Miami Pirate Boat Tour: Skyline & Celebrity Homes

A Pirate Ship in Downtown Miami, or Just a Really Good Sightseeing Boat

You board at Bayside Marketplace and spend the afternoon cruising Biscayne Bay with a bilingual guide pointing out Star Island mansions, the Venetian Islands, Miami Beach, and Downtown's skyline. The boat includes music, snacks and drinks on request, and pirate hats for children. You return to Pier 5 at Bayside with time to grab food or a drink before you go. Arrive 30 minutes early and expect seating to fill on a first-come basis.

Step-by-step itinerary

Miami Pirate Boat Tour and Sights

• Explore Bayside Marketplace
• Board pirate-themed boat at marina
• Hear company story introduction
• Cruise past Downtown Miami
• View Star Island mansions
• Glide by Venetian Islands
• Pass Miami Beach shores
• Return to Pier 5 at Bayside
• Enjoy food and drinks at Pier 5

The experience

The boat looks like a pirate ship. It's not. But the crew dresses like one, the music plays like one, and if you're traveling with kids, they'll hand out pirate hats before you leave the dock at Bayside Marketplace. The real draw isn't the costume. It's that you're on the water looking at things you can't see from the street: Star Island's mansion-lined shores, the Venetian Islands tucked between Miami and Miami Beach, and the Downtown skyline reflected in Biscayne Bay. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure, boarding takes about 10 minutes, and then you're moving.

The route loops past the places Miami is actually known for. Star Island, built in 1922, is where the money lives: music legends, business moguls, the kind of addresses you recognize from celebrity gossip. The Venetian Islands come next, six man-made islands connected by the Venetian Causeway, all palm trees and waterfront estates. Then Miami Beach slides into view, and after that, Downtown's skyline. A bilingual guide narrates the whole thing, so you get the history and the names of the people who live there, which is half the fun. The crew keeps the energy up with music onboard, and there's a reason this boat has been in movies and music videos. It photographs well.

Snacks and drinks are available on request, and if you're 21 or older, alcoholic drinks too. Souvenir photos are an option. The tour ends back at Bayside Marketplace, specifically at Pier 5, where you can grab food or a drink and decompress before heading back into the city. Seating is first-come, first-served, so if you show up late and the boat's full, you'll catch the next one depending on availability. One thing to know: the company operates with a main pirate ship, but if operational needs change, you might end up on an alternate boat with the same route and service. The tour runs in most weather, so bring comfortable clothes and expect to be outside the whole time.

What’s included

Your tour includes a bilingual guide, music onboard, restroom access, pirate ship hats for children, and the option to purchase snacks, drinks, and souvenir photos. You depart from and return to Bayside Marketplace, with check-in 30 minutes before your scheduled time.

Options for this experience

3 options

Pirate AdventureGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 19:30Board Miami's only pirate ship for a 1-hour-20-minute Biscayne Bay adventure. A welcome cocktail and bilingual narration are included.

Combo deal with hot dogGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 19:30Covers one 1-hour-20-minute Biscayne Bay cruise ticket, plus one hot dog, one soda and one bag of chips per person.

Champagne Cruise, minimum 2 peopleGuide in English or Spanish · 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 and 19:30Champagne-style cruise: one bottle of champagne for 2 people. We serve a very smooth, delicious French sparkling wine, styled as champagne.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 19:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 120

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Miami Aqua Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Miami's skyline and celebrity homes from the water without arranging your own boat: the fixed route and included guide handle the navigation, and the pirate theme keeps it entertaining for families, though the main appeal is the views and the boat itself rather than the costume.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What time does the Miami Pirate Boat Tour depart?

Departure times vary by booking. Check-in is 30 minutes before your scheduled start time at Bayside Marketplace.

Is food included on the pirate boat tour?

Snacks and drinks are available on request during the tour. The tour ends at Pier 5, where you can order food and drinks.

What if I arrive late for the tour?

If the boat is full when you arrive, you'll be placed on the next available departure, depending on availability. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to avoid this.

Is alcohol included on the tour?

Alcoholic drinks are available on request. You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcohol.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most weather conditions. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for being on the water.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a restroom onboard.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.