Ventura Experience – Pontoons, Boats, and Yachts

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Miami Beach, you can cruise Biscayne Bay, follow the Intracoastal Waterway, or reach Atlantic waters through Government Cut or Baker’s Haulover Inlet. Biscayne Bay is a shallow small-boat area, while the Intracoastal and Meloy Channel form the inside route along Miami Beach. Government Cut is the deepwater port entrance, so expect commercial traffic; Haulover has a slow-no-wake area where channels converge. Pelican Island offers a picnic stop reached by boat. Common public put-ins are the boat ramps at Pelican Harbor and Haulover Park, both positioned for bay cruising and ocean access.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Miami Beach, boaters make day trips on Biscayne Bay to Monument Island, Baker’s Haulover Cut and Dinner Key in Coconut Grove. Monument Island is a boat-access island centered on the Flagler Memorial between the MacArthur and Venetian causeways. Baker’s Haulover Cut draws anglers to designated fishing areas, while nearby Bill Bird Marina provides fuel and bait. Dinner Key welcomes transient boats and puts crews a short walk from Coconut Grove’s dining, shopping and entertainment district.

Source: City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov)