From the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami & Miami Beach is centered around water. That makes it a prime destination for getting out on the crystal blue seas on a Miami boat tour. Soak up the sun while you explore popular locations on a cruise, sail calm waters, zip through the Everglades on an airboat or dive right in to explore the depths yourself.

Whatever your pleasure, here’s a guide to some of the best boat tours in Miami.

Island Queen docked at Bayside Marketplace — Pick a tour on an Island Queen Cruise at Bayside Marketplace

Island Queen Cruises

One of Miami’s premier sightseeing boat tour companies is found in Downtown Miami at Bayside Marketplace. Island Queen Cruises departs from Miamarina at Bayside and offers a scenic Millionaires Row tour on a variety of large, comfortable boats. You’ll learn fascinating facts about Miami while taking in spectacular views of stunning homes along the glistening shoreline.

Thriller Miami speedboat in the ocean — Get your adrenaline pumping with Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures

Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures

For a high-octane adventure, step aboard Thriller Miami Speed Adventures' 55-foot power catamarans and jetboats to cruise past dozens of sites, including PortMiami, Star Island and Monument Island. When you hit the open waters, you’ll zoom past South Beach and Fisher Island at speeds of up to 50 mph. Departing from Bayside Marketplace, these 45-minute tours are an adrenaline-pumping way to see Miami’s most intriguing sights.

Miami Aqua Tours

Also at Bayside Marketplace, Miami Aqua Tours has two boats – including one with a pirate theme – that take visitors out for general sightseeing, a skyline tour with sunset views and a Nite Sea Party with a DJ and cash bar.

Tropical Sailing

Tropical Sailing boasts a fleet of sailing and power catamarans docked at Miamarina at Bayside, with daily trips and watersports activities ranging from snorkeling to sunset cruises. Step aboard the 78-foot “Caribbean Spirit” catamaran, and spend the afternoon sailing through Biscayne Bay while snorkeling and splashing in the water with inflatable slides and trampolines. The entire fleet offers shaded areas and open decks with tables, seating and lounge/bar areas.

Ocean Force Adventures

In South Beach, hop aboard one of Ocean Force Adventures’ 30-foot-long, six-passenger Zodiac Rigid Inflatable Boats to see more of Miami’s hidden gems from the water. Departing from the Miami Beach Marina, a variety of tours take you to different areas full of top attractions. See everything from the elevated homes of Stiltsville and President Nixon’s Key Biscayne home and the lavish mansions of Star Island and Fisher Island that were film locations for iconic movies and television shows, such as “Scarface” and “Miami Vice.”

Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center

Located at Miami Beach Marina near the southern tip of South Beach, Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center offers dive and snorkel trips to the coral reef system near Miami. From its South Beach docks, its boats will whisk you 30 minutes offshore where you may discover tropical fish, lobsters, turtles, stingrays, large crabs, conch and, occasionally, dolphins. Check out the center’s online calendar to book a trip that’s right for you. Tarpoon Lagoon offers one-day Scuba diving experiences, lessons and dive certifications, too.

Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tours

Just 20 miles west of Downtown Miami, you can hop on an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades. Founded in 1945, Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tour has long thrilled passengers on flat-bottom, fan-propelled airboats that zip across shallow waters through natural areas at exhilarating speeds. You’ll learn about the ecosystem and history of the Everglades area while spotting alligators, turtles and birds in the wild. Before or after your airboat tour, be sure to visit the alligator exhibit and restaurant on site (where menu items include frog legs, gator tail, catfish and other Florida pioneer favorites).

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