Boating & Sailing in Miami

Boating & Sailing

Boating, whether on sailboats, powerboats, or luxury yachts, Wave Runners or windsurfers, is a passion in greater Miami. The Intracoastal Waterway, wide and sheltered Biscayne Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean provide ample opportunities for fun aboard all types of watercraft.

The best windsurfing spots are on the north side of the Rickenbacker Causeway at Virginia Key Beach or to the south at, go figure, Windsurfer Beach. Kitesurfing adds another level to the water-sports craze. The shallow waters off the parking lot in Matheson Hammock Park are like catnip for local kiteboarders. They also blast off from 87th Street in Miami Beach at North Shore Open Space Park.

Marinas

Named for an island where early settlers had picnics, the municipal Dinner Key Marina (3400 Pan American Dr., Coconut Grove, Miami. 305/579-6980) is Greater Miami's largest, with nearly 600 moorings slips at 9 piers and a boat ramp. There's space for transients, but bookings are tight in winter so try to reserve two to four weeks in advance. No boat? Sail right past to other Grove attractions.

Rentals & Charters

Castle Harbor (Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables. 305/665-4994. www.castleharbor.com), in operation since 1949, rents sailboats and powerboats for those with certification and offers classes for those without. When you're ready to rent, take your pick between a Harbor 20 sailboat ($50 per hour) or a 17-foot Key West powerboat ($200 for half day, $300 full day).

You can rent 19- to 54-foot powerboats through Club Nautico (Miami Beach Marina, 300 Alton Rd., #112, South Beach, Miami Beach. 305/673-2502. www.clubnauticousa.com. Crandon Park Marina, 5400 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne. 305/361-9217), a national powerboat-rental company. Half- to full-day rentals range from $200 to $699. You may want to consider buying a club membership; it'll cost a bundle at first, but you'll save about 50% on all your future rentals.

Whether you're looking to be on the water for a few hours or a few days, Cruzan Yacht Charters (18120 S.W. 88th Court, South Miami, Miami. 305/858-2822 or 800/628-0785. www.cruzan.com) is a good choice for renting crewed or unmanned sailboats and motor yachts. If you plan to captain the boat yourself, expect a two- to three-hour checkout cruise and at least a $500 daily rate (three-day minimum).

The family-owned Florida Yacht Charters (MacArthur Causeway, 390 Alton Rd., Suite 3, South Beach, Miami Beach. 305/532-8600 or 800/537-0050), at the full-service Miami Beach Marina, will give you the requisite checkout cruise and paperwork. Then you can take off for the Keys or the Bahamas on a catamaran, sailboat, or motor yacht. Charts, lessons, and captains are available if needed.

Vendors on Miami Beach and Virginia Key rent gas-powered Wave Runners, also known as Jet Skis, by the hour (a minimum age of 18 or 19 often applies). Hector's Watersports (305/318-9268 or 786/486-8442), which operates by reservation only, can arrange Wave Runner excursions off Fisher Island, Key Biscayne, or Star Island. You can rent Wave Runners from Key Biscayne Boat Rentals (3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key, Miami. 305/361-7368).

Playtime Watersports (Collins Ave., Mid-Beach, Miami Beach. 786/234-0184. Eden Roc, 4525 Collins Ave. Miami Beach Resort and Spa, 4833 Collins Ave. Alexander Hotel, 5225 Collins Ave.) sells and rents high-end water-sports equipment, including Wave Runners and wind-driven devices, from concessions at several Collins Avenue hotels and the Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne.

In addition to renting equipment, the friendly folks at Sailboards Miami (Site E1 Rickenbacker Causeway, 1/3 mi past toll plaza, Key Biscayne. 305/361-7245. www.sailboardsmiami.com) say they teach more windsurfers each year than anyone in the United States and promise to teach you to windsurf within two hours -- for $69. Rentals average $25 to $30 for one hour and $100 for four hours.

One-stop equipment shopping can be had at Water Play (2795 S.W. 26th Ave., at U.S. 1, Coconut Grove. 305/860-0888. www.water-play.com). The store sells gear for windsurfing, sailing, and waterskiing -- and can direct you to vendors that organize excursions.