Bruschi BYOB Boat Tour in Miami: Private 2-Hour Captained Ride From $64
Quick answer
The Bruschi BYOB boat tour is a private 2-hour captained ride on a 21 to 24 foot boat from $64 per person, rated 4.7/5 on GetYourGuide.
You add a $35-per-hour captain fee, pay the captain directly, bring your own drinks, and get no champagne despite what the web address says.
Bruschi Boat Rental
Tailor a Private BYOB Day, Sunset or Night Boat Tour
4.7 (69) · from $64
The Bruschi BYOB boat tour is a private two-hour ride on Biscayne Bay with a licensed captain, a small boat of 21, 22 or 24 feet, and your own drinks and playlist, run by Bruschi Boat Rental and sold on GetYourGuide from $64 per person. Fuel and docking are covered; the captain is not.
The detail that changes the decision is the cost structure. The headline price excludes a $35-per-hour captain fee that you pay the captain directly, and on Feb 14, Jul 4 and Dec 31 that fee varies. Also, the page address on the marketplace mentions a champagne bottle, but the listing's own include list has none: the product is BYOB.
It is one of the cheapest private options in my private boat tour Miami guide, which sits inside the wider Miami boat tours comparison. The Harbour Advisor home page covers other cities.
| Operator | Bruschi Boat Rental (sold on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat type | Private 21, 22 or 24 ft boat with captain; passenger limit not stated |
| Price | $64 per person (listed from $80), plus $35 per hour captain fee |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Departure times | Not stated; choose day, sunset or night in the calendar |
| Pier | Marina at 2610 NW 18th Terrace on Google Maps; the exact point is given by phone after booking |
| Route | Downtown Miami, Skyviews wheel, Joia Beach, Star Island |
| Food and drinks | Bring your own; cooler with ice and water provided |
| Languages | Spanish, English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before for a full refund |
| Rating | 4.7/5 from 69+ reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Bruschi BYOB boat tour and what do you see?
It is a private ride for your group on a small boat, with the captain steering and you choosing the music, the drinks and, loosely, the route.
The listing names four sights on the loop, and I added a Maps link for each:
- Downtown Miami - the towers and the bay-front: Downtown Miami on Google Maps.
- Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel - the Ferris wheel at Bayside, lit at night: Skyviews wheel on Google Maps.
- Joia Beach - the waterfront beach club on the loop: Joia Beach on Google Maps.
- Star Island - the private island of large waterfront houses: Star Island on Google Maps.
The listing says you can tailor the route, so these four are a sample, not a fixed itinerary. Ask the captain what fits two hours; Miami's bay is large, and a stop for photos eats time.
What does the Bruschi BYOB boat tour really cost?
For a group of four the ride works out near $81 per person once the captain fee is added, assuming the $64 rate applies at your group size.
| Group | Tickets at $64 | Captain 2 h x $35 | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $128 | $70 | $198 | $99 |
| 4 people | $256 | $70 | $326 | $81.50 |
| 6 people | $384 | $70 | $454 | $75.67 |
Fuel and docking fees are in the price, per the listing, and the cooler and ice are supplied. Drinks, tips for the captain and parking are not.
The listing states a street-parking option that is a 4-minute walk from the departure point; it does not give a price, so check the signs on the day.
Where does it leave from, and how do you get there?
It leaves from a marina at 2610 NW 18th Terrace, Miami, and the exact departure point is given by phone after booking, so save the operator's number.
The listing does not describe a metro walk. The county's Metromover page describes a downtown, Omni and Brickell loop, and I found no link from it to this address. Metrorail costs $2.25 per the county fare page. I would use a ride-hail and set the destination in Google Maps from the link above.
- Bring ID: the listing asks for a passport or ID card.
- Wear flat shoes: the listing lists comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Plan the toilet: there is a restroom at the marina but none on the boat.
What is included, and what is the contract?
The ticket covers the boat, the radio, a cooler and the marina costs; the captain, your drinks and parking are extra, and you sign a bareboat charter agreement first.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Private boat tour | Included |
| Bluetooth radio | Included, bring your playlist |
| Cooler with ice and water | Included; drinks are BYOB |
| Fuel and docking fees | Included |
| Marina restroom | Included; none on board |
| Captain fee | $35 per hour, paid to the captain |
| Street parking | Not included |
Why the contract? The listing ties it to a 1993 federal passenger-vessel law: you pick a captain and sign a charter form that Bruschi emails a few days before the trip. It also notes that, under the Coast Guard rule it cites, every person counts as a passenger regardless of age, babies included.
How long is it and when should you go?
It lasts 2 hours, and the best start for a sunset-and-skyline loop is about an hour before sunset.
The listing lets you choose a day, sunset or night trip. Use the sunset table to pick the slot: start roughly 60 minutes before the time shown and you will see the light go, then the towers and wheel switch on.
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Jan | 5:52 PM |
| Feb | 6:15 PM |
| Mar | 7:30 PM |
| Apr | 7:45 PM |
| May | 8:00 PM |
| Jun | 8:14 PM |
| Jul | 8:15 PM |
| Aug | 7:57 PM |
| Sep | 7:26 PM |
| Oct | 6:54 PM |
| Nov | 5:33 PM |
| Dec | 5:33 PM |
The sunset times come from the sunrise-sunset.org API for the 15th of each month in 2026. In November and December the sun sets near 5:33 PM, so a night trip means a 6:30 PM start; in June it stays light until after 8:14 PM.
How does it compare with Miami's other private boats?
It is the lowest-priced private captained option I found, and it gives you the least comfort, because the boat is small and has no toilet.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruschi BYOB boat tour | $64 pp + captain | 2 h | 4.7 (69+) | Cheap private ride |
| Bruschi private yacht cruise | $125 | 2 h | 4.7 (227+) | Same operator, bigger boat |
| Private yacht with captain | $215 | 2-5 h | 4.8 (162+) | Soft drinks included |
| Aqua sunset cruise | $30 pp | 1.5 h | 4.0 (136+) | Shared, guided |
For boat hire without a tour, see my boat rental Miami page.
Is the Bruschi BYOB boat tour worth it against Miami's other private boats?
Yes for two to six friends who bring their own music and drinks and want a private two hours under $100 each; no if you want a toilet, a bar or a narrated tour.
The sub-scores support it: 4.8 for guide, 4.8 for transportation and 4.7 for value. The boat is small and the captain does the talking, so what you pay for is control, not luxury.
The weak point is the stacked cost: ticket, captain fee, tips and parking. I would compare the all-in figure with the $125 Bruschi yacht cruise before choosing.
28 million visitors came to Miami-Dade County in 2024, a record, so weekend evenings book out.
When is the best season for a small open boat?
November to April, when highs run 74 to 82°F and rain days stay between 10 and 13 a month.
| Month | Avg high 2025 | Avg high 2015-24 | Rain days (10-yr avg) | On deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 74°F | 75°F | 11 | Dry and mild; a light layer for the evening breeze |
| Feb | 79°F | 77°F | 11.3 | Dry season, pleasant on deck; wind off the bay after dark |
| Mar | 79°F | 79°F | 9.6 | Comfortable all day; busy spring-break crowds |
| Apr | 82°F | 82°F | 12.4 | Warm and mostly dry; sun cream from the first minute |
| May | 87°F | 84°F | 16.4 | Hot; rain days start to climb, shade matters |
| Jun | 86°F | 85°F | 22.5 | Hot and humid; afternoon storms often clear by sunset |
| Jul | 88°F | 87°F | 22.2 | Hot; take the covered seats and water for the afternoon |
| Aug | 91°F | 87°F | 25 | Hottest month; storm risk is highest, check the forecast |
| Sep | 86°F | 86°F | 23.9 | Peak hurricane season; read the weather policy before booking |
| Oct | 84°F | 83°F | 19.3 | Still warm; storm risk fading, evenings are comfortable |
| Nov | 81°F | 80°F | 13.1 | Dry and comfortable; one of the best months on deck |
| Dec | 78°F | 77°F | 11 | Cooler evenings, dry; bring a layer after sunset |
A small open boat has little shade, so July to September are hotter and wetter, with August averaging 25 rain days.
The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and peaks around September 10. Because the listing says the tour depends on the weather, a September booking carries more risk of a moved date.
What do passengers say?
All ten reviews I could read are five-star, so the sample is positive-only; the pattern is about the captains and the freedom to play your own music.
- Captains by name - nine of ten reviews name or praise the captain, which suggests the crew matters more than the boat.
- Own music and drinks - at least three reviews mention playing their own playlist or bringing drinks.
- Smooth ride - at least two mention a smooth, safe trip.
- Route - one reviewer liked the route past the towers, the waterfront mall and the houses.
No review in the sample describes a problem. The operator's replies are polite, and I could not find a complaint to report, which is itself a reason to treat the 4.7 average with care.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you want a toilet on board, a bar, a guide, wheelchair access or a fixed all-in price.
- Wheelchair users: the listing marks the tour as not suitable.
- Large groups: the boats are 21 to 24 feet and the listing gives no capacity; ask before you book.
- Champagne seekers: look at the Aqua sunset champagne cruise.
- Party crowds: a bigger social boat is in my party boat Miami list.
How do you book the Bruschi BYOB boat tour?
Choose a date and a day, sunset or night slot in the GetYourGuide calendar, then select your captain in the email Bruschi sends a few days before the trip.
From $64 per person for a private 2-hour captained ride; the $35-per-hour captain fee is paid on the day.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Bruschi BYOB boat tour?
The listing price is $64 per person for 2 hours, checked 2026-10-17, plus a $35-per-hour captain fee paid directly to the captain.
Is champagne included?
No. The product is BYOB with a cooler of ice and water; the web address mentions champagne, but the include list does not.
Can I bring my own alcohol?
Yes, the tour is BYOB and a cooler with ice is provided. Check the operator's rules on glass and quantity.
Where does the tour leave from?
From a marina at 2610 NW 18th Terrace, Miami. The exact departure point is shared by phone after booking.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
No. The listing says there is a restroom at the marina and none on the boat.
How big are the boats?
The listing offers 21, 22 or 24 foot private boats. The passenger limit is not stated, so ask the operator.
What is the captain fee?
It is $35 per hour, so $70 for the 2-hour ride, paid to the captain. It varies on Feb 14, Jul 4 and Dec 31.
Do I need to sign anything?
Yes, a charter form that Bruschi emails a few days ahead, where you also pick your captain.
Do babies count as passengers?
Yes. The listing says that under the Coast Guard rule it cites, every person counts regardless of age.
What if the weather is bad?
The listing says the tour depends on weather. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, and you should ask about rebooking.
Where do I park?
The listing mentions street parking, a 4-minute walk from the departure point, at your own cost.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing for the Bruschi BYOB boat tour (price, fees, rules, rating, checked 2026-10-17); Miami-Dade County Metromover and Metrorail pages; Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; National Hurricane Center climatology; Open-Meteo archive; sunrise-sunset.org; Nager.Date.
