24 Ft Miami Bay: Private Boat, Gas Included , 6 people, Captained

Miami Bay is best seen from the water, and this private boat trip gives you room to shape the outing around your group. You can cruise past the city’s waterfront, ask your captain about sights such as the mansions, and choose whether a stop to swim fits your route.

I like two things in particular: fuel is included, so you can enjoy the time on the water without tracking gas, and the boat comes with a cooler, ice and Bluetooth speakers. The reviews also point to warm, attentive captains, including Yolepsy Maceira Romero and Daniel, who helped make the ride enjoyable for families and photo stops.

The main consideration is the added captain fee and a few conflicting details about the boat’s model and capacity. A short trip also loses time to the slow-speed ride from the marina through the Miami River, so confirm the exact vessel, passenger limit and total price before you commit.

• Fuel is included: The base price covers the boat and fuel, plus a cooler, ice and Bluetooth stereo.
• Your group gets a private trip: You can work with the captain on the route rather than follow a fixed group itinerary.
• The captain costs extra: Listed fees are $70 for 2 hours, $140 for 4 hours and $210 for 6 hours. Holiday fees can vary.
• The river ride takes time: Expect about 10 to 15 minutes each way to reach the bay, at slow speed.
• Boat details need confirmation: The experience is described as a 24-foot Stingray for six, while other details name an 18-foot Element and a capacity of eight.
• Swimming depends on the route: A two-hour outing may allow roughly 20 minutes at anchor, but ask the captain when planning.

Leaving the Miami River for the bay

The departure point is 2610 NW 18th Terrace, at a marina on the Miami River. The trip to open bay water takes about 10 to 15 minutes because the river is a no-wake zone. That is worth factoring into your choice of duration: a two-hour booking is not two full hours of open-water cruising or swimming.

Once you reach the bay, the boat moves slowly in many areas because of local no-wake and low-speed restrictions. That pace suits a scenic outing, where you can take in the city from the water and talk with your captain. It is less suited to anyone expecting a high-speed thrill ride. The boat can reportedly reach up to 35 mph depending on weight, but the route and speed rules matter more than the engine’s top speed.

Your outing ends back at the marina. There is parking at the marina for a fee, with possible free parking outside it, though availability and fees may vary. A bathroom is available at the marina, not on the boat, so make a stop before boarding.

Planning your own route, with a captain aboard

This is a private rental, not a set sightseeing circuit. You can discuss what you want to see with the captain and shape the route around your group. Miami’s skyline, coastline and waterfront homes are among the sights named for the trip, and captains Daniel and Yolepsy Maceira Romero have been praised for showing guests around and helping with photos. You can request a specific captain, but confirm availability rather than assuming one is assigned.

The trip is not a self-drive rental under the stated requirements. The lead traveler must sign a Bareboat Charter Agreement and select a captain in line with US Coast Guard rules. The captain fee is separate from the base price, and the listed charges are $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours and $210 for six hours. The fee may vary on February 14, July 4 and December 31. No eight-hour captain fee is provided, so ask the operator for the full total if you want the longest option.

The captain’s role can add real value if you want to relax and let someone else handle the boat. Families may also appreciate the personal touch: Yolepsy was singled out for being engaging with a young child, taking photos at good backdrops and helping the group get into an Uber safely after the trip. Those are individual examples, not guaranteed services, but they suggest that a friendly captain can make this feel more like a personal outing than a basic boat hire.

Choosing two, four, six or eight hours

A two-hour trip is the lowest-cost option, but the travel time to and from the bay takes a noticeable share of it. If you hope to pause for a swim, the operator says a short trip may allow about 20 minutes anchored, depending on the route. Tell the captain about swimming plans before you leave so the route can account for them.

Four hours offers more breathing room. You can spend time cruising, taking photos and possibly stopping on the water without feeling that every minute is spoken for. Six hours suits a group that wants a relaxed day and flexibility to linger, while eight hours gives the most time but requires confirming the captain charge and total cost in advance.

The boat travels slowly through many parts of Miami, so more time does not necessarily mean more distance. Think of the extra hours as a chance to enjoy the bay at an unhurried pace, not to race from one attraction to another. If your group mainly wants a quick look at the waterfront, two hours may be enough. If you want swimming or a long family outing, consider at least four.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The stated base price is $275 per group, with fuel, use of the boat, a cooler and ice, and Bluetooth stereo included. The captain fee is extra. At the listed rates, a two-hour booking comes to about $345, a four-hour booking about $415 and a six-hour booking about $485, before any holiday variation. These totals assume the $275 base price applies and that no other charge changes at checkout.

If the boat’s capacity is confirmed for six, those totals work out to roughly $58, $69 and $81 per person, respectively. A larger group can make a private outing good value compared with paying separately for a shared cruise, but first verify how many people the specific boat can legally carry. The information gives both a six-person limit and an eight-person capacity, and US Coast Guard rules count every child, including lap children, as a passenger.

Gas being included is a useful part of the deal. You do not need to stop for fuel or worry about a separate fuel bill, and the cooler and ice make it easy to bring your own drinks and food. Keep the boat clean, and note that the boat is a drug-free zone.

Confirm the boat before you book

There is a significant mismatch in the boat details. The experience is described as a 24-foot Stingray for up to six people, but the additional information identifies a 2017 Element 18 with a 115 HP Mercury engine, repowered in 2021, and says the boat can carry eight. Do not assume these descriptions refer to the same vessel. Ask Bruschi Boat Rental which boat you will receive and what its passenger limit is for your date.

Safety equipment, including lifejackets, is provided. If you are bringing more than two children, note that at checkout so the operator can arrange additional child-sized jackets. Service animals are permitted, but other pets are not; the information says you may need to show identification for a service animal on arrival.

Bring sun protection and dress for the weather. Pack swimwear and towels if you plan to get in the water. You can bring food and drinks, with the included cooler and ice for your drinks. Towing sports such as wakeboarding, tubing and waterskiing are not permitted, and fishing is not allowed.

Swimming is possible only if the captain’s route and conditions allow it. Tell the captain what you have in mind before setting out rather than counting on a stop, especially on the shortest trip. Weather can also affect the plan. Stay in contact with the operator if rain or severe conditions are forecast; rescheduling may be possible in cases such as thunderstorms or hurricane alerts, but a last-minute weather cancellation does not guarantee a refund if conditions are considered safe.

Who will enjoy this private boat trip

This suits families and small groups who want time together on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. The private format gives you more say in the route, and the included fuel, cooler and stereo cover useful basics. The reported attention to children and help with photos may be a bonus if you are traveling as a family or celebrating a special occasion.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Miami from a different angle and are happy with a relaxed cruise rather than a fast ride. The slow-speed areas are part of the experience, and the river transit eats into a short booking. If your priority is swimming, allow enough time and confirm the stop with the captain. If you want to fish or tow a tube, this is not the right boat trip.

Book at least a week ahead if you can, especially for a weekend. The experience is often reserved about a month in advance, though last-minute availability may exist. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The person who makes the reservation must go on the boat, and only the lead traveler’s name is needed for the booking.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a private, flexible outing and value having fuel, ice and a captain arranged for you. The strongest reasons are the freedom to set the pace, the chance to see Miami’s waterfront from the bay, and the personal service that captains such as Yolepsy and Daniel have provided.

Before paying, get two things confirmed in writing: the exact boat and passenger limit, and the full captain-inclusive price for your chosen duration. With those details settled, a four-hour trip looks like the best balance for most groups: enough time to reach the bay, enjoy the views and possibly stop, without committing to a full day.

FAQ

Is a captain included in the price?

No. The boat and fuel are included in the base price, but the captain fee is extra. The listed fees are $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours and $210 for six hours. Holiday fees may vary.

How many people can the boat carry?

The information gives different figures. The experience is described as a 24-foot boat for six people, while another section names an 18-foot Element and says it can accommodate eight. Confirm the exact boat and legal passenger limit with the operator before booking. Children count toward the passenger limit, regardless of age.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Fuel and the fuel surcharge are included in the stated base price, so you do not need to stop for gas during the rental.

Can we swim during the trip?

Possibly. Swimming depends on the route and should be discussed with the captain. A two-hour trip may allow about 20 minutes anchored, depending on the plan.

Are restrooms available on the boat?

No. There is a bathroom at the marina, but no restroom onboard.

Can I bring food, drinks or a pet?

You can bring your own food and drinks. A cooler and ice are included. Service animals are allowed, but other pets are not permitted.