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Miami Boat Tours

A Quick Guide to the Various Miami Boat Tours on Offer
miami boat tour

Miami Boat Tours - Everything You Need to Know

Miami is a coastal city in Florida with beautiful beaches, miles of clear, blue ocean, and awe-inspiring architecture. The city's coastline is comprised of a series of islands and atolls. These are best explored via the many tours that operate in the area. Spend a day on the ocean waves, and see this beautiful part of Florida at close quarters.
marinas and ports in miami

Miami's Main Marinas and Ports

The city of Miami in Florida is blessed with some of the most prestigious marinas and ports in America. Millions of tourists visit the area every year to explore its islands and coastlines. But with so many options to choose from, where should you start your own boat tours in Miami? You'll be glad to know that there are plenty of places from which to start your sea-based tours. The right one for you depends on where you're staying, and where you want to go. 
Miami Beach Marina
Several boat tours depart from Miami Beach Marina every day. Located right by the Government Cut, this large marina enjoys an idyllic location near the bars, restaurants, and art deco buildings of South Beach. The marina is just a 20-minute drive from Miami Airport, and a matter of minutes from Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Intracoastal Waterway. 
As well as being a great starting point for your tour, the Miami Beach Marina is an exclusive destination in its own right. There is a large market, a selection of casual and fine dining locations, and various water-sports providers. If you want to explore the length of Miami's Atlantic Ocean coastline, this is a great starting point.
Miamarina
Miamarina is a large, modern marina located in the heart of Miami's downtown area. Several boat tours, charter services, and water-sports excursions leave from Miamarina, making it one of the most popular boating destinations in the city. 
If you want to combine shopping, dining, and sightseeing, Miamarina is the perfect place. The marina is located in Bayside Marketplace, which is home to more than 100 shops and restaurants. Also in the vicinity is the American Airlines Arena, which is home to the Miami Heat NBA team. Other attractions in the area include the Miami Children's Museum, Parrot Jungle Island (which can be reached by boat), and the Miami Seaquarium.
One Island Park Marina
One Island Park Marina is one of the city's most prestigious port facilities. Home to a range of superyachts, the marina features stunning landscaping, modern design features, and a gated entrance with 24-hour security. Miami's South Beach is just a five-minute car journey away, and offers special services for charter customers and a full concierge service. 
PortMiami
PortMiami is regarded as the "cruise capital of the world," and caters for the large cruise vessels sailing the oceans today. There are regular trips to various Caribbean destinations, as well as the Bahamas and Mexico. You won't find small boat tours here, but if you're planning on an extended tour of the Atlantic Ocean's tropical islands, this is the place to go. After all, it's the largest passenger port in the world. 
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is an island town in Miami-Dade County. It lies to the south east of Miami, and can be reached via the Rickenbacker Causeway. As well as being home to some of Miami's most popular boat tours, Key Biscayne is an exclusive tourist destination. Some of the most expensive real estate in the world can be found here. And don't forget luxurious hotel resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, The Grand Bay, The Ocean Club, and The Key Colony.
Coconut Grove
Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, the Prime Marina is a state-of-the-art facility, home to superyachts, private charters, and prestigious tours. This is a community of its own, and is home to the locally renowned Monty's Raw Bar & Restaurant. You'll also find a range of stores in the marina, selling everything from water-sports tuition to parts for boats. You can get to the Epic Marina in Coconut Grove within 20 minutes from Downtown Miami, and 30 minutes from the airport.
types of tours in miami

Types of Tour Available in Miami

Miami is perhaps the most iconic coastal city in the world. It therefore shouldn't be surprising to discover that the city offers a huge range of boat tours. Whether you're looking for thrills and spills or some relaxed sightseeing, you can't fail to find the ocean excursion that's perfect for you. 
Speedboat tours in Miami
If you're trying to squeeze in some sea-based sightseeing into a small amount of time, a speedboat tour of Miami is perfect. Jet Boat Miami is one of the most popular tour operators in the city. They take you past all of the famous beaches, islands, and coastal stretches in the Miami area. 
Taking a speedboat tour allows you to see Downtown, the homes of the rich and famous, and areas of outstanding beauty. But you also get the opportunity to enjoy a thrill ride of a lifetime, as these boats reach up to 60 miles per hour. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy a boat tour from as little as $30. Other speedboat tour operators in Miami include Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures, Speedboat Tours of Miami, and Ocean Force Adventures. 
Cruise tours
Some of the most rewarding cruise tours in Miami last just three or four hours, making them the perfect way to spend an early evening. The ambiance is laid-back and relaxing, as the speeds achieved never usually exceed 30 miles per hour. Some tours offer refreshment packages, including dinner and lunch buffets, while others focus on sightseeing and delivering interesting information.
Book a trip with Bayride tours, and you'll get to see Biscayne Bay in all its glory. The average trip takes just 90 minutes, and combines relaxation with education. There's a licensed bar on board, as well as a few simple snacks. This is the perfect way to explore Biscayne Bay if you have children or simply want to sit back and enjoy the scenery. 
If you're looking for exciting ways to explore Miami's stunning skyline, check out Captain Jimmy's Fiesta Cruises. They take in the most famous stretches of Miami's coastline, as well as Millionaire's Row. You can combine an evening of partying and sightseeing by booking a weekend boat tour. The Disco Party Cruise features cocktails, loud music, dancing, and the opportunity to view Miami's beautiful skyline when it's lit up at night. 
Cruise tours in Miami give you a chance to combine entertainment, refreshments, and sightseeing in one trip. Excursions leave from several locations near the Downtown and South Beach areas at various times throughout the day.
Boat tour packages
As Miami is a coastal city, taking to the sea is a great way to explore it. Your boat takes you to several interesting locations in the area. You get to see quite a lot in a short space of time by disembarking at pre-arranged stops along the way. 
There are several ways to enjoy this type of ocean-based experience. Some tours combine boat trips with walking tours, while others include trips to different islands. A tour package often includes food and drinks in the price, as well as entertainment and the services of a professional tour guide. These trips typically last several hours, so you'll often need to leave a full day free to enjoy them.
One of the most popular tour package companies operating in the city is the Miami Tour Company. They offer relatively long and in-depth tours of the entire coastline, as well as the Everglades National Park. Whether you're looking for areas of outstanding natural beauty or the playgrounds of the rich and famous, this tour operator has the perfect boat tour. The Everglades Adventure lasts for around eight hours. The Miami to the Max boat cruise (taking in almost everything on the coast) lasts for anything between seven and nine hours. 
You can explore the underwater world of Miami's stunning coastline by booking a boat tour with Xcursions USA. Boat tours use glass-bottomed boats to show people the area. This means you can secure great views of both the local sea life and the city skyline. There are also airboat tours and packages that include diving, snorkelling, and parasailing. 
Alternative tours
If you're an active person who likes to experience new things, there are boat tours that go way beyond sightseeing and entertainment. These excursions include some pretty challenging and adrenaline-fueled activities that will keep you active throughout your trip. You'll see Miami from a unique perspective, with a portion of the trip dedicated to an exciting activity such as kayaking, sailing, and scuba diving. 
Captain Sir! is a specialist tour boat company that uses luxurious yachts to give people a taste of the high life. Taster menus, champagne, waiting staff, concierge services, and a range of modern gadgets are included in the price. At around $900 for a full day's excursion, however, this level of luxury doesn't come cheap. 
South Beach Kayak is a specialist tour company offering the equipment and specialist training required for safe kayaking. You get everything you need, including refreshments, for between $100 and $150. If you need to take to the water simply to avoid the rush-hour congestion on Miami's roads, take a water Taxi. There are taxi stops at regular intervals along the coastline, and you can simply hop aboard and tell your driver your destination.

Conclusion: Which Tour is Right for You?

Miami is a city surrounded by water. Whether you're in the Atlantic Ocean, on the city's inland waterways or in the world-renowned Everglades, excitement abounds. Decide what you want out of your Miami boat trip before booking it. Do you want to simply view the stunning city skyline from the ocean? Do you want to explore the islands and atolls? Or are you looking for entertainment and great food? Once you know what you want, finding the right tour becomes relatively easy.

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