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Sandbar Boat Tours in Miami

Boat trips to the Haulover and Nixon sandbars and Raccoon Island: swim and stand in the shallow, clear water of Biscayne Bay.

See also:Yachts & BoatsBeach Days

Miami's sandbars: what to know

Haulover or Nixon?

The Haulover sandbar lies just inside Haulover Inlet, in the north of Biscayne Bay between Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles Beach. It is the busiest of Miami's sandbars: boats anchor side by side in clear, waist-deep water, and at weekends it turns into a floating party with music and paddleboards. Raccoon Island, nearby, is quieter, with a short walk ashore and birds.

The Nixon sandbar sits off Key Biscayne, near the bay side of the island, and is named after the president who had a house there. It is more spread out and often calmer than Haulover, with views back to the skyline. Trips there usually leave from the Miami River, Bayside or Key Biscayne.

When to go

The sandbars are at their best around low tide on a calm, sunny day, when the water is shallowest and clearest; at high tide it can reach your chest. Check the tide when you book a morning or afternoon trip, and ask the captain which they recommend.

Weekdays are relaxed; Saturdays and Sundays are crowded and loud, and the Columbus Day regatta weekend in October is the biggest party on the bay. In summer, afternoon thunderstorms move in quickly, so morning trips are safer, and captains head back as soon as lightning is near.

Getting there and the rules

The sandbars can be reached only by boat. Without a boat of your own, join a guided sandbar trip, or charter a private boat with a captain for your group — from Haulover Park, Sunny Isles Beach or Miami Beach the Haulover sandbar is minutes away.

On a captained boat, passengers may drink, but bring cans or plastic rather than glass, and take all rubbish back. Police and Florida wildlife officers patrol at weekends, including for illegal charters, so book with a licensed operator. Wear water shoes for the sand and seagrass, and reef-safe sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you walk or swim to the Haulover sandbar?

No. The sandbar is in the bay off Haulover Inlet, with deep channels and boat traffic around it, so the only way there is by boat — a sandbar tour, a private boat with a captain or a boat of your own.

How deep is the water at the sandbar?

Around low tide it is ankle- to waist-deep over most of the sandbar, so you can stand and walk. At high tide it gets deeper, and the edges drop off into channels, so children should wear life jackets.

Can you drink alcohol at the Miami sandbars?

Passengers can drink on a boat with a captain; the person driving must not. Bring cans or plastic, as glass is banned on most boats, and expect police checks at the busy weekends.

Which sandbar is better for families?

Go on a weekday morning to either one, or choose Nixon or Raccoon Island trips, which are quieter. Haulover at the weekend is a party, with loud music and crowds.