JS
Joshua S.
2 hours ago
Amazing yacht rental experience. Ben was great on board, helpful, friendly and on top of everything. Everything went perfect, and the jet skis were superior. Will definitely be back.
Nixon Sandbar Miami
Private boat trips to Nixon Sandbar, Miami's most popular sandbar at the north end of Key Biscayne. Anchor in shallow, calm water with the city skyline in view. Accessible only by boat.
AS SEEN IN
NIXON SANDBAR MIAMI
Miami's Most Popular Sandbar on Biscayne Bay
Nixon Sandbar is a shallow natural sand formation in Biscayne Bay at the northern tip of Key Biscayne, accessible only by boat. The sandbar is the most popular boating destination in Miami and sits in clear, calm, protected bay water with the downtown Miami skyline visible to the northwest. Crown Yachts Miami operates a fleet of over 55 private yachts available for Nixon Sandbar trips departing from Crandon Park Marina, Rickenbacker Marina, Miami Beach Marina, and Dinner Key Marina.
Nixon Sandbar charters are the most booked format in Miami for birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, and private group parties on the water. A standard Nixon Sandbar express runs 3 to 4 hours from Crandon Park Marina with 2 full hours anchored at the sandbar. A 4 to 5 hour charter combines the sandbar with the Star Island celebrity circuit or a Key Biscayne snorkeling stop in a single outing.
Every Nixon Sandbar charter is customizable with jet skis and watersports launched directly from the sandbar, private catering, a DJ on deck, and custom yacht decoration for birthdays and celebrations.
Our Fleet
Yachts Available for Nixon Sandbar Trips
Not sure which yacht fits your group? Our team will recommend the best yacht based on your needs.
AT THE SANDBAR
What You Will Experience at Nixon Sandbar Miami
Clear, shallow bay water, Miami's most active weekend boat scene, panoramic bay views with the downtown skyline, and year-round access from Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne.
The Sandbar
Nixon Sandbar is Miami's Most Popular Shallow-Water Anchorage, a Natural Bay Bar at the North End of Key Biscayne
Nixon Sandbar is a shallow sand formation in Biscayne Bay at the northern tip of Key Biscayne, accessible only by boat. The sandbar sits in water ranging from ankle-deep to waist-deep at low tide, forming a natural platform across a broad section of the bay. The bottom is fine sand and the water is clear, calm, and protected from open ocean swell by Key Biscayne's barrier shape. At low tide the sandbar surface is partially exposed and guests wade directly from the vessel. At higher tide the wading depth increases and the sandbar becomes a full-immersion swim stop. Both formats are popular depending on tide and group preference.
The Boat Scene
On Weekends, Dozens of Private Vessels Anchor Side by Side at Nixon Sandbar, Creating Miami's Most Distinctive Floating Social Scene
Nixon Sandbar is the center of Miami's weekend boat culture. On Friday through Sunday afternoons the sandbar draws 30 to 60 or more vessels — private yachts, sport cruisers, center consoles, and pontoon boats — anchored in close proximity across the flat. Music carries across the water from multiple vessels, groups wade between boats, and the energy builds through the afternoon. There is no equivalent gathering in the Miami area. For first-time visitors and experienced Miami boaters alike, a Saturday afternoon at Nixon Sandbar is the defining experience of being on the water in Miami.
Key Biscayne Backdrop
Anchored at Nixon Sandbar, the Downtown Miami Skyline Fills the Horizon to the Northwest and Key Biscayne's Shoreline Frames the East
Nixon Sandbar occupies the bay-facing margin of Key Biscayne's northern tip, with the island's tree-lined shoreline visible to the east and open Biscayne Bay extending west toward the downtown Miami and Brickell skylines. Anchored at the sandbar, guests face the full Miami skyline across the bay to the northwest, with Government Cut and the Fisher Island inlet visible to the south and the Atlantic channel opening east of Key Biscayne. The sandbar gives a panoramic 270-degree bay view that takes in the city skyline, the open water, and the natural shoreline of Key Biscayne simultaneously.
Year-Round Access
Nixon Sandbar is Active Every Weekend of the Year, with Peak Season from March Through October When Trade Winds Keep Temperatures Comfortable
Nixon Sandbar is accessible and active year-round in Miami. Peak season runs from late March through October, when afternoon temperatures and steady southeast trade winds make the sandbar the most comfortable outdoor location in Miami from noon to 5pm. Winter months from November through February see smaller boat gatherings with calmer winds and cooler water temperatures. The sandbar is at its most active on Saturday and Sunday afternoons between 1pm and 5pm, which is the most popular departure window for Nixon Sandbar charters from any marina in Miami-Dade.
WHERE WE DEPART
Marina Departure Points for Nixon Sandbar
Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne is the closest marina to Nixon Sandbar. Rickenbacker Marina, Miami Beach Marina, and Dinner Key Marina serve guests arriving from different parts of Miami-Dade.
Closest Marina
Crandon Park Marina, Key Biscayne
Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne is the closest full-service departure marina to Nixon Sandbar. The marina is located inside Crandon Park on the island, and Nixon Sandbar is a 5 to 10 minute water transit north through the Key Biscayne channel. Charters from Crandon Park reach the sandbar faster than from any other marina in Miami-Dade. Crandon Park has substantial on-site parking within the park grounds, making it the most practical departure point for Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Brickell, and South Miami guests.
Bay Gateway
Rickenbacker Marina, Virginia Key
Rickenbacker Marina at the Rickenbacker Causeway entrance on Virginia Key is 10 to 15 minutes from Nixon Sandbar by water via the Virginia Key channel north. The marina is at the base of the causeway connecting the mainland to Key Biscayne, making it the most accessible departure for guests arriving from downtown Miami, Brickell, and Wynwood via the Rickenbacker Causeway. Parking is available at the causeway entrance adjacent to Hobie Beach.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach Marina, South Beach
Miami Beach Marina at 300 Alton Road approaches Nixon Sandbar from the west across south Biscayne Bay, passing between Fisher Island and Key Biscayne to reach the sandbar. The transit from Miami Beach Marina runs 20 to 25 minutes. For guests staying in South Beach, the Art Deco Historic District, or the Lincoln Road area, Miami Beach Marina is the most convenient departure with covered parking adjacent and direct rideshare access.
South Bay
Dinner Key Marina, Coconut Grove
Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove is 20 to 25 minutes north of Nixon Sandbar by water via the south Biscayne Bay channel. A departure from Dinner Key adds the Coconut Grove waterfront as a natural bay stop on the southbound run to the sandbar, and a return north from the sandbar can include the Star Island celebrity circuit on the way back to the marina. Dinner Key is the most popular departure for Kendall, South Miami, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove guests booking Nixon Sandbar as the primary destination.
DEPARTURE LOCATIONS
Departure Marinas for Nixon Sandbar Charters
All marinas are accessible from Miami, Miami Beach, and the surrounding area by rideshare or car. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Select a departure marina to see the location
Crandon Park Marina
The closest full-service marina to Nixon Sandbar. Located inside Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, 5 to 10 minutes by water from the sandbar. Large on-site parking lot within the park grounds.
NIXON SANDBAR
BISCAYNE BAY
KEY BISCAYNE
ITINERARIES
Nixon Sandbar Tour Options
From a 3-hour express to a full-day Biscayne Bay tour. Every itinerary includes anchored time at Nixon Sandbar as the centerpiece of the charter.
Most Popular
Nixon Sandbar Express
The Nixon Sandbar Express is the most booked format: a 3 to 4 hour charter departing Crandon Park Marina or Rickenbacker Marina, transiting directly to the sandbar, anchoring for 2 hours of swimming and wading, then returning. The express format suits groups whose primary goal is the sandbar experience without a full-day itinerary. Afternoon departures between 12pm and 2pm place the group at the sandbar during peak social hours with the boat scene at its fullest.
Celebrity Circuit
Nixon Sandbar and Star Island
A 4 to 5 hour combination pairs the sandbar swim stop with the Star Island celebrity island circuit. The route departs Crandon Park Marina or Rickenbacker Marina, transits north through the bay to Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island for the celebrity circuit, then returns south to Nixon Sandbar for the afternoon anchor. This sequence — sightseeing in the morning, sandbar in the afternoon — is the most complete standard Miami charter itinerary and covers the two most requested destinations in a single outing.
Snorkeling
Nixon Sandbar and Key Biscayne Snorkeling
Nixon Sandbar combined with a Key Biscayne snorkeling stop makes a full aquatic day. After anchoring at the sandbar, the charter moves east through the Key Biscayne channel to the calmer waters near the barrier island where underwater visibility improves and reef fish are accessible. The snorkeling position near Key Biscayne is 10 to 15 minutes from Nixon Sandbar and gives a complete water-activity day from a single departure at Crandon Park Marina.
Skyline
Nixon Sandbar and the Downtown Miami Skyline
A late afternoon departure combines 2 hours at Nixon Sandbar with a return transit north through central Biscayne Bay anchored opposite the downtown Miami and Brickell skyline at golden hour. The evening bay position off Brickell, with the towers lit at dusk and the water reflecting the skyline, is the most visually dramatic end to any Nixon Sandbar charter. This format works best on 5 to 6 hour charters departing between 1pm and 3pm.
National Park
Nixon Sandbar and Biscayne National Park
An extended south bay itinerary combines Nixon Sandbar at Key Biscayne with a transit south through Biscayne National Park waters to Elliott Key, Adams Key, or Boca Chita Key. The national park boundary begins 15 to 20 minutes south of Nixon Sandbar, and the outer island chain offers natural beach anchorages, reef snorkeling on the Atlantic side, and the contrast between the open bay near the sandbar and the remote outer island environment inside the park. This combination suits full-day charters of 6 hours or more.
Full Day
Full Day Biscayne Bay Tour
A 6 to 8 hour full-day tour combines Nixon Sandbar, the Star Island celebrity circuit, Government Cut and Fisher Island, a snorkeling stop near Key Biscayne, and a sunset bay anchorage into a single charter. Full-day departures from Crandon Park Marina or Rickenbacker Marina in the morning reach the sandbar by midday, complete the celebrity circuit in the afternoon, and return at golden hour with the Miami skyline behind. This is the most comprehensive single-day charter available in Miami-Dade.
EVERY OCCASION
All Yacht Charter Experiences at Nixon Sandbar
Every type of private yacht charter can include Nixon Sandbar as the primary destination. Birthdays, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and family days on the water.
Birthday Party
Birthday celebration anchored at Nixon Sandbar with music, food, and the Miami skyline view
Bachelorette Party
Bachelorette yacht party at Nixon Sandbar, Miami's most social weekend destination on the water
Yacht Party
Private group party anchored at Nixon Sandbar with the Key Biscayne shoreline and bay views
Sunset Cruise
Nixon Sandbar in the afternoon followed by a golden hour anchorage in central Biscayne Bay
Yacht Tour Miami
Nixon Sandbar, Star Island, downtown Miami skyline, and Biscayne Bay in a single tour
Corporate Events
Client entertainment at Nixon Sandbar with catering and an open bar in open water
Snorkeling Miami
Nixon Sandbar swim stop combined with Key Biscayne snorkeling on a single day charter
Family Yacht Charter
Family day at Nixon Sandbar — calm, shallow, safe water for all ages on Biscayne Bay
Yacht Proposal
Propose anchored at Nixon Sandbar with the Miami skyline and the open bay behind you
Anniversary Cruise
Anniversary afternoon at the sandbar followed by a sunset bay anchorage with the city skyline
Romantic Dinner
Private dinner on the water anchored in the calm bay near Nixon Sandbar at sunset
Yacht Photography
On-water photography at Nixon Sandbar with the Key Biscayne shoreline and Miami skyline
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP
Add-On Services for Nixon Sandbar Charters
Jet skis, catering, a DJ on deck, yacht decoration, and VIP transport. All services are coordinated before departure and ready when you board at the marina.
Food and Drink
Yacht Catering Miami
Full catering menus prepared and served on board while anchored at Nixon Sandbar. Birthday packages, BBQ setups, charcuterie boards, and full seated menus are all popular formats for groups spending 2 or more hours at the sandbar.
Activities
Watersports
Jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and towable inflatables launch directly off the stern at Nixon Sandbar. The calm, shallow water makes the sandbar the best watersport position in Miami-Dade. Jet skis are the most requested activity on Nixon Sandbar charters.
Entertainment
Private DJ
A professional DJ with full equipment setup on deck. Nixon Sandbar afternoon anchors are the most requested format for DJ packages in Miami — the open water position, the boat scene around you, and the city skyline backdrop make it the natural setting for a DJ charter.
Decor
Yacht Decoration
Custom balloon arches, floral arrangements, themed table settings, and personalized signage for birthdays, bachelorette parties, proposals, and anniversaries. Setup complete before your group boards so the yacht is ready when you arrive at the marina.
Culinary
Private Chef
A private chef boards with your group and prepares a custom menu on board throughout the charter. Popular for birthday and anniversary dinners anchored at Nixon Sandbar or in the bay with the downtown Miami skyline visible to the northwest.
Transport
VIP Transport
Black car service from your hotel, residence, or office directly to Crandon Park Marina, Rickenbacker Marina, Miami Beach Marina, or any departure marina of your choice. Timed to arrive 15 minutes before departure.
WHAT TO KNOW
Planning Your Nixon Sandbar Trip
01
Getting to the Marina from Miami
Crandon Park Marina is on Key Biscayne at the end of the Rickenbacker Causeway. From downtown Miami and Brickell, the drive is 15 to 20 minutes via the Rickenbacker Causeway east to Key Biscayne, then south on Crandon Boulevard to the marina entrance inside Crandon Park. From Miami Beach, the drive is 20 to 25 minutes via the MacArthur Causeway west to downtown, then the Rickenbacker Causeway east. Rickenbacker Marina at the causeway entrance is 10 minutes from downtown Miami via the Rickenbacker Causeway and is an alternative departure for guests who prefer a shorter drive.
02
Parking at Crandon Park Marina
Crandon Park Marina is located inside Crandon Park, which has a large paved parking lot within the park grounds adjacent to the marina. Parking fees apply at the Crandon Park entrance on weekends. Rickenbacker Marina at the causeway entrance has parking near the marina and Hobie Beach. For groups arriving by rideshare from downtown Miami, Brickell, or Wynwood, Rickenbacker Marina is the most straightforward drop-off due to its location at the base of the causeway. We recommend arriving 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
03
Best Time of Day for Nixon Sandbar
Afternoon departures between 12pm and 2pm are the most popular for Nixon Sandbar, placing the group at the sandbar during peak social hours between 2pm and 5pm when the boat scene is fullest and the water temperature is warmest. Morning departures between 9am and 11am give calmer water, fewer boats, and lower tides that expose more of the sandbar surface for wading. Weekend afternoons in peak season (April through September) are the most active. If you want the sandbar largely to yourself, a weekday morning departure is the most effective format.
04
How Long to Spend at Nixon Sandbar
Most groups spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours anchored at Nixon Sandbar as part of a 3 to 5 hour charter. A 3-hour express charter from Crandon Park Marina allows 2 full hours at the sandbar with transit on each end. A 4-hour charter allows a longer sandbar anchor plus a second stop — Star Island to the north or a snorkeling position east of Key Biscayne. For birthday and bachelorette groups, a 5-hour charter with 2.5 hours at the sandbar followed by a star island circuit and sunset anchorage is the most common format.
05
Group Size for a Nixon Sandbar Charter
Private Nixon Sandbar charters accommodate groups from 2 to 13 guests on standard motor yachts. Sport yachts in the 45 to 75 foot range provide the best sandbar experience — open deck space for sun exposure, a swim platform for direct water entry, and enough shade areas for groups who want to alternate between swimming and relaxing on deck. Larger vessels in the 65 to 105 foot range are available for extended parties and corporate groups. Every charter is private with a licensed captain and crew.
06
What Is Included in a Nixon Sandbar Charter
All Crown Yachts Miami charters include a USCG-licensed captain, crew, fuel, ice, water, and a Bluetooth sound system. The captain anchors at Nixon Sandbar and manages the vessel for the duration of the stop. Add-ons for Nixon Sandbar charters include jet skis and paddleboards launched from the stern at the sandbar, private catering with sandbar-appropriate menus, a DJ with equipment on deck, open bar with bartender service, yacht decoration for birthday and bachelorette groups, and VIP transport from your location to the marina.
GET IN TOUCH
Book a Nixon Sandbar Boat Trip
Questions about tour duration, vessel options, departure marinas, or add-on services for your Nixon Sandbar trip? Message us on WhatsApp for a fast response.
FAQ
Nixon Sandbar Miami FAQ
What Our Clients Say