By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly

 

Whether you’re looking for adventure on the water, a peaceful getaway or a view of the sun sinking over the water of Biscayne Bay, a way to relax with friends or enjoy some nature, we’ve got some ideas for you for Miami boat tours.  With the temps on the rise and the long summer nights, what better way to set sail, enjoy the breeze and get some R&R?  Take advantage of the next two full moons with the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Seabird Cruise and experience a full moon sunset cruise of Biscayne Bay while spotting a variety of seabirds.  If fish are more your thing, check out Captain Jimmy’s Tarpon Feeding Experience and hang out with the 300-lb. Silver Kings.  For the adventurers at heart, book a ride on Thriller Speedboat Tours, where you will zip along the water and see the sights at 40 mph.  And, whether you commute or not, check out the new Poseidon ferry, Miami’s latest venture to reduce traffic congestion, offering weekly rides from Miami to Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Bimini and Nassau.

Did I hear someone say, “Ship Ahoy?”

 

 

Island Queen Cruises: From Millionaire’s Row to the Everglades

               

All aboard!  Known for their friendly and knowledgeable staff and offering a variety of specialty and sightseeing tours, including the Millionaire’s Row Cruise, the Everglades Experience, and an Evening Tour of South Beach from the water, the Island Queen has something for every taste.

The company is known for providing “luxury on the water” – its luxury yacht accommodations, including their double decker yachts with climate controlled indoor and outdoor seating, a cash bar offering cocktails and snacks.

Enjoy gorgeous views of Miami and relax in on the main level or on an open-air top-level on a 90-minute boat tour.

On the fully-narrated bilingual sightseeing tour, you will see views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami Skyline, the Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Millionaire’s Row.

Soft drinks, cocktails, and light snacks are available for purchase.

For the more adventurous, or first-time visitors to Miami, sign-up for their Everglades Tour, which will take you by bus to the Everglades Holiday Park, a 50-minute drive.

Experience the “River of Grass,” on a guided airboat (bring earplugs!) and be prepared to see Florida wildlife, including turtles, birds and of course, alligators. Don’t miss the wildlife show where experts handle the wildlife using traditional Seminole Indian techniques.

Visit https://islandqueencruise.com. Tel: 1.800.506.2628.

 

 

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Seabird Cruises

 

What better way to see Miami than on a Miami boat tour in Biscayne Bay under a full moon by keepers on South Florida wildlife? Seabird Cruises, sponsored by Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, offers monthly two-hour full moon sunset cruises of Biscayne Bay.

The Station was founded in 1980 to care for injured brown pelicans and has grown into an internationally recognized center for seabird rehabilitation.

Enjoy a beautiful sunset birding cruise of Biscayne Bay and scan the mangrove shoreline of the Crandon rookery for brown pelicans, frigate birds, and more than 30 other species of birds. Take in the beauty of the Miami skyline from the water at night on their “Explorer.”

Tickets are $60 each and must be booked in advance via the link below or on their Facebook event page. The trip always sells out, so no-shows or last-minute cancellations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

July full moon cruise scheduled for July 19 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and the August full moon cruise scheduled for Sunday, August 18, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

 

Visit https://www.pelicanharbor.org. For more information contact: Stephanie Moure at Stephanie@pelicanharbor.org. Tel: (305) 762-7633.

 

 

Poseidon Ferry:Combo of Commuting with the Best Views of Miami from the Water

               

Tired of traffic in Miami?  How about commuting by boat?

What better way to reach your destination without all the stop-and-go of traffic and see the sights of Miami from the water?  Relax on the way to your office or meeting.

Set sail on your own Poseidon adventure with the new Poseidon ferry, offering weekly rides from Miami to Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Bimini and Nassau.

In an attempt to ease congestion on its roads, Miami Beach has launched a $600,000 water taxi program to transport passengers to downtown Miami.

The ferry service runs hourly trips from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park in South Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood to the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club, two blocks from the Arsht Center in the Omni district of Miami.

The vessel departs from Miami Beach on the half hour and from Miami Downtown on the hour, with the trip taking around 18 minutes each way.

The one-way fare for adult passengers is $12, with discounted rates of $5 for Miami Beach residents and $6 for seniors 65 years old and up. The city also offers weekly ($30) and monthly ($120) commuter passes. Miami Beach residents can ride free until July 31.

Visit poseidonferry.com. Tel: (844) 623-3779.

 

 

Thriller Speedboat Tours: Recreating that 80s Miami Vice Vibe

 

Feeling adventurous?  Remember Crockett and Tubbs?

Departing from Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami, this Miami Boat  tour provides a sightseeing experience à la Miami Vice. See celebrity mansions on Star Island, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and the Art Deco district of South Beach.

Not for the faint of heart – boats go up to 40 mph, depending on weather conditions and depart daily from 10am until sunset every hour and a half during the weekdays, and every ½ hour during weekends, holidays, and weekdays throughout the summer.

Crockett and Tubbs have nothing on you!

Visit https://www.Recreating that 80s Miami Vice Vibe.com. Tel: 305-371-3278.

 

More Miami Boat Tours

 

 

Fiesta Cruises : Captain Jimmy’s Tarpon Feeding Experience

            

With two boats to their name, Captain Jimmy Lewis and his wife, Holly, operate their vessels out of the Recreating that 80s Miami Vice Vibe at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami.

In business since 1995, their boats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels and are inspected annually. Equipped with snack bars, you can sip on a frozen pina colada, cold beer or soft-drinks and enjoy a hotdog, slice of pizza or munch on some popcorn.

With a variety of expeditions – from a three-hour tour of Biscayne Bay and Stiltsville, to a Sunset and Cocktail Cruise to a cruise around Palm, Star, and Hibiscus Islands, past the end of South Beach and Fisher Island, then down around the Port of Miami and along Miami’s shoreline, all while taking in the many celebrity homes on view.

Billed as a way to relax after a hard week, the two-hour cruise features an open bar, relaxing music, the soft Miami breeze and sunset and the lights of the city.

If you are in the mood to party hearty, never fear – Fiesta also offers a 90-minute Party Cruise for those who love the nightlife and want to experience it on the water.

Dance to the sounds of D.J.s, enjoy a cocktail and party til the sun comes up!

Not to be missed:  Captain Jimmy’s Tarpon Feeding Experience.  This is an opportunity to hand feed tarpon fish, known as the Silver King, weighing up to 300-lbs.  A life-long fisherman, Captain Jimmy grew up in fishing in Florida and wanted to share his love of the water and fishing with the public.  He designed an area in Biscayne Bay that would let people get up close and personal to the tarpon, but be safe enough for children.  Prices:  $12 for a 5-piece minnow’s bucket; $20 for a 10-piece snapper’s bucket and $28 for a 15-piece grouper’s bucket.  Or, get the full tarpon experience, including a 30-minute guided tarpon encounter and a 20-piece bucket for $49.  Reservations required.

Sunset cruise prices begin at $69 for adults and $44 for children 4-11. Free for kids 3 and under.

The Party Cruise begins at $28 for adults, $20 for children 4-11. Free for kids 3 and under.

Snacks, beer, wine, and frozen drinks available for purchase.

Visit https://fiestacruises.com. Tel: (305) 371-3033.

 

 

Ocean Force Adventures: Commited to Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Tourism

             

Ocean Force Adventure tours are designed for travelers looking for a unique, engaging and authentic experience. Specializing in small group and private tours, you will experience a personal and intimate adventure under the auspices of experienced, professional and personable guides with knowledge of Miami’s history, culture and marine life.

With a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism, Ocean Force Adventures is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and marine life of Biscayne Bay. Vessels are equipped with efficient equipment and ultra-low emission outboard engines

Small Group (Shared) Biscayne Bay Tours ULTIMATE & Stiltsville Tour

$169 • All ages • Up to 6 People • 2 Hours • Reservations Required

Small Group (Shared) Biscayne Bay ESSENTIALS Tour

$129 – All ages – 2 hours – Reservations Required

Visit https://oceanforceadventures.com. Tel: (305) 372-3388.

 

Miami Skyline Cruises – Skyline on the Bayride

 

Finishing up the options for Miami Boat Tours –Known as the original Miami Skyline tour on Biscayne Bay.  With views of millionaires’ homes on Hibiscus Island views of Palm Island, Sunset Island, Fischer Island, Star Island and the Venetian Islands, the tour provides a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

The Venetian Way, a causeway connecting Miami on the mainland and Miami Beach on a barrier island, is home to some of the city’s most luxurious Gothic and Venetian palazzo-style mansions.

Among the notable figures who have made their hoe on these islands are:  Musician Lenny Kravitz, tennis star Anna Kournikova and film star, Antonio Banderas.

Check out the distinctive architectural styles of Star Island with its old English, colonial, and mix of distinctive cultural architectures, mirroring the area’s affluence and allure. Don’t miss the iconic landmarks that is Al Capone’s Mansion, also known as Villa Angela,

If you’re in the mood for something more romantic, why not try their 90-minute sunset cruise and catch the Miami sunset turning the sky into shades of pink, orange and red. A sunset cruise offers a romantic ambiance with live music and entertainment, making it a memorable evening on the water.

Cash bar and food and drinks available for purchase.  Bilingual tour guides and custom designed tours upon request.  Prices range from $27.99 – $49.99 for a combo tour.

Purchase tickets in advance here:  Sail Away in Style – The Ultimate Miami Boat Tour Adventure (miamiskylinecruises.com)  Tel:  (786) 714-1314.  Email:  Reservations@miamiskylinecruises.com.

 

Additionally, visit their sister site:  MiamiSunsetBoatCruises.com for the 1.5 hour “Best of Both Worlds Boat Tour” – a tour of the Miami sunset with views of Star Island.  Tickets $22.99 pp.  Or, get on board for the 90-min. Miami Sunset Cruise with the original Mojito Bar on board staffed by licensed and professional bartenders.  Tickets:  $28.99 pp for 1.5 hours.  Visit their website for updated sunset times.  Tel:  (786) 714-1314.

 

And if you prefer to do your own thing with your own boat, click here for Miami boat rentals.