Yacht Charters & Custom Events in Stuart, Florida

The best part of this Stuart cruise is its private scale. You and up to six companions ride aboard Onward & Upward, a 43-foot Hatteras, with Captain Phil at the helm and Amy hosting. The route may bring you past grand waterfront homes and close to dolphins, sharks, and sea birds, especially around sunset.

I like the chance to shape the outing around your group, and I like the thoughtful food options, from charcuterie and shrimp cocktail to mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. The company also offers a small-group feel that a standard sightseeing boat cannot match.

The main consideration is timing. The experience is described as lasting about two hours, but the available cruise length is also listed as 1.5 to 4 hours. Confirm your exact duration, food choices, and any drink package before you pay.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 43-foot Hatteras: Your group of 3 to 7 has the yacht to itself, with Captain Phil operating the boat.
• Wildlife and waterfront views: The cruise can include dolphins, sharks, sea birds, and views of large homes along the shore.
• Sunset is the featured moment: The cruise is especially suited to an evening outing, with the changing light over Stuart’s waterways.
• Food can be part of the plan: A sample menu includes charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes.
• Pickup is limited but useful: The company SUV holds four people and can collect you anywhere in Martin County.
• Flexible drink choices: Bottled sparkling or flat water is available, while champagne and wine tastings cost extra and are tailored to your preferences.

A private cruise through Stuart’s waterways

This is not a big boat sightseeing ride with a fixed crowd. Onward & Upward is a private charter for three to seven people, which changes the mood from the start. You can sit with your own group, speak directly with the hosts, and enjoy the water without sharing the boat with strangers.

The yacht is a 43-foot Hatteras. That gives the cruise a proper yacht feel while keeping the group small enough for personal attention. Captain Phil handles the boating, and Amy hosts the outing. Their roles matter because this is presented as both a cruise and a custom event, not simply a ride from one dock to another.

The listed location is West Palm Beach, but the actual meeting information points to Stuart in Martin County. The stated start point is 4862 SE Anchor Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34997, while another address is provided at 4307 SE Bayview Street in South Stuart. Confirm the exact dock and pickup arrangement before setting out. That small check can save you from arriving at the wrong waterfront address.

What the sunset stop adds

The central focus is sunset. The supplied plan lists a sunset stop rather than a long series of shore visits, so the value comes from being on the water at the right time, not from checking off multiple attractions.

Sunset works well for this kind of private cruise because the boat becomes the destination. You can watch the light change across the water, take photographs, and let the pace stay easy. If you are planning a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or simple evening with friends, a sunset departure gives the event a natural shape without requiring a packed schedule.

The outing is not described as a guided walking tour or a historical cruise. You should book it for the water, the views, the company, and the chance to spend a quiet stretch of time aboard a private yacht. The cruise may pass waterfront mansions, which adds interest along the shore, but the supplied details do not promise a named route or specific landmarks.

One useful point is the flexible duration. The tour summary says about two hours, while the cruise description allows 1.5 to 4 hours. That could suit different occasions, but it also creates a planning question. Ask how long your chosen booking lasts, especially if you are arranging dinner, a transfer, or another evening activity afterward.

Wildlife sightings are a welcome bonus

The cruise has a stronger wildlife angle than you might expect from a short yacht outing. Along the Intracoastal waters, the group saw dolphins, sharks, and sea birds, with Amy and Phil pointing them out. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they show what can make the ride more than a view of expensive homes.

Dolphins are often the highlight of a water outing, while sharks and birds give you more reasons to keep watching the surface and shoreline. The important point is that the hosts help you notice what is around you. You are not left to guess whether a fin, splash, or bird belongs to something worth seeing.

Still, wildlife is unpredictable. You should treat it as a possible bonus rather than the purpose of the booking. If you need guaranteed animal encounters, this is not the right kind of activity. If you enjoy keeping watch and letting the water provide the surprises, the chance of seeing local wildlife adds real value.

The contrast with cold-weather travel also matters. A Christmas cruise gave one group a warm break from frigid northern conditions, with the South Florida waterways providing a bright change of scene. If you are visiting in winter, this can be an easy way to make the most of Stuart’s mild outdoor setting.

Food and drinks aboard Onward & Upward

The food program gives the cruise a more social, event-like feel. The sample menu starts with charcuterie, moves to shrimp cocktail, and ends with mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. That combination fits a Florida waterfront outing without turning the boat into a formal restaurant.

Amy prepares snacks for the cruise, and the food has been described as an unexpected part of the experience. That is useful to know if you are deciding between a bare sightseeing ride and a more polished private event. You can expect food planning to be part of the conversation, but confirm exactly what is included in your price.

Bottled sparkling or flat water is available. Champagne or wine tastings are extra and can be tailored to your preferences. Those details make the charter useful for a celebration, but they also mean the base price may not cover every food or drink choice you want.

I would ask three simple questions before booking: Is the sample menu included, can you select different items, and what is the additional charge for wine or champagne? The food descriptions are appealing, but the available information does not spell out a fixed meal package.

The portions also sound better suited to grazing than to replacing a full dinner. Charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and small cupcakes can make a two-hour cruise feel well supplied, but you should not assume the boat is providing a complete restaurant-style meal unless the company confirms it.

What the $130 price means

The listed price is $130 per person. For a private yacht accommodating only three to seven people, that price needs to be judged against the whole boat experience, not against a basic public boat ride.

You are paying for a private setting, a 43-foot Hatteras, a captain, a host, and a custom approach to the outing. The small group limit is especially important. If you are traveling with family or friends and value privacy, the cost may feel reasonable because the yacht is reserved for your party rather than shared with a large crowd.

The price becomes less straightforward if you add champagne, wine tastings, upgraded food, or a longer cruise. Since the timing can range from 1.5 to 4 hours, the cost per hour may vary depending on the package you choose. Get the full total before you compare it with other Stuart boat trips.

For a couple, the minimum group size may also matter. The experience is intended for 3 to 7 people, so a pair should confirm whether three people are required or whether a private booking can be arranged another way. Do not assume the pricing works like a simple two-person excursion.

For a group celebrating together, the value is easier to see. Splitting the cost among friends or family can make the private boat, host service, food, and sunset setting more appealing than separate restaurant and sightseeing plans.

Pickup, driving, and the Stuart meeting point

Pickup is offered in Martin County using a company SUV that holds four people. That is helpful for a small party staying nearby, but it will not carry the full maximum group of seven. If your group is larger than four, you may need to drive or arrange another ride for some of the party.

You can also use Uber or drive to the company location in South Stuart. The provided meeting details list 4307 SE Bayview Street, Stuart, Florida 34997, along with a start address at 4862 SE Anchor Avenue. Because two Stuart addresses appear in the information, confirm which one applies to your booking.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the logistics simpler than a one-way boat transfer, and it means you can leave your car at the starting location if the company confirms that arrangement.

The operating period shown runs from August 8, 2025, through February 18, 2027, with hours listed daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A sunset cruise must fit within the day’s available timing, so confirm the departure hour for your date.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This charter suits you if you want a private evening on the water rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. It is a good match for families, close friends, couples booking with another pair, and small celebrations.

You will likely appreciate it most if you enjoy conversation, waterfront scenery, light food, and the chance to spot wildlife without rushing from one stop to the next. The hosts can point out animals and help shape the food and drink side of the outing.

It may not suit you if you want a firm, minute-by-minute itinerary, guaranteed wildlife, or a large selection of historical landmarks. The experience is built around the cruise itself, with sunset as the main event.

The 3-to-7-person limit is both a strength and a constraint. It creates privacy and personal attention, but it will not work for a large family reunion or company group unless you arrange multiple outings.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, though the precise transit connection is not provided. If someone in your group has specific mobility or boarding needs, ask the company directly before booking.

Weather and cancellation details

This is an outdoor boat activity, so weather can change the plan. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff follows local Stuart time.

That policy is fairly clear, but you should watch the forecast if your plans are tight. A weather delay may affect dinner reservations, airport plans, or other evening activities, particularly if you choose the longer version of the cruise.

My call on Onward & Upward

I would book this cruise for a small group that wants a personal, relaxed time on Stuart’s waterways. The private 43-foot Hatteras, Captain Phil, Amy’s hosting, possible wildlife sightings, and sunset setting give it more character than a basic boat ride.

Before booking, confirm the exact departure address, cruise length, menu, and extra cost for champagne or wine. If those details fit your plans, the $130 price can make sense for a shared private experience. If you want a guaranteed attraction, fixed route, or low-cost public ride, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting information gives a start address of 4862 SE Anchor Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34997. Another company location is listed at 4307 SE Bayview Street in South Stuart. Confirm the exact location for your booking.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The tour summary describes it as approximately two hours. The cruise description gives a possible range of 1.5 to 4 hours, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join?

The private yacht is intended for 3 to 7 passengers.

Is pickup available?

Yes. The company offers pickup anywhere in Martin County in an SUV that holds four people. You can also use Uber or drive to the Stuart location.

Who operates and hosts the cruise?

Captain Phil captains the yacht, and Amy hosts the experience.

What food is available?

A sample menu includes charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. Confirm what your selected booking includes.

Are drinks included?

Bottled sparkling or flat water is available. Champagne and wine tastings cost extra and can be tailored to your preferences.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the company cancels because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.