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.
Star Island Boat Tour Miami
Private yacht tours of Star Island, Miami's most exclusive private island. View the celebrity waterfront estates, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island from the water. The only way to see Star Island's full shoreline.
AS SEEN IN
STAR ISLAND MIAMI
The Most Iconic Stop on Any Miami Boat Tour
Star Island is a private gated residential island in Biscayne Bay, connected to Miami Beach by the MacArthur Causeway. The island holds 34 ultra-luxury waterfront estates along its perimeter and is closed to public road access. The only way to see the Star Island estate shoreline is from the water. Crown Yachts Miami operates a fleet of over 55 private yachts available for Star Island boat tours departing from Island Gardens Marina, Miamarina at Bayside, and Miami Beach Marina.
A Star Island boat tour combines the full celebrity island circuit with the open bay south toward Miami's most recognized waterfront landmarks. The standard itinerary covers Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island in a 2 to 3 hour express loop. A 4-hour charter extends the route to the downtown Miami skyline anchorage or south to Nixon Sandbar at Key Biscayne for a swim stop after the celebrity circuit.
Every Star Island tour is fully customizable with private catering, a private chef on board, a DJ, custom yacht decoration, and watersports equipment for sandbar stops.
Our Fleet
Yachts Available for Star Island Tours
Not sure which yacht fits your group? Our team will recommend the best yacht based on your needs.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
What You Will See on a Star Island Boat Tour
Star Island's waterfront estate shoreline, the MacArthur Causeway overhead, Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and the downtown Miami skyline in the distance. All only accessible from the water.
Star Island Estate Row
34 Waterfront Estates on a Private Gated Island, Visible Only from the Water
Star Island is a private gated community on the eastern edge of Biscayne Bay, connected to Miami Beach by the MacArthur Causeway. The island holds 34 ultra-luxury waterfront estates along its bay perimeter. The road entrance is gated and closed to the public, but the waterfront side facing Biscayne Bay is open to any vessel. A private yacht passing the Star Island shoreline comes within close viewing distance of the estate sea walls, private docks, and manicured waterfront grounds of the most exclusive residential island in Miami.
Celebrity Island History
Star Island Has One of the Most Recognized Concentrations of Celebrity and Ultra-Luxury Residences in the United States
Star Island's reputation for celebrity and high-net-worth residential concentration has accumulated over decades. Gloria Estefan has been among the island's most well-known long-term residents. Shaquille O'Neal, Ricky Martin, P. Diddy, and other prominent names have been connected to the island over the years. Estate values on Star Island regularly exceed $10 million to over $50 million per property. No other residential island in Miami carries the same density of nationally recognized names within a single gated perimeter.
MacArthur Causeway Backdrop
Star Island Sits Directly Under the MacArthur Causeway, Creating the Most Photographed Waterfront Frame in Miami
The MacArthur Causeway, connecting downtown Miami to Miami Beach, passes directly over the northern edge of Star Island. From the water, the causeway forms a dramatic architectural frame above the island, with the downtown Miami and Brickell tower cluster visible behind the bridge to the west and open Biscayne Bay extending south. Approaching Star Island from a private yacht with the causeway overhead and the city skyline behind it is the most widely photographed vantage point in Miami, and it is only achievable from the water.
Palm Island and Hibiscus Island
The Star Island Circuit Extends to Palm Island and Hibiscus Island, Two Adjacent Private Islands with Waterfront Estates of the Same Character
Palm Island and Hibiscus Island are private residential islands immediately south of Star Island, also connected to the MacArthur Causeway and also gated to public road access. The complete circuit passing all three islands from the water takes 20 to 30 minutes and forms the concentrated core of any Miami boat tour. Both Palm Island and Hibiscus Island carry the same pattern of waterfront estates, private docks, and landscaped sea walls as Star Island, and the full three-island circuit is the single most requested itinerary element on any Miami private yacht charter.
WHERE WE DEPART
Marina Departure Points for Star Island Tours
Island Gardens Marina on Watson Island is the closest marina to Star Island. Miamarina at Bayside and Miami Beach Marina offer convenient alternatives from the downtown and Miami Beach sides.
Closest Marina
Island Gardens Marina, Watson Island
Island Gardens Marina at the base of the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island is the closest full-service departure marina to Star Island. The marina is less than half a mile from the Star Island waterfront by water, and charters departing Island Gardens reach the estate shoreline in under 15 minutes. The approach from Watson Island passes directly under the MacArthur Causeway and arrives at the northern face of Star Island, giving the most direct route of any departure point. From downtown Miami, Island Gardens is 10 minutes by car via the MacArthur Causeway. Parking is available on Watson Island.
Downtown Miami
Miamarina at Bayside, Downtown Miami
Miamarina at Bayside Marketplace at 400 Biscayne Boulevard is 15 to 20 minutes from Star Island by water. A charter from Miamarina crosses central Biscayne Bay toward the MacArthur Causeway and reaches the Star Island waterfront in a single transit. The marina is in the heart of downtown Miami, accessible by Metromover, rideshare, and covered parking at Bayside Marketplace, making it the most convenient departure point for guests coming from Brickell, Wynwood, the Design District, and downtown neighborhoods.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach Marina, South Beach
Miami Beach Marina at 300 Alton Road is at the southern tip of Miami Beach, on the Atlantic side of the MacArthur Causeway. Charters from Miami Beach Marina cross south Biscayne Bay and approach Star Island from the eastern side, arriving at the Palm Island and Hibiscus Island face of the three-island circuit before rounding north to Star Island proper. The marina is steps from South Beach, the Art Deco Historic District, and Lincoln Road, with covered parking adjacent and direct rideshare access.
South Bay Approach
Dinner Key Marina, Coconut Grove
Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove is 25 to 30 minutes south of Star Island by water via a northbound Biscayne Bay transit. A departure from Dinner Key adds natural bay stops at the Coconut Grove waterfront anchorage and Nixon Sandbar at Key Biscayne before continuing north to the Star Island circuit, making it the most complete south-to-central bay itinerary available. Dinner Key is the most practical departure for guests coming from Kendall, South Miami, Coral Gables, and the Coconut Grove neighborhood.
DEPARTURE LOCATIONS
Departure Marinas for Star Island Boat Tours
All marinas are accessible from Miami and Miami Beach by rideshare or car. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Select a departure marina to see the location
Island Gardens Marina
The closest full-service marina to Star Island. Situated at the base of the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island, under half a mile from the Star Island estate shoreline by water. Charters from Island Gardens reach Star Island in under 15 minutes.
STAR ISLAND
BISCAYNE BAY
MIAMI SKYLINE
ITINERARIES
Star Island Boat Tour Itineraries
From a 2-hour express circuit to a full-day Miami waters tour. Every itinerary includes the Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island celebrity circuit as its core.
Most Popular
Star Island Express Tour
The Star Island Express is the most popular format: a 2 to 3 hour circuit passing Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island from the water. The route departs Island Gardens Marina or Miamarina at Bayside, transits under the MacArthur Causeway, and circles the full three-island perimeter at a comfortable viewing distance from the estate shorelines. The 2-hour express is the most widely booked format for first-time Miami boat tours, corporate groups, and visitors wanting a dedicated Star Island sightseeing experience without a full-day charter.
Skyline
Star Island and the Downtown Miami Skyline
A 4-hour Star Island and downtown skyline tour combines the celebrity island circuit with time anchored in central Biscayne Bay opposite the Brickell tower cluster and downtown waterfront. The route runs from Island Gardens or Miamarina north through the MacArthur Causeway corridor, circles Star Island and the adjacent islands, then anchors in open bay with the full Miami skyline as the backdrop. Evening departure at 5pm gives the complete daylight-to-golden-hour-to-city-lights sequence in a single charter.
Sandbar
Star Island and Nixon Sandbar
A 4 to 5 hour combination adds Nixon Sandbar at the north end of Key Biscayne to the Star Island circuit. The route runs south from the celebrity islands past Fisher Island to Nixon Sandbar, where the group anchors in shallow, calm water for 1 to 2 hours before returning via the bay. Nixon Sandbar is Miami's most popular shallow-water anchorage and sits 15 to 20 minutes south of Star Island. This combination — celebrity sightseeing followed by a sandbar swim — is the single most booked itinerary type on Miami private yacht charters.
Intracoastal
Star Island and the Venetian Islands Intracoastal
A 4 to 5 hour intracoastal circuit extends the star island route north through the Venetian Causeway islands and the Miami Beach Intracoastal Waterway, passing the Di Lido, Rivo Alto, and Belle Isle island estates before reaching the open bay north of the Venetian Causeway. The Venetian Islands are a separate chain of man-made residential islands with waterfront estates of comparable character to Star Island, and the Intracoastal corridor between them and the Miami Beach shoreline gives a protected, canal-like water passage that contrasts with the open bay south of the MacArthur Causeway.
Port of Miami
Star Island, Government Cut, and Fisher Island
South of Star Island, the MacArthur Causeway terminates at Miami Beach and Government Cut opens to the Atlantic. A 4-hour south circuit from Star Island passes Fisher Island, the Port of Miami and its cruise ship terminals, and the Government Cut channel before reaching the Atlantic inlet. The Port of Miami, with its cruise ships and the downtown Miami skyline visible across the bay from the Fisher Island side, is the second most iconic waterfront view after Star Island and is fully visible from the water south of the MacArthur Causeway.
Full Day
Full Day Miami Waters Tour
A 6 to 8 hour full-day Miami waters tour combines the Star Island celebrity circuit, the Venetian Islands Intracoastal, Government Cut and Fisher Island, Nixon Sandbar at Key Biscayne for a swim stop, and the downtown Miami skyline at sunset into a single charter. Full-day tours depart Island Gardens or Miamarina in the morning and return at golden hour after covering the most recognizable waterfront landmarks in Miami. This is the most comprehensive single-day charter itinerary available on Biscayne Bay.
EVERY OCCASION
All Yacht Charter Experiences on the Star Island Route
Every type of private yacht charter experience can include the Star Island celebrity circuit. Sightseeing tours, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and romantic occasions.
Yacht Tour Miami
Star Island, Nixon Sandbar, the downtown skyline, and Biscayne Bay on a private sightseeing tour
Birthday Party
Birthday celebration anchored near Star Island or at Nixon Sandbar with the Miami skyline in view
Bachelorette Party
Bachelorette yacht party on Biscayne Bay with the Star Island estate shoreline as backdrop
Sunset Cruise
Golden hour anchored in central Biscayne Bay opposite the Star Island waterfront and downtown skyline
Corporate Events
Client entertainment with a guided Star Island circuit and downtown skyline anchorage on Biscayne Bay
Yacht Proposal
Propose at sunset anchored near Star Island with the MacArthur Causeway and Miami skyline behind you
Romantic Dinner
Private dinner on Biscayne Bay anchored off Star Island at golden hour
Anniversary Cruise
Anniversary celebration on the water with the Star Island and downtown Miami skyline
Yacht Party
Private group party anchored at Nixon Sandbar or in the bay off Star Island
Wedding Yacht
Intimate ceremonies on Biscayne Bay with the MacArthur Causeway and Star Island as backdrop
Snorkeling Miami
Snorkeling near Key Biscayne and the Biscayne Bay reef areas on a Star Island combination tour
Yacht Photography
On-water photography at Star Island, the MacArthur Causeway frame, and the downtown Miami skyline
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR
Add-On Services for Star Island Boat Tours
Every Star Island tour can be customized with catering, watersports, a private DJ, yacht decoration, and VIP transport. All services are coordinated before departure.
Food and Drink
Yacht Catering Miami
Full catering menus prepared and served on board. Star Island sightseeing charters are popular for corporate lunch formats, birthday dinners anchored in the bay, and cocktail receptions timed to arrive at the estate shoreline at golden hour.
Activities
Watersports
Jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and towable inflatables on any Star Island combination tour. Nixon Sandbar, 15 to 20 minutes south of Star Island, is the most popular watersport stop on any tour that includes the celebrity island circuit.
Decor
Yacht Decoration
Custom balloon arches, floral arrangements, themed table settings, and personalized signage for birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, and bachelorette parties. Setup complete before your group boards at the marina.
Culinary
Private Chef
A private chef prepares a custom menu on board throughout the charter. Popular for dinner charters anchored in central Biscayne Bay off Star Island at sunset, with the Miami skyline and the estate shoreline in view.
Entertainment
Private DJ
A professional DJ with full equipment setup on deck. Nixon Sandbar afternoon anchors and evening bay positions off Star Island and the downtown waterfront are the most popular formats for DJ packages on Biscayne Bay charters.
Transport
VIP Transport
Black car service to Island Gardens Marina, Miamarina at Bayside, Miami Beach Marina, or any departure point of your choice. Timed to arrive 15 minutes before departure so your group boards without rushing.
WHAT TO KNOW
Planning Your Star Island Boat Tour
01
Getting to Island Gardens Marina from Miami
Island Gardens Marina is on Watson Island at the base of the MacArthur Causeway. From downtown Miami and Brickell, the marina is 10 minutes via the MacArthur Causeway east (I-395) to the Watson Island exit. From Miami Beach, it is 10 minutes west over the MacArthur Causeway. From Wynwood and the Design District, the drive is 12 to 15 minutes south on NE 2nd Avenue to the MacArthur Causeway. Miamarina at Bayside in downtown Miami at 400 Biscayne Boulevard is an alternative departure for guests arriving by Metromover or staying in the downtown core.
02
Parking Near the Departure Marinas
Island Gardens Marina has parking available on Watson Island adjacent to the marina complex. Miamarina at Bayside has covered parking at Bayside Marketplace and metered street parking on Biscayne Boulevard. Miami Beach Marina at 300 Alton Road has covered parking in the marina garage. For large groups arriving by rideshare, Miamarina at Bayside is the most convenient drop-off point in terms of rideshare accessibility in the downtown core. We recommend arriving at the marina 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
03
Best Time of Day for a Star Island Boat Tour
Late afternoon departures between 3pm and 5pm give full daylight sightseeing of the Star Island estate shoreline followed by golden hour on the bay with the downtown Miami skyline lit up at dusk. This is the most requested departure window on any Star Island tour. Morning departures between 9am and 11am offer calmer water and less boat traffic on the bay. Midday departures are popular for corporate and hospitality groups wanting a structured 2-hour express format. All times are available depending on your itinerary preference.
04
How Long is a Star Island Boat Tour?
A dedicated Star Island express tour runs 2 hours and covers Star Island, Palm Island, and Hibiscus Island in a single circuit. A Star Island and downtown skyline tour runs 4 hours, adding an anchored bay position opposite the Brickell towers. A Star Island and Nixon Sandbar combination runs 4 to 5 hours, adding the sandbar swim stop south of the celebrity islands. A full-day Miami waters tour combining Star Island, the Venetian Islands, Government Cut, Nixon Sandbar, and a sunset anchorage runs 6 to 8 hours. Most guests book 4-hour charters as the standard format.
05
Group Size for a Star Island Boat Tour
Private Star Island boat tours accommodate groups from 2 to 13 guests on standard yachts. Sport yachts in the 45 to 75 foot range are the most common vessel for Star Island sightseeing groups and give excellent on-deck visibility from all positions. Larger motor yachts in the 65 to 105 foot range are available for groups requiring more deck space, shade, and seating for extended full-day charters. Every charter is private, meaning your group has the entire vessel to yourselves with a licensed captain and crew.
06
What Is Included in a Star Island Boat Tour
All Crown Yachts Miami charters include a USCG-licensed captain, crew, fuel, ice, water, and a Bluetooth sound system. Add-ons available for Star Island tours include private catering with full menu coordination, a private chef on board, an open bar package with bartender service, a DJ with full equipment, custom yacht decoration for celebrations, VIP transport from your hotel or residence to the marina, and a professional photographer or videographer to capture the Star Island circuit and bay views.
GET IN TOUCH
Book a Star Island Boat Tour
Questions about tour duration, vessel options, departure marinas, or add-on services for your Star Island boat tour? Message us on WhatsApp for a fast response.
FAQ
Star Island Boat Tour FAQ
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