Boat Trips from Bayside, Downtown Miami - See the Houses of the Rich and Famous

Sailing Boat Trip from Bayside, Miami

Boat trips from the Bayside marina, right next to Miami's Downtown shopping district, are operated by several companies.

Generally I hate tours, but on the boats there's room to move around and the commentary (often in Spanish as well as English) is usually entertaining.

Islands of Biscayne Bay
The route the boats take varies slightly, but most trips skirt round the islands in Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, with a view of South Beach, although you can't land there. Trips last about an hour and a quarter.

Sun Setting Behind Towers of Brickell District 
Try to time your trip to leave an hour before sunset so that you'll see the islands in the daylight, while as you return you could have a spectacular view of the sun going down behind the towers of the Brickell financial district.

Houses of the Rich and Famous
As you pass the islands, particularly Star Island, houses of the rich and famous will be pointed out, for example:

• Al Capone 
• Gloria Estefan 
• Sylvester Stallone 
• Julio Iglesias 
• Rosie O´Donnell (famous in America)

plus the house from the movie Cocoon.

Companies Offering Boat Tours
Here are three of the main companies offering boat tours:

• Captain Jimmy's Fiesta Cruises
• Island Queen Cruises
• Heritage of Miami

There's no need to book and the cost is similar for all three, $25 to $30.

Captain Jimmy's Fiesta Cruises
As well as daytime trips, Captain Jimmy's Fiesta Cruises offers nighttime disco cruises. Alcohol is available, according to the man I spoke to at Bayside (maybe Captain Jimmy himself?) at $5 a drink, a reasonable price for Miami. There are the usual leading brands of beer that I wouldn't want to drink, but no hard liquor.

Island Queen Cruises
These are the trips I've been on most often – nearly every time we have visitors from Europe – and I've always enjoyed them.

Heritage of Miami
This is a sailing boat (the one in the photo). Heritage of Miami used to do a trip which included a view from the water of the Vizcaya mansion and gardens and also went up Miami River, but last time I asked this had been discontinued.

Buses and Driving from South Beach
If you're staying in South Beach, catch the letter S or C or the 120 bus (fare $2, exact money only) and ask the driver for the nearest stop to Bayside.

The 120 is quickest, as it's a limited-stop service, but if you miss the stop nearest to Bayside, you'll have to walk back from the Downtown Bus Terminal – at least a ten-minute walk. Depending on where you're staying the journey will take 30 to 45 minutes.

Bayside is just a 15- or 20-minute drive from South Beach, but parking can be a problem in Downtown. The closest places are inside the Bayside Marketplace shopping mall, or on Biscayne Boulevard. The bus is cheaper and less hassle.

Use Google Transit for Directions
For bus schedules or driving directions, both with a map, click on the Google Transit link in the right-hand sidebar of this blog, and for help on using Google Transit read this post: Directions in Miami - Walking, Driving, Bike, Buses & Trains.

Downtown Shopping Centre
You might also have a stroll around Miami's slightly dilapidated Downtown shopping centre, at the other side of Biscayne Boulevard, which is thronged with people during the day, although quieter at weekends.

Keep away from Downtown once the shops close, between 5 and 6 pm. It's not really dangerous, but there's hardly anywhere open in the evenings.

Vegan Alternative to Bayside Food Court
A Downtown alternative to Bayside's food court is Raja's Indian Restaurant at 33 Northeast 2nd Avenue, just off Flagler Street. The food is good and cheap, with a reasonable selection of vegan dishes.

Metromover Driverless Trains - Bayside Station
The Metromover driverless trains, on overhead tracks, are free, and College/Bayside Station is on Northeast 3rd Street, at the opposite side of Biscayne Boulevard from Bayside.

Trains run in Downtown and the Brickell financial district and also go to the Omni Bus Terminal.