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

Miami looks best from the water. This private boat outing gives you your own route, included fuel, and room for a small group, so you can trade the usual sightseeing bus for skyline views from the bay. I especially like the Bluetooth speakers and the cooler with ice, two small touches that make a few hours aboard feel relaxed rather than rigid. The main catch is that the advertised price does not include the captain fee, and the boat capacity details need confirming before you book.

You meet at 2610 NW 18th Terrace, inside the Miami River area, then return to the same point. The first 10 to 15 minutes are slow because the river is a no-wake zone. After that, your captain can shape the outing around sightseeing, a waterfront meal, a quiet place to anchor, or time in the water, depending on the route and available time.

The experience has earned a 5-star rating from 333 customers, with 99 percent recommending it. Captains Daniel and Yolepsy Maceira Romero receive especially warm praise for clear instructions, friendly service, family care, and good photo stops. If Yolepsy is available, you can request him, but captain assignments should be confirmed before arrival.

Key things to know before booking

• Fuel is included: You can cruise without watching the fuel gauge or paying a surprise surcharge.
• Captain fees are extra: The listed fees are $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours, and $210 for six hours.
• The route is yours to shape: Ask about mansions, skyline views, restaurants, swimming time, or a quiet anchorage.
• The marina-to-bay run is slow: Expect roughly 10 to 15 minutes each way through the Miami River’s no-wake zone.
• Capacity needs clarification: The main details say six people, while the FAQ says the boat can take eight. Confirm the legal passenger limit for your exact reservation.
• The boat has useful basics: You get a cooler with ice, Bluetooth stereo, safety equipment, and fuel, but no restroom onboard.

What the Miami Bay outing feels like

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a printed list of stops. It is a private boat rental, so the appeal comes from having control over the day. You can sit back and let the captain handle the boat, or take a more active role if your booking and legal requirements allow it.

The vessel is described in the details as a 2017 Element 18 powered by a Mercury 115-horsepower engine, repowered with a new 2021 Mercury 115. It can reach up to 35 mph depending on passenger weight. Elsewhere, the experience is presented as a Stingray 24, which is a meaningful difference in boat style and size. Ask Bruschi Boat Rental to confirm the exact vessel before you pay, especially if space, shade, seating, or comfort matters to your group.

The boat is intended for casual sightseeing and cruising rather than watersports. Towing a wakeboard, tube, kneeboard, or skis is not allowed because of insurance restrictions. Fishing is also prohibited, so leave the rods and tackle at home.

Leaving the Miami River at a relaxed pace

The departure point is at 2610 NW 18th Terrace in Miami. Parking is available at the marina, though fees can vary. Free parking may be available outside the marina, but you should allow time to find a place and walk to the dock.

The opening section is slow and easy. The Miami River is a no-wake zone, and reaching the bay takes about 10 to 15 minutes. This is not wasted time, but it does affect how much sightseeing you can fit into a short booking.

On a two-hour rental, the outbound and return trip can take a noticeable share of your time. The operator notes that a two-hour outing may leave around 20 minutes to anchor and get into the water, depending on the route. I would choose four hours if swimming or a leisurely route matters to you. Two hours works better for a quick boat ride and city views.

The marina bathroom is available before or after the trip. There is no restroom onboard, so use it before departure. That matters with children, older family members, or anyone planning a longer six- to eight-hour rental.

Choosing between two, four, six, and eight hours

The flexible duration is one of the best parts of this experience, but each option suits a different plan.

Two hours: This is the quick taste of Miami from the water. You can cruise out, see part of the bay, take photos, and perhaps stop briefly for a swim. Because of the no-wake river section, do not expect a long, relaxed afternoon at anchor.

Four hours: This is the strongest value for most groups. You have time for the river transfer, skyline and waterfront views, a few photo stops, and a little time at anchor. One customer described the four-hour price as a very good bargain, particularly because fuel was included.

Six hours: Choose this for a slower outing with more flexibility. You can spend less time watching the clock and ask the captain to combine sightseeing with a meal stop or longer time in the water, subject to the route and safety conditions.

Eight hours: An eight-hour option is advertised, but the supplied captain-fee schedule lists only two, four, and six hours. Confirm the captain cost and exact arrangements for an eight-hour booking. A full day also makes the lack of an onboard restroom more important.

Your group can bring food and drinks. The included cooler and ice are handy, and the Bluetooth stereo lets you play your own music. Keep the volume sensible around other boats and the marina, and bring containers that will not spill easily.

Building your own route around Miami

The captain is there to operate the boat and help shape the trip, but you should arrive with a rough plan. The experience may include Miami skyline views, coastline scenery, waterfront homes, mansions, a restaurant stop, or a quiet place to anchor. Not every route can include every option, especially during a short rental.

If photos are your priority, say so at the start. Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero was praised for knowing attractive backdrops, taking family pictures, and making the outing feel personal. He also received praise for interacting well with a three-year-old child, a useful sign for families who want more than a fast ride around the bay.

Captain Daniel was also thanked for showing a family Miami and its mansions. These comments point to the value of asking for local sight ideas instead of simply saying you want to cruise. A captain who knows the area can help you use your limited time well.

Swimming is possible only if the route and timing allow it. On a two-hour booking, water time may be brief. Tell the captain in advance if swimming is important, and bring a swimsuit and towel. Wear sun protection, since the boat offers water views but not the same shade and shelter as a larger yacht.

The real cost and what you receive

The listed price is $275 per group, but the booking display says up to one traveler, which means the reservation is for the entire boat rather than one seat. You should not enter several separate passenger names. Use the lead traveler’s name for the reservation.

The captain fee is separate:

• Two hours: $70 per booking
• Four hours: $140 per booking
• Six hours: $210 per booking

Fuel is included, along with the boat, cooler and ice, and Bluetooth stereo. That is a useful advantage because fuel charges can make boat rentals harder to price in advance. The operator also says there are no hidden fees beyond the captain fee, though holiday captain charges on February 14, July 4, and December 31 may vary.

The value depends heavily on your group size. A four-hour rental shared among four to six people can make sense for a private Miami experience, especially with fuel already covered. For one or two people, the total cost may feel high compared with a regular public cruise.

One detail deserves attention: the main information says the boat accommodates up to six, while the FAQ says eight people can go without a problem. Every person counts under US Coast Guard rules, including babies and lap children. Ask for the legal maximum for your exact boat and date before booking. Do not assume a child can sit free of the passenger count.

Captain, bareboat rules, and safety

The lead traveler must go on the boat and sign a Bareboat Charter Agreement. The lead traveler must also select a captain according to US Coast Guard law. In plain terms, the booking is not simply a passive ticket under someone else’s name.

The captain fee is an important part of the booking. You are not paying the base price and then receiving a captain at no charge. Add the correct captain fee to your budget, and ask for the price if you select eight hours or a holiday date.

Life jackets and required safety equipment are provided. If you are bringing more than two children, note that during checkout so the operator can prepare extra child-sized jackets. Service animals are permitted, but identification may be requested on arrival. Other pets and non-official service animals are not allowed.

Most people can take part, and there are no age restrictions when going with a captain. Still, a boat is not the easiest setting for everyone. Think about sun, wind, motion, narrow walkways, and the absence of a restroom before bringing very young children or anyone with mobility concerns.

Weather, timing, and what to pack

Miami weather can change quickly, so keep in touch with Bruschi Boat Rental on the day of your trip. The operator may reschedule for thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, high-tide alerts, or other unsafe conditions.

Rain alone does not automatically mean a refund. If conditions are considered safe, a last-minute cancellation because of rain may not qualify for a refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel if you want to enter the water
• Hat, sunglasses, and strong sun protection
• Food and drinks in easy-to-secure containers
• A phone or camera, with a waterproof pouch if you have one
• Comfortable clothes suited to the forecast

The cooler and ice are included, but you should still pack carefully. Keep valuables secured, and help leave the boat clean. Drugs are not permitted onboard.

Who will enjoy this boat rental most

I would recommend this for families, couples, and friend groups who want private time on the water without committing to a formal yacht charter. The captain handles the boating, while your group chooses the mood: sightseeing, music, photos, a meal stop, or a short swim.

It is also a good fit for people who dislike fixed group tours. You can ask for a route that matches your interests, and the private format means you are not sharing the boat with strangers. The friendly service praised in connection with captains Yolepsy and Daniel adds to that appeal.

I would be more cautious if you want a full day of swimming, a guaranteed luxury yacht, fishing, watersports, or an onboard bathroom. This is a practical small-boat outing, not a polished mega-yacht cruise. The boat specification and passenger limit should also be confirmed, since the published details are not fully consistent.

Should you book the Miami Bay boat rental?

Book it if you want a flexible, private way to see Miami from the water and you have at least four people to share the cost. The included fuel, cooler, music system, and captain option make the experience easy to plan, while the ability to set your own route gives it more personality than a standard harbor cruise.

For the best result, choose four hours, request a captain such as Yolepsy Maceira Romero if available, and tell the operator in advance if you want mansion views, family photos, or swimming time. Before booking, confirm the exact boat, passenger capacity, captain fee for your duration, and any holiday surcharge.

FAQ

Is fuel included in the Miami boat rental?

Yes. Fuel and the fuel surcharge are included in the upfront price. The operator says the captain fee is the only additional charge, though holiday captain fees may vary.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The main tour details say the boat accommodates up to six people, while the FAQ says it can accommodate eight. Confirm the legal capacity of your specific boat before booking. Babies and lap children count toward the passenger limit.

Is a captain included in the price?

No. A captain must be selected under the Bareboat Charter Agreement, and the captain fee is separate. The listed fees are $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours, and $210 for six hours.

Can I swim during the boat rental?

Swimming may be possible depending on the route and available time. On some two-hour outings, there may be about 20 minutes to anchor and enter the water. Tell your captain about your swimming plans and bring a swimsuit and towel.

Is there a bathroom onboard?

No. A bathroom is available at the marina, but there is no restroom on the boat.

Can I bring food, drinks, or my own music?

Yes. You can bring food and drinks, and a cooler with ice is included. The boat also has Bluetooth speakers for your music. Please help keep the boat clean.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The operator may reschedule for unsafe conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high-tide alerts. Stay in contact on the day of your rental. Rain does not automatically qualify for a refund if conditions remain safe, and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.