Your boat, your route. Haulover Sandbar, Key Biscayne, Star Island and Stiltsville. Lanchas from $680 full-day — 100% private, zero shared tours, captain always on board.
Miami boat rental quick facts: Lancha 29ft from $680/8 hrs (12 guests) • Lancha 40ft $1,250/8 hrs (20 guests) • Yacht 60ft $2,650/8 hrs (30 guests) • Catamaran 52ft $2,890/8 hrs (50 guests) • Captain + fuel always included • Departure: Bayside Marina, Miami Beach • Top routes: Haulover Sandbar, Stiltsville, Star Island, Key Biscayne, Bimini.
Miami's Biscayne Bay gives you access to one of the most diverse boating environments in North America — shallow Atlantic sandbars, protected national park waters, and open ocean to the Bahamas, all within an hour of the marina. The difference between a shared tour and a private charter in Miami is the difference between a bus ride and a personal driver.
Every Nauty 360 Miami charter departs on your schedule, goes to your chosen destination, and returns when you decide. Your captain handles navigation, anchoring, and local knowledge — you handle the cooler. No 60-person party boat, no fixed itinerary, no 10am departure slots. If you want to spend four hours at Haulover Sandbar and leave at noon, that's the charter.
Miami's marine geography is uniquely forgiving for first-timers. Haulover Sandbar sits in 1–3 feet of Atlantic water — shallow enough to stand, calm enough for kids. Stiltsville's seven historic structures in Biscayne National Park are only accessible by water. Star Island and Millionaires' Row look completely different from the water than any land-based view.
All rates are for 100% private charters — 8 hours flat. Captain, fuel and safety equipment always included. No hourly billing, no hidden fees. Exact quote via WhatsApp in under 2 hours.
| Vessel | Max Guests | 8-Hour Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancha 29ft | Up to 12 | $680 | Couples, families, Haulover Sandbar day |
| Lancha 40ft | Up to 20 | $1,250 | Groups, birthdays, Stiltsville tours |
| Yacht 60ft | Up to 30 | $2,650 | Corporate events, luxury, Star Island |
| Catamaran 52ft | Up to 50 | $2,890 | Large parties, bachelorettes, Biscayne Bay |
Licensed captain • Fuel for full 8-hour charter • Safety equipment • Life jackets • USCG-certified vessel • Pre-trip route consultation via WhatsApp.
Catering & food packages • Open bar setup • Bluetooth sound system • Drone photography • Fishing gear • Water toys (inflatable, snorkel). BYO always welcome.
Your captain knows every sandbar, inlet and anchor spot. Here are the six routes Miami boaters actually talk about — with honest times and what makes each one worth it.
South Florida's most popular shallow-water party spot — 1–3 ft deep at low tide, north of Haulover Beach. Packed with boats on summer weekends. 30 min from Bayside Marina. Best visited on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Seven historic wooden structures on stilts inside Biscayne National Park, 1 mile south of Cape Florida. Built from the 1930s onward. Only accessible by boat. Calm, protected water — excellent for families and photography.
Private island off South Beach with celebrity waterfront mansions — a view you can't get from land. 20 min from Bayside. Perfect for a half-day add-on combined with a Sandbar stop.
Calmer alternative to Haulover — dolphins, manatees and the Nixon Sandbar in clear, shallow water near Cape Florida. 45 min from Bayside. Better snorkeling than the Atlantic side.
50 nautical miles offshore — a full-day passage to turquoise Bahamian water. Bimini Road, Alice Town, snorkeling off Gun Cay. Requires advance notice for CBP documentation. Best with the Catamaran 52ft or Yacht 60ft.
The Miami skyline from the water at golden hour is one of the best views in Florida. Cruise past Brickell, Wynwood waterfront, and South Beach. Departs 4:30–5pm. Popular for anniversaries, proposals and corporate events.
Miami's Haulover Sandbar shared tours run $65–$95 per person. Here's what that looks like for different group sizes vs. a private charter:
| Option | Group of 6 | Group of 12 | Group of 20 | What You Give Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Party Boat | $390–$570 | $780–$1,140 | $1,300–$1,900 | Fixed schedule, 50+ strangers, loud music, no flexibility |
| Private Lancha 29ft | $680 total | $680 total | — | Nothing — you own the vessel |
| Private Lancha 40ft | — | $1,250 total | $1,250 total | Nothing — fully private for 20 guests |
| Break-even (group of 12) | Private Lancha 29ft costs same or less — and your group has the entire boat | |||
The break-even is 8–10 people. At a group of 10, a private Lancha 29ft ($680 total) costs the same as 10 shared-tour tickets ($650–$950). At 12 guests, private is cheaper per person and you have complete control of the day.
We cross-referenced pricing and inclusions across eight Miami charter operators and two major aggregator platforms (GetMyBoat, BoatSetter) for the current season. Key findings most booking pages don't mention:
| Finding | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| "From $50/hr" aggregator pricing | Refers to kayaks and paddleboards. Private motorboat minimums start at $150–$200/hr with a 4-hr minimum — effectively $600–$800 minimum per charter. | Don't anchor expectations to headline aggregator rates. |
| Haulover Sandbar fill time | On summer Saturdays, Haulover fills by 11am with 200+ boats. Arriving after noon means peripheral anchoring and reduced water space. | Depart by 9am on summer weekends for center-sandbar positioning. |
| Bimini CBP requirement | US Customs and Border Protection requires reporting arrival digitally via the CBP ROAM app. First-time Bahamas trips require 48+ hours advance notice to prepare paperwork. | Book Bimini trips with minimum 48-hour lead time; not a same-day decision. |
| National Park permit (Stiltsville) | Biscayne National Park has anchor restrictions near the stilt houses. Mooring buoys are first-come, first-served. No permit required for day visits but anchoring outside designated zones is prohibited. | Stiltsville visits work best as part of a Key Biscayne route, not as a standalone stop. |
Lanchas & catamarans to Isla Mujeres, whale shark season, MUSA. From $680.
Explore Cancun →Twin-hull catamarans for groups 6–50. More deck space, same private experience.
Explore Catamarans →Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca, Los Flamencos. Private sailboats & motor yachts in Colombia.
Explore Cartagena →Saona Island, Catalina Island, offshore fishing. Private charters from $500 half-day.
Explore Punta Cana →Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Sylvia Sandbar, and offshore reef. Private charters 15–20% cheaper than Miami. Captain included.
Fort Lauderdale →Premium yachts and super-yachts for VIP groups. Open bar, catering, and photographer available.
Luxury Charters →Flexible private charters by the hour or full day. Any occasion — sightseeing, fishing, island hopping.
Book a Charter →Party on the water — open bar, DJ setup, Haulover Sandbar stop. Groups 10–50 guests.
Party Charters →Golden hour on Biscayne Bay. Star Island, downtown skyline, and Key Biscayne at dusk.
Sunset Cruises →Motor yachts and sailing yachts 40–100ft. Ideal for corporate events, proposals, and luxury escapes.
Yacht Rentals →Charters departing near South Beach and Miami Beach Marina. Perfect for Venetian Islands and the Sandbar.
Miami Beach Charters →