Miami Yacht Charter: The Complete Guide to Yachts, Routes, Marinas and Seasons
Yacht charter in Miami, the complete guide: yacht sizes, what is included, marinas, routes, seasons, crew, chef and Off-market yachts. Reply within 15 minutes.
The short answer: a yacht charter in Miami is a private, crewed day on the water for your group only. You choose the yacht by the day you want, not by length: a sport or flybridge yacht for a fast, easy afternoon, a tri-deck or superyacht for a long day with more space and a larger crew. Most charters leave from Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove or Aventura, and the classic routes are Biscayne Bay and the skyline, the Haulover sandbar, the Intracoastal north to Sunny Isles Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and the open Atlantic. November to May is the best season. LUXTERIA Concierge arranges yacht charters across South Florida, including new large yachts and Off-market yachts, and plans everything around the day.
Planning a day on the water? Call or WhatsApp 305-465-5555. A real person replies within 15 minutes, 24/7. Or send your date here.
This is our complete guide to a Miami yacht rental: what a charter includes, how to pick the yacht, where you board, where you go, what you see, when to come and how food, crew and extras work. For the yachts themselves, see our luxury yacht rental in Miami.
What a private yacht charter in Miami includes
“Yacht rental” and “yacht charter” mean the same thing in Miami: you hire the yacht with its own captain and crew, and the yacht is private to your group. You never need a boating license and you never drive. A well planned charter includes:
- The yacht for your group only, for the hours you book.
- A licensed captain and crew who know the water, the anchorages and the weather.
- A route planned around you, agreed before the day and adjusted by the captain on the day.
- Food and drinks ready when you board, from platters to a full menu by a private chef.
- Water toys on yachts that carry them, such as jet skis, floating mats and snorkel gear.
- A car to the marina and back, and details like flowers, a cake or decor for an occasion.
- Everything in writing: the scope, the terms and the weather terms are confirmed before you book.
What is included in the base rate differs from yacht to yacht, which is why every quote we send lists what is included and what is extra. Crew gratuity is explained in the written quote so there are no surprises on the day. Rates are on request. For what moves a quote, read our guide to what shapes the cost of a luxury yacht charter in Miami.
Choosing the yacht: sizes and styles
Three questions narrow the choice faster than any spec sheet. What is the day for? Where are you staying? And what do you want on board: shade and a lounge, water toys, a hot tub or a proper lunch? Then the style follows.
| Style | Typical length | Feels like | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport yacht | Around 40 to 70 feet | Fast, sleek, open deck | Couples and small groups, the sandbar, quick runs |
| Flybridge yacht | Around 60 to 90 feet | Second level above the salon, sun and shade | Families, birthdays, longer afternoons |
| Tri-deck motor yacht | Around 100 to 130 feet | Three levels, sky lounge, larger crew | Long days, hosting, several generations |
| Superyacht | Usually above 100 feet | A floating villa with full service | Milestones, client hosting, event weeks |
Lengths are a rough guide. How many guests a yacht may carry is set by its U.S. Coast Guard status, not by its length or deck space. Before you book, we confirm in writing the vessel’s certification and the number of guests it may carry. For groups above 12, we arrange vessels certified for your group size, or two yachts that cruise together. See our Miami yacht charter for 20 guests and compare Miami yachts by size.
Yachts we know well
These six are part of our collection, each with its own page, specifications and photos:
| Yacht | Style | Built | Boards in | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68′ Azimut Fly | Flybridge | 2023 | Aventura | Large flybridge, cruises in the mid 20 knots, crew of 2 |
| 85′ Astondoa | Flybridge | 2021 | Coconut Grove, Bayshore Landing | Bow sunpads, tender, floating mat |
| 88′ Sirena | Motor yacht | 2021 | Downtown Miami | Glass bottom hot tub, full beam master suite, crew of 3 |
| 112′ WHS Marine | Flybridge superyacht | Custom | Miami | Four staterooms, hot tub on deck, two jet skis |
| 116′ Pershing GTX | Sport superyacht | 2026 | Miami Beach | Triple MAN engines, bow hot tub, beach club, crew of 4 |
| 118′ Azimut | Tri-deck | 2024 | Miami Beach | Glass hot tub at the bow, sky lounge, crew of 5 |
All rates are on request. For the newest and biggest boats in the city, see new large yachts in Miami and our superyacht charter in Miami page. For a ranked shortlist, see the top luxury yachts in Miami.
Off-market yachts
The yachts on our website are only part of what we arrange. Many owners prefer not to list their yachts online and share them only through a few trusted concierges. These Off-market yachts are often newer, larger or more private than what you find on booking sites. Tell us the date, the group and the occasion, and we reply with options that are not listed anywhere else. Read more about discreet yacht charters in Miami.
Where you board: Miami marinas by area
The closest marina means less time in the car and more time on the water. We arrange boarding near where you stay, and you receive the marina address and boarding time in advance.
| Area | Good for guests staying in | Easiest routes |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach | South Beach, Miami Beach, the bay islands | Biscayne Bay, Star Island views, Haulover sandbar |
| Downtown Miami and Brickell | Brickell, Downtown, Edgewater | The skyline, the Port of Miami, the bay |
| Coconut Grove | Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne | South Biscayne Bay, the skyline from the south |
| Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach | Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach, Bal Harbour | Haulover Inlet, the Intracoastal, the sandbar |
| Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale | Golden Isles, Fort Lauderdale | The Intracoastal, the canals, the Atlantic |
| Boca Raton and West Palm Beach | Palm Beach County | The Intracoastal and the Atlantic |
If you are staying in a waterfront villa with a dock the yacht can reach, you may not need a marina at all. The captain can pick you up at the house. See our waterfront villa rentals with a private dock, and our guide to how a Miami yacht charter works from the first text to the dock.
Where you go: the classic Miami yacht routes
Your captain always makes the final call on route and conditions on the day. These are the routes most groups choose, and they can be combined on a longer charter.
Biscayne Bay and the skyline
Calm water, the towers of Brickell and Downtown on one side and the Miami Beach shoreline on the other. It is the classic choice for a relaxed afternoon, a dinner cruise or a sunset run back toward the city lights. It works on any size of yacht and in most conditions.
Star Island, the Venetian Islands and Fisher Island from the water
Cruising past Star Island and the Venetian Islands is one of the best ways to see the most famous homes in Miami, close enough to admire the gardens and docks. Heading out through Government Cut, you pass the Port of Miami, with cruise ships leaving at dusk, and the shore of Fisher Island. These are sights along the way. The yacht does not stop at private islands or homes.
The Haulover sandbar
The anchor-down afternoon. Just inside Haulover Inlet, clear and shallow water lets yachts anchor while guests swim, float and have lunch on board. Weekends are lively, weekdays are calmer. Water toys and easy water access matter more here than length. See our Haulover sandbar yacht charter guide and the sunset and sandbar yacht day.
The Intracoastal north to Sunny Isles Beach and Fort Lauderdale
A slower cruise past Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Golden Beach, with waterfront homes on both sides. When the day allows, it continues north toward Fort Lauderdale and its canals. Bridges on the Intracoastal open on schedules and limit taller yachts, so your captain plans this route around the yacht.
Haulover Inlet and the Atlantic
The quickest way to blue water. On calm days, the larger yachts head out for an open-water run, a swim off the stern in the ocean or a cruise along the coast with the beaches and towers of Miami Beach behind you.
For a ready-made plan, follow our Miami yacht day itinerary, or read how a private yacht day in Miami is planned.
How long to book
Charters usually run in blocks of hours, and each yacht has its own minimum. As a guide:
- A short cruise suits a sunset, a proposal or a skyline tour before dinner.
- A half day is the most popular: enough time for the sandbar or a long lunch at anchor and a cruise past the islands.
- A full day lets you combine routes, add the open ocean or head north on the Intracoastal without rushing.
- Several days or overnight can be arranged on some yachts, such as the 112′ WHS Marine.
We confirm the minimum hours for each yacht and date when we send options.
When to come: Miami yacht charter seasons
The best months on the water run from November to May, when the air is drier and the bay is calm. Summer brings warm water and quieter weekdays, with short afternoon storms that we plan around by starting earlier. These weeks book first:
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, late October. See the Boat Show villa and yacht plan.
- Art Basel Miami Beach, early December. Client hosting and private dinners on the water. See our Art Basel yacht charter.
- Winterfest Boat Parade, December, in Fort Lauderdale. See the Winterfest yacht charter guide.
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with fireworks over Biscayne Bay. See our Christmas yacht charter and New Year’s Eve yacht charter.
- Miami International Boat Show, February. See the Miami Boat Show 2027 guide.
- Miami Grand Prix, May. See the Grand Prix villa and yacht plan.
For these dates, write as soon as you know you are coming. The best superyachts go first. For the rest of the year, same-day charters are sometimes possible when a yacht is free. See last-minute yacht rental in Miami.
Match the yacht to your group
If you want a quick starting point, this is how we usually match the first options to a request. We then refine them by date, marina and what you want on board.
| Your day | Where we usually start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A couple, a sunset or a proposal | A sport or flybridge yacht | Easy to handle, intimate, quick to the best light |
| A family afternoon with children | A flybridge yacht with shade and a swim platform | Sun and shade on two levels, easy water access |
| Friends at the sandbar | A yacht with water toys and a large aft deck | The fun happens in and next to the water |
| A milestone birthday | A tri-deck or superyacht such as the 118′ Azimut | Room for a proper lunch, a cake and the whole group |
| Client hosting or a company day | A superyacht, or two yachts cruising together | Space to talk, a larger crew and a certified guest limit |
| Speed and style | The 116′ Pershing GTX | The pace of a sport yacht with superyacht space |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by length alone. A longer yacht is not always the better day. Layout, shade, water access and the marina matter more for most groups.
- Booking far from where you stay. An hour in traffic each way takes two hours out of the day. Board near your villa or hotel.
- Counting guests loosely. The certified guest limit is firm. Count everyone, including children and a photographer, before you book.
- Planning a party at the villa instead. Most luxury homes do not allow events. The yacht is usually where the celebration belongs.
- Leaving food to the last minute. A chef or a proper lunch needs a day or two of notice, more in high season.
- Not reading the terms. Know what is included, how gratuity works and what happens if the weather turns, before the day.
What to bring and what to wear
Keep it simple. Bring sunglasses, a hat, reef-friendly sunscreen and a swimsuit, plus a light layer for the ride back after sunset, when the breeze on the bay can feel cool in winter. Most yachts ask guests to go barefoot on deck or wear soft, non-marking shoes. Towels, drinks, ice and the music system are on board. Leave large bags at the villa or in the car.
Weather and safety
Light rain rarely cancels a day on a covered yacht. If the captain decides the water is unsafe, the charter moves to another time when the yacht and your dates allow, under the weather terms written into the charter agreement before you book. Every yacht we arrange is run by a licensed captain and crew, and the guest limit for each vessel is confirmed in writing.
Food, drinks and a chef on board
Food is part of the day, not an afterthought. Depending on the yacht and your plan, we arrange:
- Platters and light bites for a short cruise: sushi, fruit, cheese, crudités.
- A full lunch at anchor, served by the crew on the aft deck.
- A private chef who cooks on board on the larger yachts or prepares the menu ashore. Our chefs cook any cuisine and plan around diets and allergies, with supervised kosher as one option. See our yacht charter with a private chef.
- Drinks you like, already chilled: champagne, wine, cocktails or a fully alcohol-free bar.
Crew and service
The crew depends on the yacht. On a sport yacht it is lean and relaxed, usually a captain and a mate. On a superyacht it is larger, often with a stewardess or two, and the service feels like a floating hotel. Your concierge briefs the captain on your plan before you board and stays on call during the charter for any change on the day.
Water toys and extras
Jet skis, floating islands, paddle boards and snorkel gear turn a cruise into a playground. Some yachts carry them, such as the two jet skis on the 112′ WHS Marine, and others can add them. See our Miami yacht charter with jet skis and water toys. Other extras include a photographer, music, flowers and decor, a birthday cake kept out of sight until sunset and a car waiting at the dock when you return.
Yacht charters for occasions
A yacht is often the best room in Miami for the moment itself, especially because most luxury villas do not allow events. We plan the route, the timing and the table around the occasion:
- Marriage proposals at sunset, with flowers, music and a photographer hidden on the bow. See yacht proposals in Miami.
- Birthdays and milestones. See our Miami birthday yacht.
- Bachelor and bachelorette days. See the bachelor yacht party and bachelorette yacht party.
- Company days and client hosting. See our corporate yacht charter in Miami.
Villa and yacht in one plan
This is where a concierge makes the biggest difference. Several homes we arrange have private docks, so the yacht can collect you at the end of the garden: Villa Golden in Golden Isles, Villa Estan in Sunny Isles Beach, Villa Sia in Fort Lauderdale and Villa Alpha on Belle Meade Island. Breakfast at the house, the afternoon on the water and dinner back on the terrace by your private chef. See the Miami villa and yacht package and all our luxury villas in Miami.
How to book a yacht charter with LUXTERIA
- Tell us the day: the date, roughly how long, where you are staying, what the day is for and how many guests.
- We reply within 15 minutes with yachts that fit, including Off-market yachts, and what is included and extra on each.
- Approve in writing. The scope, the terms and the weather terms sit in the charter agreement. Nothing is booked until you approve.
- Board and enjoy. A car at your door, the marina address in advance and your concierge on call.
LUXTERIA Concierge has arranged private yacht days in Miami for five years. Rates are on request, quoted for your exact day. For the questions worth asking first, read our 8 questions before you book a yacht charter.
Ready for the water? Call or WhatsApp 305-465-5555. A real person replies within 15 minutes. Or send your date here.
Miami yacht charter: FAQ
What is included in a yacht charter in Miami?
A private charter includes the yacht for your group only, a licensed captain and crew, and a route planned around your day. Food, drinks, a private chef, water toys, decor and a car to the marina can be added. Every quote we send lists what is included and what is extra.
Is a yacht rental the same as a yacht charter in Miami?
Yes. In Miami, a yacht rental usually means a private crewed charter: the yacht, captain and crew for your group only. You never need a boating license and you never drive.
Where do Miami yacht charters leave from?
It depends on the yacht. Ours board in Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove at Bayshore Landing and Aventura. We also arrange boarding in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, or at a villa dock the yacht can reach.
What are the best yacht routes in Miami?
The classic routes are Biscayne Bay and the skyline, a cruise past Star Island and the Venetian Islands, the Haulover sandbar, the Intracoastal north toward Sunny Isles Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and the open Atlantic through Haulover Inlet. The captain makes the final call on the day.
How many guests can a yacht carry in Miami?
It depends on the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard status, not its length. For groups above 12 we arrange vessels certified for your group size, or two yachts cruising together. We confirm the limit in writing before you book.
What is the best time of year for a yacht charter in Miami?
November to May has the calmest, driest days. Art Basel, Winterfest, Christmas, New Year's Eve and the boat shows book first. Summer is warm and quieter on weekdays, with afternoon storms planned around.
Can we have a private chef on the yacht?
Yes. Our private chefs cook any cuisine and plan around diets and allergies, cooking on board on larger yachts or preparing the menu ashore. Supervised kosher is one option.
Do you have Off-market yachts?
Yes. Beyond the yachts on our website, we arrange Off-market yachts across South Florida that are never listed online and are shared only on request.
Can the yacht pick us up from our villa?
Yes, when the villa has a dock the yacht can reach. Villa Golden, Villa Estan, Villa Sia and Villa Alpha have private docks, and we confirm access for the specific yacht before you book.
How much does a yacht charter in Miami cost?
Rates are on request. The quote depends on the yacht, the date, the hours, the route and what you add. Send your day and we reply within 15 minutes with options and a written quote.
