Private Boat Tours in Fort Lauderdale: Cost, Captain, Routes & What to Expect

Private boat tours in Fort Lauderdale give your group a flexible way to experience the city's waterways without sharing the boat with strangers or following a fixed group-tour schedule. With Water Limo, the boat is reserved for your party of up to six guests and operated by Captain Mike, a USCG-licensed captain. You choose how long you want to be on the water and what kind of experience you want, subject to weather, water conditions, local rules, and availability.

This guide explains the main choices to consider before booking, including trip length, pricing, captain service, sightseeing routes, waterfront dining, sandbar outings, wildlife opportunities, and special occasions.

How much does a private boat tour cost in Fort Lauderdale?

Water Limo's weekday trips currently start at $100 for 30 minutes, while weekend and holiday trips start at $175 for one hour. Longer trips can be arranged by the hour, with the total depending on the date, duration, and trip plan. The current service pages provide the most accurate prices and availability:

• Monday–Friday Private Boat Trip

• Weekend & Holiday Private Boat Trip

For a useful comparison, look beyond the starting price and confirm whether the boat is private, whether a licensed captain is included, the maximum group size, and how much flexibility you have to choose the route and stops.

Is a licensed captain included?

Yes. Every Water Limo trip includes Captain Mike, a USCG-licensed captain who operates the boat and manages navigation and safety. Guests do not need a boating license or boating experience.

A captain-led trip lets the group focus on sightseeing, conversation, photos, music, dining, or relaxing while the captain handles the boat. It also helps when plans need to adjust for weather, marine traffic, bridge timing, or local restrictions.

Are Water Limo trips private?

Yes. Water Limo trips are private for your group rather than shared with unrelated passengers. The boat accommodates up to six guests in addition to the captain. A private format is useful for couples, families, small groups, birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, date nights, and other occasions where privacy and flexibility matter.

What routes and experiences are available?

The trip can be planned around the experience your group wants and the time available. Popular options include:

• Intracoastal sightseeing through Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach.

• Sunset and night cruises for waterfront views and city lights.

• Fort Lauderdale sandbar trips for swimming and relaxing when conditions allow.

• Port Everglades tours with opportunities to see cruise ships, yachts, and working-port activity when traffic, regulations, and conditions permit.

• Dolphin and manatee sightseeing. Wildlife is often seen in South Florida waterways, but sightings remain natural and cannot be guaranteed.

• Waterfront dining trips built around a restaurant stop and time on the water.

Short trips work well for a quick cruise or introduction to the waterways. Longer trips allow more range and flexibility for sightseeing, dining, sandbar time, or looking for wildlife.

Can a private boat tour include waterfront dining?

Yes. A Water Limo trip can be planned around a waterfront restaurant stop when timing, dock access, and availability allow. Tell Captain Mike whether you want dining to be the main event or one part of a longer sightseeing trip. Allowing enough time helps prevent the meal from taking up most of a short booking.

Can we visit a sandbar?

Sandbar outings are available when weather, tides, water conditions, trip length, and safety allow. Guests often bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, drinks, and snacks. Water Limo provides a cooler with ice and complimentary bottled water.

Will we see dolphins or manatees?

Dolphins, manatees, rays, fish, turtles, and coastal birds live in South Florida, and guests often enjoy wildlife sightings. Because the animals are wild, no responsible operator can guarantee a particular sighting. A longer trip can provide more time and range to explore areas where wildlife may be present.

What should we bring?

Bring sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, a towel if you may swim, and any food or drinks you want during the trip. Guests may connect a phone to the boat's Bluetooth audio. If you have a restaurant, sandbar, sunset time, or special occasion in mind, share that when booking so the trip can be planned around it.

Where do trips depart?

Water Limo is based in Dania Beach, conveniently located between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. Exact boarding details are provided after booking. The location gives guests access to nearby Intracoastal waterways, Port Everglades, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, waterfront restaurants, and other destinations appropriate for the chosen trip length and conditions.

How do I book?

Use the online booking page or call or text Captain Mike at 754-610-8634. Share your preferred date, time, group size, trip length, and the experiences that interest you. Captain Mike can help determine a practical route and duration based on your priorities and current conditions.