Key Biscayne yacht rental: prices, routes and where to leave from
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A Key Biscayne yacht charter costs from about $1,800 for 4 hours on a 40 to 50 ft yacht for up to 12 guests, and $3,500 to $6,000 for a full day to Stiltsville and the reef on a mid-size yacht, based on 2026 prices. Smaller captained boats on marketplaces start around $110 to $250 an hour.
Key Biscayne is Miami's quiet side: calmer water, snorkelling, and the houses of Stiltsville, rather than the party crowd at Haulover.
On this page
Key Biscayne charter prices
| Trip | Length | Guests | Published price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse cruise (Cape Florida, swimming) | 4 hours | 2–12 | from $1,800 |
| Family day out (calm water, sandbar) | 4–6 hours | 6–15 | from $2,200 |
| Reef and relax (Cape Florida reef, Fowey Rocks) | 5 hours | 4–13 | from $2,800 |
| Stiltsville adventure (full day) | 6 hours | 6–20 | from $3,500 |
| Full day to Stiltsville and the reef, mid-size yacht | full day | — | $3,500–6,000 |
Source: YATR Key Biscayne, checked October 15, 2026; prices include captain, crew and fuel for the Key Biscayne cruising area. Groups above 13 need a vessel certified for more passengers (see below).
Smaller boats by the hour (listed on Getmyboat): a 26 ft Sea Ray Sundancer at $110, a 28 ft center console for sandbar hopping at $125, a 33 ft Sea Ray at $250+, a Hunter 45 sailboat at $250, and yachts such as a 68 ft Galeon at $1,181 an hour. Getmyboat notes that taxes, platform fees and gratuity are usually extra.
Three Key Biscayne routes
- Stiltsville. Seven wooden houses on stilts in the shallow flats of Biscayne Bay. Captains anchor nearby for swimming, paddleboarding and photos (YATR).
- Nixon Sandbar. Off Mashta Island, a few minutes away; a common swim-and-social stop, best on calm mornings (Getmyboat).
- Cape Florida reef and Fowey Rocks. Snorkelling over shallow reef with tropical fish and sea fans, past the Cape Florida Lighthouse, which YATR calls the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.
Where Key Biscayne charters leave from
- Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne: closest to Stiltsville and the reef.
- Coconut Grove marinas: a short run across the southern bay.
- Downtown Miami: adds a scenic cruise through Biscayne Bay, but uses more of your hours in transit.
Sources: YATR and Getmyboat; your exact pickup point is confirmed after booking, and some marinas charge a small pickup or parking fee (Getmyboat).
How many guests?
U.S. Coast Guard rules require a Certificate of Inspection for any vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire, and limit bareboat charters to 12 passengers plus the charterer (U.S. Coast Guard). Most yacht packages above stop at 12 or 13. YATR's Stiltsville package is listed for up to 20 guests; for a group that size, confirm which vessel and certificate apply. See yachts for more than 13 guests.
Key Biscayne vs a central Miami charter
| Key Biscayne | Central Miami (Haulover, Star Island) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Quiet, nature, families | Social, party, sightseeing |
| Water | Calmer, clearer, snorkelling | Busier sandbar scene |
| Price, 4 hours | from $1,800 (40–50 ft, YATR) | $1,400–2,900 on 40–49 ft (Yachts Miami Vice) |
For central Miami prices by size and hours, see Miami yacht rental prices.
FAQ
How much does a Key Biscayne yacht charter cost?
From about $1,800 for 4 hours on a 40 to 50 ft yacht for up to 12 guests, and $3,500 to $6,000 for a full day to Stiltsville and the reef on a mid-size yacht, according to YATR's 2026 prices. Small captained boats on marketplaces start around $110 an hour.
Can you anchor at Stiltsville on a yacht charter?
Yes. Stiltsville is one of the most popular anchorages on Key Biscayne charters; captains anchor in the shallow flats near the houses for swimming, paddleboarding and photos.
Is Key Biscayne good for snorkelling from a yacht?
Yes. The Cape Florida reef and Fowey Rocks offer shallow reef with tropical fish and sea fans that you can reach by yacht. Pick a calm day: your captain decides where it is safe to anchor.
Where do Key Biscayne boat rentals leave from?
Most leave from Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne, or from marinas in Coconut Grove and downtown Miami. Leaving from Key Biscayne puts you closest to Stiltsville and the reef.
Sources
Pages we used for the figures in this guide, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Operator and marketplace price lists are their own published figures; rules and fees come from official government sources.
- YATR: Key Biscayne yacht charters (packages, prices, marinas, FAQ)
- Getmyboat: Key Biscayne boat rentals (listed hourly prices, Nixon Sandbar, Crandon Park Marina)
- YATR: Miami boat rental (Key Biscayne and Stiltsville route)
- Yachts Miami Vice: Yacht rental prices Miami 2026 (Aug 14, 2026)
- U.S. Coast Guard: Illegal charter press release (passenger-for-hire rules), May 8, 2025
Prices on this page are estimates from published sources, not quotes or offers. Yacht prices change with the season, the day of the week, the yacht and availability; only the booking confirmation from the operator or booking platform is binding. Rules and taxes shown are general information, not legal or tax advice.