Private tour for 12 people on a 40 ft Yacht, Ft Lauderdale bay

Fort Lauderdale’s best views often come from the water, and this private charter gives your group control of the day. You can cruise past waterfront mansions and mega-yachts, stop at a sandbar, swim from the boat, or ask your captain to keep the route moving along the Intracoastal Waterway. I especially like the private format and the choice between a quick sightseeing trip and a longer outing with time for swimming and a waterfront meal.

I also like the practical comforts: a restroom, shaded seating, a cabin, Bluetooth music, and a cooler with ice and bottled water. Captain Andre receives repeated praise for being friendly and good with families, while Captain Simon is noted for clear narration and route planning. The main caution is capacity and cost. The supplied details differ on whether the boat holds 10 or 12 people, and the captain fee is extra, so confirm both before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose your pace: Two hours covers sightseeing, while four hours gives you a realistic chance to cruise and swim.
• Sandbar time is not automatic: Tell the captain before departure if swimming is a priority.
• Captain fees are extra: Budget $100 for two hours, $200 for four, or $300 for six, with holiday pricing subject to change.
• The boat details need confirmation: The information describes a Sundancer 40 and also lists a Sessa 36, with capacity shown as both 10 and 12.
• Bring your own refreshments: Ice and bottled water are provided, and the charter is BYOB friendly.
• Captain choice matters: Andre is a strong pick for families and celebrations, while Simon is praised for narration and route knowledge.

A private view of Fort Lauderdale from Bahia Mar

The charter leaves from 801 Seabreeze Boulevard at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, close to Fort Lauderdale’s oceanfront. You return to the same place at the end, which keeps the day simple if you are staying nearby or planning dinner after the cruise.

The route is not fixed. That is the central appeal. Instead of following a set loop with strangers, you can tell the captain what matters most to your group. You might spend more time looking at waterfront homes, cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway, head toward a sandbar, or arrange a slower afternoon with time to eat at a waterfront restaurant.

I like this flexibility for groups with different ideas of a good boat trip. One person can enjoy the scenery, another can play music, and the children can look forward to getting in the water. Still, flexibility works best when you speak up early. If you want to swim, tell the captain before leaving. The captain must manage time, traffic, weather, and safety, so a swim stop cannot always be added at the last minute.

What the two-hour cruise can realistically offer

The two-hour option is best treated as a sightseeing cruise. You will have time to see Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, often called the Venice of America, and view waterfront homes, large private boats, and the city from an angle you cannot get from the road.

You may be able to anchor at a sandbar, but the shorter trip leaves little room for a long swim. A two-hour charter can work well for a couple, a family that wants a taste of the water, or a group with dinner plans afterward. It is also the least demanding option for anyone who does not want a full day in the sun.

I would not choose two hours if swimming is the main reason you are booking. One short cruise described by a dissatisfied party felt slow and left no time for swimming. That does not mean every two-hour trip will be the same, but it shows why you should set expectations clearly. Ask for a sandbar stop at the start, and understand that the captain may need to favor sightseeing.

The additional captain fee is $100 for this option. At the listed rate of $184.50 per person, the price is easier to justify when you have a full group sharing the boat. For a small party, a two-hour charter can become an expensive way to cruise slowly.

Why four hours is the best middle choice

For most groups, I would choose four hours. You get enough time for a proper sightseeing route, a sandbar stop, and a relaxed swim without committing to a full afternoon on the water.

The sandbar is the part that changes this from a simple boat ride into a more active outing. You can anchor, use the water mat, and spend time with noodles, balls, or other swim items when provided. The water mat is included for rentals of four hours or longer, making this option more attractive for families and groups of friends who want to get off the boat and into the water.

A four-hour schedule can also include a waterfront restaurant stop for drinks or appetizers. This is not a guaranteed restaurant reservation or a fixed meal plan. It is an option to discuss with your captain, and stopping to eat will reduce time available for swimming and sightseeing.

The captain fee is $200 for four hours. At the listed per-person price, a full party of 12 would pay $2,214 before the captain fee, or $2,414 including it. That works out to about $201 per person, assuming the advertised 12-person capacity applies and no other charge changes the total. If the actual limit is 10, the per-person cost rises, which is another reason to confirm the passenger limit.

Several details make four hours feel worthwhile. The boat can serve as both transport and a base: you cruise, anchor, swim, dry off, play music, and return to the shaded seating when the sun gets strong. One family group also used a four-hour slot to see the Intracoastal and spend time on the blue mat, which is the balance I would aim for.

Making a six-hour charter worth the money

Six hours gives you the fullest version of the day. You can combine the Intracoastal sightseeing route, a sandbar stop, swimming, and a long meal at a waterfront restaurant. If you are marking a birthday, hosting family, or planning a corporate outing, the extra time allows the day to feel less rushed.

The catch is simple: six hours only offers good value if you want a full boating day. If your group mainly wants mansion views and a few photographs, you are paying for time you may not use. If you want a floating afternoon with music, food, swimming, and several stops, the longer charter makes more sense.

The captain fee is $300 for six hours, and special dates including February 14, July 4, and December 31 may have different captain pricing. Fuel, landing fees, facility fees, the boat, and the onboard restroom are included, but you should still ask for the final total before confirming a holiday booking.

A six-hour charter also gives the captain more room to work around conditions. If a particular sandbar is crowded or the weather changes, there is more time to adjust the route. That is useful, but it does not guarantee every planned stop. Thunderstorms, high tides, hurricane conditions, and tornado alerts can affect the trip.

The yacht, seating, and comfort aboard

The boat is described as a Sundancer 40, while the supplied FAQ identifies a Sessa 36. That is a meaningful difference, not a small wording issue. The main description also says space for 12, while the FAQ says up to 10, and one past booking had 11 people. I would contact Bruschi Boat Rental before booking if your group is larger than 10.

The boat includes a spacious sun deck, shaded seating, a cabin, a kitchen, and a restroom. A Bluetooth sound system lets you play your own music, which suits a birthday or relaxed afternoon with friends. The cooler comes with ice and bottled water, and you may bring additional food and drinks.

Space is the practical concern. A boat can legally carry a given number of people without offering everyone a comfortable seat in sun, shade, and the cabin at the same time. One larger group found that some people had to sit at the front while others used the cabin, where the air conditioning was not working. That may not happen on your trip, but it is a useful warning for groups trying to fill every available place.

I would pack sunscreen, swimwear, towels, snacks, and drinks. Wear clothes suited to the forecast and bring sun protection even if you plan to spend much of the time under cover. Life jackets and required safety equipment are provided, and child passengers count toward the total capacity regardless of age.

Captains can shape the whole outing

The captain is more than a driver on this trip. The captain controls the route, explains what you are seeing, decides where and when to anchor, and manages the safety side of the charter.

Captain Andre receives especially strong praise in the supplied feedback. He is described as friendly, professional, accommodating, and good at involving children. He has also been praised for helping passengers feel comfortable moving around the yacht and for making family and birthday outings feel personal without taking over the group.

Captain Simon is a good name to request if narration matters to you. He is described as friendly and informative, with a good route and clear explanations. Captain Luis is noted for adjusting plans to help a family enjoy its day.

There is less positive feedback about one captain who did not talk during the trip and was accused of smoking near the group. Smoking is not permitted in guest areas according to the operator response. If anything bothers you during the charter, raise it at once, while the captain can still address it.

The charter requires the lead passenger to sign a bareboat agreement and select a captain under US Coast Guard rules. This arrangement explains why the captain charge appears separately. It also means the person who makes the reservation must be on the boat.

How the price compares with the experience

The listed price is $184.50 per person, with group discounts noted. That is not a cheap sightseeing ticket, but it pays for a private boat rather than a seat on a general group cruise.

For a large group, the value improves because you are sharing the boat and captain cost among your own party. You control the music, food, pace, and conversation. You also avoid being tied to another group’s schedule. For a smaller party, the price is harder to defend unless privacy and flexibility matter more than a basic cruise.

Remember to add the captain fee:

• Two hours: $100 per booking
• Four hours: $200 per booking
• Six hours: $300 per booking

Fuel is included, as are landing and facility fees. A refundable deposit may apply if you plan to drive the boat yourself, but that deposit is waived if you hire a captain. The captain arrangement and boat capacity are the two points I would clarify before purchase, especially since the supplied details do not agree on the maximum number of passengers.

Free parking is available nearby, but spaces are limited. I would not build a tight schedule around finding a space at the last minute.

Weather, swimming, and cancellation advice

South Florida weather can change quickly, and the operator applies a weather policy. You may reschedule for conditions such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornado alerts, or high tide alerts. Rain alone does not automatically mean a refund if conditions are considered safe, so stay in touch with the operator when the forecast looks uncertain.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. This is useful if you are watching the forecast, but you should make the decision early rather than waiting until departure morning.

Swimming is allowed when time and conditions permit. Towing sports such as wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes, and water skis are not permitted because of insurance restrictions. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed, but you may need a fishing license and must clean any blood residue to avoid extra cleaning charges.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend the tour to families, groups of friends, couples celebrating something special, and corporate groups that want private time on the water. It works particularly well for people who prefer a calm sightseeing trip with the option to swim rather than a fast, loud party boat.

The four-hour option is the safest choice for most first-time bookings. Choose two hours if you mainly want views and a short escape. Choose six hours if your group is happy to spend most of the day on the boat and wants to combine swimming with a restaurant stop.

I would be cautious if your group needs firm indoor seating, dependable cabin air conditioning, or lots of personal space. I would also avoid booking until the operator confirms the boat model and passenger limit if you have 11 or 12 people. The private format is valuable, but only when the group fits comfortably.

Should you book the Fort Lauderdale yacht charter?

Book it if you want control, privacy, and a flexible route through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. The private boat, sandbar option, onboard restroom, cooler, music system, and choice of duration give you more freedom than a standard sightseeing cruise. Request Captain Andre for a family or celebration outing, or Captain Simon if you want more narration.

I would choose four hours, confirm the capacity in writing, and budget the captain fee before paying. If your group is large, ask exactly which vessel will operate the trip and how many people it can comfortably carry. Those checks address the main weaknesses, while preserving what makes this charter appealing: your own boat, your own people, and a day shaped around the water.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center area. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long can I book the yacht?

You can select a two-hour, four-hour, or six-hour charter.

Is the route fixed?

No. The route is customizable within Fort Lauderdale’s bay. You can discuss sightseeing, sandbars, lagoons, swimming, and a waterfront restaurant stop with the captain.

Is a captain included in the price?

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

How many people can come?

The main tour information says the yacht has space for 12, while the FAQ says up to 10 people. Every person counts toward capacity, including children and lap children. Confirm the current limit and vessel before booking a group larger than 10.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. The boat provides a cooler with ice and bottled water, and you may bring your own food and beverages. The charter is BYOB friendly.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard, along with a cabin and kitchen.

Can I swim during the charter?

Yes, swimming may be possible when time, weather, and conditions allow. Tell the captain before departure if a sandbar stop is important. A water mat is included for rentals of four hours or longer.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.