Enjoy Miami On The Water

If you’re traveling to Greater Miami and Miami Beach, one aspect stands out: the destination’s many water activities. From the turquoise waves of the Atlantic to the calming shores of Biscayne Bay, the waters of Miami beckon even before you land. If you’re seeking exciting things to do, Miami tours and water adventures are some of the best around. Here’s a guide to getting out on the water while you’re there.

Renting a Boat in Miami

Two of the most beloved Miami activities are boating and sailing. The ocean always sparkles a little brighter when you’re on a boat, and the envy-inducing photo-ops don’t hurt either. If you want a more intimate experience, GetMyBoat is one of the best options, allowing you to rent private boats from private owners. Boatsetter offers similar experiences, with options to filter by the type of activity you’re seeking – from fishing to snorkeling or watersports.;

For an elevated day on the water, VIP Boat Rental offers a fleet of luxury yachts complete with a professional captain and crew, with charters available for as little as a half day. If you’re looking to venture farther, Tropical Luxury Yacht Charters offers expertly captained excursions that can take you as far as the Bahamas or the Florida Keys on varying sizes of boats. For bigger groups, Y Charter Miami specializes in spacious luxury yachts that are perfect for unforgettable days at sea.

If you’ve got a very large group, well, you’re going to need a bigger boat, and Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters might be your move. It rents 4 different yachts ranging from 76 to 131 feet, with room for up to 400 people.

Sailing is a calmer, idyllic alternative to big boat days, and Sailing Adventures Miami offers private charters throughout the area. Learning to sail adds an element of education to your Miami water activities, and the Coconut Grove Sailing School at the Dinner Key Marina has been teaching people to sail for 80 years.

People with mobility limitations will find accessible boats and kayaks at Shake-a-Leg Miami. 

Many of Miami’s marinas have boat rentals and captains on-site, too. Check out Miami Beach Marina in South Beach;  Miamarina at Bayside in Downtown Miami; Crandon Marina in Key Biscayne; Matheson Hammock Marina in Coral Gables; and Black Point Marina in Homestead, the gateway to the Florida Keys.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding in Miami

Paddling your way through Miami’s serene waters is a great way to get in a workout while still exploring its natural wonders. One of Miami’s most popular places for kayaking is Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach. Explore narrow mangrove channels as you immerse yourself in Old Florida nature, only to emerge onto Biscayne Bay with its modern towers. You can also paddle out to uninhabited islands for a midday picnic.

On Key Biscayne, rent kayaks and paddleboards at Crandon Park Beach, where you can explore the shallow waters with relatively few waves.  In South Beach, you can try paddleboarding Biscayne Bay at night with Get Up and Go’s special Glow Tours. They also offer clear-bottom kayaks for renting, so you can see all the way to the bay’s bottom if you kayak during the day.

Biscayne National Park near Homestead is the only American national park that’s over 90% underwater, and the best way to see it is by boat. The Biscayne National Park Institute offers kayak and paddleboard tours through the park’s mangrove islands and backwater flats.

For guided kayak tours, check out Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, with tours through Miami’s famous canals.

Jetskiing and Parasailing in Miami

One of the enduring images of Miami is speeding over aquamarine waters on a jetski. Jetski rentals in South Beach are easy, with Bouyah Watersports at Miami Beach Marina offering convenient rentals right on the bay. If you’d rather rent a jetski in Key Biscayne, try Miami Waterlife Tours.

South Beach parasailing is a thrilling way to get a panoramic view of the city, taking in Miami Beach as you fly above the sunbathing masses. Both FlySobe Parasailing and Miami Watersports have packages that are right for you and your group.

Snorkeling and Diving in Miami

What you see above the water is only half the fun of water activities in Miami. The other half lies below the surface, and the clear waters of the southern Florida coast make it easy to spend a day with your undersea friends. For novice snorkelers, the shallow, warm waters of Crandon Park Beach make it easy to spot marine life.

Snorkeling is also one of the best things to do in South Beach. Just off the 2nd Street lifeguard tower in South Beach, you’ll find the Jose Cuervo Reef, a literal sunken margarita bar that’s now home to countless species of colorful fish.

A little further out on 4th Street, you’ll find 22 concrete cars mysteriously sitting at the bottom of the ocean. This art installation is the first part of the ReefLine project – a 7-mile reef of underwater art set to be completed in the coming years. It’s best viewed on a short shore dive, or from a boat just offshore.

Biscayne National Park is Miami's crown jewel of diving, home to a collection of shipwrecks turned artificial reefs called the Maritime Heritage Trail. The Biscayne National Park Institute runs diving and snorkel trips both from the Dante Fascell Visitors Center and from Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove.

Windsurfing and Kiteboarding in Miami

The tropical breezes that blow through southeastern Florida make Miami a mecca for windsurfers and kiteboarders. The best places to catch wind are at Hobie Beach in Key Biscayne (also nicknamed Windsurfer Beach), right near the Rickenbacker Causeway, and just across the island at Historic Virginia Key Beach. The best time to windsurf or kiteboard in Miami is from October to May.

Airboat Rides Through the Everglades

Venture a little west of the city and you’ll be in the famous Florida Everglades, where experienced captains can take you through blackwater backchannels others never find. On the way to Everglades National Park, stop into Miccosukee Indian Village and learn the story of Miami’s Indigenous people as you careen across their waters. Also along the Tamiami Trail, you’ll find Coopertown Airboats, the Everglades’ longest-running airboat tours that’ll take you into the national park, as well as Everglades Boat Tours, with bigger boats perfect for larger groups.

Miami Watersports and Adventure Complex

Miami water activities aren’t limited to the beaches. If you’re into wake boarding or waterskiing, check out the Miami Watersports Complex at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah. It’s one of the biggest cable-pulled waterski parks in the country and offers 25- and 55-minute boat rentals if you’d rather get pulled behind a Ski Nautique.  New to the sport? The Miami Watersports Complex teaches lessons, too, so you can learn to stand up or hone your skills.

Swimming Holes and Water Attractions

Open water isn’t for everyone, and those who prefer pools have some unique options in Miami. The historic Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a locals’ icon, where many a Miamian spent their childhood weekends splashing around its limestone walls. During its roaring ‘20s heyday, the place was a celebrity hangout, and the pool still has photos of the golden age movie stars who used to play in its waters.

In Aventura, high-speed water activities await at Tidal Cove at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry. It’s a water park that’s as much for adults as kids, with daybeds, a full bar and gourmet food. Tidal Cove has 6 slides, ranging from the meandering Constrictor to the fall-out-from-under-you Aqua Drop. If that sounds like more action than you need, guests can also test their surfing skills on the FlowRider® and take a lap around the Lazy River.