A day on the water is one of the best ways to see Miami, and winter is the season for it: from December to April the weather is dry and mild, and the bay is at its liveliest. Chartering a yacht is simple once three things are clear: how many guests, how many hours, and what kind of day the group wants, from a quiet cruise past the waterfront mansions to a long afternoon anchored at a sandbar.
Which size of yacht fits the group?
Most private charters in Miami take up to 12 or 13 guests regardless of the size of the boat, so size changes the comfort and the toys, not the guest count. Open yachts of 40 to 52 feet, such as the 40' Fjord, 43' Pardo, 48' Formula and 52' Beneteau Fly, are ideal for a relaxed day with sun and swimming. Between 57 and 75 feet, the 57' Azimut Thales, 64' Azimut, 66' Fairline, 68' Galeon, 70' Azimut Lupo and 75' Prestige Oceana add flybridges, staterooms and water toys.
For a full superyacht experience, the 84' Azimut Sky, 88' Princess, 90' Pershing, 97' San Lorenzo, 101' Leopard, 112' Custom Privilege and the 166' Trinity bring jacuzzis, jet skis, Seabobs and, on the largest, a waterslide and an on-board masseuse.
Where do yachts leave from?
Departures are spread across the city: Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Downtown and Brickell, and Island Gardens on Watson Island. The marina matters for the day: leaving from Miami Beach puts the sandbars and the ocean close, while Coconut Grove is the natural start for Key Biscayne and the south of the bay. It is worth choosing the yacht and the marina together with where the group is staying.
What does a classic yacht day look like?
Most days start with a cruise past Star Island, Fisher Island and the waterfront homes along the bay, with the Miami skyline behind. Then the yacht anchors for the afternoon: at the Haulover Sandbar to the north, at the Nixon Sandbar off Key Biscayne, or in a quiet cove for swimming and water toys. Four hours covers a cruise and a swim; six to eight hours allows a long anchored lunch and a sunset return. On weekends the sandbars are a party; on weekdays they are calm.
What is included, and what is not?
On our Miami fleet, the captain and crew are always included, and the smaller yachts include local fuel. What is usually not included: gratuity for the crew, catering and drinks, taxes, extra fuel for longer routes and docking fees at other marinas. Food can be arranged on board, from catering platters to a private chef on the larger yachts. Water toys vary from boat to boat, so if jet skis or Seabobs matter, they should be confirmed with the booking.
Celebrations on board
Birthdays, proposals, anniversaries and bachelor or bachelorette days are some of the most common reasons to charter in Miami. They work best when the details are arranged before departure: decoration on board, a cake or a specific bottle waiting on ice, a photographer, or a sunset stop timed for the moment. Some yachts limit what can be brought aboard, such as confetti or glass, so it is worth checking the rules of the specific boat along with the plan.
Weather, timing and what can change
Winter brings the best conditions, but cold fronts can raise the wind for a day or two, and the captain always has the final word on safety and routes. A good booking includes clear terms for rescheduling due to weather. Afternoon departures that end at sunset are the most requested, and during Art Basel week, the holidays and New Year's Eve, yachts book out well in advance.
How far ahead should you book?
For a weekday, a week or two ahead is usually enough. For weekends in high season, three to four weeks. For Art Basel, Christmas week and New Year's Eve, as early as possible, since the most requested yachts are reserved months ahead for those dates.
The yacht, and the rest of the day
Global Reservations books yacht charters across Miami, matches the boat and the marina to the group, confirms what is included before you pay, and coordinates the rest: transfers to the marina, catering on board and dinner after you dock. Tell us your date, group size and how you want to spend the day, and we will send the yachts that fit.
Planning Something Similar?
Tell us the group, the dates, and what you have in mind. We will take it from there.
