Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Traveling soon? Spending time on the water makes any vacation special, and boating in Miami, Florida offers a beautiful way to spend the day. Miami offers so many places to see and explore from the water that after your visit, you just might decide to become a Floridian!

Scenic Options Abound

Miami offers many options for route and scenery. You may wish to begin your cruise in Biscayne Bay, where the skyline of Miami enhances the day with its color and art deco-to- modern influences.

One of the best introductions to Miami by water is to cruise by the celebrity homes. Three islands known as Hibiscus Island, Star Island and Palm Island clustered just north of the MacArthur Causeway showcase a variety of architectural styles and beautiful landscaping. Fisher Island at the mouth of the Miami River is another location to cruise by for great pictures. This 216-acre island is home to high net worth individuals and is only reachable by water, and not to the public.

Ready For Lunch?

Ready for lunch? Speaking of the Miami River, one of the hottest places for waterside dining in Miami is called Seaspice. Enjoy the outdoor lounge and raw bar, plus full menu with inspiring fish dishes. Another waterfront restaurant is Zuma, offering modern Japanese cuisine from its location at the Epic Hotel. Enjoy the riverside terrace and perhaps some delicious sashimi or sushi?

Now that you've had your fill, it is time for more island hopping.

Island Hopping

Pace Picnic Island, one of a group of islands just north of the Venetian Causeway and Biscayne Island in Biscayne Bay, makes for a fun stop by boat as well. Enjoy the beach, plan a picnic and relax while you take in the views of the mainland. You may be greeted by some Miami residents with long tails, aka iguanas.

Another popular island is the historic Flagler Memorial Island, also known as Monument Island. The man-made island showcases a 110-ft obelisk-shaped monument to honor Henry Flagler, a pioneer of Miami who founded the Florida East Coast Railway. At low tide, this uninhabited destination has an attractive beach and nice water for swimming. You'll find plenty of colorful boats bobbing at anchor while yachters hang out in the water with a cool drink. Here you can paddle kayaks, picnic, explore the monument and more.

A not-to-be-missed stop is the sandbar by Key Biscayne. Situated on the west side of Key Biscayne, this lively sandbar is sometimes also called Nixon's Sandbar due to its proximity to Nixon's Cove , the site of former President Nixon's "Winter White House," which is no longer there. The Cove is a beautiful protected area, great for meandering and relaxing. When it's time to rev up the action, the nearby sandbar is the place to be. Here you'll find boats anchored, with people hanging out in the water, jet skiing, and, needing no excuse to have a great time!

Key Biscayne National Park

One mile south of Cape Florida in Key Biscayne National Park is another not-to-be-missed site, Stiltsville. This historic area of the Bay with homes and nightclubs on stilts used to be a hot spot for clubs, movie stars and epic parties. In fact, there were 27 structures in the 1950's and 60's. Now, the seven homes that remain are protected by the park service and there is no public access. You can cruise by and snap some pictures of Old Florida history.

Other sites to see by water as you head south include Vizcaya near Coconut Grove. Vizcaya is the historic home of International Harvester founder James Deering built in 1916, which is now a museum. There is no access by boat but it offers beautiful views by water.

Coconut Grove

Tropicalboat Charters

Miami Skyline

Coconut Grove itself is worth disembarking for, a neighborhood known for its artsy, quaint atmosphere. Dock at Dinner Key Marina and take a walk to Coconut Grove village. You can wander the streets and enjoy the shops, and stop for a latte at a charming sidewalk café where you might just catch some live music to set the mood. Don't miss the famed CocoWalk for shopping. Coconut Grove is in the heart of Miami, but has its own personality of relaxation, music, food, events and more.

It's been said that everything is better when you're on the water. When adventure calls, exploring by boat is a wonderful activity for the whole family, and a great way to experience the cool, tropical vibe that makes Miami memorable.

For more information on Miami boating please click here or here for Tropicalboat Charters.

For reservations, please call (786) 218-3030 or email info@tropicalboat.com.