If you are exploring Miami soon, and are looking for the best way to explore nearby destinations, a charter around Miami is the perfect way to do this. With our charter route from the Port of Miami, you will get to adventure to the famous Florida Keys, as well as experiencing Miami life in other destinations along the way.
Day 1: Port of Miami -> Key Biscayne
7NM – 1 hour and 10 minutes
Set off from the Port of Miami located in the centre of Miami, right next to Miami Beach, and sail a short distance to the nearby island of Key Biscayne for the day. Though only a short distance from Miami, Key Biscayne offers a completely different experience to busy city life, instead being a great escape for beach and adventure days. With the surrounding vegetation, you can fill your days with biking and hiking, however, make sure to bring plenty of water as the Miami heat can sometimes be too much during your activities. There are many ruins to explore on the island, such as the Bear Cut Preserve, or the Miami Marine Stadium which offer unique hikes and views.
If you prefer a relaxing beach day, there are plenty of beaches and spots to relax next to the water, with beachside restaurants and bars to break up your day as well. Key Biscayne is also a great area for water sports such as diving, with Stiltsville being an interesting place to explore while kayaking, or the underwater cemetery offering incredible views underwater.
Day 2: Key Biscayne -> Black Point Park
12.9NM – 2 hours and 10 minutes
From Key Biscayne head over to Black Point Park and Marina on your way down to the keys. This is the perfect place to base yourself as you explore Biscayne National Park, with Sands Key and Elliott Key being just across the bay, and amazing places to explore on a boat or by canoe or kayak. The actual park is filled with places to walk, hike and bike, with picnic tables and grills littered across the sandbank making it a great area to enjoy a picnic with your friends and family. If you would rather eat out, the marina has a few restaurants surrounding it including Black Point Ocean Grill, a tiki-bar-style restaurant which serves dishes inspired by the Bahamas.
Day 3: Black Point Park -> Key Largo
33.9NM – 5 hours and 40 minutes
Key Largo is the next stop on the route, and one of the most naturally beautiful islands of the keys, with a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. If you are not trying one of the many beach bars and restaurants that are scattered around the island, there are many other activities to discover. One of the best is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US which offers a unique view that can be marvelled at through snorkelling, diving or other water activities. Another great place to pass the time is the Kona Kai Gallery, which also doubles as a resort and is a great place to stay if you plan on staying longer than a night. As with the rest of the Florida Keys, a great way to pass the time is by exploring the beautiful waters via snorkelling or diving, or other kayak or water sports, with the history of diving museum also being a popular tourist spot.
Day 4: Key Largo -> Islamorada
15NM – 2 hours and 30 minutes
While Islamorada may be small, it is by no means a stop to be missed. Filled with unique activities to try, if there is one thing to take away from this itinerary it is that Islamorada is a must-see destination if you are exploring the keys. Some of the most popular things to do in Islamorada include the Islamorada Brewery and Distillery, which is an amazing place to spend your time and then relax with a cold beer on one of the many beaches on the island. Another place to visit is Robbie’s where you can eat delicious seafood and cocktails, and then hand-feed some massive tarpon! Or, if you want to see more about how local culture thrives, visit the Rain Barrel Village, where you can admire local sculptures, paintings, pottery and gifts. Alternatively, if you would rather make the most of the beautiful weather which frequents the keys, you could swim with dolphins at one of the many places in the town.
Day 5: Islamorada -> Tavernier
8.5NM – 1 hour and 25 minutes
For a more low-key day, your next stop on your charter will be Tavernier. A rather small community in the Keys, Tavernier is the perfect place to relax and chill on your charter, with many beaches and beach bars littering the town, including Harry Harris Beach and Park, a picture perfect Beach to unwind on during your long charter. Here is also the perfect place to try your hand at a new sport, such as stand-up paddling or snorkelling, with vast stretches of beach and ocean and relatively calm winds. It is a great place to try one of the many sports of Miami. If you wanted something slightly more touristy, you could visit the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, a great place for education on local wildlife and the ecosystem.
Day 6: Tavernier -> North Key Largo
14.4NM – 2 hours and 25 minutes
On your way back to Miami, spend your last full day of your charter in North Key Largo. Slightly more desolate than the main area of Key Largo, but still bustling with activities to try, North Key Largo is an amazing place to escape to your adventuring side, by visiting crocodile lake, where you can admire the crocodiles which Miami and Florida are famous for from a safe distance. Or, while you can swim with dolphins in some humane and amazing places in the keys, in North Key Largo you can watch for dolphins in their natural habitat with a designated guide to tell you all you need to know. This is also the place to visit the historical monument of the Florida Keys, the Four Corners, where the counties meet. This is also the perfect place to try the famous key lime pie of the keys!
Day 7: North Key Largo -> Port of Miami
34.5NM – 5 hours and 45 minutes
Finish your charter back where you started at the Port of Miami. This will be the longest leg of the journey, but the journey back will be accompanied by incredible panoramic views of the coast of Miami the whole way. Miami is the perfect place to finish your charter, as the nights out in Miami are some of the best in the entire world, and you can dance the night away after an amazing week in the Florida Keys. If you liked this route but prefer a shorter journey, check out our Miami dayboat route as well.
