Raccoon Island boat tour from Fort Lauderdale: Meet the raccoons

Raccoons, yachts, and a sandbar stop in one afternoon

A 5-hour private boat tour from Fort Lauderdale takes you through the Intracoastal to Sandspur Island (known as Raccoon Island), where you meet the gentle, curious raccoons that live there. The route passes luxury homes and tropical scenery, dolphins often appear in the bay, and depending on time spent on the island, you may anchor at Haulover Sandbar for a swim before returning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour to Raccoon Island

• Board private boat in Fort Lauderdale
• Cruise along Intracoastal Waterway
• Spot dolphins and luxury homes
• Arrive at Sandspur (Raccoon) Island
• Meet friendly raccoons on island
• Optional stop at Haulover Sandbar
• Return to Fort Lauderdale

The experience

The boat departs from Fort Lauderdale near 15th Street Fisheries and heads into the Intracoastal, where you'll pass yachts, waterfront estates, and mangrove shorelines. Dolphins frequently swim alongside the boat during this stretch. The journey takes you all the way to Sandspur Island, also called Beer Can Island or Raccoon Island: a small barrier island where a population of raccoons lives year-round. These aren't distant wildlife. They're accustomed to visitors and approach boats with curiosity, often climbing aboard to investigate.

Once anchored, you spend time on the island exploring and interacting with the raccoons, which are surprisingly gentle and unafraid. They'll investigate your belongings and your presence with the casual confidence of animals used to human contact. If you spend less than an hour on the island, your captain can motor over to Haulover Sandbar, a famous shallow-water gathering spot near Miami where you can swim and soak in the sandbar scene before heading back to Fort Lauderdale.

You choose between two boat sizes at checkout: a 21-foot Bayliner that holds up to six passengers, or a 27-foot Four Winns for up to twelve. Captain service is required and paid upfront on the day of departure: $200 for the smaller boat, $225 for the larger one. The tour includes a cooler with fresh water, life jackets, and all required safety equipment. Bring your own food and drinks if you want to eat during the day.

What’s included

• Time to explore Sandspur Island and meet the raccoons.
• optional short stop at Haulover Sandbar for swimming.
• cooler with fresh water.
• life jackets and all required safety equipment.

Options for this experience

3 options

Bayliner boat, 21 feet, up to 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · No fixed timeLasts five hours

A distinctive five-hour boat excursion to Raccoon Island, departing from Fort LauderdaleUp to 12 per booking · No fixed time

Four Winns boat, 27 feet, up to 12 passengersUp to 12 per booking · No fixed timeLasts five hours

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

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 580 per group, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Baymingo - boat rental and tour in Fort Lauderdale

Is this one for you?Choose the smaller Bayliner if your group is six or fewer and you want a more intimate experience. Pick the Four Winns if you're bringing a larger group and want to share the cost across more people. Either way, captain service is mandatory and charged separately on the day of departure.

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Top questions

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.

What are the raccoons like on Sandspur Island?

The raccoons on Sandspur Island are friendly, playful, and surprisingly gentle. They're accustomed to visitors and will approach the boat and explore the island with curiosity, often climbing aboard to investigate. They're not aggressive, but they are wild animals, so the captain will guide how to interact safely.

Can we swim during the 5-hour tour?

Swimming happens at Haulover Sandbar if the captain anchors there, which depends on how much time you spend on Raccoon Island. If you spend less than an hour on the island, there's time for a stop at the sandbar for a swim before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

Do we see dolphins on this tour?

Dolphins are often spotted playfully swimming in the bay during the cruise through the Intracoastal, though sightings are not guaranteed. You'll pass through their habitat on the way to and from Sandspur Island.

What's included in the boat rental?

The tour includes the private boat rental, a cooler with fresh water, life jackets, and all required safety equipment. Captain service is mandatory and paid separately upfront on the day of the tour. Food and beverages are not included, so bring your own if you want to eat.

How many people can fit on the boat?

You choose your boat size when you book. The Bayliner holds up to six passengers, and the Four Winns accommodates up to twelve. Each boat is rented as a private charter, so your group has the boat to yourselves.