While exploring the waterways in and around Miami, take in the sights and sounds of the Magic City.
Miami has something for everyone and is known for its art deco architecture, glamorous nightlife, white sand beaches, Cuban culture, and abundant people-watching. After taking a guided tour of the city’s land-based attractions, board a boat to explore the city’s waterways and the neighboring Everglades National Park. There are boat trips you’ll want to try, whether you’re zooming along Biscayne Bay in a speedboat or gliding through the Everglades’ glass-like water. To assemble a list of the top Miami boat tours, U.S. News looked at both professional judgment and tourist reviews.
Due to COVID-19, some of the tour operators on this list may operate with fewer resources or may impose screening or vaccination restrictions. Before making a reservation, inquire about availability with your tour operator.
Adventure Sailing at Biscayne Bay National Park, Miami
This personalized tour is a must-do when in Miami, according to reviews. You will sail around Biscayne Bay in a wind-powered boat for the roughly three and a half-hour trip, passing sandbars, mangroves, and islets along the way. Manatees and dolphins may also be seen. The boat is praised for its eco-conscious use of wind power as well as its capacity to enter areas of the water that bigger boats can’t. Visitors laud the welcoming, interesting crew and mention seeing a lot of dolphins.
There are two trips per day, leaving from Coconut Grove, on Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets cost about $130 for adults and $100 for kids and teenagers (2-17 years old).
Miami Speedboat Adventures, a thriller
This 45-minute high-speed excursion takes visitors via PortMiami, the Rickenbacker Causeway, Star Island, and Biscayne Bay. The jet boats can swivel and rotate 180 degrees and travel at speeds of up to 40 mph. The excursion, according to customers, is a fantastic opportunity to explore the Miami skyline and beaches. They also like the rapid spins, interesting guides, and upbeat music.
You must check in 30 minutes before departure for daily multiple-time tour departures. Tickets cost about $40 for those above the age of 12 and $30 for those between the ages of 3 and 11. To ride, a child must be 3 years old.
Tour of Miami Celebrity Homes with Fiesta Cruises
On this 90-minute trip from Fiesta Cruises, marvel at famous people’s residences and the lavish estates featured in popular TV series and movies. Tours are narrated in both Spanish and English as they sail around Miami’s coastline and the islands of Palm, Star, and Hibiscus. Reviewers describe this as a wonderful exercise with a fun, knowledgeable staff and great music. This is regarded by many as a Miami must-do.
Children three years old and younger ride free, with tickets starting at $28 for adults and $17 for children aged 4 to 11. Multiple times per day, cruises depart. Other tours offered by the firm include a sunset sail.
DUCKS South Beach Tours
Get on board for a 90-minute land and water tour of Miami that passes by well-known attractions in South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District. Then jump into Biscayne Bay and cruise past the illustrious residents’ homes on Star Island. Theater-trained tour guides offer entertaining and educational commentary along the way. The ride is entertaining and enjoyable, and some visitors say they wished they had taken the tour on their first day in Miami.
Tickets are roughly $45 for adults, $30 for children aged 4 to 12, and $10 for those under 3 years old. The tours run every day at 11, 1, 3, and 5 o’clock.
Semi-private 1-hour airboat tour offered by Everglades Nature Tours
On this one-hour airboat tour, discover the everglades with a qualified “gladesman” who is also a Coast Guard-trained guide. The entertaining and instructive experience gives visitors the chance to see alligators, numerous bird species, butterflies, and local plant life in Everglades National Park. The majority of tourists consider this to be the high point of their journey and give the tour guides excellent marks for their ecological expertise.
From Friday through Monday, the firm offers tours at a variety of morning and afternoon times. Tickets start at $65 per person for those over the age of six; if you want to book a trip with a child under six, you must phone the firm. Noting that transportation from central Miami to the departure site is not included in the ticket price, it should be noted that the airboat ramp is situated around 35 miles west of downtown Miami. In addition to private airboat trips, Everglades Nature Tours also provides private walking tours.
45-Minute Tour with the Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours
A 45-minute journey into the Everglades is offered by Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours, along with a local guide. View local wildlife in its natural setting, including alligators, wading birds, turtles, and raccoons. An excursion that includes a walk along a nature trail and a stop at a Native American village will also provide plenty of Instagram-worthy moments for visitors. The authenticity of the small-group trip and the guides’ expertise are both praised by reviewers. Additionally, they describe witnessing many alligator species.
Prices per participant start at $45. Daily tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On request, Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours can also create a private tour.
The first airboat tour was provided by Coopertown Airboats.
Since 1945, Coopertown Airboats has been providing airboat trips. Reviews praise the company for its knowledgeable, experienced operators and the wealth of wildlife seen. Around 9 miles are covered by the boats at Everglades National Park. The 40-minute excursions include stops where visitors may see alligators, the vivid purple gallinule bird, and other animals that call the “River of Grass” home.
Everyday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tours are given. Tickets start around $26 for adults and $15 for kids aged six to eleven. Children under the age of six ride free. Anyone 16 or older must pay an extra $5 to enter the park. The business also provides exclusive tours.
Millionaires’ Row Cruise, offered by Island Queen Cruises & Tours
Pass the opulent residences of “Millionaire’s Row,” the Port of Miami, Miami Beach, and Fisher Island as you cruise along Biscayne Bay. Both inside and outdoor chairs with an awning are available for the 90-minute multilingual narrated sightseeing tour. You can buy snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages here. The majority of tour participants find the experience to be relaxing. Others report having trouble hearing the commentary.
There are numerous departures each day. Tickets for adults start at $30, while those for kids (ages 4 to 12) begin at $20. Children under the age of three ride free. Everglades National Park tours are another service provided by Island Queen.
Everglades National Park Nature Walk with Naturalist and 1-Hour Airboat Ride from Wild Lime Adventures
Consider taking this tour, which includes an airboat ride and a hike in Everglades National Park with a naturalist, if you want to immerse yourself in nature while on vacation in Miami. You’ll visit up to two Native American tree island settlements throughout the hour-long airboat tour to get a better understanding of how the Miccosukee people, who lived in Florida before it became a state, made it through the Everglades. After that, your naturalist guide will lead you on a 90-minute stroll through Everglades National Park’s distinctive habitats. Watch out for alligators and the critically endangered Everglades snail kite. Visitors praise the airboat journey as being magnificent and mention seeing various birds and alligators. Others laud the organization and meticulousness of the company and the guides.
Daily tours typically start at 7 a.m. and go for around six hours. Tickets are roughly $160 for adults and $140 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Snacks, water, soft drinks, fresh fruit, and pick-up from your Miami hotel are all included in the price. You can benefit from a reduced ticket price if you would prefer to meet at the departure point and do not require hotel pickup. Insatiable for the Everglades? The national park is also accessible via day tours from Wild Lime Adventures.
Aqua Tours of Miami – Sightseeing Cruise
On this 80-minute boat tour, unwind as you ride around Biscayne Bay. As you take in the comments from the bilingual guide on the boat, you’ll be able to see the Miami skyline in addition to the Venetian Islands and Star Island. Reviewers praise this as a fantastic experience because of the informative commentary offered by the onboard guide. They remark about the picturesque sights as well.
Every day, various cruises are available. The cost of admission is $30 for adults and $20 for kids aged four to twelve. Up to three-year-olds can ride for $5. In addition to other possibilities, Miami Aqua Tours also offers a nighttime skyline cruise with a live DJ.