65ft Yacht Charter in Miami

Miami looks best from the water, and this private charter gives your group a full 65-foot yacht rather than a shared sightseeing boat. You can cruise Biscayne Bay toward Miami Beach, Monument Island, Star Island, sandbars, or waterfront restaurants, with room for up to 13 people.

I like the private format, which lets you plan a birthday, family outing, night ride, or work party around your own group. I also like the useful onboard setup: paddle boards, a large floating mat, an inflatable lounger, ice, bottled water, Wi-Fi, a grill, and three bathrooms with showers. The main catch is cost clarity: the $1,080 starting price covers the yacht, but the captain and mate are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A full private yacht for up to 13 people: The base rate can be good value for a large group, but captain and mate charges are separate.
• A flexible Biscayne Bay route: You might cruise past Miami Beach, South Beach, downtown, Star Island, Monument Island, or a sandbar.
• Water time is built in: Paddle boards, a large mat, and an inflatable lounger are included, along with ice and bottled water.
• Useful party facilities: The yacht has a flybridge wet bar, sink, grill, kitchen, sound system, colored lighting, and a smart TV.
• Event planning is available: Birthday parties, holidays, work events, gender reveals, and private dinners can be arranged with decoration and setup.
• Captain and mate fees need advance checking: Contact the operator before booking to confirm the time slot, crew cost, and final price.

A private yacht instead of a standard Miami cruise

The big appeal here is space and control. You are not joining a boatload of strangers on a fixed sightseeing loop. Your group has the yacht for itself, and the trip can be shaped around swimming, floating, taking photos, eating onboard, or simply watching Miami from the bay.

The yacht holds up to 13 people. That makes the $1,080 base price easier to assess as a group purchase. At the maximum occupancy, the yacht-only cost works out to about $83 per person before the captain and mate fees. For a smaller party, the per-person price rises quickly, so the value is strongest when you fill most of the available places.

This is not a bare boat with a captain at the wheel and little else. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms with showers, cold air conditioning, a large front sunpad, a flybridge, and an extended teak swim platform. You can spread out, move between indoor and outdoor areas, and take a break from the sun when you need to.

The boat also has a no-shoes policy. A shoe bin is provided, so wear something easy to remove and expect to spend the trip barefoot onboard. That rule helps protect the interior, but it is worth telling your group in advance.

Leaving Pelican Harbor Marina

The trip begins and ends at Pelican Harbor Marina, at 1275 NE 79th Street in Miami. The marina is the practical starting point for a Biscayne Bay outing, and the round-trip arrangement keeps the plan simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another dock.

Before you set out, confirm the exact departure time by phone or message. The operator specifically recommends checking availability before booking, and this matters because the schedule changes by trip length and day.

Three-hour charters are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, three-hour trips are offered from 9 a.m. to noon or from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Four-hour charters can run any day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Longer trips, from three to six hours, may also be arranged.

That schedule makes a morning cruise, an afternoon outing on certain days, or a night ride possible. It also means you should not assume that every time slot is open, especially for a weekend afternoon. Ask for the exact slot before making firm plans around a birthday meal or dinner reservation.

Choosing your Biscayne Bay route

The cruise area includes Miami Beach, South Beach, downtown Miami, Marine Stadium, Hobie Beach, the Miami River, Monument Island, Star Island, Picnic Island, and Haulover Sandbar. The exact route depends on your chosen timing, weather, and the plan agreed with the operator.

Miami Beach and South Beach give you the classic coastal view, with a different perspective on the shoreline than you get from land. Downtown and the Miami River shift the focus toward buildings, bridges, and the city edge. Marine Stadium and Hobie Beach offer more open-water scenery and can fit a relaxed cruise with time to sit on the deck.

Monument Island, Star Island, and Picnic Island are useful stops for a group that wants to pause rather than remain underway for the whole charter. Haulover Sandbar is the natural choice if floating and playing in shallow water are central to your plans. Still, do not treat every listed location as a guaranteed stop. Confirm what your captain recommends for the day and how much time the boat can spend at each place.

A three-hour trip gives you less room for a long route plus swimming or a meal. If you want several areas, time on the water, and a relaxed pace, the four-hour option is easier to manage. You can also ask about a longer charter of up to six hours, with additional charges applying.

Making use of the swim platform and water toys

The included equipment gives the outing more purpose than simply sitting on a moving boat. A large floating mat is provided for relaxing in the water, and the inflatable lounger adds another place to stretch out. Two paddle boards are included for people who want a little activity between periods of swimming and sunbathing.

The extended teak swim platform makes getting in and out of the water more practical. It is also a useful social area, particularly when part of the group is swimming and the rest wants to remain close by. Bottled water, ice, and a large cooler are included, which saves you from having to source those basics separately.

The provided information does not specify every rule for food, drinks, or outside catering, so ask before loading the boat. You should also confirm how much food and decoration can be brought aboard if you are planning a full party setup.

A boat built for birthdays and private events

The yacht is particularly suited to a celebration where the boat itself is part of the event. The operator can set up and decorate for holidays, birthdays, work parties, gender reveals, and private dinners. If you want a particular theme or arrangement, discuss it before booking rather than assuming it is included in the base rate.

The flybridge has a wet bar with a sink and grill, while the indoor kitchen includes a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and electric stovetop. This gives you several ways to handle food, but the description does not say that catering is included. Plan to ask about outside food, cooking supplies, cleanup, and any event setup charges.

The smart TV, Wi-Fi, JL Audio surround system, underwater lights, and colored lighting throughout the boat make the yacht workable for a daytime party or an evening outing. At night, the underwater and interior lighting can change the feel of the cruise, but your group should still make sure the route and return time suit the occasion.

The service details matter here. Captain David and two mates were specifically praised for handling a birthday outing, and the owner Angela arranged a champagne bottle for one birthday celebration. Captain Orlando and first mate Erin handled food, decoration setup, and cleanup for a 50th birthday trip. Those details suggest that the crew can take on more than basic navigation, though you should confirm exactly what help is included for your event.

What the crew adds to the day

Captain and mate fees are not included in the $1,080 charter price. This is the most important financial detail to settle before you commit. Ask for the hourly rate for both roles, how many crew members are required, and whether event setup or cleanup carries an extra fee.

Several crew members are named in the available experience details. Captain Orlando, first mate Erin, mate Rocio, Captain David, and Aimee were all associated with strong service feedback. Michelle handled communication for one booking, helping with questions and arrangements before the trip.

The crew’s role can make a real difference on a private charter. A captain handles the route and safety, while a mate can help with water toys, food, setup, and keeping the group organized. You should still appoint one person in your party to keep track of timing, personal items, and any meal plans.

English and Spanish are spoken. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can take part, though you should raise any specific mobility or medical concerns before booking because boat access and water activities can vary.

Dock-and-dine options around the bay

You can plan a meal at the dock by reservation. Available restaurant options include American Social, Duffy’s, Shuckers Waterfront Grill, Kiki’s on the River, the Wharf, and Monty’s.

A dock-and-dine stop can work well for a four-hour or longer charter, but it uses part of your paid time. You will need to coordinate the restaurant reservation, docking arrangements, and the captain’s schedule. Ask whether the restaurant can accept the boat at your preferred time and how long the yacht can remain there.

If your main goal is swimming at a sandbar, a restaurant stop may leave too little time for the water. If your group cares more about a meal and city views than paddle boards, it may be the better use of the charter. Decide this before departure so you are not trying to fit every option into a short trip.

The yacht’s comfort level

The interior is set up for more than a quick harbor ride. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms with showers give the group useful privacy, especially on a longer charter. Cold air conditioning matters in Miami, where a shaded indoor break can make the afternoon more comfortable.

The diamond-stitched upholstery, front sunpad, flybridge, and teak swim platform create several separate spaces. You can sit together for conversation, spread out in smaller groups, or move indoors when the weather or sun becomes too strong.

The yacht is described as clean, spacious, and well kept. Aimee was praised for explaining safety rules clearly and looking after the group throughout the outing. That kind of briefing is important on a private boat, particularly when paddle boards, an inflatable lounger, and a swim platform are part of the plan.

What the price really includes

The $1,080 rate is for the private yacht and covers up to 13 people. It includes a large cooler, ice, bottled water, a large floating mat, an inflatable lounger, and two paddle boards.

It does not include the captain or mate. Drone footage is also available for purchase rather than included. The operator offers drone footage and photos as an add-on, which may appeal to a birthday group or anyone planning a special announcement, but ask for the current price before ordering it.

The value depends on group size and how you use the boat. A large group that wants several hours, water equipment, indoor facilities, and a private setting may find the base rate reasonable. A small group should compare the total cost after crew fees with other private boat options in Miami.

Ask for the full price in writing, including the charter duration, captain, mate, event decoration, food setup, and any requested photography. That one step will make the decision much easier.

Who should book this charter

I would choose this for a family celebration, birthday, work outing, couples’ group, or friends who want a private day on Biscayne Bay. It also fits a group that wants both active time on the water and comfortable indoor space.

The yacht is a good match for people who value privacy and service more than a fixed sightseeing narration. You can create your own rhythm, but that also means you need to communicate clearly about the route, swimming, food, and timing.

This is less suitable if you want a low-cost, no-planning boat ride. The captain and mate fees are extra, the route needs to be discussed, weekend time slots are limited, and event extras can add to the bill. A shared cruise may be simpler for a small party that only wants city views.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, keep some flexibility in your plans.

Should you book the 65-foot Miami yacht?

Book it if you can fill much of the 13-person capacity and want a private celebration with room to swim, eat, relax, and move around. The combination of a 65-foot yacht, water toys, three bathrooms, air conditioning, event support, and a choice of Biscayne Bay areas gives you more than a basic boat rental.

Before paying, confirm the exact time slot, total crew cost, charter length, proposed route, restaurant plans, and any decorations or drone footage. If those numbers fit your budget, this is a practical way to turn a Miami outing into a full group event rather than just another sightseeing ride.

FAQ

How many people can join the yacht charter?

The private yacht can accommodate up to 13 people.

How much does the charter cost?

The listed price is $1,080 per group of up to 13 people. Captain and mate fees are not included and must be confirmed separately.

How long can the charter last?

Charters can be arranged from three to six hours. The advertised experience lasts approximately three to four hours, depending on the option selected.

Where does the yacht depart?

The yacht departs from Pelican Harbor Marina at 1275 NE 79th Street, Miami, Florida 33138. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What areas can the yacht visit?

Possible areas include Miami Beach, South Beach, downtown Miami, Marine Stadium, Hobie Beach, the Miami River, Monument Island, Star Island, Picnic Island, and Haulover Sandbar.

What is included onboard?

The charter includes a large cooler, ice, bottled water, a large floating mat, an inflatable lounger, and two paddle boards.

Are food and restaurant stops available?

Restaurants are available for dock-and-dine visits by reservation. Options include American Social, Duffy’s, Shuckers Waterfront Grill, Kiki’s on the River, the Wharf, and Monty’s.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund for your own cancellation.