Private Palm Beach Boat Tours and Sightseeing Cruises
Palm Beach boat tours look very different from the water. The estates, the inlet, and Peanut Island all sit right there in front of you. South Florida Yacht Rental runs private sightseeing cruises for your group only. No strangers, no fixed route, no 40-person tour boat.
Every tour runs on a company-owned boat with a USCG-licensed captain at the wheel. You pick the route. The captain handles the rest. Palm Beach tours board at Riviera Beach City Marina. We also depart from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton.
Call or text (561) 945-8527 to book. We answer 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
What a Private Boat Tour in Palm Beach Includes
A private boat tour is a captained charter built around sightseeing. You and your group have the whole boat. The captain acts as your guide. He knows the water, the landmarks, and the best spots to stop.
Here's what comes with every tour:
- A USCG-licensed captain, included in the price
- Fuel, included in the price
- Life jackets and pool noodles
- Snorkel gear
- A route you choose with the captain before you leave the dock
Most tours run 3 to 4 hours. Longer 6 to 8 hour trips cover more ground and add a lunch stop. Sunset cruises are timed to end as the light goes down.
Our fleet has 30+ boats from 22 feet to 122 feet. Most of our boats and yachts carry 10 to 13 guests. The 26-foot party boat carries 18, and the 55-foot catamaran carries 49. We'll match the boat to your group size and route.
Palm Beach Boat Tour Routes
These are the routes guests ask for most. Mix and match them, or ask the captain for his favorite.
Peanut Island Boat Trip
Peanut Island is an 80-acre county park near the Lake Worth Inlet. You can only reach it by boat. The water around it comes straight from the ocean, so it's clear and blue. The park has a snorkeling lagoon, a swimming beach with lifeguards in season, and a 1.25-mile walking trail. Manatees visit the lagoon in winter. We bring snorkel gear. Read more on our Peanut Island boat trip page.
Celebrity Homes and Palm Beach Estates
Cruise the Lake Worth Lagoon along Palm Beach island. The waterfront estates here are some of the largest in Florida. By state rule, boats run at idle speed within 300 feet of this shoreline, so the pass is slow and close. Your captain points out the homes and the history as you go. This route pairs well with a stop at Peanut Island.
Jupiter Inlet and the Loxahatchee River
Head north to Jupiter. The red Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse has guided boats since 1860 and still works today. From the inlet, the Loxahatchee River winds inland. It's one of only two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida. The river is calm and shaded, and it's one of the quietest routes we run.
Sunset Cruise
A 2 to 3 hour cruise timed for golden hour. Weekend sunset departures run 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and weekday times are flexible. Most sunset tours stay on the Intracoastal where the water is calm. Bring your own drinks and food, or ask us about catering. See the Palm Beach sunset cruise page for times and boats.
Dock and Dine Cruise
Cruise to a waterfront restaurant, tie up, eat, and cruise back. The captain picks a dock that fits your boat. Our dining destinations page lists the restaurants we visit most.
Boynton Inlet, Lake Boca, and the Hillsboro Inlet
Guests leaving from Delray Beach or Boca Raton cruise through the Boca Inlet and loop Lake Boca. The water is calm and the sandbar is a popular stop. We also run the Boynton Inlet and south to the Hillsboro Inlet. Boat choices for these trips are on our Boca Raton boat rentals page.
Why Book a Boat Tour With Us
Most boat tours in Palm Beach come from one of three places. There's the big group tour boat. There's the peer-to-peer rental app, where you book a stranger's boat. And there's us.
Here's the difference. South Florida Yacht Rental has run charters in Palm Beach since 2001. We own and insure every boat in the fleet. We staff every charter with our own USCG-licensed captain. The price we quote at booking is the price you pay. Fuel and captain are already in it. Gratuity for the crew is the only extra.
That matters on the water. App renters sometimes get a surprise at the dock. The captain fee or fuel fee wasn't in the listing. The departure spot moved the morning of the trip. None of that happens here. You get one phone number, one boat, and one price.
Where Our Palm Beach Boat Tours Go
We run tours across Palm Beach County and the north end of Broward County:
- Palm Beach and West Palm Beach (boarding at Riviera Beach City Marina)
- Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, and Jupiter
- Lake Worth, Lantana, Manalapan, and Boynton Beach
- Delray Beach and Boca Raton
- Lighthouse Point
If you're staying at a hotel on Palm Beach island or in downtown West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach City Marina is a short drive. Ask us for directions when you book.
Palm Beach Boat Tour Pricing
Boat tours start at $690. The full range runs from $690 to $9,999 depending on boat size and trip length. Fuel and captain are included. Gratuity is extra. We offer weekday discounts, so ask about Monday through Thursday dates.
We take all major credit cards, debit cards, ACH, and wire transfer. If weather cancels your tour, you get a credit toward another charter good for 28 months. See our weather and cancellation policy for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long is a Palm Beach boat tour?
Most tours run 3 to 4 hours. That's enough time for Peanut Island and the celebrity homes route. Jupiter and Loxahatchee River trips run 6 to 8 hours. Sunset cruises run 2 to 3 hours. Call or text (561) 945-8527 and we'll help you pick a length.
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Do you offer boat tours on weekends and holidays?
Yes. We run tours seven days a week, including holidays, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Weekends book fast in season, so reserve early. Weekday dates get a discount.
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Is the boat tour private?
Yes. Every tour is private. Only your group is on board. We don't combine groups or sell seats on a shared boat.
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Do your captains speak Spanish?
Yes. Our captains and crew speak English and Spanish.
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Can we swim or snorkel during the tour?
Yes. Snorkel gear is included on every charter. Peanut Island has a snorkeling lagoon, and the Lake Boca sandbar is good for a swim. Tell the captain you want to get in the water and he'll plan a stop.
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Can we fish during the tour?
Yes. Fishing is allowed on any boat in the fleet. Rods and tackle are an add-on, so tell us when you book. See Palm Beach fishing charters for half-day and full-day trips.
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Can we bring dogs?
Yes. Dogs and other pets are welcome on board. Tell us when you book so we match you with the right boat.
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Can we bring food and drinks?
Yes. Bring your own food and drinks, alcohol included. We can also arrange catering. Our boat catering page explains the options. Peanut Island Park does not allow alcohol on the island itself, so plan to drink on the boat.
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What if the weather is bad?
If we cancel for weather, you get a credit toward another charter. The credit is good for 28 months. Our captains make the weather call, and they err on the side of safety.
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When is the best time of year for a boat tour?
Winter and spring bring the calmest water and the biggest crowds. Manatee season runs November 15 to March 31, when slow-speed zones are in effect on parts of the Lake Worth Lagoon and you have the best odds of spotting one. Summer is warmer and quieter, with afternoon storms that usually pass fast.
Book Your Palm Beach Boat Tour
Pick a route, pick a date, and we'll match you with the right boat. Call or text (561) 945-8527. We answer 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. You can also browse our boats and book online.