Best Miami Yacht Destinations & Routes — Sandbars, Islands, Skyline | Feeling Yachty

Miami Yacht Destinations & Routes

Build your perfect route: lively sandbars, quiet islands, skyline sunsets, and reef day-trips. Browse the destinations below and tap a card for maps, nearby pickup marinas, and suggested cruise lengths. We only discuss locations here—planning help lives on each linked city page.

🗺️ Overview Map 🌴 Haulover Sandbar 🌊 Nixon Sandbar 🏝️ Fisher Island 🛥️ Monument Island 🌆 Brickell Bay 🎨 Marine Stadium 🏖️ Hobie Beach 🐬 Biscayne National Park ⭐ Star Island ❓ FAQs

Overview Map & Route Ideas

Switch between an interactive Google Map and a printable route diagram. Exact routes vary with weather, tides, bridge openings, and yacht size.

🖨️ Print Page

Tip: Zoom to Star Island, Monument Island, Brickell, Nixon & Haulover. Use Satellite view for clearer water and sandbar visibility.

Popular Yacht Destinations Near Miami

Pick spots that fit a half-day or full-day cruise. Each card links to helpful local pages and pickup marinas.

Haulover Sandbar

🔗

North Miami’s social sandbar with shallow turquoise water and floating parties on weekends. Best for swim time, photos, and an easy hang. Calm on weekdays; festive on peak days.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day or Full-day
  • 📍 Near: Sunny Isles Beach, North Beach
  • 🧭 Popular combo: Sandbar ➜ Oleta River
North Miami Charters Sunny Isles Beach Pickup Marinas

Tip: Arrive earlier on weekends; currents shift with tides—captain will advise best anchor spot.

Nixon Sandbar (Key Biscayne)

🔗

A shallow sandbar off Key Biscayne with clear water and a laid-back vibe—great for anchored swims, floating mats, and drone shots. Busier on sunny weekends.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove
  • 🧭 Combo: Nixon ➜ Cape Florida Light
Key Biscayne Charters Coconut Grove Pickup Marinas

Nearby sights: Cape Florida Lighthouse, Stiltsville (conditions permitting).

Fisher Island

🔗

Exclusive enclave just south of Miami Beach—beautiful waterfront views from the channel. (Island itself is private; we cruise by for views and photos.)

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: South Beach, Government Cut
  • 📸 Best: Golden-hour skyline angles
South Beach Charters Miami Beach Pickup Marinas

Photo ops: Government Cut, cruise ships (timing varies), downtown backdrop.

Monument Island

🔗

Calm anchorage near South Beach with the 96-ft Flagler Monument. Great for paddleboarding, beach landings (where permissible), and easy drone panoramas.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: Miami Beach, Venetian Islands
  • 🧭 Combo: Monument ➜ Star Island loop
Miami Beach Charters North Beach Pickup Marinas

Respect wildlife and posted rules on landings; pack out everything you bring.

Downtown Miami / Brickell Bay

🔗

Cruise through the city’s heart: high-rise canyons, bridges, and a golden-hour skyline. Ideal for corporate photos, proposals, and classy sunset laps.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: Brickell, Downtown, Riverside
  • 📸 Best: Sunset ➜ Night city lights
Brickell Charters Riverside Pickup Marinas

Bridge schedules and vessel size may affect exact routing—your captain will optimize.

Miami Marine Stadium (Virginia Key)

🔗

A protected anchorage beside the historic, graffiti-covered stadium. Smooth water days with skyline views— perfect for a relaxing float and photos.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: Virginia Key, Key Biscayne
  • 🧭 Combo: Stadium ➜ Hobie Beach
Brickell Charters Coconut Grove Pickup Marinas

Wind direction matters—Virginia Key offers shelter on many days.

Hobie Beach (Windsurfer Beach)

🔗

Breezy spot with skyline views—good for paddleboarding and quick swims. Often paired with Marine Stadium or Brickell cruise-bys.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: Rickenbacker Causeway
  • 🧭 Combo: Hobie ➜ Marine Stadium
Key Biscayne Charters Brickell Pickup Marinas

Water toys depend on yacht inventory—confirm paddle gear when booking.

Biscayne National Park

🔗

Reefs, keys, and lighthouse views—best as a full-day adventure with time for snorkeling (conditions permitting). Routes are weather-dependent and customized by your captain.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Full-day
  • 📍 Near: Elliott Key, Boca Chita
  • 🧭 Combo: Lighthouse ➜ Sandbar cool-down
Cutler Bay Palmetto Bay Pickup Marinas

Wildlife varies by season; captains choose sites for safety and visibility on your day.

Star Island

🔗

A loop around one of Miami’s most famous celebrity islands—mansions, yachts, and classic postcard views near South Beach.

  • ⏱️ Typical: Half-day
  • 📍 Near: South Beach, Venetian Islands
  • 🧭 Combo: Star ➜ Monument ➜ Fisher
South Beach Charters Miami Beach Pickup Marinas

Respect no-wake zones and private docks—captains know the best viewpoints.

Routes shown are examples. Weather, tides, and vessel size determine the exact itinerary on your date. Your captain will optimize the plan day-of.

Miami Yacht Destinations — FAQs

What’s the best half-day route for first-timers?
A classic: Monument Island ➜ Star Island ➜ Brickell Bay for skyline photos + calm anchoring. If you want swim time, swap in Haulover or Nixon Sandbar depending on your pickup.
Where do we meet the yacht? Are there multiple pickup marinas?
Yes. We use multiple marinas based on your route and yacht size. See Pickup Marinas.
Can we see wildlife (dolphins, manatees) on these routes?
Often—especially around Virginia Key, Biscayne Bay, and sandbar shallows. Sightings are never guaranteed and vary by season and time of day.
Full-day ideas that feel different from a typical sandbar day?
Biscayne National Park for reefs + lighthouse views (conditions permitting). Or split the day: Skyline cruise ➜ Swim stop ➜ Sunset loop.
Which sandbar is better: Haulover or Nixon?
Haulover is buzzier on weekends and closer to North Miami. Nixon is calmer and suits Key Biscayne / Grove pickups. We’ll recommend based on your vibe and departure.
Do bridges or tides affect where we can go?
Sometimes. Bridge openings, water depth, and wind can shape the plan. Your captain will have alternates to keep things smooth.
\

Marina Pickup & Drop-Off Locations

Choose the closest meeting point. Always confirm your exact dock number after booking. Some locations require paid parking or ID at gate.

🛥️

North Miami Beach — 3969 NE 163rd St 🔗

Miami Yacht Charters — Feeling Yachty
3969 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

Good for Aventura / Sunny Isles / North Beach. Parking garages and paid lots nearby.

🗺️ Get Directions 📖 Pickup Instructions

Meet time and exact dock will be texted by your coordinator the day prior.

🌉

Miami River — 3201 NW 24th St Rd, 2nd Floor 🔗

Miami Yacht Rentals — Feeling Yachty
3201 NW 24th Street Rd, 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33142

Closest to Brickell / Downtown / Little Havana. Allow extra time for bridge traffic on weekends.

🗺️ Get Directions 📖 Pickup Instructions

We’ll share dock assignment and gate code (if applicable) after your booking is confirmed.

🎨

Wynwood / Midtown — 2601 NW 1st Ave, Apt A 🔗

Miami Yacht Charters — Feeling Yachty
2601 NW 1st Ave, Apt A, Miami, FL 33127

Office/meet point for paperwork and concierge. Your embarkation marina may differ—check your confirmation.

🗺️ Get Directions 📖 Pickup Instructions

Street/garage parking varies; arrive early during events and art weekends.

📦

North Miami — 13633 NW 7th Ave 🔗

Miami Rentals — Feeling Yachty
13633 NW 7th Ave, North Miami, FL 33168

Equipment / logistics location. Not all charters board here—verify your embarkation marina in your itinerary.

🗺️ Get Directions 📖 Pickup Instructions

Call ahead for gate/receiving instructions if you’re dropping items before your charter.

🔎 See All Pickup Details

Nearby Cities & Pickup Areas

Quick links to our most-booked neighborhoods and marina pages.

Don’t see your area? Check all Pickup Marinas.

```