Let’s begin by looking at what makes Miami a unique yachting destination.

Miami is globally known as the world’s playground for high net worth individuals with its subtropical climate, world-class dining, nightlife options, and beautiful beaches. It’s no wonder so many of the world’s elite choose to keep vacation homes in this paradise and so many others come every year to relax and unwind.

Miami is unique in that it is also one of the few major metropolitan cities that offers a year-round yachting season. It is known as the Magic City. Its wide beaches and its seemingly endless supply of sunshine are complemented by its endless parties and its lavish lifestyle. All these factors combined with the countless luxury waterfront properties make Miami a perfect destination for yachting.

Cutting across Biscayne Bay are the man-made Venetian Islands connecting the city of Miami with Miami Beach. The six islands, connected by the Venetian Causeway were built in the 1920s and 1930s. They feature countless waterfront properties appealing not only for their waterfront location but also their proximity to both Miami and Miami Beach.

Cruise around the islands to admire the impressive homes, and later drop anchor and tender into one of our favorite waterside venues in Miami – The Standard Spa on Belle Isle. Renowned for its outdoor soaking tubs and massive hamam and spa. The Standard also features a tropical garden with a bonfire and chill out area and a waterfront restaurant. End your day here with a massage appointment followed by a bottle of rose and a dinner along the water to catch that Miami sunset.

Just south of the Venetian Islands, you’ll find Star, Palm, and Hibiscus Islands, known for their exclusive gated-community of waterfront homes and celebrity residents. All three islands enjoy stunning views of the downtown and Miami Beach skylines and easy ocean access.

Many local captains will be able to point out most of the homes on Star Island – who they belong to and stories of past owners and legendary parties. After a cruise around the islands, drop anchor between Star and Palm island. This popular rendezvous point is perfect for dropping the jet skis into the water or tying up with friends on another yacht.

Further south from Star Island, you’ll find Fisher Island, one of America’s most expensive zip codes. Fisher Island features its own private beach club, golf course two deep-water marinas.

The island was created in 1905 and construction began in 1919 when Carl G. Fisher purchased the eponymous island. In 1925 William Kissam Vanderbilt II traded a luxury yacht to Fisher for ownership of the island.

Considered the most private of the islands around Miami, it is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or ferry. If you’re lucky enough to have a resident or member invite you to the island, dock at one of the marinas and enjoy the day playing golf or dining at the Fisher Island Club’s beachfront restaurant.

Located at the southern end of Miami Beach is Miami’s largest marina, Miami Beach Marina. Positioned in the heart of South Beach is the posh neighborhood known as South of Fifth, Miami Beach Marina has plenty of dining options. Additionally the marina is close to anything you’ll need to provision your yacht for a day charter or a week-long excursion.

After a day on the water, you can grab some conch fritters at Monty’s – a low key restaurant located right off the marina. It is popular with the crew and the Miami Beach locals and is famous for its relaxed vibe and killer sunsets.

Or if you’re really hungry, head over to Texas de Brazil for some Brazilian churrascaria. There you’ll find slabs of meat served on swords tableside by their waiters. If you don’t mind a short walk, head over to the oldest and most famous restaurant in all of Miami – Joe’s Stone Crab. Around for over 100 years, the service is impeccable and the food is delicious. Just keep in mind the restaurant is only open from May to October (stone crab season) and shut for the rest of the year.

If you’re looking to experience some of the best waterside restaurants in Miami, you’ll want to head over to the Miami River where you’ll be able to pull up on your yacht and dock directly at various restaurants.

Located at the Epic Marina is a renowned Japanese restaurant, Zuma. Perfect for a romantic waterside dinner or for a large group of friends, this is the best spot to enjoy Japanese food on the water.

If you happen to be on the water on a Sunday afternoon, head over to Seaspice or next door to Kiki on the River where they host the two best “Sunday Funday” parties in America. While the food is excellent at both venues, the locals and tourists flock to Kiki and Seaspice for their debaucherous Sunday parties where you can always find people dancing on tables and sparklers lighting up as magnums of champagne are being sprayed a la St Tropez.

If the yachts at Miami Beach Marina didn’t impress you, sail to the Island Gardens Deep Harbor Marina. This marina boasts some of the largest yachts in the whole of the Americas. This is the only deep-water marina in America designed exclusively for megayachts.

Opened in 2016, Island Greens Deep Harbour Marina is currently capable of berthing 50 superyachts and is home to 288’ M/Y Fountainhead. It has also hosted world-famous superyachts such as the 381’ M/Y Ulysses, and Shahid Khan’s famous 313’ M/Y Kismet that has been spotted with Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Recently reopened in 2019, The Deck is an open-air restaurant located at Island Gardens. It hosts some of Miami’s hottest parties due to its backdrop of megayachts and superyachts.

Continuing south from Fisher Island are the two islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne.

These two islands offer something for everyone: Virginia Key hosts the Virginia Key Beach Park Marine Park Stadium and the Miami Seaquarium. The seaquarium has one of the world’s largest collections of marine animals – about 10,000 specimens.

On the same note, Key Biscayne offers secluded beaches and is home to the famous 19th-century Cape Florida Lighthouse. It also boasts the only underwater archaeological trail in the United States. Even though you’re only a few miles from downtown Miami, you’ll feel as though you’re in another world.

For a luxurious escape, dock at Rickenbacker Marina and head over to Key Biscayne’s Ritz-Carlton resort and enjoy a world-class meal or get lost in the spa.

Just off of Key Biscayne, you’ll find what is probably the best-known rendezvous point for yachts in Miami – Nixon Sandbar. On any given weekend, you’ll find dozens of yachts anchored in the bay and tied up together.

You can jump from the swim platform into the shallow water and party with friends. Or relax on the flybridge in what is usually a high-energy atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to see people take their jet skis to visit nearby yachts or to spot a ceviche boat going from boat to boat offering up fresh ceviche to any hungry guests.

Finally, we head up north to the Haulover Sandbar right by the famous Bal Harbour Shops. Situated just west of the Haulover Beach Marina, Haulover Sandbar is the most popular rendezvous point for yachts on the weekend in North Miami Beach.

Similar to Nixon Sandbar, Haulover hosts boats of all sizes tying up in the sandbar’s warm, blue waters to party and socialize. Yachting to Haulover Sandbar entails no shortage of music and yacht-hopping, always with a cocktail in hand. And, in case you’re hungry, there’s a food-boat that offers ice cream and local seafood favorites.

We hope this article has given you some light on the perks of chartering a yacht in Miami along with some hotspots to explore so you may make the most of your yacht charter experience.