Miami Boat Tours
Miami is surrounded by water with the Atlantic Ocean to the east flowing into the wide expanse of Biscayne Bay and along the shoreline of downtown Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne.
Almost every major attraction and historical site can be seen from the water and the best way to do that is on one of Miami’s many boat tours around Biscayne Bay. From the day cruises departing hourly out of Bayside Marketplace to ultimate adventure sightseeing from Miami Beach Marina aboard specialty boats with Ocean Force Adventures, exploring Miami by water is the way to go.
Many boat tours will take you to visit the famous Art Deco skyline of South Beach, celebrity homes and millionaires row, Fisher Island and the Port of Miami as well as the infamous Miami River which runs right through the heart of downtown Miami.
You can visit Biscayne National Park and the historic Stiltsville, small shack-like houses built over water in the middle of the bay about 1.5 miles from any shoreline, as well as the southern tip of Key Biscayne and the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse.
Many Miami boat tours will encounter marine life such as dolphin, manatee, shark and stingray while cruising through the crystal clear waters of Biscayne Bay against the backdrop of the downtown Miami skyline.
Miami Beach/South Beach
Year-round mild climates, ocean access and great things to do make Miami and Miami Beach one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world. Visitors to America’s southernmost resort city have many options for dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing both on land and water with the many boat tour offerings found at Bayside Marketplace in Miami or Miami Beach Marina located on South Beach.
Miami Beach is famous for its Art Deco style of architecture, the city’s Art Deco Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a top attraction with walking and biking tours delving into the history of this dynamic feature. There are hundreds of hotels and other buildings doe in the art deco style and built during the period 1923 – 1943.
Many of the hotels on South Beach are oceanfront with direct access to the beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
South Beach is a major entertainment destination for a hip celebrity crowd with nightclubs abounding in the area.
Shopping is another major attraction for visitors to South Beach. From Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and along Lincoln Road, people stroll among the many boutique and international stores offering everything from t-shirts to designer wear.
It is hard to beat Miami Beach!
Miami Celebrity Homes
Many celebrities make their home in Miami Beach and others have vacation homes in the area including Gloria Estefan, Rosie O’Donnell, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Julio Inglesis, Bee Gee’s, Billy Joel, and Sean Combs among others. Most celebrities prefer waterfront homes, making them accessible to visitors through one of the many boat tours offered in Miami.
Miami River
The Miami River runs right through the center of downtown Miami and is the location of where Miami was first settled by Indian tribes more than 200 years ago and became the community of Miami in the late 1800’s. The Miami River became the focal point for trade and today is an important artery for commerce. It is a natural river flowing 5.5 miles from the Miami International Airport to Biscayne Bay.
This working river has become an urban waterfront featuring boatyards, marinas, public parks, shipping terminals, seafood houses, restaurants and million dollar residential high-rises.
Archaeologists recently found the remains of a 2000-year-old village, known as the Miami Circle that was inhabited by some of the first Indian tribes in the area.
In later years, the river was settled by some of Miami’s first families, the families of William English, Julia Tuttle and Mary Brickell, who all contributed to the history of Miami.
The best way to see the river is via one of the select Miami boat tours offering sightseeing excursions on the river.
Fisher Island
The private island of Fisher Island sits just off the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, accessible only by ferry, boat or helicopter. This island is known for its luxury living and is a haven for avid boaters who want exclusivity. High profile residents such as Oprah Winfrey, Andres Aggassi and Steffi Graf have called this island home. First developed as the private enclave for the Vanderbilt family in the 1930’s, the island now boasts world class tennis facilities and marinas.
Venetian Islands/Miami Beach
This chain of six man-made islands in Biscayne Bay connected by small humpback bridges stretches from Miami Beach to Miami and includes the islands of Biscayne, San Marco, San Marino, DiLido Rivo Alto and Belle Isle.
John Collins built the original bridge, which made of wood, was soon replaced by the concrete structure that is in place today and built with financial assistance from auto magnate Carl Fisher in the early 1900’s. The early bridge was the first link other than ferryboat to connect mainland Miami and Miami Beach.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
Cape Florida Lighthouse is within Bill Baggs State Park and originally built in 1825 was reconstructed in 1846. This lighthouse was the first structure ever built in Miami and is the site of an historic battle during the Second Seminole Indian War. The island on which the lighthouse sits served as a secret hideout and location for runaway slaves and Black Seminoles waiting for passage to the Bahamas and freedom. Today the lighthouse serves as a beacon for the park and can be seen via tours conducted twice per day by park rangers.
Biscayne National Park
This national park is within sight of downtown Miami, yet is in another world with clear blue waters, islands and coral reefs. Historically the park area has more than 10,000 years of human history including Indians, pirates, farmers and presidents. The park offers activities such as snorkeling, boating, camping, wildlife and bird watching and sightseeing.
The park include Boca Chita, an island first inhabited by Tequesta Indians and is now an uninhabited island with a history including shipwrecks, pirates, hurricanes and now a visitor center where one can find out more about the history of this wonderful retreat.
Stiltsville is another unique destination within Biscayne National Park, about seven small shack-like house hovering over the waters of Biscayne Bay about 1.5 miles from shore. These shacks were built between the 1920’s and the 1960’s and each has its own story to tell.
You can visit the park via the Dante Fascell Visitor Center or take one of the Miami boat tours offering trips into the park.
Port of Miami Cruise Ships & Terminal
The Port of Miami is one of the largest ports in the world with more than 4 million passengers coming through for cruises to Latin America or the Caribbean and a cargo terminal that brings in almost 8 million tons of cargo every year. The port adds about $17 million per year to the South Florida economy and provides approximately 175,000 jobs to the area.
The port is now embarked upon and expansion project that will allow it to receive the largest freighters in the world in its cargo area.
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