Cruising Biscayne Bay: Stiltsville, Dolphins, and the Miami Skyline
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; mostly seated with short standing/photo opportunities. Good for most ages and mobility levels.
Overview
Cut loose from the shoreline and see Miami from water: a two-hour small-group cruise that threads PortMiami, Star Island, Biscayne National Park and the colorful, storied houses of Stiltsville. Expect history, dolphins, and skyline views—plus practical advice for timing, gear, and wildlife etiquette.
Cruising Biscayne Bay: Stiltsville, Dolphins, and the Miami Skyline
Select participants and date
The engine purrs and the skyline slides open: glass towers peel away into open water, and the air tastes faintly of salt and sunscreen. On this two-hour small-group boat tour out of Miami Beach Marina, the city loosens its tight grin and becomes a series of waterfront chapters—industrial port, celebrity island, submerged park—each narrated by a local guide who knows the routes, the backstories, and where the dolphins like to play.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early for Check-in
Dock E at Miami Beach Marina is busy; arrive 15–20 minutes before departure to secure seating and get a briefing.
Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen
The sun reflects off the bay; use reef-safe sunscreen to protect skin and local marine life.
Motion Sickness Prep
If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication or use acupressure bands before boarding—open bay conditions can be choppy.
Respect Wildlife
Keep distance from dolphins and manatees and never attempt to touch or feed them; your guide will point out safe viewing practices.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- West Indian manatee
History
Stiltsville’s houses date back to the 1920s–30s, used historically as fishing clubs and speakeasies; the group of structures is now protected within Biscayne National Park.
Conservation
Biscayne Bay’s seagrass beds and coral outcrops are fragile—observe wildlife from the boat, avoid anchoring on reefs, and use reef-safe products to reduce impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Miami Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and prevents damage to sensitive bay ecosystems while you’re exposed on deck.
summer specific
Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
Shields eyes from glare and improves visibility for spotting wildlife and photographing the skyline.
summer specific
Binoculars or telephoto lens
Useful for identifying distant wildlife, celebrity homes on Star Island, and details of Stiltsville.
Light windproof layer
Even in Florida, early mornings and evening breezes on the bay can be cool—bring a packable jacket.
winter specific