Miami is known worldwide as a playground for high-net-worth individuals with its subtropical climate, world-class dining, nightlife options, and beautiful beaches. It’s no wonder so many of the world’s elite choose to keep vacation homes in this paradise and others come every year to relax and unwind.

Miami is one of the few major cities that offers a year-round yachting season. Known as the Magic City, Miami has wide beaches and a seemingly endless supply of sunshine, parties and lavish lifestyle. These factors, combined with countless luxury waterfront properties, make Miami a perfect yachting destination. Miami’s infrastructure and marinas are especially well-suited for yachting.

Cutting across Biscayne Bay are the man-made Venetian Islands that connect Miami with Miami Beach. The six islands, connected by the Venetian Causeway, were built in the 1920s and 1930s. They feature countless waterfront properties appealing not only for their waterfront location but also their proximity to Miami and Miami Beach.

Cruise around the islands to admire the impressive homes, and later drop anchor and tender into one of our favorite waterside venues in Miami — The Standard Spa on Belle Isle. The Standard is known for its outdoor soaking tubs and massive hamam and spa, and features a tropical garden with a bonfire and chill-out area and a waterfront restaurant. End your day here with a massage followed by a bottle of rosé and a dinner along the water to catch the Miami sunset.

Just south of the Venetian Islands, you’ll find Star, Palm, and Hibiscus Islands, known for their exclusive gated community of waterfront homes and celebrity residents. All three islands provide stunning views of the downtown and Miami Beach skylines, as well as easy ocean access.

Many local captains will be able to point out who most of the homes on Star Island belong to and tell stories of past owners and legendary parties. After a cruise around the islands aboard your luxury yacht charter in Miami, drop anchor between Star and Palm island. This popular rendezvous point is perfect for dropping the jet skis into the water or tying up with friends on another yacht.

South of Star Island, you’ll find Fisher Island, one of America’s most expensive ZIP codes. Fisher Island has its own private beach club, golf course, and two deepwater marinas. The island was created in 1905. Construction began in 1919 when Carl G. Fisher purchased it. In 1925 William Kissam Vanderbilt II traded a luxury yacht to Fisher for the island.

Considered the most private of the islands around Miami, it is accessible only by boat, helicopter, or ferry. If you’re lucky enough to have a resident or member invite you to the island, charter a yacht in Miami and dock at one of the marinas to enjoy a day of playing golf and dining at the Fisher Island Club’s beachfront restaurant.

Miami Beach Marina, Miami’s largest marina, is at the southern end of Miami Beach. The marina is close to anything you will need to provision your luxury yacht charter in Miami for a day or a weeklong excursion with family or friends.

Miami Beach Marina has plenty of dining options. And positioned in the heart of South Beach is the posh neighborhood known as South of Fifth. 

After a day on the water, you can grab some conch fritters at Monty’s, a low-key restaurant right off the marina. It is popular with the crew and Miami Beach locals and is famous for its relaxed vibe and killer sunsets.

If you’re really hungry, head over to Texas de Brazil for some Brazilian churrascaria. There you’ll find slabs of meat served on swords tableside by their waiters. And if you don’t mind a short walk, head over to the oldest and most famous restaurant in all of Miami — Joe’s Stone Crab. For over 100 years, the service has been impeccable and the food delicious. The restaurant is only open from May to October (stone crab season).

If you’re looking to experience some of the best waterside restaurants in Miami, you’ll want to head over to the Miami River, where you’ll be able to pull up on your yacht and dock directly at your restaurant of choice.

Located at the Epic Marina is renowned Japanese restaurant Zuma. Perfect for a romantic waterside dinner or for a large group of friends, this is the best spot to enjoy Japanese food on the water.

If you happen to be on the water on a Sunday afternoon, head over to Seaspice or next door to Kiki on the River, where they host the two best “Sunday Funday” parties in America. While the food is excellent at both venues, locals and tourists flock to Kiki and Seaspice for their debaucherous Sunday parties, where you can always find people dancing on tables and sparklers lighting up as magnums of champagne are being sprayed.

If the yachts at Miami Beach Marina didn’t impress you, sail to the Island Gardens Deep Harbor Marina. This marina boasts some of the largest yachts in the whole of the Americas. This is the only deepwater marina in America designed exclusively for megayachts.

Island Greens Deep Harbour Marina, which opened in 2016, can berth 50 superyachts and is home to 288’ M/Y Fountainhead. It has also hosted world-famous superyachts such as the 381’ M/Y Ulysses, and the famous 313’ M/Y Kismet that has been spotted with Beyoncé and Jay-Z aboard.

The Deck, which reopened in 2019, is an open-air restaurant at Island Gardens. It hosts some of Miami’s hottest parties due to its backdrop of megayachts and superyachts.

Continuing south from Fisher Island are Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. These two islands offer something for everyone: Virginia Key hosts the Virginia Key Beach Park Marine Park Stadium and the Miami Seaquarium. The seaquarium has one of the world’s largest collections of marine animals — about 10,000 specimens.

Key Biscayne offers secluded beaches and is home to the famous 19th-century Cape Florida Lighthouse. It also boasts the only underwater archaeological trail in the United States. Even though you’re only a few miles from downtown Miami, you’ll feel as though you’re in another world.

For a luxurious escape, dock at Rickenbacker Marina and head over to Key Biscayne’s Ritz-Carlton resort and enjoy a world-class meal or relax at the spa.

Just off Key Biscayne, you’ll find what may be the best-known rendezvous point for yachts in Miami: Nixon Sandbar. On any given weekend, you’ll find dozens of yachts anchored in the bay and tied up together.

Jump from the swim platform of your yacht into the shallow water and party with friends, or relax on the flybridge in what is usually a high-energy atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to see people take their jet skis to visit nearby yachts or to spot a ceviche boat going from yacht to yacht offering fresh ceviche to any hungry guests.

Finally, head north to the Haulover Sandbar right by the famous Bal Harbour Shops. Situated just west of the Haulover Beach Marina, Haulover Sandbar is the most popular weekend rendezvous point for yachts in North Miami Beach. Similar to Nixon Sandbar, Haulover hosts boats of all sizes tying up in the sandbar’s warm, blue waters to party and socialize. 

A luxury yacht charter in Miami that takes you to Haulover Sandbar promises music and yacht-hopping, always with a cocktail in your hand. And if you’re hungry, a food-boat offers ice cream and local seafood favorites.