Miami Private Boat Cruise: Biscayne Bay & Star Island Tours

Your Own Boat, Your Own Pace: Miami's Waterfront Without the Lines

You get a private boat with a licensed captain, your choice of 2, 3, or 4-hour routes around Miami's waterfront, and the freedom to swim, anchor, or just cruise at your own pace. Floating mat and sound system included on longer tours. No crowded group tours, no fixed itinerary you have to follow. Just your group and the water. Book by selecting your preferred boat (Chaparral or Monterey) and duration when you reserve.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat cruise sightseeing tour

• Start cruising Miami River views
• See Brickell area and Bricked Key
• Visit Bayside Miami Ferris Wheel
• Pass Port of Miami
• Explore Miami Beach and islands
• View Star Island and Millionaire’s Row
• See Fisher Island
• Enjoy onboard premium Bluetooth music
• Use floating water mat for swimming
• Anchor and party near other boats

The experience

You're standing at the dock in Miami, and the boat is ready. No waiting for a group to fill up, no schedule that doesn't match yours, no captain you didn't choose. This is a private boat cruise on Biscayne Bay. Just you, whoever you brought, and a USCG-licensed captain who knows where to go. The boat options are Chaparral or Monterey (you pick when you book), and the whole thing runs on your time: 2 hours if you want the quick tour of the city's best angles, 3 hours if you want to stop and swim in warm water, or 4 hours if you're celebrating something and plan to anchor near other boats and actually stay awhile.

The route hits the places that matter. You'll cruise past the Miami River (all those riverside restaurants and Brickell's glass buildings stacked along the water), then move into Bayside where the Ferris wheel sits on the skyline. From there it's the Port of Miami (one of the largest in the US, and it looks it from the water), then across to Miami Beach and the islands, Star Island with its mansions, Millionaire's Row, and Fisher Island. The whole thing is stress-free because you're not packed onto a tour boat with forty other people trying to take the same photo. It's just your group, your captain, and the water.

On the 3 and 4-hour tours, there's a floating water mat you can use if you want to jump in and cool off. The boat has a premium Bluetooth sound system, so you can play your own music instead of whatever playlist the tour company chose. There's a cooler with ice, bottled water, and a restroom on board. You can bring your own drinks and snacks: nobody's upselling you overpriced beer. If you're traveling with small children or infants, they can come along. Service animals are welcome too. The whole thing is designed so you show up, the captain handles the navigation and the knowledge, and you just decide how long you want to stay out on the water.

What’s included

• Your day on the water includes the private boat with your choice of captain, a cooler stocked with ice and bottled water, a restroom on board, and a premium Bluetooth audio system so you can play your own music.
• On 3 and 4-hour tours, a floating water mat is included for swimming.
• You're welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks.
• Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are permitted.

Options for this experience

5 options

2-Hour Morning OfferUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · Available from 3 Nov · 07:00 and 08:00Additional surcharge: $150 for the captain and fuel is paid separately from online booking. For details, see the exclusions section. Duration: 2 hours.

Two-Hour Sunset CruiseUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00Additional surcharge: $150 for the captain and fuel is paid separately from online booking. For details, see the exclusions section. Duration: 2 hours. Sunset season timings: Please choose the correct sunset start time. The 4 pm and 5 pm starts apply in winter season; the 6 pm and 7 pm starts apply during summer daylight saving time.

Two-Hour Private SightseeingUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 14 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 22:00Additional surcharge: $150 for the captain and fuel is paid separately from online booking. For details, see the exclusions section. A 2-hour sightseeing trip to see Miami's landmarks from the water: the homes on Star Islands, the Port of Miami, and the skyline. Enjoy the views! Duration: 2 hours.

See 2 more options

Three-Hour Private TourUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Additional surcharge: $200 for the captain and fuel is paid separately from online booking. For details, see the exclusions section. A 3-hour private tour that offers sightseeing with extra time. Head out on the water for fun and relaxation on a floating mat. Duration: 3 hours.

Four-Hour Private Half DayUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00Additional surcharge: $250 for the captain and fuel is paid separately from online booking. For details, see the exclusions section. A private half day suited to longer celebrations and special events. Enjoy a party, go swimming, or relax on the floating mat while taking in the views. Duration: 4 hours.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 22:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Andy

Is this one for you?This works best if you want Miami's waterfront without the crowd: your own captain, your own timing, and no waiting for a group tour to fill up. The private boat setup means you pick the duration and the pace, which is what makes it possible to swim, anchor, or just cruise without anyone else's schedule getting in the way.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 many people can fit on the private boat?

Up to 10 passengers per boat.

What's the difference between the 2, 3, and 4-hour tours?

The 2-hour tour is sightseeing only. The 3-hour tour includes swimming stops and a floating water mat. The 4-hour half-day tour is best for celebrations. You can anchor near other boats and party, with the floating mat included.

Can I choose which boat I want?

Yes. You can request either the Chaparral or Monterey when you book. If you don't specify, one will be assigned to you.

What's included in the tour?

The captain, the boat, a cooler with ice, bottled water, a restroom on board, and a premium Bluetooth sound system. On 3 and 4-hour tours, a floating water mat is included. You can bring your own drinks and snacks.

Can I bring children or pets?

Yes. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.

What areas of Miami does the tour cover?

The Miami River, Bayside Miami (with the Ferris wheel), the Port of Miami, Miami Beach, Star Island, Millionaire's Row, and Fisher Island.

Is there swimming on every tour?

Swimming stops are included on the 3 and 4-hour tours. The 2-hour tour is sightseeing only.

Can I bring my own music?

Yes. The boat has a premium Bluetooth sound system so you can play your own music.

Is this suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them to reach the dock.