Miami boat rental prices in 2026: what a captained boat costs, by type
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Renting a boat with a captain in Miami costs from about $150 an hour for a 25 to 40 ft center console, $200 an hour for a deck boat, $400 an hour for a 40 to 60 ft sport yacht and $800+ an hour for a 60 to 100 ft motor yacht, based on 2026 prices published by Miami boat rental platforms. A 4-hour trip on a small boat starts around $600.
With a captain aboard, nobody in your group needs a boating licence.
On this page
Miami boat rental prices by boat type
| Boat type | Size | Guests (listed) | From, per hour | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center console | 25–40 ft | 4–8 | $150 | Fishing, cruising, small groups |
| Deck boat | 28–35 ft | 8–12 | $200 | Families, sandbar days |
| Sport yacht | 40–60 ft | 10–13 | $400 | Day trips, birthdays |
| Catamaran | 40–65 ft | 10–30 | $500 | Stability, space, bigger groups |
| Motor yacht | 60–100 ft | up to 13 | $800 | Luxury, corporate |
| Mega yacht | 100 ft+ | up to 13 | $2,000 | Top-end events |
Source: YATR Miami boat rental, "from" prices with captain, fuel and basic amenities included; checked October 15, 2026.
For comparison, marketplace Getmyboat puts small motorboats and deck boats at about $100 to $200 an hour, mid-size cruisers and catamarans at $250 to $500, and larger yachts at $500 to $1,500+, with 2 to 4 hour minimums common.
What a typical trip costs
| Trip | Published price |
|---|---|
| Half day (4 hours), smaller boat | from about $600 |
| Half day (4 hours), mid-size yacht | from about $2,000 |
| Full day (8 hours), smaller boat | from about $1,200 |
| Larger yachts | $500 to $2,000+ an hour |
Source: YATR's Miami boat rental FAQ. YATR says its prices include the captain, fuel and basic amenities, and that crew gratuity "is included in your booking total, if applicable". On other platforms, Getmyboat notes that taxes, platform fees, gratuity, catering and long-range fuel are usually extra, so compare the final total, not the hourly rate.
Do you need a licence to rent a boat in Florida?
Not if you hire a captain. Florida law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to carry a boating safety identification card (or another qualifying credential) to operate a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more (Florida Statutes 327.395). On a captained rental, the captain operates the boat, so guests need no card or licence.
If you want to drive yourself, ask the rental company what it needs from you. Getmyboat notes that self-operated renters born on or after January 1, 1988 need proof of boating safety education. Florida law also provides a temporary certificate, valid for 90 days after you pass its exam.
How many people can go?
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). For a group of seven or more on a small captained boat, ask the operator how the trip is licensed. For yachts, most Miami listings stop at 13 guests; see our guide to groups of more than 13.
The four most popular Miami boat routes
| Route | Typical length | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Haulover Sandbar | 4–6 hours | Anchor in shallow water, swim, float, social scene |
| Star Island and Millionaire's Row | 3–4 hours | Cruise past waterfront mansions and the skyline |
| Key Biscayne and Stiltsville | 4–6 hours | Clear water, snorkelling, the houses on stilts |
| Sunset cruise | 2–3 hours | Downtown skyline at golden hour |
Source: YATR's Miami boat rental routes. More on the southern route in our Key Biscayne guide.
Boat or yacht?
- Up to 6 people, fishing or a sandbar day: a center console or deck boat is the cheapest way out.
- 8 to 13 people, a celebration: a 40 to 60 ft sport yacht adds shade, a cabin and a bathroom. See Miami yacht rental prices.
- Choppy days or kids aboard: a catamaran rocks less, and some are certified for larger groups; see catamaran rental in Miami.
Tips before you book
- Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead for weekdays and 2 to 4 weeks for weekends, longer from December to April and around spring break (YATR's guidance).
- Summer is cheaper, with more availability; mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, when storms are more common.
- Bring cans, not glass, plus reef-safe sunscreen and non-marking shoes.
- Ask what is included: captain, fuel, gratuity, tax, water toys.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Miami?
With a captain, from about $150 an hour for a 25 to 40 ft center console and $200 an hour for a deck boat, to $400 for a sport yacht and $800+ for a motor yacht (YATR). A 4-hour trip on a smaller boat starts around $600; a full day from about $1,200.
Can I rent a boat in Miami without a captain?
Some platforms offer self-drive (bareboat) rentals, but you must meet Florida's boating education rule if you were born on or after January 1, 1988, and the boat must be operated within your experience. Many Miami platforms, including YATR, only offer captained rentals.
Do you need a captain's license to rent a boat in Florida?
No licence is needed if a captain operates the boat. To drive yourself, Florida requires a boating safety identification card or equivalent for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 operating a motor of 10 horsepower or more.
Where can I rent a boat in Miami with a captain?
Captained boats leave from marinas across Miami, including Miami Beach Marina, Bayside downtown, Coconut Grove, the Miami River and Key Biscayne, according to YATR. Book through a rental platform or operator and confirm the exact marina after booking.
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: Miami boat rental (prices by boat type, FAQ, routes)
- Getmyboat: Miami boat rentals and yacht charters (hourly ranges, minimums, extras)
- Getmyboat: Key Biscayne boat rentals (listings, boater education note)
- Florida Statutes 327.395: Boating safety education
- 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.