Miami's Boating and Sailing Guide

The allure of the aquamarine waters surrounding Greater Miami and Miami Beach is strong – it’s hard to be here five minutes without feeling the urge to hop on a boat and explore. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water in Miami, from sunset cruises to sailboat charters, and even the famed Miami Boat Show if you time your visit right.

Whether you’re a seasoned yachtsman or would rather leave the navigation to the pros, make the most of the destination’s sparkling waters with our comprehensive guide to boating and sailing in Miami. We’re breaking down the best rental companies, where to take your boat, fun dock-and-dine destinations and everything else to know before you go.

Boat Rentals and Charter Boats in Miami

Chartering a boat and posting pictures of yourself sunning on the bow with the skyline in the background is a quintessentially Miami experience, and you don’t have to make friends with a boat owner to enjoy a day on the water. Miami boat rental is easy, and VIP Boat Rental offers a large fleet of high-end watercraft that come with a captain and crew. They’re available to book for as short as a half-day, and offer more upscale boating experiences in Miami.

If that’s more than you need, booking platforms like Boatsetter and GetMyBoat let you search and rent everything from small center consoles to yachts from private owners, so you can still spend a day on the water with a more flexible budget.

Rather have someone else make the plans? A bevy of Miami charter boat rentals are happy to take you out for private guided excursions. Tropicalboat Luxury Yacht Charters rents everything from small day boats to large yachts and can take you as far as the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. Y Charter Miami offers yacht charters and will build a custom itinerary for you and your group.

Yacht Rentals in Miami

For the ultimate luxury Miami boating experience, rent a yacht. VIP Boat Rentals has plenty of those, which come with captain and crew. EP Yachting also operates luxury charters out of the Miami Beach Marina and even sells yachts. Water Fantaseas operates two yachts, with charters for up to 400 people. Prime Experiences has access to over 75 yachts and can arrange a charter no matter your group’s size.

For larger parties, Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters has options for all group sizes. The 128-foot Venetian Lady offers private meeting spaces and dining areas, while the more intimate Miami Lady and Island Queen yachts fit up to 140 guests.

Miami Boat Tours

One of the best ways to tour Miami is by water, and whether you’re looking for high-speed thrills or laid-back cruising, there’s a tour that fits your needs. Island Queen Cruises & Tours is a fantastic year-round option, with a double-decker ship that lets you duck inside if rain rolls in. The 90-minute tour slips past celebrity homes on Star Island, taking you past Fisher Island and the massive PortMiami. The indoor area also offers air conditioning.

Looking to live your best Miami Vice life? Book a seat on Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures, where you’ll tear through turquoise waters just like Crockett and Tubbs chasing after the bad guys. The 45-minute thrill ride jets through Biscayne Bay past Fisher Island and PortMiami.

For a uniquely Miami boat tour, cruise out to the storied Stiltsville. The Biscayne National Park Institute offers two-hour guided tours through Biscayne National Park to the famous multi-colored stilt homes located about a mile offshore. Pelican Island Skipper runs catamaran tours from the historic Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay, taking you past the mangroves along the bay shore and ending at a bird sanctuary.

Sailing in Miami

Sailing offers a calm, idyllic alternative in the high-powered world of boating. If you want a relaxing on-the-water experience during your Miami vacation, a sailing charter is the way to go. Water Fantaseas is one of Miami’s larger sailboat operators, and can set up your group with whatever sailing adventure you seek.

You can also spend some time learning how to sail, or brushing up your skills, at the iconic Coconut Grove Sailing Club, which offers lessons as well as chartered boat tours. Shake-A-Leg Miami, also in Coconut Grove, goes a step further with sailing certification classes.

Best Places to Take Your Boat in Miami

Biscayne Bay is Miami’s most popular boating destination, allowing you views of the Downtown Miami skyline and homes along the Venetian Islands. Further south, you can sail under the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne, taking in the sights of Crandon Park and the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park lighthouse on the southern tip.

A little further along, you’ll find Stiltsville, and beyond that is Boca Chita Key and its lighthouse inside Biscayne National Park. Further north, you can stop at any of the islands in Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach and enjoy any of its only-accessible-by-boat beaches.

Other popular destinations include Flagler Monument Island between Downtown Miami and South Beach, where boats pull up for weekend parties and you can take a short walk to the Flagler monument in the middle of the island. Boat tie-up parties are also popular at the Nixon Sandbar near Key Biscayne, and at the Haulover Sandbar just off Haulover Park Beach. You don’t need to know anyone to join the fun – just tie up, walk around in the knee-deep water and make some new friends.

Boat-Up Restaurants in Miami

Few things feel more glamorous than floating up to your lunch spot and meandering into a restaurant from your boat. American Social in Brickell sits near the mouth of the Miami River and is a popular spot for sports and a Sunday fun-day. You can also tie up at the Miami Beach Marina and catch sunset at Monty’s Sunset or dock in Coconut Grove and enjoy a glass of wine at Bayshore Club.

Further up the Intracoastal Waterway, Duffy’s Sports Grill in North Miami Beach is one of Miami’s best sports bars. Or check on dock space at Kiki on the River for a more upscale meal and one of Miami’s most celebrated day parties.

Near Jungle Island, you’ll find Miami’s trendiest boat-up restaurant, Joia Beach. The beach club feels like a little slice of Saint Tropez, where boasters tie up and small dinghies bring them ashore. Once there, guests enjoy a big menu of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with flowing rose, sparkling wine and a live DJ playing well past sunset.

Miami Marinas For Your Boating Adventure

In the South of Fifth neighborhood, you’ll find Miami Beach Marina, South Beach’s busiest marina and home to the Monty’s Sunset and Texas de Brazil restaurants. It’s also a nice docking-up spot for exploring picturesque South Pointe Park.

Miami’s largest marina is Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, which offers easy walking access to the Bayshore Club and Regatta Grove for drinks by the water. Rickenbacker Marina in Key Biscayne is perfectly situated for exploring the southern part of Biscayne Bay and has a great after-boat drinks spot, Gramps Getaway.

To the north, there’s Bill Bird Marina near the Haulover Inlet and Haulover Park Beach, and Pelican Harbour Marina near North Bay Village. Further south, Black Point Marina is an ideal launching point for exploring the Florida Keys, and offers the easiest access to Biscayne National Park.