Miami: Raccoon Island & Sandbar Boat Tour Private

Steer toward Raccoon Island on a private boat, where wild raccoons roam and turquoise shallows wait.

You board a private 22-foot boat with a licensed captain and cruise past Miami's waterfront to Raccoon Island, where wild raccoons live freely in their natural habitat. You swim and snorkel at Haulover Sandbar in shallow turquoise water, with snorkeling gear and a cooler of ice included. Bring your own food and drinks, connect your phone to the Bluetooth speaker, and choose between a 2-hour or 4-hour departure. The whole experience is built around not having to arrange anything except showing up with a waiver signed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour to Raccoon Island

• Board private 22 ft Bayliner boat
• Play music via Bluetooth system
• Cruise past Miami waterfront scenery
• Visit Raccoon Island wildlife sanctuary
• Swim or relax at Haulover Sandbar
• Enjoy shallow turquoise waters and views
• Bring and consume own food and drinks
• Return to marina for tour end

The experience

You're steering out from the marina on a 22-foot Bayliner, the kind of boat that feels like it belongs to someone's weekend. The captain is USCG licensed, which means you're not thinking about safety. You're already thinking about what song to play first on the Bluetooth system. The boat cuts through Miami's waterfront, and you pass the Millionaire's Bunker, that odd fortified mansion that looks like it's bracing for something. But the real destination is Raccoon Island, a natural sanctuary you can only reach by water, where raccoons live the way they're supposed to: wild and unbothered in their habitat.

The stop at Raccoon Island is the centerpiece of this Miami boat tour, but it's not a petting zoo. You're viewing the raccoons from the water, respecting their space, which somehow makes it feel more real than a guided wildlife encounter. After that, you head to Haulover Sandbar, where the water turns that shallow turquoise that makes you want to jump in immediately. You can swim, snorkel, or just float and watch the tropical scenery settle around you. The cooler and ice are already onboard, and you've brought your own food and drinks, so there's no scrambling to find lunch or paying resort prices for a sandwich. It's the kind of setup that lets you actually relax instead of manage logistics.

The whole thing runs 2 or 4 hours depending on what you book, and the rhythm feels unhurried. You've got snorkeling equipment if you want it, life jackets that are actually there, and a captain who knows the water. Before you board, there's a waiver to sign: standard stuff, but it's the moment you realize this is real and not a marketing video. The boat leaves from an easy-access marina, so getting there isn't a production. By the time you're heading back, you've seen something most people who visit Miami never do, and you didn't have to rent a car or book a group tour to do it.

What’s included

• Your 2 or 4-hour private boat tour includes a USCG-licensed captain, bottled water, ice and cooler, life jackets and safety equipment, snorkeling gear, and use of the Bluetooth sound system.
• You bring your own food and drinks to personalize the experience.
• The boat departs from an easy-access marina, and all safety equipment is provided onboard.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00

Guide in English or Spanish10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00

Book up toStart time

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 24h 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dolphin Water Sport

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see wild raccoons and swim in turquoise water without booking a group tour or renting a car. The 2-hour option works if you're short on time. The 4-hour gives you more time to linger at the sandbar and explore at your own pace.

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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 24h before the start.

Can you feed or touch the raccoons on Raccoon Island?

No. The raccoons are wild and live freely in their habitat. You view them respectfully from the water to keep them safe and undisturbed.

What's included in the boat tour?

Water, ice, cooler, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and a USCG-licensed captain. You bring your own food and drinks.

How long is the tour?

You can choose 2 hours or 4 hours. Both include Raccoon Island and Haulover Sandbar.

Is the boat accessible for people with mobility issues?

Yes, the marina departure point is wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap.

What if the weather is bad?

If there's a strong storm at your start time, you get a 100% refund. The tour is rescheduled or canceled based on conditions.

Can I bring my own music?

Yes. The boat has a Bluetooth sound system, so you can connect your phone and play your favorite music during the tour.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the water at Haulover Sandbar is shallow. It's suitable for all fitness levels.

Is a waiver required?

Yes. You'll sign a waiver before boarding. It's a standard safety requirement for all passengers.