Miami's majestic skyline, the homes of the rich and famous and beyond... A Biscayne Bay Cruise is an excellent way to enjoy some of the most spectacular views Miami has to offer.
Since the city is blessed with fabulous weather year-round, enjoying the sights from the water on a tropical sunny day is always a pleasant way specially for first-timers to discover our beautiful coastline and experience the pulse of the city, as this is one busy thouroughfare.
Huge cruise ships, speed boats, cargo containers, ferries, sail boats, jet skis, luxury yachts, all traverse the waters of the bay...
A typical sightseeing cruise takes about an hour and a half with many different kinds of vessels leaving several times during the day. One of the most popular places that offers many options for boat tours is the Bayside Marketplace Marina, convenient if you are staying close to downtown as well as Miami Beach. Here sightseeing boats come and go throughout the day.
Miami Boat Tours Options
Here are some of the most popular options for a Biscayne Bay Cruise, unless indicated, they all conveniently leave from Bayside Marketplace. For the most part, they all cover a similar route and sights.
There are many options, from the large and steady sightseeing boats, to the smaller and faster power boats, pirate ships, party boats, smaller private boats, amphibious "Duck Tours", etc. Check them out!
The Original Millionaire's Row Cruise
The most popular and no-frills option, very convenient as they have departures throughout the day. These are larger boats with plenty of room and offer a very relaxing ride.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views, the tour lasts one and a half hours. Great photo opportunities throughout.
Our tip: Take the latest cruise in the afternoon for spectacular sunset views.
When?: Every Day departures, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where?: Bayside Marketplace Marina
How Much?: Adults $30 Children (4-12) $20
Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures
Hang on to your hats, caps and sun-glasses! Definitely the way to go if you have kids and teenagers. 45-minute ride.
Our kids loved it as the sleek speedboat whizzed past the islands, the port and the Miami skyline.
A super fun ride, it covers the rich and famous spots and is as far as we know, the only tour that ventures out in the Ocean and along South Beach.
These are small boats and they fill up quick, if your time is limited, it is best to book in advance.
When?: Daily at 10:00am to sunset
Where?: Bayside Marketplace Marina
How Much?: Adult $45 Children Under 12 $35
Miami's Pirate Boat
If you want a tour around the bay on an adventure-like ship, then this is your answer, and it's a very popular one with the kids. However, this is NOT a Pirate experience where kids look for hidden treasures or fire off the water cannons. It is a sightseeing tour with crew dressed as pirates and a fun atmosphere.
You get the splendid views of the bay, the Miami skyline, the expensive homes of the rich and famous, the Cruise Port, and the tour takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
When?: Daily at 1:30 pm 3:30 pm 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Where?: Bayside Marketplace Marina
How Much?: Adult $30.00 Children 3-11 $20
Sunset and Evening Cruises
If the views are splendid during the day, at night, the Miami skyline really comes to life.
Watch the city come to life at night when the sun goes down and the city lights come on. Thousands of lights illuminate the incredible high-rise buildings and city skyline around the bay.
When?: Daily cruises leave every 1/2 hour or so, last sailing 10:45 pm
Where?: Bayside Marketplace Marina
How Much?: $29.99
Boat Party Nightclub with Live DJ & Open Bar
Dazzling lights, the hottest tunes, fun people, an open bar serving spirits, wine, and more... a great way to spend a Miami tropical evening.
Live the Miami lifestyle and party on a 2-level yacht 3-hour cruise with dancing, an open bar, snacks, and a live DJ. Cruise past millionaire homes, with the Miami skyline as the backdrop. 21+ only.
When?: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays two sailings at 6:45 pm and 9:45 pm
Where?: Bayside Marketplace Marina
How Much?: $139.99
Land and Sea: The Miami Duck Tour
What is a Duck Tour? "The Duck" is a mix between bus and boat, it goes on land as well as on water, well, like a duck.
The 90-minute tour aboard this state-of-the-art vehicle, is your best bet if you want to see a lot and in a very lively and unique way with funny and quacky guides that certainly know their city.
The tour starts from South Beach, and brings you to the highlights of the Art Deco Center and South Beach main attractions before making a splash into Biscayne Bay for a wade through the marinas, the ritzy islands and the celebrities' homes.
The Duck Tours fill up quick, so try to book in advance for this one.
When?: Daily 11:00 am, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 pm
Where?: Departing from Lincoln Road, 1661 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
How Much?: Adults $48.15 Children 4-12 $29.96
Keep in mind that some of the smaller boats fill-up quick, particularly the high-speed boats, and specially during holidays or major sports or cultural events when demand is higher booking ahead is a must.
If you are planning to combine a city tour or the hop-on hop-off bus tour, then booking a combined package will be cheaper than booking tours separately.
Miami Boat Tours | ||||
| Cruise Type | Description | Times * | Departs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
* Times subject to seasonal changes, please check with operator | ||||
| The Original Millionaire's Row Cruise | 90 minutes, large boats, relaxed and comfortable ride. | Daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Bayside Marketplace | Adults $30 Children (4-12) $20 Book |
| Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures | Fast and fun 45-minute Speedboat ride, great for kids. Smaller boats, reservations recommended | Daily 10:00am to sunset | Bayside Marketplace | Adults $45.00 Children $35.00 Book |
| Sunset and Evening Cruises | Watch the city come to life at night when the sun goes down and the city lights come on, 90 minutes, reservations recommended | Daily, last sailing 10:45 pm | Bayside Marketplace | Adults $29.95
Book |
| Pirate Boat Tours | An 80-minute tour around the bay aboard a pirate ship | 1:30pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 7:30pm | Bayside Marketplace | Adult $30 Children $20 Book |
| Miami Night and Dance Cruise | A 3-hour cruise with gorgeous city lights, music, dancing and open bar | Fri to Sun 6:45 and 9:45pm | Bayside Marketplace | $139.99
Book |
| Miami Duck Tours | 90-minute quacky ride on land and water, kids love this one | 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm | South Beach | Adults $48.15 Children 4-12 $29.96 Book |
Please note that tour times are subject to change due to seasonal needs, always double-check before booking.
Always double-check the departure times and boarding times, in most cases you need to be there 30 minutes ahead of time to collect a "boarding pass".
A Biscayne Bay Cruise: The Sights
These are some of the landmarks and sights you pass along the way:
Our fantastic skyline is front and center...
As we leave from Bayside Marketplace, a great view of the marina, the Hard Rock Cafe, and downtown Miami in the background...
The American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat...
Miami's Freedom Tower...designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark for its role in hosting services for processing Cubans fleeing to Florida, now a contemporary art museum...
Ritzy Fisher Island, which according to the 2010 Census enjoys the country's highest per capita income. This exclusive island is only accessible via private ferry:
The Port of Miami is not only the cruise capital of the world, handling the most number of cruise passengers worldwide, but also a main cargo gateway, the busiest in Florida and one of the top 10 in the country. Chances are you will see one of the huge cruiseliners that call Miami home, and rows upon rows of containers lining the docks.
And of course there is also the "Row", home of the rich and famous where your guide will point out the plush dwellings of our local celebrities: Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Julio Iglesias. etc.
Some boats also venture out in the Ocean and all the way down to South Beach:
And many marinas, bridges and all sorts of water traffic...
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