Haulover or Nixon Sandbar: which yacht fits your day?

Pick the sandbar by where the boat leaves from, and book 6 hours: Spysea boards minutes from Haulover at $7,550.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. Haulover Sandbar sits just inside Haulover Inlet, north of Bal Harbour. Nixon Sandbar sits off Key Biscayne, near Hurricane Harbor. A boat that boards close to one of them spends more of your charter at anchor.

Destinations · By The VCYC Team · June 4, 2026 · 12 min read

Haulover: board at Haulover Park

These boats board at Bill Bird Marina in Haulover Park, minutes from the sandbar:

- Spysea: 70 feet, up to 13 guests. $7,550.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. - Kilauea: 50 feet, up to 13 guests. $3,250.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. - Power Cat: 70 feet, up to 13 guests. $9,450.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity.

Nixon: board at Miami Beach Marina or the Miami River

- Four Keeps: 38 feet, up to 12 guests, Miami Beach Marina. $2,600.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. - Archipelago III: 70 feet, up to 13 guests, Miami Beach Marina. $10,900.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. - Ibiza: 37 feet, up to 13 guests, Miami River. $1,400.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity. - Habana: 37 feet, up to 13 guests, Miami River. $1,550.00 USD for a 6-hour charter, before tax & gratuity.

Expect about 30 minutes of cruising each way from a central marina, which leaves most of a 6-hour day at anchor. Four hours works when the boat boards near the sandbar. Both sandbars fill up on weekend afternoons, so an earlier start gets a better spot.

Water shoes, floats, sunscreen, and drinks in cans or plastic; glass isn't allowed on most boats. Fuel, ice, coolers, a sound system and a USCG-licensed captain come with every charter. Food, drinks and crew gratuity don't.

Frequently asked questions

Which sandbar is closer? It depends on the marina. From Haulover Park, Haulover Sandbar is minutes away. From Miami Beach Marina or the Miami River, Nixon Sandbar is the shorter run.

How long should a sandbar charter be? Six hours for most groups. Four hours works if the boat boards near the sandbar.

Can 13 people go? Yes, on any boat listed for 13 guests, including Spysea, Kilauea, Power Cat, Archipelago III, Ibiza and Habana. Four Keeps takes 12.

Does the captain choose the sandbar? You choose. The captain makes the final call on safety and conditions on the day.