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

Miami Bay is best enjoyed at your own pace, and this private boat rental gives you the whole vessel for your group. You can cruise past the city skyline, stop for a swim if the route allows, or ask the captain to show you Miami’s waterfront homes and photo spots. Fuel is included, which removes one common rental surprise.

I especially like the private format for up to six people, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the simple extras: ice, a cooler, and Bluetooth speakers. Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero is a strong choice if available, while Daniel has also earned praise for showing visitors the mansions and sights. The main catch is that the advertised rental price does not include the captain fee, and the boat information needs confirming because the description refers to both a Stingray 24 and a 2017 Element 18.

Key points at a glance

• Fuel is included: You can plan your route without watching the fuel gauge or paying a fuel surcharge afterward.
• A private boat for your group: The main booking reserves the boat, not one seat, with room for up to six according to the tour summary.
• Captain fee is extra: The captain costs $70 for two hours, $140 for four, or $210 for six.
• Miami River departure: Expect about 10 to 15 minutes at no-wake speed before reaching the bay.
• Bring swim gear and snacks: Ice and a cooler are supplied, but there is no restroom onboard.
• Ask for Yolepsy if available: His friendly service, family attention, photos, and knowledge of good backdrops received especially warm praise.

What this Miami boat rental really gives you

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a recorded script and a set list of stops. It is a private rental built around freedom. You choose how long to stay out, within the two-to-eight-hour range, and you can shape the outing around sightseeing, swimming, music, or lunch at a waterfront restaurant.

The boat leaves from 2610 NW 18th Terrace in Miami, at a marina inside the Miami River. The river section is a no-wake zone, so the first 10 to 15 minutes are slow and practical rather than thrilling. Once you reach the bay, the trip remains fairly measured because many Miami waterways carry no-wake or slow-speed rules.

That pace matters. You are not signing up for a high-speed ride from start to finish. You are paying for a private day on the water, with time to look at the skyline, coastline, waterfront homes, and passing boats. The operator says the boat can reach about 35 mph depending on weight, but local speed limits and the chosen route will shape how much fast cruising you actually do.

Choosing between two, four, six, and eight hours

A two-hour rental works best if you want a quick look at Miami from the water. After the slow trip down the river, you may have about an hour and a half for the bay itself. The operator says a two-hour route sometimes allows about 20 minutes at anchor for swimming, but you should tell the captain in advance if getting in the water matters to you.

For most groups, I think four hours offers the best balance. You have enough time to reach the bay without feeling rushed, take photos, enjoy a relaxed cruise, and possibly stop for a swim or a meal near the water. One booking described the four-hour option as a good bargain, especially because the rental included fuel.

Six hours suits a full afternoon or a slower family outing. You can spend less time watching the clock and more time choosing where to linger. The six-hour captain fee is $210, so the total cost rises, but the longer booking makes more sense if your group wants both sightseeing and time anchored on the water.

The experience can run up to eight hours, but the supplied captain-fee schedule lists prices for two, four, and six hours only. If you want eight hours, confirm the captain charge before paying. This is also the point where food, sun exposure, and bathroom planning become important, since there is no restroom onboard.

The boat, capacity, and an important detail to confirm

The main description presents a 24-foot boat for up to six people. The additional information identifies the boat as a 2017 Element 18 with a 2021 Mercury 115-horsepower engine, replacing the earlier motor. Another answer says the boat can carry eight people comfortably.

Those details do not line up perfectly. The experience title and main description refer to a 24-foot Stingray, while the equipment information refers to an Element 18. The stated capacity also varies between six and eight. I would treat six as the safe planning number and ask Bruschi Boat Rental to confirm the exact boat, seating arrangement, and legal capacity for your date.

Every person counts toward the US Coast Guard passenger limit, including babies and lap children. That makes the capacity question important for families. If you bring more than two children, note it at checkout so the operator can provide extra child-sized life jackets.

The boat has the useful basics for a casual outing: a Bluetooth stereo, a cooler, and ice. You can bring your own food and drinks. Keep the meal simple and pack items that will not create a mess, since you are expected to help keep the boat clean. The boats are drug-free zones.

Cruising from the Miami River to the bay

The departure point is not directly on open Biscayne Bay. You first travel through the Miami River, where the no-wake rule keeps the boat moving slowly. This gives you time to settle in, connect your music, put on sunscreen, and listen to the captain’s instructions.

Once you reach the bay, the scenery changes. You can take in Miami’s skyline and shoreline from the water, which gives you a different view from a beach, hotel balcony, or road. Depending on your chosen route, the captain may point out waterfront mansions and help position the boat for photographs.

Daniel received specific praise for introducing a family to Miami and its mansions. If that sort of local sightseeing is your priority, say so clearly before departure. A private rental is most rewarding when you tell the captain what you want instead of expecting a standard narrated itinerary.

The route is flexible, but not limitless. No-wake zones, slow-speed areas, weather, and the time needed to return to the marina all affect your options. A good captain will help you fit your wish list into the time you booked. I would mention swimming, sightseeing, restaurants, and music at the start, then agree on realistic priorities.

Swimming, music, and your own food

Swimming is possible only if the route and schedule allow it. On a short booking, the slow trip to and from the bay takes a meaningful part of your time. Tell the captain before leaving if you want to anchor and swim, and bring a swimsuit and towel.

The included cooler and ice are a practical touch. You can bring snacks and drinks without renting extra equipment, and the Bluetooth stereo lets you play your own music. Keep the volume sensible near other boats and residential waterfront areas, and protect phones from spray when choosing music.

There is no restroom on the boat. The marina has bathroom facilities, so use them before boarding. This is a small issue on a two-hour outing and a bigger one on six or eight hours, especially with children. Build bathroom and food stops into your plan rather than assuming the boat can make an unscheduled marina return.

Towing sports are not allowed because of insurance restrictions. You cannot bring a wakeboard, kneeboard, tube, or skis for use behind the boat. Fishing is also prohibited, and the operator may ask you to leave fishing gear at the marina. This rental is for cruising, sightseeing, anchoring, and swimming when approved, not for watersports or angling.

Captain-led or self-captained?

The wording here requires careful reading. A captain can be selected, but the captain fee is extra. The listed charges are $70 for two hours, $140 for four, and $210 for six. Fees may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

The lead person who makes the reservation must go on the boat and sign a bareboat charter agreement. Under US Coast Guard rules, that person must select a captain for the trip according to the operator’s process. One experience description also says that clear driving instructions gave the renter enough confidence to captain the boat independently.

If you are not comfortable handling a motorboat, pay for the captain. That is the simplest option and lets everyone in your group focus on the scenery. It also makes sense if you want a captain to take photos, explain the waterfront, and manage the route.

Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero is the name I would request first if he is available. He was praised for friendly interaction with a three-year-old, finding strong photo backdrops, offering drinks, and helping the group get safely into an Uber afterward. Those details suggest a particularly attentive approach to families, but availability is not guaranteed.

If you plan to captain the boat yourself, ask exactly what instruction is included and what experience is expected. The rental offers freedom, but freedom on the water comes with responsibility. You still need to follow speed limits, stay aware of other vessels, use the safety equipment, and return on time.

Price and value for a private group

The listed price is $275 per group, although the display says up to one traveler. In practical terms, the booking reserves the entire boat rather than charging each passenger separately. For a group of four to six, that can be a fair way to split the cost, especially on a four-hour outing.

The price includes boat use, fuel, the fuel surcharge, cooler, ice, and Bluetooth stereo. The captain is the key extra cost. A four-hour trip with the listed $140 captain fee comes to $415 before any marina parking charge, or about $104 per person for four people and about $69 per person for six.

That calculation makes the trip more attractive with a full group. For only one or two people, the same private rental becomes much less economical than a shared cruise. The value also depends on how actively you use the freedom. If you only want a short ride past the skyline, two hours may be enough. If you want a swim stop, photos, mansions, and a relaxed meal, four hours is easier to justify.

Marina parking is available but may cost extra. Free parking may be found outside the marina, though the exact availability and rules can change. I would allow time to park and use the marina bathroom before your departure.

Weather, clothing, and practical planning

Miami sun can feel strong on the water, even when the air seems comfortable. Wear light clothing, bring sun protection, and pack a swimsuit and towel if swimming is part of your plan. Secure hats and loose items, since an open boat is not the place for anything you cannot afford to lose.

Weather can change the plan. The operator may reschedule for thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, high-tide alerts, or other unsafe conditions. If rain is forecast, stay in contact with Bruschi Boat Rental rather than canceling on your own. A refund is not promised for a last-minute weather cancellation when conditions are considered safe.

You receive confirmation when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, but official identification may be requested. Non-official service animals and pets are not permitted.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Miami weekends are the busiest period, so booking about a week ahead is sensible, with earlier planning useful for popular dates or a specific captain request.

Who will enjoy this best?

I would choose this for a family or group of friends who want privacy and control rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The cooler, ice, music, and flexible route make it easy to shape the outing around your group’s mood.

It also suits visitors who want waterfront views without committing to a full luxury yacht charter. The boat is modest, practical, and designed for a small group. You get a personal day on Miami’s waterways, not a catered cruise with extensive onboard facilities.

Families should note the passenger count, child life jackets, lack of restroom, and the need to plan bathroom breaks. Young children can enjoy the boat, especially with a patient captain, but long periods in the sun may make a shorter booking more comfortable.

I would not choose it for fishing, wake sports, or anyone who wants a fast thrill ride. I would also hesitate if your group needs a guaranteed eight-person setup, since the supplied boat details vary. Confirm the exact vessel and capacity first.

Should you book the Miami Bay boat rental?

Book it if you want a private, flexible outing and your group can make good use of the boat. A four-hour trip with a captain is the most sensible starting point for many groups: long enough to reach the bay, see the skyline and mansions, take photos, and possibly swim without paying for a full day.

Request Captain Yolepsy Maceira Romero if he is available and family-friendly service matters to you. Ask for Daniel if you want sightseeing help focused on Miami’s mansions. Above all, confirm the boat model, passenger limit, captain fee for your chosen duration, and whether your preferred route allows swimming.

Skip it if you need an onboard restroom, guaranteed watersports, fishing, or a fixed narrated tour. For everyone else, the included fuel and private format make this a useful way to see Miami from the water, provided you understand the extra captain cost and plan around the slow river departure.

FAQ

Is a captain included in the $275 price?

No. The captain fee is an additional charge. The listed fee is $70 for two hours, $140 for four hours, and $210 for six hours. Special dates may have different captain charges.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The main experience details describe room for up to six people, while additional information says the boat can accommodate eight. Every person counts toward the legal passenger limit, including infants and children. Confirm the exact capacity and boat model before booking for a larger group.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Boat use, fuel, and the fuel surcharge are included in the upfront price. The captain fee is the main additional charge identified by the operator.

Can I swim during the rental?

Swimming depends on the route and available time. On some two-hour trips, about 20 minutes may be available to anchor and enter the water. Tell the captain about your plans before departure, and bring a swimsuit and towel.

Are restrooms available on the boat?

No. There is no restroom onboard. Bathroom facilities are available at the marina, so use them before leaving, especially for a longer rental.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The operator may reschedule for unsafe conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high-tide alerts. If rain is forecast, contact the local operator for guidance. Last-minute refunds are not issued when conditions are considered safe.