Miami Boat Tour: Stiltsville, Wildlife & Star Island Stories

Colorful houses on water, dolphins surfacing and Miami’s wild skyline

You’ll feel Miami’s energy shift as you leave South Beach behind—watch dolphins surface near Biscayne Bay, listen to stories at Stiltsville’s colorful houses, and catch glimpses of celebrity mansions from the water. With a local guide steering your small group through history and sunshine (and yes, bottled water included), every turn feels personal—like you’re part of Miami for a day.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided historical and cultural sightseeing boat ride across more than 40 miles of Biscayne Bay—with all fees covered and bottled water provided along the way before returning to shore at Miami Beach Marina.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Miami boat tour with history and wildlife

• Depart from Miami Beach Marina
• View Biscayne Bay and dockside marine life
• Cruise past Port of Miami cargo ships
• Explore historic Miami River banks
• Pass Brickell Avenue shoreline
• See Venetian Islands and South Beach shoreline
• Glide by Star Island and Fisher Island mansions
• Visit Key Biscayne and Scarface house
• Spot marine life in Biscayne National Park
• Experience colorful Stiltsville houses
• View Cape Florida Lighthouse

The Experience

I’ll admit, I signed up for this Miami boat tour mostly because I’d seen those weird houses-on-stilts in old photos and just wanted to know if they were real. Turns out, they are — and way stranger up close. We left from Miami Beach Marina (easy enough to find), and right away the city looked different from the water. Our guide, Alex, started tossing out these little bits of history about Biscayne Bay and the old bootleggers who used to sneak around here. The air smelled like salt and sunscreen — you know that mix? — and some pelicans kept circling us like we might drop a snack.

We cruised past Fisher Island (where apparently even Oprah has a place?), then zipped by PortMiami with those giant ships stacked like Lego blocks. The main keyword here is “small group” — there were only six of us, so it felt more like tagging along with friends than being herded around. At one point, a couple of dolphins popped up near Biscayne National Park. I almost missed them because I was distracted by the sunlight flickering off the water. Alex pointed out some old movie spots too — Scarface mansion, Star Island — but honestly it was those floating houses at Stiltsville that got me. They look like they shouldn’t exist, just sitting out there in shallow blue-green water.

When we finally reached Stiltsville, the wind picked up and Alex told us how people used to throw wild parties out here during Prohibition. You could almost imagine the music echoing over the bay. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the slap of waves against wood — I still think about that silence sometimes when I’m stuck in city noise now. Oh, and bottled water was included (which sounds boring but trust me, you’ll want it after an hour in that sun). So yeah, if you’re curious about Miami’s odd corners or just want to see dolphins without elbowing through crowds, this is worth it.

Top questions

How many people are on this Miami boat tour?

The tour is limited to six passengers for a small group experience.

Does the Miami boat tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; tours depart from Miami Beach Marina.

Can you see dolphins or manatees on this boat tour?

Yes, there’s a chance to spot wild dolphins and manatees in Biscayne Bay.

Is Stiltsville always accessible on the tour?

No, access to Stiltsville depends on weather conditions; strong winds may alter the route.

Are infants allowed on this Miami boat tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap; however, it’s not recommended for infants.

What sights are included besides Stiltsville?

You’ll cruise past Fisher Island, Star Island mansions, PortMiami, Miami River, and Biscayne National Park areas.

Is bottled water provided during the boat tour?

Yes, bottled water is included for all guests during the tour.

How long is the route covered by this boat trip?

The tour covers over 40 miles around Biscayne Bay with multiple sightseeing stops.