterie board, ceviche and dessert; or gazpacho, grilled beef, chicken, fish or vegetables, and dessert. Many options to choose from: since this is a private charter, we tailor the experience and route to your desires and what Mother Nature suggests. Mystiko: a stylish 40-foot Beneteau Oceanis 400 sailboat that comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests and 2 crew. A US Coast Guard certified captain is required; the fee is paid directly upon boarding.

Sailor's Fix - 8-hour sailing trip 8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 6 per booking On board: a cooler with ice, water, towels, a toilet and an outdoor shower. Paddleboards: want to learn to paddle board, or already know how and want to go for a ride while out there? Just let us know. Private charter: we design the experience around your preferences, our sailing expertise and what the weather dictates. Duration: 8 hours, great for getting your sailing fix, and a sound economic choice if you don't sail often. Yummy meal: a loaded charcuterie board, a sandwich, chips and dessert; options include grilled steak or fish, ceviche and Chilean sea bass. Mystiko: stylish 40-foot Beneteau sailboats that comfortably accommodate up to 6 guests. A captain certified by the US Coast Guard is required; the fee is paid upon boarding.

Overnight Adventure 09:00 Guide in 4 languages Up to 4 per booking On board: a cooler with ice, water, towels, two full toilets, floaties and two cabins. Water sports: snorkelling at reefs and shipwrecks, and paddleboarding. Private charter: we design the experience around your preferences, our sailing expertise and what Mother Nature dictates. Duration: 1 day and 12 hours. We depart at 9 AM on day 1, sail across the bay and anchor at sunset for dinner and a good night's sleep, then get up early on day 2. Yummy meal ($20 to $50 per person): day 1 lunch and dinner; day 2 breakfast and lunch. Many options to choose from: since this is a private charter, we tailor the experience and route to your desires and what Mother Nature suggests. Mystiko: a stylish 40-foot Beneteau Oceanis 400 sailboat that comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests. A US Coast Guard certified captain is required ($50).

None of these options right for you? See 12 alternatives ›

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

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Key Biscayne 30m
2. Stiltsville 30m
3. Miami passing by
4. Rickenbacker Trail 45m
5. Biscayne National Park 1h
6. Elliott Key Entry included 1h

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.

Times

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• Every day 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

Information

Step onto a private sailboat in Miami Bay for hands-on sailing, Biscayne snorkeling, and skyline views. Includes paddleboards, barbecue, and flexible departure.

Group Private 1 similar group tour ›

Live guide English, Spanish, French and Portuguese Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to 1d before

Ages Up to age 89

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.95 ★★★★★ Exceptional 76 verified traveler reviews 99% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 75

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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.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

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 does the private sailing tour last?

The standard tour is 4 hours. Longer options up to 8 hours are available for destinations like Elliott Key.

Is snorkeling included in the Miami Bay sailing charter?

Snorkeling is possible with charters of 5 hours or more and good weather conditions.

Where does the sailing trip depart from?

The tour departs from Coconut Grove in Miami.

Are meals provided during the sailing tour?

A barbecue lunch (like skirt steak) is included during longer charters.

Can I try paddleboarding during the trip?

Yes, paddleboards are available and basic instruction is offered by your guide.

Will we see marine life like dolphins or turtles?

Dolphins and other marine life are often spotted but sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Is there a restroom onboard?

Yes, there are restrooms and an outdoor shower on board.

Are service animals allowed on this sailing tour?

Service animals are allowed aboard Destino Charters’ vessels.

Operated by Destino Charters Miami. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated yesterday