Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and protected by the Miami Beach coast, Miami offers the perfect setting for all kinds of water activities. Miami is the city of eternal summer and is definitely a perfect place for a boat tour.

Explore Biscayne Bay on a sightseeing cruise, experience pure adrenaline moments on a jetboat, set sail on a sailboat, snorkel in the Key West reef or travel to the Everglades for an airboat tour! Whatever boating experience you are dreaming of, a boat tour in Miami can offer it to you!

Here's all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most popular outdoor activities in Miami.

What are the best boat tours in Miami?

Biscayne Bay sightseeing cruise

Hop on a 1.5-hour scenic cruise of Biscayne Bay, where you'll see the Port of Miami, Miami Beach, the Downtown Miami skyline, and Millionaire's Row, the street where Miami's rich and famous once lived.

Miami is a city entirely overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Miami's most significant points of interest are located along the coast and especially around Biscayne Bay.

With this boat tour, you are sure to get a thorough introduction to the city. The cruise departs from the Bayside Marketplace Marina, passes by all the attractions located on the perimeter of Biscayne Bay, including Fisher Island, Brickell Key Island, Millionaire's Row luxury villas and condos, the Miami skyline and of course, the Port of Miami.

The sightseeing cruise includes live commentary that will tell you stories and anecdotes about the city and Biscayne Bay in particular. The boat has a large room on the first level with panoramic windows and air conditioning. On the second level, there is an open-air floor equipped with some awnings to protect from the sun. The cruise bar offers snacks and drinks for a fee.

This Biscayne Bay boat tour is definitely one of the best first-time tours to the city.

Key West tour plus glass bottom boat ride

Key West is the pearl of Florida. Located on an island in the Florida Keys archipelago, it is the southernmost place in the continental United States and offers a unique and exciting marine scenery.

Take advantage of your visit to Miami to spend a day on a boat in Key West. With this tour, you will reach Key West traveling on Overseas Highway 1 and passing the Seven Mile Bridge.

Once in Key West, you'll board a glass-bottom boat. These boats are the perfect solution to allow boat tour participants to see the lush marine flora and fauna found in the coral reef of Key West's turquoise waters without having to dive. The boat tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

After the boat tour, you will have 4 hours free to explore Key West and its paradisiacal beaches. Remember to visit the monument of the southernmost point of the continental United States: you will be precisely in front of Cuba!

There are several excursions to Key West from Miami that include additional activities besides transportation, such as boat rides, snorkeling or parasailing. Compare all day trips to Key West from Miami to choose the best one for you! If you are visiting Key West on your own and are interested in a boat ride, take a look at the page of boat tours from Key West.

Thriller speedboat adventure

Experience an exciting high-speed speedboat ride. Zip and veer into Biscayne Bay as you pass the sights around the bay. This speedboat tour is the perfect option for those who want to combine the thrill of adrenaline with sightseeing.

Biscayne Bay is the center of the Miami marina and is surrounded by islands and peninsulas. You'll depart by boat from the Bayside Marketplace and see the Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Millionaire's Row on Star Island, where many millionaire celebrities own villas and apartments.

Bahamas boat tour with transport from Miami

Did you know that just 52 miles from Miami is an island in the Bahamas? Take advantage of your visit to Miami to take a boat trip to Bimini Island, part of the Bahamas archipelago. The boat excursion includes transportation from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, where the ferry to the Bahamas will depart.

The round trip ferry ticket is included in the tour. In addition, you will receive a day pass to the Hilton Beach Club, located on Bimini beach, with which you will be able to access all the Beach Club services. Relax on Bimini's Caribbean beaches with this boat excursion and enjoy one day trip from Miami to the Bahamas.

Private sailing charter in Miami

Enjoy a relaxing private sea experience on a sailing tour. The sailing yacht accommodates a maximum of six or eight participants and by purchasing a private tour, you will have the security of privacy and tranquility.

Personalize your sailing trip by deciding which route to take. Set sail from the Port of Miami, cross Biscayne Bay and see Millionaire's Row from the boat.

Have fun learning to drive a sailboat following the captain's instructions. You take the helm and drive the boat often. This boat tour is the perfect option for a couple, a group of friends or a family of up to 6 people looking for a personal and private experience.

Everglades airboat tour from Miami

Everglades National Park is a one-of-a-kind place. It is a swampy wilderness with a subtropical climate that covers much of central South Florida.

The Everglades is a vital natural ecosystem for some species of animals, such as the American alligators, other varieties of reptiles, turtles, birds, and the Florida panther, which can be spotted on an airboat ride.

Everglades National Park is like an immense swampy river, with shallow waters and river vegetation characterized by sawgrass rising to 3 meters high from the water.

The airboat ride will follow the main water channels to show you different parts of the ecosystem and get you to spot as much wildlife as possible. The airboat is a special craft propelled by an air engine and is the best way to navigate swampy areas with shallow water.

Don't miss the chance to visit the Everglades from Miami. Compare all Everglades day trips from Miami.

Key West sailing and snorkeling tour from Miami

Travel to Key West for a fantastic sea adventure in the Gulf of Mexico.

The tour will begin with bus transportation from Miami to Key West. You will cross 32 islands along Ocean Highway 1, enjoying the view. Once in Key West, you will have some time to explore the city before embarking on a 15-meter catamaran heading toward the reef.

The sailing catamaran tour is a fantastic experience for sea lovers. You will be able to see how a sailboat works and enjoy the sun and relaxation. When the boat arrives on the reef, the snorkeling lesson will begin.

The reef off Key West is Florida's best place to snorkel. Don't worry if you've never snorkeled before. The guide will explain all the details of the activity. You will be able to see the coral reef and thousands of tropical fishes with your own eyes.

After the boat tour, you will return to Key West for some free time, before returning to Miami.

Miami boat party with all-inclusive open bar

Miami is famous for its boat parties! Take advantage of this 3-hour sunset boat party with a DJ set and open bar included. The event also includes a beach pre-party for boat party participants. The boat party includes unlimited alcoholic drinks.

Miami dance cruise

Start your evening in Miami with a cruise party. Drive through Biscayne Bay illuminated by night lights as you dance to the DJ's music and enjoy a great drink from the bar. The boat tour departs from Bayside Marketplace and goes all the way to Miami Beach and back.

The music and dance cruise lasts approximately 90 minutes and is suitable for all ages, including families with children. There will be a dance floor for those who want to take advantage of the location to dance, but also space on the deck to admire the view in peace and enjoy good times with friends and family.

The bar on the cruise is stocked with soft and alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, snacks, chips and popcorn. Enjoy this fantastic night cruise on Miami's tropical waters.

Pirate ship tour in Miami

Try an alternative boat tour, embarking on a pirate galleon! "El Loro" is Miami's only pirate galleon. Drive across Biscayne Bay to reach Millionaire's Row, the lush mansion neighborhood where VIPs live.

The galleon is a two-story boat and, given the elevated position of the second floor, offers 360° views of the bay. The navigation will last about 80 minutes and the crossing will be animated by music and pirate dancing.

What are the best places to visit on a boat tour from Miami?

Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay is the vital center of the water activities in Miami. The northern section of Biscayne Bay is a lagoon formed by the Miami Beach barrier and the Miami mainland coast.

This part is the most used and modified by human activities: there are artificial islands and buildings built on the various islands. Being a lagoon, the waters are calm and the location is perfect for water activities such as boat tours, speedboat rides or jet skis.

The central and southern parts of Biscayne Bay are not usually visited. They stretch for tens of kilometers south of Miami and have been less impacted by human activities.

Key West

Key West is the largest island in the Florida Keys archipelago. It is located approximately 160 miles from Miami and is the southernmost tip of Florida. Key West is particularly known for its marine habitat. In fact, the island is surrounded by one of the few coral reefs in North America and most of the boat tours are directed to visit the reef.

Bahamas Islands

The Bahamas are a beautiful archipelago of tropical islands located in the northern part of the Caribbean and not far from Florida's coast. In particular, Bimini Island is very close to Miami and can be reached on a day trip by boat.

The island offers paradisiacal beaches and crystal clear water, as well as services for tourists and beach clubs to enliven the days on the beach.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a large swampy area in South Florida. The water invades several square kilometers of land, even if the depth remains minimal. The Everglades are covered in thick mangrove vegetation and tall grass and are a protected natural ecosystem home to dozens of animals (mainly reptiles and birds) that inhabit that area

The Everglades start just outside the urban perimeter of Miami and are therefore easily accessible. It is recommended to spend a half-day or full-day in the Everglades, including an airboat tour.

What types of boat tours are available in Miami?

Group boat tour

Most boat tours and cruises are group activities. Biscayne Bay cruises or speedboat rides are activities with a few dozen people who can participate. However, the cruises are not full every day, especially on midweek days. If you are looking for a more intimate experience, you can consider private boat tours or sailing tours.

Many sailing tours are private or semi-private experiences. If the sailing tour is in a group, you will do it together with other participants who will buy the same tour as you. However, sailing boats are limited to small groups, usually 6 to 12 people, and therefore the boat will not be overcrowded.

Private boat tours

Private sailing tours are created to offer a high-quality experience. You can participate in the boat tour with your partner, family, or group of friends, having the whole boat entirely to yourself. A skipper will be available to customize the itinerary and steer the boat. Try this experience if you are looking for a boat tour with privacy and tranquility.

Boat rental

If it's not your first boating experience, you can consider hiring a boat in Miami. Biscayne Bay offers an environment with flat, calm waters that make navigation very easy, even for inexperienced drivers. You can rent motorboats or sailing yachts for one or more hours or for a whole day.

What are the prices for boat tours from Miami?

The prices of the boat tours from Miami vary according to the type:

Biscayne Bay day sightseeing cruises cost US$25 to US$30.
Evening cruises and boat parties cost between US$10 and US$30.
Day trips to Key West with boat tours cost between US$100 and US$150.
Airboat tours cost US$22 to US$55. The most expensive ones include hotel pickup and transportation to the Everglades.
Private sailing tours cost between US$400 and US$500 for a whole group.
Day trips to the Bahamas cost US$150 to US$230 per person, including transportation, ferry, and Hilton Beach Club pass.

What other water activities can I do in Miami?

Miami is an excellent destination for water sports lovers. Facing the Atlantic Ocean and with several miles of coastline, Miami offers an excellent environment for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Besides, various other water activities designed for tourists and locals are available, such as jet ski tours, seaplane flights, snorkeling excursions, tubing, kayaking, or flyboarding.

Where do boat trips in Miami leave from?

Most boat tours depart from the Bayside Marketplace, a section of the Port of Miami. Some tours offer a hotel pickup included. The meeting point for sailing tours or boat rentals can be at several piers in the Port of Miami.

Airboat tours depart from SW 8th Street, the road that connects Miami to the Everglades. If you don't have a car, you can purchase tours that include hotel pickup and transportation to the Everglades.

Key West day trips include a hotel pickup and the boat tour will depart from Key West.

What is the duration of a boat cruise from Miami?

Biscayne Bay cruises last 60 to 90 minutes. The duration is enough to cross the Bay to North Miami Beach and back. Jetboat tours last from 30 to 45 minutes. Sailboat tours last 2 to 3 hours, while Key West or Bahamas' boat excursions last a full day. Everglades airboat tours last approximately 1 hour, plus transportation if included in the tour.

When is the best time for a boat excursion from Miami?

Miami has a humid tropical climate with relatively high temperatures all year round and rainfall that is concentrated more in the summer than in the winter months. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy a boat tour all year round. Most of the boats also have an indoor part and therefore work even if the day is slightly rainy or cold.

Travel tips

If it's summer and it's a sunny day, remember to bring sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
Check the exact meeting point and be there at least 30 minutes before the boat tour's departure.
Book the tour in advance to be sure of availability and all the details.
Don't forget your camera or mobile phone to capture beautiful moments by the sea.
If you visit the Bahamas, remember to bring your passport and the necessary documentation for entry to the Bahamas and return to the United States.

Boat Tours & Cruises in Miami