Florida Yacht Charter From Miami To The Keys
Sail on a fully crewed private yacht with curated itineraries, fine dining and concierge service — departing from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.
A Florida yacht charter is a fully crewed private yacht experience along Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline, with departures from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and the Keys. Charters typically run from $5,000 per day on sailing yachts and catamarans to $500,000+ per week on superyachts, with crew, chef, and bespoke itinerary included.
Where Florida Becomes Something Else Entirely
Florida looks different from a yacht. The shoreline you’ve seen from a beach chair becomes a moving panorama: art deco pastels along Ocean Drive, the mangrove labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands, the impossible Bahamian-blue shallows off Key Largo. Same state, opened up.
A luxury yacht charter in Florida means stepping aboard a vessel that’s entirely yours for the duration. Your chef. Your captain. Your itinerary, drawn up around what you actually want to do, not a packaged tour someone wrote on a brochure.
Four Coastlines, One Charter
Each port unlocks a different version of the state. Miami glitters. Fort Lauderdale runs the largest fleet in the world. Palm Beach is quietly polished. The Keys are another country altogether.
Miami & Biscayne Bay
South Beach to your stern, Stiltsville on the horizon. MIA sits twenty minutes from the marinas at Miami Beach and Sunset Harbour.
Fort Lauderdale
The yachting capital of the world. If you’re chartering a superyacht over 100 feet, this is almost certainly where you’ll board.
Palm Beach
Quieter. More refined. Worth Avenue in the morning, anchored off Peanut Island by lunch, sunset run up the Intracoastal.
The Florida Keys
The water turns gin-clear around Tavernier and stays that way for 120 miles. Anchorages where you won’t see another boat for hours.
Most Popular
Miami & Biscayne Bay
South Beach to your stern, Stiltsville on the horizon. MIA sits twenty minutes from the marinas at Miami Beach and Sunset Harbour.
Largest Fleet
Fort Lauderdale
The yachting capital of the world. If you're chartering a superyacht over 100 feet, this is almost certainly where you'll board.
Our Home Port
Palm Beach
Quieter. More refined. Worth Avenue in the morning, anchored off Peanut Island by lunch, sunset run up the Intracoastal.
Family Favorite
The Florida Keys
The water turns gin-clear around Tavernier and stays that way for 120 miles. Anchorages where you won't see another boat for hours.
Miami Day Charters — A Full Day on Biscayne Bay
Not every charter has to be a week-long voyage. Miami is the one port where a single day on the water genuinely delivers — the bay is calm, the scenery is constant, and the marinas sit twenty minutes from South Beach hotels.
Most day charters run six to eight hours, departing in the morning from Miami Beach Marina: cruise past the celebrity homes on Star Island, anchor off the Nixon sandbar on Key Biscayne, swim in the shallows, lunch onboard with the skyline as the view, sunset on the way back in.
What's Actually Included
Everything you need is built into the charter. A short list of what isn’t, kept transparent below.
Full Crew
Captain, private chef, deckhands, stewardess.
All Meals Onboard
Curated by your private chef to your preferences.
Standard Bar
House wines, spirits, beer, and soft drinks.
Watersports Toys
Paddleboards, snorkel gear, often jet skis and seabobs.
Fuel Allowance
Standard fuel for a typical cruising itinerary included.
Bespoke Itinerary
Designed with your broker before departure. Fully tailored.
Three Ways to Charter Florida
Every charter is custom-built around your dates and group, but here’s a taste of what a day, a long weekend, and a full week look like in practice.
Most Popular
A Full Day on Biscayne Bay
A six-to-eight-hour day charter departing from Miami Beach Marina. The perfect introduction for guests staying at the Faena, EDITION, or Setai who want a single unforgettable day on the water.
- Duration
6–8 hours - Departure
Miami Beach Marina - Guests
Up to 12 - From
$3,500 - Best For
Celebrations, intros
Board at Miami Beach Marina
Captain and crew greet you dockside with cold towels and welcome drinks. Cast off and head south along the Intracoastal, with the Faena Hotel and Star Island unfolding off the starboard rail.
Star Island & Hibiscus Cruise-By
The captain points out the celebrity estates before turning into open Biscayne Bay. Crew breaks out paddleboards and floaties for the next stop.
Lunch at Nixon Sandbar
Anchor in three feet of clear water just off Key Biscayne. Chef serves lunch onboard — ceviche, lobster rolls, a chilled rosé. Swim, paddle, jet ski. Spend an hour or three.
Stiltsville & Boca Chita Key
Push south to the houses on stilts in Biscayne National Park, or anchor off Boca Chita’s lighthouse for a quick island walk. Your itinerary, your call.
Skyline Cruise Back
Champagne service as the captain runs back up Government Cut. The Miami skyline lights up just as you pass it. Dock by 6:30 PM.
Long Weekend
Three Days in the Upper Keys
Friday-to-Sunday escape from Miami to Key Largo and Islamorada. Calm sailing, gin-clear water, just enough time to feel completely off the grid before Monday.
- Duration
3 nights - Departure
Miami or Ft. Lauderdale - Guests
Up to 8 - From
$18,000 - Best For
Couples, small groups
Miami → Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo
Board after lunch, cruise three hours south past Elliott Key and into the Upper Keys. Anchor at Ocean Reef Club for the evening. Sunset cocktails on deck, dinner onboard or a tender ride in for a reservation at the club.
Snorkel John Pennekamp, Lunch at Islamorada
Morning snorkel session at the Christ of the Abyss statue in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Reposition south to Islamorada for a long lunch — tender in to Lazy Days or pull up to Cheeca Lodge. Afternoon swim stop at the sandbar.
Indian Key & the Return North
Slow morning at anchor. Tender over to Indian Key for the historic ruins, snorkel the seagrass flats. Lunch onboard, then cruise back toward Miami or Fort Lauderdale, arriving by early evening.
The Classic
Miami to Key West & Back
A full seven days down the entire Keys chain. The signature Florida charter — covers art deco glamour, world-class snorkeling, Hemingway’s Key West, and quiet anchorages most charter guests never see.
- Duration
7 nights - Departure
Miami Beach Marina - Guests
Up to 12 - From
$45,000 - Best For
Families, milestone trips
Miami · Arrival & Star Island
Board late morning. Welcome cruise around Star Island and Fisher Island, sandbar lunch at Nixon, dock back near South Beach for a night out at Carbone or KYU.
Key Biscayne & Elliott Key
Slow cruise south into Biscayne National Park. Snorkel Elliott Key, swim off Boca Chita. Anchor for the night near Pumpkin Key — quiet, lights off, stars on.
Ocean Reef Club & John Pennekamp
Morning snorkel at the underwater Christ statue. Afternoon at Ocean Reef — golf, the spa, lunch poolside. Dinner onboard, sunset on the bow.
Islamorada · Reef Day
Reposition to Islamorada. Hawks Cay or Cheeca Lodge for lunch ashore. Afternoon spent at Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key. Sportfishing add-on available — sailfish, mahi, tuna.
Marathon → Key West
Cross the Seven Mile Bridge, lunch at anchor near Bahia Honda. Push on to Key West, dock at Galleon Marina. Mallory Square at sunset, dinner at Latitudes on Sunset Key.
Key West & the Marquesas
Morning ashore — Hemingway House, Duval Street, a Cuban coffee. Afternoon cruise to the Marquesas Keys, anchor in turquoise shallows nobody else is in. Sand Key sunset.
Little Torch & the Return
Tender into Little Palm Island for a final brunch. Slow cruise north back through the Keys. Arrive Miami or transfer to Marathon airport for a quick flight home.
Three Ways to Charter Florida
Every charter is custom-built around your dates and group, but here’s a taste of what a day, a long weekend, and a full week look like in practice.
A Full Day on Biscayne Bay
Six to eight hours from Miami Beach Marina. Star Island cruise-by, sandbar lunch, sunset return.
Captain and crew greet you dockside with cold towels and welcome drinks. Cast off and head south along the Intracoastal, with the Faena Hotel and Star Island unfolding off the starboard rail.
The captain points out the celebrity estates before turning into open Biscayne Bay. Crew breaks out paddleboards and floaties for the next stop.
Anchor in three feet of clear water just off Key Biscayne. Chef serves lunch onboard — ceviche, lobster rolls, a chilled rosé. Swim, paddle, jet ski.
Push south to the houses on stilts in Biscayne National Park, or anchor off Boca Chita's lighthouse for a quick island walk. Your itinerary, your call.
Champagne service as the captain runs back up Government Cut. The Miami skyline lights up just as you pass it. Dock by 6:30 PM.
Three Days in the Upper Keys
Friday-to-Sunday escape to Key Largo and Islamorada. Calm sailing, gin-clear water, off the grid.
Board after lunch, cruise three hours south past Elliott Key. Anchor at Ocean Reef Club for the evening. Sunset cocktails on deck, dinner onboard or a tender ride in for a reservation at the club.
Morning snorkel session at the Christ of the Abyss statue in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Reposition south to Islamorada for a long lunch — tender in to Lazy Days or pull up to Cheeca Lodge.
Slow morning at anchor. Tender over to Indian Key for the historic ruins, snorkel the seagrass flats. Lunch onboard, then cruise back toward Miami or Fort Lauderdale, arriving by early evening.
Miami to Key West & Back
Seven days down the entire Keys chain. Art deco glamour, world-class snorkeling, Hemingway's Key West.
Board late morning. Welcome cruise around Star Island and Fisher Island, sandbar lunch at Nixon, dock back near South Beach for a night out at Carbone or KYU.
Slow cruise south into Biscayne National Park. Snorkel Elliott Key, swim off Boca Chita. Anchor for the night near Pumpkin Key — quiet, lights off, stars on.
Morning snorkel at the underwater Christ statue. Afternoon at Ocean Reef Club — golf, the spa, lunch poolside. Dinner onboard, sunset on the bow.
Reposition to Islamorada. Hawks Cay or Cheeca Lodge for lunch ashore. Afternoon spent at Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key. Sportfishing add-on available — sailfish, mahi, tuna.
Cross the Seven Mile Bridge, lunch at anchor near Bahia Honda. Push on to Key West, dock at Galleon Marina. Mallory Square at sunset, dinner at Latitudes on Sunset Key.
Morning ashore — Hemingway House, Duval Street, a Cuban coffee. Afternoon cruise to the Marquesas Keys, anchor in turquoise shallows nobody else is in. Sand Key sunset.
Tender into Little Palm Island for a final brunch. Slow cruise north back through the Keys. Arrive Miami or transfer to Marathon airport for a quick flight home.
Charter Florida for Florida — Not as a Detour
Guests often ask about crossing to the Bahamas mid-charter. It’s a route we know well, and yes, the geography makes it possible — Palm Beach to West End runs about 55 nautical miles, Miami to Bimini closer to 48.
Here’s our honest take after thirty years: if the Bahamas is the dream, fly into Nassau or Staniel Cay and start your charter there. You’ll lose half a day each way to a Gulf Stream crossing, weather windows can shift, and the best Bahamian anchorages deserve more than a rushed visit. Florida has plenty to fill a week on its own — Stiltsville, the Keys, Marathon, Key West, the Dry Tortugas.
Looking for an Out Islands experience? See our dedicated Bahamas Yacht Charter and Exumas itineraries.
When to Charter Florida
Florida’s a year-round destination, but each season carries a different character.
High Season
Cooler air, lower humidity, water temperatures still warm enough for swimming. South Florida fills up with snowbirds and the social calendar at the major marinas runs thick. Book early — the best crews and yachts are reserved a year in advance.
The Sleeper Months
Crowds thin out, the water is at its warmest, and you get the kind of slow, golden-light evenings that make people fall in love with this coast. An underrated window for guests in the know.
Hurricane Season
Many of the top yachts reposition to the Mediterranean during July and August, though excellent options remain. Our team monitors weather windows closely and runs beautiful charters between storms.
Florida, By the Numbers
Five facts every charter guest should know before stepping aboard.
1,300+
Miles of navigable Intracoastal Waterway — protected passage if offshore gets rough.
50K
Yachts registered in Fort Lauderdale alone — the largest concentration in the world.
4 kts
Gulf Stream current pushing north off Florida’s east coast. Crossings are timed against it.
90 mi
Key West to Havana — closer than Key West is to Miami (160 miles).
80 ft
Typical underwater visibility in the Florida Keys during summer.
Thirty Years on the Water — From San Juan to Palm Beach
Sneed started in Puerto Rico in 1992, where Hansel spent the first half of his career booking charters across the Caribbean and getting to know the crews, captains, and yachts of the region firsthand. The business eventually moved to Palm Beach Gardens, which is home base today, but the Caribbean roots are why we know these waters the way we do.
The yacht charter world is full of brokers who’ll send you a brochure, take a deposit, and disappear until your boarding day. That’s not how this works at Sneed. We’ve personally sailed on many of the boats we recommend, eaten the chefs’ food, and met the captains. For yachts we haven’t been aboard ourselves, we rely on a tight network of brokers, captains, and clients we trust — and we’ll always tell you which is which.
Hansel Sneed
Founder & CEO · Palm Beach Gardens
Yacht Types Available in Florida
Choose the vessel that fits your group, your route, and your pace.
Motor Yachts
60' — 200'+
Fast, climate-controlled, ideal for hops to the Bahamas.
Catamarans
45' — 80'
Shallow draft, perfect for the Keys. Stable and social.
Sailing Yachts
50' — 150'+
For guests who want the romance of the wind.
Superyachts
100'+
Multi-cabin, full crew of 6–15. Every amenity at sea.
Florida Yacht Charter Questions
Do you offer day charters in Miami?
Yes — Miami day charters are one of our most-booked Florida experiences. Most run six to eight hours out of Miami Beach Marina, with cruising on Biscayne Bay, a sandbar swim stop, lunch onboard, and a sunset return. Half-day and sunset options are also available, and we can scale up to superyacht day rentals for larger groups or special events.
How much does a yacht charter in Florida cost?
Pricing depends on the yacht and season. Catamarans and smaller motor yachts start around $5,000 per day, mid-size luxury yachts run $30,000 to $80,000 per week, and superyachts can exceed $500,000 weekly. That figure typically covers the boat and crew; fuel, food, and dockage outside the base port are usually billed separately as an Advance Provisioning Allowance.
What is the best time of year for a Florida yacht charter?
December through April is the classic high season — drier air, less humidity, perfect cruising weather. May and early June are an underrated sweet spot when the water is warm and the crowds have thinned. Hurricane season runs June through November, but we work around weather windows and still run beautiful charters most of that period.
What's included in a crewed yacht charter in Florida?
The yacht itself, full crew (captain, chef, deckhands, stew), all onboard meals, house wines and bar, watersports toys, and itinerary planning. Crew gratuity, premium liquor, and dockage fees at marinas outside the home port are extra. Your broker will walk you through everything before you sign.
Can I charter a yacht from Florida to the Bahamas?
You can, but it’s not what we usually recommend. The crossing eats into your charter time and weather windows can shift. If the Bahamas is what you’re after, our advice is to fly directly into Nassau, Staniel Cay, or Marsh Harbour and start your charter there. We handle both, and we’ll always give you our honest recommendation based on your dates and goals.
How do I book a private yacht charter with Sneed?
Send us a short inquiry with your preferred dates, group size, and rough idea of what you’re looking for. We’ll come back with a curated shortlist of yachts that actually fit — not a generic brochure dump. From there it’s a conversation, then a contract, then the trip. Most clients book three to twelve months out for peak season.
Tell Us About Your Florida Charter
A senior charter advisor will personally reach out within 24 hours with a curated shortlist of yachts that match your group, your dates, and your style.
Florida Charter Inquiry
Takes about 60 seconds.