Private tour for 12 people on a 40 ft Yacht, Ft Lauderdale bay

The appeal here is simple: you get a private boat on Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, not a seat on a set-route group cruise. You can spend the time admiring waterfront homes and large yachts, then, if timing and conditions allow, anchor at a sandbar for a swim.

I like two things in particular: the flexible itinerary, which lets your group choose between sightseeing and a swim stop, and the practical setup, with a restroom, cooler, ice, and bottled water aboard. Captains Andre, Simon, and Luis have earned particularly warm praise for being friendly and attentive without taking over the outing.

One important caveat: the details give conflicting boat models and passenger limits. The experience is promoted for up to 12 people, while its FAQ says up to 10, so confirm the exact vessel and capacity before paying. The captain fee is also extra.

What to know before you book

• Pick your pace: Choose a two-, four-, or six-hour charter. More time gives you better odds of fitting in both sightseeing and a swim or meal stop.
• Expect a private outing: The boat is for your party, rather than a mixed group of strangers.
• Plan for a captain fee: The listed fee is $100 for two hours, $200 for four, or $300 for six, with variations on certain dates.
• Ask about capacity and boat model: The description names a Sundancer 40, while the FAQ names a Sessa 36 and gives a lower passenger limit.
• Bring swim gear and your own refreshments: Ice and bottled water are provided, and you can bring snacks and other drinks.
• Keep your plans flexible: Swimming and sandbar stops depend on time, weather, and safety conditions.

Setting out from Bahia Mar

The departure point is 801 Seabreeze Boulevard at Bahia Mar Yachting Center, a Fort Lauderdale marina. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the end of the cruise.

Parking is listed as free but limited. I would arrive with time to spare, especially on a busy weekend, and have a backup plan if the spaces are full. The charter is commonly booked about 18 days ahead on average, and weekends are described as the busiest days. Last-minute openings may exist, but a same-day booking can be risky: one family arrived for a reservation made less than two hours earlier and found that no captain had been arranged. Book ahead, and confirm your captain and meeting details before heading to the marina.

There is a bit of housekeeping before departure. The lead person who made the reservation must be on board and sign a bareboat charter agreement. The information also says that you must select a captain under US Coast Guard rules, while describing the captain fee as an additional charge. Confirm exactly how the captain is arranged and what you will pay rather than assuming the advertised per-person price covers it.

Two hours on the Intracoastal

The shortest option is best for a taste of the waterways rather than a full day on the water. You’ll cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, often called the Venice of America, and pass waterfront homes and large yachts. A captain may point out sights along the way, though the amount of narration depends on who is at the helm.

Two hours can work well if your priority is a relaxed look at the mansion district, or if you have young children or a packed day. It is less suitable if a swim stop is essential. Anchoring at a sandbar is an option, but you need to tell the captain before the trip begins, and the stop depends on available time and conditions. A short cruise can turn into a slow sightseeing ride if you expect lots of activity; this is not presented as a fast, high-energy boat outing.

If you want to swim, allow time to reach a suitable spot, anchor, and get back. Don’t treat the swim as guaranteed on a two-hour charter. One group found there wasn’t time to stop, while other outings have included time at a sandbar. That difference is a good reason to discuss your priorities with the captain before leaving the dock.

Four hours for cruising and a swim

For many groups, four hours is the most balanced choice. It gives you time to see the Intracoastal, pause at a sandbar or quiet lagoon, and enjoy the water without making the outing an all-day commitment. The water mat is included for charters of four hours and up, and the boat may also have swim toys such as noodles and balls. Ask what will be available on your date rather than counting on a particular item.

A four-hour charter can also leave room for a stop at a waterfront restaurant for drinks or appetizers. That is a possibility, not a fixed part of the trip, so ask about the route, timing, and any plans to go ashore. Restaurant time will reduce the time available for cruising or swimming.

This option suits a birthday, family gathering, or afternoon with friends. One family found a late-afternoon departure especially pleasant when it ran into sunset, though the time of sunset will depend on the season and your chosen slot. If swimming matters more than scenery, say so at the outset. The route is customizable, but time management matters: the captain has to balance cruising, anchoring, and getting you back to the marina.

Six hours for a slower day on the water

The six-hour charter gives you the most room to mix activities. You can spend time sightseeing, anchor for a swim, and make a leisurely waterfront meal part of the day. It is the strongest choice if your group wants more than a quick cruise and does not want to watch the clock at every stop.

The trade-off is cost. The listed captain fee rises to $300 for six hours, in addition to the per-person price and any applicable special-date variation. Fuel is included, which makes the core cost easier to estimate, but confirm the full total for your party before booking. The value depends on how much you use the extra time. If your group mostly wants to see the mansions, two hours may be enough. If you want to swim, eat, and cruise at an unhurried pace, the longer charter can make more sense.

What the boat offers, and what to clarify

The yacht is described as having a sun deck, shaded seating, a cabin with a kitchen and restroom, and a Bluetooth sound system. A cooler with ice and bottled water is included, and you can bring your own food and drinks. That makes it easy to tailor the atmosphere, whether you want music and snacks or a quieter family outing.

The boat information needs a closer look before you book. The main description calls it a Sundancer 40, while the FAQ calls it a Sessa 36. The advertised capacity is 12, but the FAQ says you can bring up to 10. Those are material differences, not trivia: the boat model affects the space and layout, and passenger capacity affects comfort as well as safety. Every child counts toward the limit, including lap children. Ask the operator to confirm the exact boat and the permitted number of people for your date.

The boat has a restroom, and safety equipment, including life jackets, 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 ordinary pets are not. The cabin is described as equipped, but one group reported that its air conditioning was not working. If a cool cabin is important to anyone in your party, ask about its condition before departure.

Captains can shape the day

The captain is central to this experience. You are not simply hiring a boat with a route printed on a card: the captain helps determine what fits into your time and conditions. Andre is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, professional, and good with children. Simon has been praised for explaining the sights and choosing a good route, while Luis has been noted for accommodating a family’s needs.

That personal touch is a major part of the appeal. A good captain can point out waterfront homes and boats, help your group feel comfortable on board, and make the day feel personal without dominating it. But service can vary. One group complained that its captain was silent and smoked, while another had a captain fail to show after a very late booking. Those accounts are a reminder to confirm the captain assignment and raise any preferences in advance.

If you have a particular captain in mind, ask whether that person is available; do not assume a name is guaranteed. You can also be clear about the kind of outing you want: more narration, a relaxed ride, a swim stop, or a family-friendly pace. The more specific you are before departure, the easier it is to shape the time well.

The real cost and how to judge the value

The stated price is $184.50 per person, with group discounts noted. The captain fee is separate: $100 for two hours, $200 for four, and $300 for six. It may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31. Fuel, landing and facility fees, the boat, and bottled water with ice are included in the listed inclusions.

A private charter costs more than joining a public sightseeing cruise, but it buys control over who is on board and how you spend the time. For a family or group of friends, that can be worthwhile: you can set your own music, ask for a swim stop, and share the boat rather than follow another group’s schedule. The per-person price also depends on how many people are in your party, so compare the total cost, including the captain fee, against the space and time you will actually use.

Do not overlook the capacity discrepancy when doing that math. If the true limit for your boat is 10 rather than 12, the cost and seating plan change for a larger group. Get the confirmed head count and total price in writing before you commit.

Weather, swimming, and practical limits

The operator may reschedule for severe or unusual conditions, including thunderstorms and storm alerts. If rain is forecast, stay in contact with the local operator to find out whether it is safe to go. A refund is not promised for a last-minute weather cancellation when conditions are considered safe, so the weather policy is worth checking before departure day.

Swimming is allowed when time and conditions permit, but the captain makes the final call on safety and timing. Bring swimwear and towels if you hope to get in the water, plus sunscreen and comfortable clothing suited to the weather. You can bring snacks and beverages; the supplied cooler has ice and bottled water.

Fishing is allowed on a catch-and-release basis, though you may need a fishing license. Towing sports, including wakeboarding, tubing, and water skiing, are not permitted because of insurance restrictions. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Fort Lauderdale charter?

I’d choose this trip if your group values privacy and flexibility more than a scripted tour. It can suit families, couples, and friends who want a leisurely look at the waterways, time to chat on board, and the option of a sandbar stop. Four hours is a sensible middle ground for most groups hoping to combine sightseeing and swimming.

I’d think twice if you need a guaranteed swim, a fast-paced ride, reliable cabin air conditioning, or a boat confirmed for 12 without further questions. For those priorities, get clear answers before booking. This charter can be a fine way to see Fort Lauderdale from the water, but the best experience starts with realistic expectations: confirm the boat, capacity, captain, fees, and plan for the day.

FAQ

How long can I charter the yacht?

You can choose a two-, four-, or six-hour charter.

What is included in the price?

The boat, fuel surcharge, restroom on board, landing and facility fees, and a cooler with ice and bottled water are included. A water mat is included for rentals of four hours and up.

Is the captain fee included?

No. The listed captain fees are $100 for two hours, $200 for four hours, and $300 for six hours per booking. Fees may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Can I swim during the trip?

Swimming and sandbar stops are possible if time, weather, and safety conditions allow. Tell the captain before departure if you want to try to include a stop.

Where does the tour start, and is parking available?

It starts at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, and returns to the same meeting point. Free parking is available, but spaces are limited.

How many people can come, and do children count?

The experience is promoted for up to 12 people, but its FAQ says the limit is 10. Every person counts toward capacity, including children and lap children, so confirm the permitted number for your specific boat before booking.