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 shape the day around it. You can cruise the Intracoastal Waterway past waterfront mansions and large yachts, then ask the captain to anchor at a sandbar for swimming or a lazy afternoon. I especially like the private setting and the choice of a 2-, 4-, or 6-hour trip, since you are not tied to a fixed group-tour route.

The flexible itinerary is a real plus, as is the cooler with ice and bottled water, onboard restroom, Bluetooth sound system, and included fuel. Captain Andre receives repeated praise for being friendly and attentive, while Captains Simon and Luis also earn strong marks. The main caution is that swimming is not guaranteed, captain fees are extra, and the published details conflict on the boat model and passenger limit, so confirm those points before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Fort Lauderdale cruise: Your group gets the boat to itself rather than sharing a crowded sightseeing vessel.
• Choose your time on the water: Two hours suits sightseeing, four hours allows time for a swim, and six hours gives you room for a restaurant stop.
• Ask for a sandbar stop early: Swimming depends on weather, timing, and the captain’s safety judgment.
• Captain Andre is a strong choice: He is repeatedly praised for being friendly, professional, and good with families.
• Captain fees are separate: Expect $100 for two hours, $200 for four hours, or $300 for six hours, with holiday pricing subject to change.
• Check capacity and boat details: The main description says 12 people and a Sundancer 40, while the FAQ says up to 10 people and a Sessa 36.

A private way to see Fort Lauderdale from the water

This is less a narrated sightseeing tour with a set script and more a private boat outing with a captain. You meet at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, and return to the same place at the end.

That distinction matters. A standard public cruise gives you a fixed departure, fixed route, and fixed pace. Here, your group can decide if the priority is looking at waterfront homes, anchoring for a swim, playing music, or lingering over a meal at a waterfront restaurant. The captain still controls the boat and makes the final call on safety, but the day is built around your group.

The setting is Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, often called the Venice of America. From the boat, you can see the city in a different way, with canals, large homes, private docks, and mega-yachts forming the main show. The coast is also part of the experience, especially on longer trips.

I would book this for a family celebration, birthday, small corporate outing, or relaxed afternoon with friends. It is also a good fit for anyone who finds a large public boat too impersonal. Just remember that private does not mean unlimited. The boat has a stated capacity, and everyone counts, including babies and young children.

The 2-hour cruise: a focused sightseeing outing

The shortest option works best when you want a taste of Fort Lauderdale by boat. The usual plan is a relaxed cruise through the Intracoastal Waterway, with time to look at the homes and yachts along the route.

Two hours can also include a sandbar stop, but you need to make that request before departure. You cannot expect a full mansion cruise, a long swim, and a leisurely meal in the same short window. The more time spent anchored, the less time you have for sightseeing.

This option suits couples, families with a tight schedule, or a group adding a boat ride to a larger Fort Lauderdale day. It is also the least expensive way to try the experience. At the listed price of $184.50 per person, the base cost is significant for two hours, particularly after the captain fee is added. Its value improves when a larger group shares the private boat and wants control over the music and route.

The two-hour trip is not designed as a fast ride. It is a calm cruise, so set your expectations accordingly. One poor experience involved a slow route with no swim stop, and the group felt the time passed without much happening. That is a useful warning: tell the operator what you want before boarding, and ask the captain at the start how much time can realistically be set aside for swimming.

The 4-hour option gives you room to enjoy the boat

For most groups, four hours looks like the sensible middle ground. You have enough time to cruise the Intracoastal, look at the homes and yachts, and stop at a sandbar or quiet lagoon if conditions allow.

The water mat is included with rentals of four hours or longer. That changes the feel of the outing. Instead of simply sitting on deck, your group can use the mat, swim, and spend more time at anchor. Bring swimwear and towels, and ask about the swim plan before leaving the dock.

Several of the strongest accounts describe the four-hour format as a good balance. Captain Andre has taken groups through the Intracoastal, pointed out homes and boats, and anchored at a sandbar where people used a large mat, noodles, and balls. Those details make the longer charter feel more like a day on the water than a boat transfer.

Four hours also gives you a chance to stop at a waterfront restaurant. The restaurant choice and timing are not fixed, so you should discuss this with the operator before the trip. A meal stop takes time away from swimming and sightseeing, but it can be a pleasant choice for a family outing or celebration.

The main risk is weather. A gray or rainy day can make four hours feel long, especially if the cabin is full. One group found that seating became tight with 11 people, with some sitting at the front and others below. The cabin has air conditioning and a bathroom, but the air conditioning was reported not to be working on that outing. Ask about the forecast, seating, and weather policy before you go.

The 6-hour charter is the full afternoon

Six hours gives you the most freedom. You can combine sightseeing, a sandbar swim, time on the water mat, and a meal at a waterfront restaurant without having to rush each part.

This is the best choice for a birthday, reunion, or group that wants the boat itself to be the main event. You can settle into the shaded seating, move to the sun deck, play your own music through Bluetooth, and bring food and drinks for the day. The cooler comes stocked with ice and bottled water, and the charter is BYOB friendly.

The extra time also helps if your group is slow getting organized. Children may need time to get comfortable, and a mixed-age group often moves at different speeds. A six-hour charter gives you space for a swim without sacrificing the cruise through the Intracoastal.

The downside is cost. The listed $184.50 per-person price already makes this a sizable purchase, and the captain fee is $300 for six hours. The group should agree on the budget before booking. If your party is large enough to share the expense, the private setting can offer good value. If only a few people are going, a public cruise or water taxi may cost less.

What the yacht offers, and where space matters

The boat is described as a 40-foot Sundancer 40 with a sun deck, shaded seating, cabin, kitchen, bathroom, and Bluetooth sound system. The FAQ, however, identifies the boat as a 36-foot Sessa and says the rental accommodates up to 10 people. The main tour details say space for 12.

That is not a small wording issue. Two extra people can make a real difference on a boat, especially if rain sends everyone into the cabin. Contact Bruschi Boat Rental before your trip and confirm the exact vessel, legal passenger limit, and seating arrangement for your date.

The boat has enough features for a comfortable outing, but do not treat it like a large party yacht. A 36- or 40-foot boat can feel roomy when people spread across the deck, then tight when everyone wants shade. The repeated positive comments about the clean boat and attractive interior are encouraging, but comfort will depend on group size, weather, and how much time you spend seated.

The restroom is a major practical benefit. You do not have to cut a longer trip short because someone needs to return to shore. Life jackets and required safety equipment are provided, including child-sized jackets when requested in advance.

Captains can shape the whole experience

The captain is one of the most important variables here. Captain Andre receives the strongest repeated praise. He is described as friendly, professional, attentive without interrupting family time, and good at involving children. He has also been praised for explaining the sights and choosing a good route.

Captain Simon is another strong option. He is praised for his friendly manner, clear narration, and ability to make the route interesting. Captain Luis is described as accommodating and willing to adjust the day to help a family have a good outing.

You must select a captain under the bareboat charter arrangement, and the lead person who makes the reservation must go on the boat. This is not a detail to skip. The person booking also signs the Bareboat Charter Agreement, as required under US Coast Guard rules.

Captain fees are not included in the listed tour price. They are $100 for two hours, $200 for four hours, and $300 for six hours. The fee is per booking, not per person, so it becomes easier to absorb when a larger group shares the boat. Special dates, including February 14, July 4, and December 31, can have different captain pricing.

The one serious operational complaint involved a captain who did not arrive for a same-day booking, along with confusion over the reservation date. The operator explained that there had been less than two hours to arrange a captain. I would avoid a last-minute booking for this reason, even though late availability may sometimes exist. Booking about a week ahead is advised, and the average booking lead time is about 18 days.

Swimming, sandbars, and the limits of a flexible route

A sandbar stop is one of the most attractive parts of the charter, but it is an option, not a promise. It depends on weather, water conditions, available time, and the captain’s safety decision.

Tell the captain before departure if swimming is important to you. On a two-hour outing, a late request may not leave enough time. On four- and six-hour trips, the water mat gives your group more to do once anchored.

The listing allows swimming, but towing sports such as wakeboarding, tubing, kneeboarding, and water skiing are not permitted because of insurance restrictions. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed, although you may need a fishing license and must clean any blood from the boat and cushions. For most groups, swimming and relaxing will be simpler than bringing fishing gear.

Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, towels, snacks, and drinks. You can bring your own food and beverages, while the boat supplies ice and bottled water. Sun protection matters even on a pleasant day, since the open deck leaves you exposed for several hours.

Cost, cancellation, and practical planning

The listed price is $184.50 per person. Since the charter is private, the value depends heavily on how many people share it. At 12 people, the base total would be $2,214, before the captain fee. At 10 people, it would be $1,845. Add $100, $200, or $300 depending on the length of the trip.

That can be reasonable for a special event, particularly if you want privacy and a flexible route. It is less attractive if your only goal is a short ride past the mansions. In that case, compare the cost with a public sightseeing cruise or water taxi.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. Weather decisions require communication with the local operator. You may be able to reschedule for unsafe conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high tide alerts, but rain alone does not guarantee a refund if conditions are considered safe.

Parking near the departure point is free but limited. Arrive with enough time to find a space, especially for a weekend departure. Service animals are allowed, but non-official pets are not.

Who should book this private yacht charter?

I would choose this charter if you value privacy more than a low price. It suits groups that want to bring their own drinks, choose their own music, stop for a swim, and spend time together without strangers sitting nearby.

Families should ask about child life jackets and confirm the passenger count. A birthday group should consider four hours, which leaves time for cruising and a sandbar stop. A group wanting a full afternoon with a meal should choose six hours. Couples or small groups with only a short opening in their schedule may find two hours enough.

I would hesitate if your group expects a fast, action-filled ride, guaranteed swimming, or generous indoor space for 12 people in bad weather. I would also confirm the boat model and capacity before booking, since the published information is not consistent.

Should you book it?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat, want a private Fort Lauderdale outing, and are willing to plan around weather and captain availability. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, good facilities, included fuel, and captains such as Andre, Simon, and Luis.

Choose four hours for the best balance. Choose six if the boat day is the centerpiece of your celebration. Choose two only when sightseeing is the main goal and you accept that a swim stop may not fit.

Before you pay, confirm three things: the exact boat, the legal passenger limit, and the captain fee for your date. Do that, request your preferred captain, and tell the operator whether swimming or a restaurant stop matters most. With those points settled, this can be a comfortable and personal way to see Fort Lauderdale from its waterways.

FAQ

Where does the yacht charter depart?

The meeting point is 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The charter returns to the same location.

How many people can go on the boat?

The main tour information describes space for up to 12 people. The FAQ says up to 10 people, so confirm the legal capacity and exact boat with Bruschi Boat Rental before booking. Every person counts, including infants and young children.

What boat is used?

The main description identifies a Sundancer 40. The FAQ identifies a Sessa 36. Because these details conflict, ask the operator which vessel is scheduled for your date.

Is a captain included in the price?

The captain fee is separate. The stated fees are $100 for two hours, $200 for four hours, and $300 for six hours. Prices may vary on February 14, July 4, and December 31.

Can I swim during the charter?

Swimming is allowed when time, weather, and safety conditions permit. Tell the captain before departure if you want a sandbar or water stop. A water mat is included for rentals of four hours or longer.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. The boat includes a cooler with ice and bottled water, and you may bring your own food and beverages. Sunscreen, swimwear, and towels are recommended.

What happens if the weather is bad?

You may be able to reschedule for unsafe conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high tide alerts. Stay in contact with the local operator. A refund is not issued for a last-minute cancellation due to rain when conditions are considered safe.