Private tour for 12 people on a 40 ft Yacht, Ft Lauderdale bay

Fort Lauderdale’s best feature is its water, and this private charter lets you enjoy it without being tied to a fixed route. You can cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, admire mansion-lined banks and huge yachts, then ask the captain to anchor at a sandbar for swimming or a lazy afternoon.

I like the private format, which gives your group control over the music, pace, and general mood. I also like the choice of two, four, or six hours, since a quick sightseeing ride and a full afternoon on the water are very different outings.

The main caution is space and cost. The boat is advertised for up to 12 people in some details, while the supplied FAQ says up to 10 and identifies a different boat model, so confirm the vessel and passenger limit before paying. The captain fee is also extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A flexible route: You can focus on mansions and yachts, spend time at a sandbar, or request a waterfront restaurant stop.
• Four hours is the sweet spot: It gives you time to sightsee and still leave room for swimming when conditions permit.
• Captains can shape the day: Andre, Simon, and Luis receive especially warm praise for friendly service and useful narration.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Fuel, ice, and bottled water are included, and the charter is BYOB friendly.
• Check capacity carefully: The main description says 12 people, but the FAQ says 10 and lists a Sessa 36 rather than the Sundancer 40.
• Captain fees are separate: Plan on $100 for two hours, $200 for four, or $300 for six, with holiday pricing subject to change.

A private Fort Lauderdale cruise from Bahia Mar

You meet at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The boat returns to the same place, which keeps the day simple if you are staying near Fort Lauderdale Beach or arranging your own transport.

Limited free parking is available near the departure point. I would not count on finding a space at the last minute, especially on a weekend. Public transportation is nearby, but the information provided does not specify exact routes or walking times.

The appeal begins before the boat moves. A private charter means you are not sharing the outing with a boatload of strangers, and you can use the Bluetooth sound system for your own music. That matters for birthdays, family afternoons, and small corporate outings, but keep the volume reasonable if you want to hear the captain’s commentary.

The boat is described as a 40-foot Sundancer with a sun deck, shaded seating, a cabin, kitchen, and restroom. The FAQ, however, identifies the boat as a Sessa 36 and says the limit is 10 people. This is more than a small wording issue. A group of 10 to 12 adults will feel a major difference in seating, especially if rain sends everyone under cover.

Before booking, ask Bruschi Boat Rental to confirm three things in writing: the exact boat, the legal passenger limit, and how much usable seating is available in poor weather. Children count toward the US Coast Guard passenger limit, including lap children.

Two hours through the Venice of America

The shortest charter works best as a scenic cruise. You will move along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, often called the Venice of America, with views of waterfront homes, private docks, and large yachts.

This is not a fast thrill ride. The experience is built around relaxed sightseeing, conversation, music, and the changing view from the water. A good captain can add plenty by pointing out homes and boats, explaining what you are seeing, and adjusting the route to your interests.

A two-hour booking can include a sandbar stop, but you need to request that before the trip begins. The available time is limited, so you may have to choose between a longer sightseeing route and getting in the water. If swimming is important, I would not book two hours and simply hope it happens.

This option makes sense for couples, families with younger children, or anyone who wants a taste of a private yacht without committing a full afternoon. It also suits a celebration that already includes dinner or another Fort Lauderdale activity.

The tradeoff is that two hours can pass quickly. Boarding, safety instructions, cruising, and returning to the marina all use part of the clock. A slow route with no swim stop may feel underwhelming to a group expecting a party cruise or high-speed boating.

Four hours for cruising, swimming, and a floating mat

The four-hour charter gives the day room to breathe. You can spend part of the trip looking at homes and yachts, then head toward a sandbar or quiet lagoon if weather, timing, and safety allow.

Four hours is the best balance for most groups. It leaves enough time for conversation and sightseeing without making the outing feel like an all-day commitment. You may also have time to stop at a waterfront restaurant for drinks or appetizers.

The included water mat is available on rentals of four hours or more. That small detail changes the experience for families and groups of friends. Instead of simply sitting on the boat, you can use the mat, noodles, balls, and other floating toys when the captain anchors and conditions allow.

Do not treat a swim stop as guaranteed. The captain must consider weather, water conditions, the route, and the time needed to return. One group was disappointed after a two-hour cruise without swimming, while several four-hour outings included a sandbar stop and plenty of time on the mat. The practical lesson is simple: book four hours if swimming is a priority, and ask about the planned route at the start.

Captain Andre receives especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and good with children. Captain Simon is also praised for explaining the route and pointing out what the group was seeing. Captain Luis is described as accommodating and willing to adjust the day when possible. You cannot always guarantee a specific captain, but you can request one when booking.

Six hours for the full afternoon

The six-hour option is for people who want the boat to be the main event. You can combine Intracoastal sightseeing, a sandbar visit, a long swim, relaxed time on deck, and a meal at a waterfront restaurant.

This length works well for a birthday, reunion, family gathering, or corporate outing where nobody wants to watch the clock. You can start with sightseeing, anchor later when the sun is high, and finish with food near the water.

The extra time also helps if your group needs a slower pace. Children may need breaks, older family members may prefer shaded seating, and a larger group often takes longer to get organized. Six hours gives you more flexibility than a rushed two-hour plan.

The drawback is value. At $184.50 per person before the captain fee, a six-hour charter is a serious expense, particularly once you add food, drinks, and any holiday surcharge. The captain fee for six hours is listed as $300 per booking, and February 14, July 4, and December 31 can carry different captain pricing.

For a group of 12, the captain fee works out to $25 per person at the listed six-hour rate. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly. Do the math using your actual party size rather than the maximum capacity.

What the boat feels like in real use

The yacht offers an open sun deck and shaded seating, so you can move around as the sun changes. There is also a cabin with a restroom and kitchen, but the cabin should not be treated as the main seating area for a large group.

That distinction matters in bad weather. One group reported crowding between the front of the boat, the cabin, and the available seating, along with an air-conditioning problem. Conditions may vary, but 10 or 12 adults will have less personal space than they would on shore.

The boat includes a cooler with ice and bottled water. You can bring your own snacks and drinks, which keeps the outing more personal and can reduce the cost of buying everything at a restaurant. Pack items in containers that close securely, and avoid bringing more food than your group can manage in a moving boat.

A Bluetooth sound system is included. Bring a charged phone and a playlist, but remember that the captain needs to communicate safety information and route details.

Life jackets and required safety equipment are provided. If you are bringing more than two children, note that when booking so additional child-sized jackets can be prepared. Service animals are allowed, while ordinary pets are not permitted according to the supplied information.

The captain makes or breaks the day

A private boat gives you a flexible setting, but the captain determines how well that flexibility works. The best captains described in the supplied feedback were friendly without being intrusive, explained the sights, and adjusted the route to fit the group.

Andre is repeatedly praised for his warm manner, professionalism, and ability to involve children. Simon is a strong choice if you want more narration about the homes, boats, and route. Luis is noted for being accommodating when plans needed to shift.

There is also a less comfortable possibility. One group reported a captain who smoked, offered little commentary, and kept the boat on a slow two-hour route without a swim stop. If smoking or guiding style matters to you, ask about the captain before departure and state your preferences clearly.

The booking is made through a platform, but Bruschi Boat Rental operates the boat. The lead person making the reservation must be on board, must sign a bareboat charter agreement, and must select a captain according to US Coast Guard rules. That wording is important. You are not simply buying a seat on a standard sightseeing boat. The reservation involves a private charter arrangement, with the captain selected for the outing.

Price, captain fees, and what you receive

The listed cost is $184.50 per person. That includes the boat, fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, restroom access, bottled water, and ice. A water mat is included for rentals lasting four hours or more.

The captain is not included in that headline price. The listed captain charges are:

• Two hours: $100 per booking
• Four hours: $200 per booking
• Six hours: $300 per booking

For 12 people, the captain fee adds about $8.33 each for two hours, $16.67 each for four hours, or $25 each for six hours. For a smaller group, the fee has more impact.

The price is reasonable if you fill the boat and use the private setting well. You are paying for control, privacy, a dedicated captain, and the chance to mix sightseeing with swimming or a meal stop. It is less attractive if your group only wants a basic view of the Intracoastal Waterway, since public boat tours or water taxis may cost less.

You should also budget for your own meals, drinks beyond the supplied water, and any parking costs if free spaces are gone. There are no listed hidden fees for fuel, but the captain fee is an important extra and holiday rates can vary.

Weather, swimming, and smart preparation

Fort Lauderdale weather can change quickly. The operator may reschedule for thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, high-tide alerts, or other unsafe conditions. If rain is expected, stay in contact with the operator rather than assuming the trip will be canceled.

A light shower does not automatically mean a refund. If conditions are considered safe and you cancel at the last minute because of rain, the supplied policy says no refund will be issued. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes inside that window are not accepted.

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, towels, and a hat. Wear comfortable clothes suited to the forecast, and use shoes that are sensible on a boat. You can bring food and drinks, but towing sports such as wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, and water skiing are not allowed because of insurance restrictions.

Fishing is permitted on a catch-and-release basis, though you may need a fishing license. Clean any blood or residue at once, since extra cleaning charges may apply if the boat is returned dirty.

Who should book this private yacht charter?

I would recommend it most to a group that values privacy and wants to set its own mood. Families can combine sightseeing with swimming, friends can bring their own music and drinks, and couples can use the yacht for a quieter coastal outing.

The four-hour option is the safest choice for a first booking. It offers time for the Intracoastal route, a possible sandbar stop, and the water mat without the full price of a six-hour charter.

I would be more cautious if your group has 10 or 12 adults, expects everyone to sit in air-conditioned space, or wants a guaranteed swimming session. Confirm the boat model and capacity first, then ask how the captain handles rain and swim requests.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a private Fort Lauderdale outing with control over the route, music, food, and pace. Choose four hours for the best mix of sightseeing and water time, or six hours if you want a complete afternoon with a restaurant stop.

Skip it if you are looking for a low-cost cruise, guaranteed swimming, or a high-speed ride. Also pause before booking until the operator confirms the conflicting boat and capacity details. With that cleared up, a strong captain such as Andre, Simon, or Luis can turn the Intracoastal Waterway into a relaxed and memorable day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

The tour begins at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long can I book the yacht?

You can choose a two, four, or six-hour charter.

Is the route fixed?

No. The charter does not use a fixed route inside Fort Lauderdale Bay. You can discuss sightseeing, sandbars, lagoons, swimming, and a possible waterfront restaurant stop with the captain.

Is swimming guaranteed?

No. Swimming depends on the available time, weather, water conditions, and safety. If you want a sandbar stop, request it before the trip begins. The water mat is included on rentals of four hours or more.

Is the captain included in the price?

No. The listed captain fees are $100 for two hours, $200 for four hours, and $300 for six hours. Rates may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. The boat provides bottled water, a cooler, and ice, and you may bring your own food and beverages. Towels and sunscreen are recommended if you plan to swim.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted and are not refunded.