Boat Party Tips: Your Complete Before-and-After Guide for Miami Boat Party

“Quick Answer: To get the most out of a Miami boat party, book two to three weeks ahead, confirm what your package includes, and check the weather the day before. Bring a valid ID, reef-safe sunscreen and a waterproof phone pouch. Wear light clothes and non-slip flat shoes, and schedule your ride home before you board.”

Miami is one of the greatest cities in the world for a boat party. The bay is stunning, the weather is nearly perfect all year, and it is a part of the culture to go out on a boat to relax and have fun. But if you have not experienced a boat party before, or if you went on one that did not go exactly as planned the first time, a little bit of research can go a long way. These boat party tips will prepare you, so you are completely ready for any situation you may encounter.

You will find all the tips and tricks for first-timers looking to plan their very first Miami boat party, or for those who are seasoned veterans and want some fresh insights. Check out this ultimate guide on how to rock your next Miami boat party!

First and foremost, you want to ensure you are boarding the correct boat. Not all boat party tours in Miami are equal. There are some huge open boat cruises with a DJ and an all-inclusive bar, and there are private charters where you can bring your own (close) friends, food, drinks and music. What you are paying for and the actual tour you are booking can have a big impact on your experience.

If you want to hire a boat for a party, first ask yourself how many people there will be on board. That information will greatly cut down the number of providers you need to contact since they will have different solutions and prices for parties of a few people versus many.

Once you know that, pick somebody who is transparent about what the quoted rate includes and at what level of service. If safety equipment, food and drinks, music, etc. are not clearly addressed, it is time to walk.

Availability is something to plan out ahead of time. Miami boat parties are booked early, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night.

If you know your group is planning to celebrate a birthday or has some other specific date in mind, one week in advance should be fine, with two to three weeks for spring break or holiday weekends.

There’s a lot that should be done the day before and the morning of your boat party. These things to do before a boat party are easy, but make a big difference to the way it all turns out.

• Look at the weather and the forecast. Miami afternoon thunderstorms are prevalent from June to September, and you may see them forming on the horizon. Most boat charters should keep an eye on the weather and will notify you if there is a concern, but it’s worth having an idea of what to expect. Check the weather forecast for storm activity.
• Double-check your booking before the big day. Make sure you know your departure time, precisely where your boarding point is and whether or not you need to bring or show anything on the day. For example, some operators request a printed or electronic confirmation, a valid ID or a signed disclaimer before you fly. Having all this sorted a day in advance will save you stress on the day.
• Tell everyone in your group the plan. Everyone should know the meeting place, estimated time of arrival, and anything else they need to know; for example, you need an ID, boat rules, age restrictions, no drinking, no drugs. One person not having the correct ID or showing up late can ruin the day.

Packing your bag for a boat party isn’t too difficult, and there are a few essentials that can be easily forgotten, yet are really handy once you’re on the water.

1. A valid photo ID: most boat parties in Miami are 21 and over, and operators check at boarding without exceptions
2. Sunscreen, preferably reef-safe: the sun on the water is significantly stronger than on land, and you will feel it even on cloudy days
3. A small waterproof bag or pouch for your phone and any cards or cash you are carrying
4. Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to it: take them at least an hour before boarding, not after you are already on the water
5. A light layer or a thin jacket: it can get cooler once the boat is moving and the sun goes down, especially on evening trips
6. Cash for any extras that might not be covered in your package, like merchandise or tips for the crew

Travel light. It isn’t practical to have a big bag and a hefty backpack on a boat, and space is often limited. Just take the essentials and leave any valuables or important items in your hotel or accommodation.

Dressing for a boat party is actually more of a practical question than a fashion statement. So what should you wear at a boat party in Miami? The answer depends on 3 factors: comfort, whether you are probably going to get wet, and the dress code of the party you are attending.

Casual and light is perfect for a daytime boat party. Bring a cover-up or a pair of shorts and a lightweight top to go with your swimsuit, and wear something that won’t be slippery or that can get wet easily.

Avoid wearing high heels on the boat deck. Flip-flops are fine, but an open-backed sandal may be best if you’re wandering about on the boat. Avoid wearing whites.

For a boat party in the evening, the dress code is a little more smart. With Miami’s lively fashion scene and a vibe at most boat parties that is closer to a club night than a beach day, smart casual is a good rule of thumb – a good top with clean shorts or trousers for men, a dress or co-ord for women.

Flat sandals or trainers are more appropriate than heels, but it should be a little more polished than your typical Miami beach outfit. If in doubt, check with the operator before your event.

And, in addition to the basics, there are some party boat accessories that can take your experience to the next level. These are not necessarily must-have items but are certainly worth considering, depending on the type of excursion you are planning.

• Whether you decide to stay on the boat or to venture out, you need a good set of polarised sunglasses. The sun can be reflected from the bay both strongly and frequently, so regular sunglasses often aren’t enough. Polarised lenses greatly ensure you can spend many hours on the water in much more comfort.
• A waterproof phone case is also handy should you decide to take photo or video equipment along with you on your trip.
• If you’re booking the trip for a group, trying customised accessories such as matching wristbands, customised cups, or even a group T-shirt can bring an extra touch of fun to the celebration.
• If you’re on a private hire, a portable speaker comes in handy, though most Miami party boat companies will have a sound system already on board.

Your party doesn’t necessarily have to stop when you get the boat back to the dock, but here are a few reasonable to-dos once back on the ground.

• Book your ride(s) home before you head out for the party. When you are exhausted and the party’s coming to an end, try to flag down a Lyft or Uber from the parking lot of a busy marina or book the ride before you leave for the cruise.
• Before leaving the boat, do a quick check. It’s common to forget a phone, bag or jacket when rushing to leave the boat. Make sure you have everything before stepping off. If you leave something behind, get in touch with the operator as soon as possible- companies tend to keep found objects for a decent amount of time.
• Leave a review if you enjoyed yourself. Boat party operators in Miami count on online reviews and word of mouth. Take a few minutes to leave an honest review so others can decide wisely, and the boat companies can get good promotion.

Finding the right operator is honestly half the battle. A lot of companies in Miami offer boat experiences, but very few have been doing it long enough to get every detail right. Miami Turn Up Entertainment has run all-inclusive boat parties on Biscayne Bay for 19 years. The package is straightforward – unlimited drinks, snacks, and a live DJ included in one flat price. No guessing about what is covered, no surprise costs when you arrive.

If these boat party tips have helped you feel prepared, the next step is simple. Visit miamiturnupent.com or call or text 305-923-6589 to check dates and availability. The team is there seven days a week from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Priority is soft, flat non-slip shoes and light, comfortable clothes. For day trips, swimwear and a cover-up are quite suitable; for nighttime parties, smart casual is appropriate. Do not wear heels or anything you would be distressed about getting wet.

The majority of operators have guests arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. They want you to be on time so you have time to find a spot on the boat, check in, and get ready for the journey.

It’s all down to the operator and the package you’ve booked. Some allow you to bring in food and non-glass drinks; some don’t allow anything from outside at all. Ask your operator before you book if this is important to you.

If you’re worried about motion sickness, you can take tablets an hour before you set sail. Once you are on the water and begin to feel queasy, seek the middle of the boat where it rides best, sit down, watch the horizon, and drink some water.