Private tour for 12 people on a 40 ft Yacht, Ft Lauderdale bay

Fort Lauderdale’s best boat outing may be the one that does not force you onto a fixed route. On this private charter, you can cruise the Intracoastal Waterway past mansions and mega-yachts, then ask your captain to anchor at a sandbar for swimming or time on the floating mat. Captain Andre is a popular choice for families and groups who want friendly help without constant commentary.

I like the private format, since your group is not sharing the boat with strangers, and I like the choice of 2, 4, or 6 hours. The cooler with ice and bottled water, restroom, Bluetooth sound system, shaded seating, and BYOB policy also make this a practical outing rather than a bare-bones boat ride.

The main caution is capacity and cost. The advertised experience allows up to 12 people, but the supplied FAQ also says up to 10, so confirm the legal passenger limit for your date and vessel. The captain fee is extra, ranging from $100 to $300, and swimming is never guaranteed on a short charter or in poor weather.

Key points to know before booking

• The route is yours to shape: Sightsee along the Intracoastal, cruise the coast, anchor at a sandbar, or request a waterfront restaurant stop.
• The four-hour charter is the best compromise: It gives you time for mansion viewing and a swim stop without committing to a full six-hour outing.
• Captain Andre gets the strongest praise: He is described as friendly, professional, helpful with children, and good at balancing narration with private group time.
• Bring your own refreshments: Fuel, ice, and bottled water are included, while snacks and other drinks are allowed.
• The boat has useful comforts: You get a bathroom, kitchen, cabin, shaded seating, sun deck, Bluetooth audio, and safety equipment.
• Check the final passenger count and fees: The description says 12 people, while the FAQ says 10, and the captain charge is separate.

Leaving from Bahia Mar on Fort Lauderdale’s waterway

Your trip begins at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The charter returns to the same point, which keeps the day simple if you have dinner, a hotel, or a car waiting nearby.

Parking is described as free but limited. I would arrive with enough time to find a space without turning the start of your charter into a scramble. The marina is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify routes or schedules, so check your own connection before setting out.

The boat is described as a 40-foot Sundancer 40, with another section identifying the vessel as a Sessa 36-foot boat. Those are not the same boat, and the stated capacity also differs: the main description says space for 12, while the FAQ says up to 10. Ask the operator to confirm the exact vessel and maximum passenger count before you pay, especially if your party includes children.

Every person counts toward the US Coast Guard passenger limit, including infants and lap children. That detail matters more than it may seem. A group of 10 adults and two small children is still 12 passengers, not 10 adults plus two exceptions.

Two hours through the Venice of America

The shortest option is a sightseeing cruise through Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway. This is the right pick if your group wants a pleasant look at the city from the water but does not need a full afternoon aboard.

You will pass waterfront homes, large private yachts, and the channels that have earned Fort Lauderdale its Venice of America nickname. The appeal is visual rather than historical. You are here to watch the city’s most polished waterfront slide past while your captain handles the boat.

You can request a sandbar stop before departure, but two hours is a tight schedule. The operator has to leave the marina, cover enough water for sightseeing, and return on time. If swimming is your priority, I would not assume the two-hour option will deliver it. Ask the captain at the start what can realistically fit.

A short charter can also feel slow if your group expects a party cruise or fast ride. One poor experience described a gentle two-hour trip with little narration and no swim stop. That is a useful warning: this is a relaxed cruising experience, not a speedboat excursion, and the final route depends on timing, weather, and the captain’s safety decisions.

Four hours for sightseeing, swimming, and the blue mat

Four hours gives the outing room to breathe. You can spend part of the time cruising the Intracoastal, then anchor at a sandbar or calm lagoon if conditions allow.

The water mat is included for rentals of four hours or longer. Accounts of the trip describe a large blue mat, noodles, balls, and other swim toys being available, though you should confirm the exact equipment for your departure. This turns a sightseeing cruise into something more active, especially for families with older children.

I consider four hours the strongest choice for most groups. You have enough time to enjoy the boat itself, listen to your own music, swim if the captain finds a suitable stop, and still return without giving up an entire day. It also offers more room for the captain to adjust the plan if your group wants extra time in the water.

The tradeoff is price. At the advertised rate of $184.50 per person, a full group of 12 would total $2,214 before the captain fee, assuming that rate applies to every passenger and your date. Add the listed $200 captain charge for four hours, and the example total becomes $2,414, or about $201 per person for 12 people. Confirm the exact booking total, since rates, group discounts, and holiday charges can change.

Six hours with time for a waterfront meal

The six-hour charter is the relaxed version. It combines city sightseeing, a sandbar or lagoon stop, swimming, and time for a meal at a waterfront restaurant.

This length makes sense for a birthday, family gathering, corporate outing, or a group that wants the boat to be the main event of the day. You can move at an easier pace and request a restaurant stop without sacrificing all your time in the water.

A restaurant stop adds variety, but it also takes time. The boat does not magically extend the day while you eat. If your group wants a long meal, tell the captain early so the route can be planned around it. If your priority is swimming, a waterfront lunch may not be the best use of your six hours.

The captain charge listed for six hours is $300 per booking. Using the same advertised base rate for 12 people, that would make an example total of $2,514, or roughly $210 per person. Again, treat this as a calculation rather than a guaranteed quote. The captain fee can vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31, and holiday pricing may differ.

What the Sundancer-style yacht feels like onboard

The boat is set up for both sun and shade. You have a spacious sun deck, shaded seating, a cabin, a kitchen, and a bathroom. That mix matters in South Florida, where a cool place to sit and an onboard restroom can make a long charter much easier.

The cabin has air conditioning, but one account described the cabin air conditioning as not working during a rainy outing. I would treat the cabin as useful backup space rather than assume every passenger will spend the whole trip below deck. For a group of 12, seating may feel close, especially if weather keeps everyone inside.

You can connect to the Bluetooth sound system and bring your own music. The cooler comes stocked with ice and bottled water, and the charter is BYOB friendly. Bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, swimwear, and towels. The operator recommends sun protection, and that advice is practical even on a cloudy day.

Lifejackets and other required safety equipment are provided. If you bring more than two children, note that when booking so additional child-sized lifejackets can be prepared.

The boat is not set up for towing sports. Wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes, and water skis are not permitted because of insurance restrictions. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed, but you may need to show a fishing license and must clean any blood residue. Extra cleaning charges may apply if the boat is returned dirty.

Choosing a captain for your group

Your lead passenger must sign a Bareboat Charter Agreement and select a captain according to US Coast Guard law. This is an important detail because the captain fee is separate from the advertised per-person price.

Captain Andre receives especially warm attention for being friendly, professional, and helpful without taking over the group’s time. He has been praised for explaining the sights, involving children, assisting nervous passengers, and helping create a lively setting for birthdays and family outings.

Captain Simon is another strong name to request. He is described as friendly and informative, with a good sense of route planning and narration. Captain Luis has also been described as accommodating and willing to adjust the plan to make a family outing work.

Captain quality can shape the entire day. A good captain explains what you are seeing, listens to your priorities, and knows when a sandbar stop is safe and practical. But captains vary. One poor experience involved a captain who smoked onboard and gave little commentary, so I would state your preferences clearly before departure: sightseeing narration, quiet family time, swimming, music, or some blend of all four.

If smoking is a concern, ask for a non-smoking captain and confirm that smoking is not allowed in passenger areas. The operator says professional conduct is expected, but it is better to settle expectations before leaving the dock.

Weather, swimming, and the flexible route

There is no fixed itinerary. Inside Fort Lauderdale Bay, your group can ask for different combinations of cruising, sandbars, lagoons, swimming, and a restaurant stop.

That freedom is valuable, but it also means you need realistic expectations. A sandbar may be unavailable, crowded, affected by tide, or unsuitable in changing weather. The captain makes the final safety call, and the timing of your charter determines how much can fit.

Rain alone does not automatically mean a refund. The operator asks you to stay in contact on the day of the rental so the local team can decide if it is safe to go out. Rescheduling may be possible for thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, high tide alerts, and other unforeseen conditions. If conditions are safe and you cancel at the last minute because of rain, a refund may not be issued.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. I would watch the forecast, but I would make any decision before the cutoff rather than wait until you are standing at the marina.

Who gets the best value from this charter

This outing fits a group that wants privacy and control more than a narrated group cruise. Families can set their own pace, couples can use the boat for a quiet celebration, and friends can bring food, drinks, and music without sharing the deck with strangers.

It is also a good choice for a birthday or corporate gathering. The boat has enough built-in comfort for a few hours, and the option to add swimming or a restaurant stop lets you shape the day around the group.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a high-energy party boat, watersports, or a guaranteed swim. The route is leisurely, towing sports are prohibited, and a two-hour booking may leave too little time for the water. Groups near the maximum capacity should also think carefully about rain, since indoor seating may feel tight.

The high overall rating and 99 percent recommendation rate point to a strong general record, but the practical details matter more than a headline score. Captain choice, weather, vessel size, passenger count, and the length of the charter will have a major effect on your day.

My verdict: book four hours, but confirm the details

I would book this for a private Fort Lauderdale afternoon, especially with four hours and a captain such as Andre, Simon, or Luis requested in advance. The combination of mansion views, personal music, BYOB refreshments, and a possible sandbar stop offers more freedom than a standard group sightseeing cruise.

Before booking, confirm three things in writing: the exact boat, the maximum passenger count, and the total cost including the captain. If your group is larger than 10, do not rely on the conflicting capacity information. For the best chance of swimming, choose four or six hours, bring towels and sun protection, and tell the captain your priorities before the boat leaves.

FAQ

Where does the yacht charter depart?

It departs from 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

How long can I book the yacht?

You can choose a charter of approximately 2, 4, or 6 hours.

How many people can go on the boat?

The main tour description says the yacht has space for up to 12 people. The supplied FAQ says up to 10 people, so confirm the permitted passenger count with the operator before booking.

Do children and infants count toward capacity?

Yes. Every person counts as a passenger under US Coast Guard rules, including lap children and infants.

Is a captain included in the price?

The captain fee is listed separately. The stated charges are $100 for 2 hours, $200 for 4 hours, and $300 for 6 hours, with possible variation on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. The boat includes a cooler with ice and bottled water, and you may bring your own snacks and beverages. The charter is BYOB friendly.

Can I swim from the boat?

Swimming may be possible at a sandbar or lagoon when time, weather, and safety conditions allow. Tell the captain before departure if you want to request a swim stop.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.