24 Ft Miami Bay: Private Boat, Gas Included , 6 people, Captained

Miami Bay is best seen from the water, and this rental gives you a private boat for your own small group rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. You can cruise toward the bay, admire Miami’s skyline and waterfront mansions, and shape the outing around sightseeing, music, or a short swim.

I especially like the included fuel, since you can enjoy the boat without watching the gas gauge. The cooler with ice and Bluetooth stereo are also useful touches for a relaxed half-day on the water. Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero has been praised for taking excellent photos, finding good backdrops, and making families feel welcome.

The main catch is that the captain costs extra, and the boat information needs careful checking. The main offer describes a 24-foot boat for up to six people, while the additional details name a 2017 Element 18 and say eight can fit. Confirm the exact boat and capacity before paying, especially if you have children in your group.

Key points to know before booking

• Fuel is included, so the advertised price does not grow with every hour of cruising.
• Captain fees are separate: $70 for two hours, $140 for four, and $210 for six.
• The trip begins inside the Miami River, with about 10 to 15 minutes of no-wake travel before reaching the bay.
• You choose the route, with options that may include skyline views, waterfront mansions, and a short swimming stop.
• Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero is a good name to request if available, especially for families and photo-friendly sightseeing.
• There is no toilet on the boat, and fishing and towing sports are not allowed.

A private boat day, not a standard sightseeing cruise

This experience is a boat rental for your group, not a scheduled cruise with strangers and a fixed commentary program. The base price is listed as $275 per group, though the wording says up to one person, so you should treat that as a booking price for the boat rather than a normal per-person fare.

The boat can carry a small group, with the main description listing up to six people. The FAQ says eight people can fit, but that conflicts with the main capacity information and with the stated boat description. I would not plan for eight without written confirmation from Bruschi Boat Rental. Every person counts under US Coast Guard rules, including lap children.

That private format is the central benefit. You can listen to your own music, stop for photos, ask the captain to adjust the route, and spend time with your own family or friends. You are not tied to someone else’s preferred pace.

You also need to understand the captain arrangement. A captain is not included in the base price. The lead passenger signs a Bareboat Charter Agreement and must select a captain under US Coast Guard rules. The listed captain fees are $70 for two hours, $140 for four, and $210 for six. Fees can vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Leaving the marina and entering Miami Bay

The meeting point is 2610 NW 18th Terrace, Miami. The marina sits inside the Miami River, so the first part of the outing is a slow ride through a no-wake zone. Allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes to reach the bay.

This matters when choosing your rental length. On a two-hour booking, the outward and return trips use part of your time. You may have only about 20 minutes available for anchoring and getting into the water, depending on the route. A two-hour trip works best for a quick taste of the experience, simple sightseeing, or a short family outing.

Four hours gives you much more breathing room. You can travel out, pause for photos, listen to music, and spend some time at a chosen spot without feeling rushed. Six hours suits a full afternoon on the water. Eight hours is the longest advertised option, but confirm the captain cost and exact schedule before booking because the supplied fee table only gives prices through six hours.

The boat’s speed is also not the whole story. The vessel is described as reaching up to 35 mph with a Mercury 115 horsepower engine, but much of Miami’s waterway has no-wake or slow-speed rules. Expect a mix of gentle cruising and faster stretches, not a constant high-speed ride.

Choosing between a captain and self-guided rental

If you have boating experience and the operator confirms that self-operation is allowed for your booking, the rental can offer a sense of freedom that a guided cruise cannot match. Clear driving instructions have helped some customers feel confident operating the boat, and the private format lets you set the pace.

Still, Miami’s waterways are not the place to learn casually. The captain requirement and Bareboat Charter Agreement are important legal details, not minor paperwork. The person who makes the reservation must go on the boat, and the lead passenger must follow the operator’s captain-selection process.

For many people, paying for a captain is the better value. You can watch the city, take photos, enjoy the company, and avoid spending your day worrying about navigation or restricted zones. The extra cost is reasonable for a two-hour outing at $70, though it becomes a larger part of the total for a short rental.

Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero is worth requesting if he is available. He has been especially good with families, including a three-year-old child, and has helped with photos and scenic backdrops. Daniel has also been specifically appreciated for showing the sights and mansions of Miami. Captain availability is not guaranteed, so make the request early.

What you can see from the water

The route is flexible, so the exact views depend on the captain, weather, time, and your chosen plan. The main appeal is the change in viewpoint. From the bay, you can look back toward Miami’s skyline and coastline instead of seeing the city from a road or sidewalk.

Waterfront mansions are another likely focus. A captain familiar with the area can point out attractive stretches of homes and position the boat for photographs. The experience is less about formal history and more about seeing how Miami’s waterfront lifestyle looks from the water.

Your own itinerary might include a slow sightseeing cruise, a photo stop, or time at anchor. Ask about the route before leaving, particularly if swimming matters to you. Swimming depends on where the captain takes you, and a two-hour trip may leave only a short window for getting in the water.

The flexible plan is valuable for groups with different interests. One person can take photos, another can play music, and children can enjoy being on the water without sitting through a long scripted tour. The trade-off is that you should not expect a detailed, scheduled sightseeing program with guaranteed stops.

The boat, comfort, and what is included

The boat is described in the main offer as a 24-foot Stingray 24, while the detailed FAQ identifies a 2017 Element 18 with a Mercury 115 horsepower engine repowered in 2021. Because those descriptions do not match, ask the operator which boat is assigned to your date.

Regardless of the exact model, the rental includes use of the boat, fuel, a cooler, ice, and Bluetooth speakers. Those inclusions make a real difference. You can bring drinks and food, keep them cold, and play your own playlist without paying a fuel surcharge later.

The cooler is useful, but do your part to keep the boat clean and in good shape. Drugs are not permitted, and food should be handled with care around the seating and controls.

The marina has a bathroom, but the boat does not. Use the facilities before departure, especially if you are bringing children. If you plan to swim, bring a swimsuit and towel, but remember that the available swim time depends on the route and duration.

All required safety equipment is provided. If you are bringing more than two children, note that at checkout so additional child-sized life jackets can be prepared. Service animals are allowed, but other pets and non-official service animals are not permitted.

Music, swimming, and activities that are not allowed

The Bluetooth stereo makes this a good choice for a casual celebration or a day with friends. You control the soundtrack, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a public cruise. Keep the volume sensible so you can still hear the captain’s instructions.

Swimming may be possible when the route allows it. Tell the captain before the trip if getting into the water is important, since the route and timing need to allow for anchoring. A short booking may offer only a brief swim stop.

This is not a watersports rental. Insurance restrictions prohibit wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes, and water skis. Fishing is also not allowed, and fishing equipment cannot be brought along for use.

Those limits are easy to overlook if you are thinking of the boat as a general-purpose rental. It is better suited to cruising, sightseeing, music, photos, and a possible swim than to fishing or towing activities.

Price, captain fees, and overall value

The listed price is $275 per group, with fuel included. The value depends heavily on how many people share the cost and how long you stay out.

For a group of six, the base price works out to roughly $46 per person before the captain fee. Add the $210 six-hour captain charge and the total becomes about $485, or roughly $81 per person. That is a fair price for a private boat day if you plan to use most of the six hours.

For two people, the same total feels much less economical. A two-hour booking with a $70 captain fee comes to $345 before any unusual date surcharge, which is a lot for a short outing. The strongest value comes from filling the boat within the confirmed capacity and choosing at least four hours.

Fuel being included is a clear advantage. You avoid an uncertain final bill and can plan your spending in advance. The main cost question is the captain, so confirm the exact fee for your date, especially on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Parking is available at the marina, but fees may apply and can vary. Some free parking may be available outside the marina, though the information does not guarantee a space. Build a little extra time into your arrival.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

The operator applies a weather policy. If thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, high tide alerts, or other unsafe conditions affect the trip, you may be able to reschedule. If it rains but conditions remain safe, do not assume you can cancel for a refund. Stay in contact with the local operator for the final decision.

Book about a week ahead for the best chance of getting your preferred time, particularly on weekends. The experience is often reserved about 30 days in advance, so popular dates may disappear sooner.

Wear comfortable clothing suited to the weather. Sun protection is important, and you should bring swimwear and towels if you hope to get in the water. Keep valuables secure and expect some spray or wet surfaces around a boat, though the supplied information does not promise dry storage.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows Miami local time.

Who should book this Miami boat rental?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups of friends who want private time on the water rather than a fixed cruise. It works especially well for people who value flexibility, photos, music, and a relaxed look at Miami’s waterfront homes.

Families should pay close attention to passenger limits and life jacket needs. The boat can carry children, and there are no age restrictions when going with a captain, but every child counts toward capacity. Request child-sized jackets in advance if you need more than two.

It is less suitable if you want fishing, wake sports, a guaranteed long swim, or an onboard toilet. It is also not ideal if you are only two people seeking the lowest possible price, unless the private setting matters more than the cost per person.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want control over your Miami day and can share the cost with a full small group. Choose four to six hours for the best balance of travel time, sightseeing, and relaxation, and request Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero or Daniel if available.

Before booking, get two details confirmed in writing: the exact boat and its legal passenger capacity, plus the total captain fee for your date. Once those points are clear, the included fuel, cooler, ice, and private itinerary make this a practical way to see Miami from the bay.

FAQ

Is fuel included in the boat rental?

Yes. The fuel surcharge is included in the listed price, so you do not need to stop and pay for additional gas during the rental.

How many people can go on the boat?

The main description says the boat accommodates up to six people. The FAQ says eight can fit, so confirm the permitted capacity with the operator before booking. Every person counts as a passenger, including infants and other lap children.

Is a captain included?

No. The captain costs extra. The listed fees are $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours, and $210 for six hours. Fees may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

What boat is used?

The main description refers to a 24-foot Stingray 24. The detailed information identifies a 2017 Element 18 with a Mercury 115 horsepower engine, repowered in 2021. Ask the operator to confirm the boat assigned to your booking.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks, and a cooler with ice is included. You are expected to help keep the boat clean and in good condition.

Is there a bathroom onboard?

No. There is a bathroom at the marina, but no restroom on the boat.

Can I swim during the rental?

Swimming depends on the route and the time available. On some two-hour trips, there may be about 20 minutes to anchor and get into the water. Tell the captain about your plans before departure.

Are pets allowed?

Service animals are permitted, but non-official service animals and pets are not allowed onboard. Identification for a service animal may be requested at arrival.

What happens if the weather is bad?

You may be able to reschedule for unsafe conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high tide alerts. If rain occurs but conditions are considered safe, last-minute cancellation may not qualify for a refund.