Marinas in Aventura, FL

Late October through April is generally the best window for boating Aventura’s Intracoastal Waterway along northern North Biscayne Bay, when the humid, frequently rainy summer pattern has usually eased. Biscayne Bay water averages in the low 70s in midwinter, then warms through spring and reaches the upper 80s in July and August.

From late May into October, warmer water comes with more frequent rainfall and afternoon thunderstorms, so morning outings are often the better choice. Aventura’s waterways are tidal, making the tide stage and the day’s marine forecast important when choosing departure and return times.

Source: City of Aventura (cityofaventura.com)

From Aventura, you can cruise Dumfoundling Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway, detour into Maule Lake, explore the Oleta River and North Biscayne Bay, or run through Haulover Inlet toward the Atlantic. Dumfoundling Bay is the city’s immediate developed waterfront route on the ICW, while Maule Lake is an inland basin reached through a connecting canal. Around Oleta River State Park, expect calm bay water, mangrove trails and some open-water stretches. North Biscayne Bay offers a broader bay cruise. Haulover Inlet leads to open ocean and is the less sheltered choice. Trailer boaters can use the public ramps at Bill Bird Marina in Haulover Park.

Source: City of Aventura (cityofaventura.com)

Popular day-trip choices from Aventura include Haulover Sandbar, Oleta River State Park, and Whiskey Creek, reached through the Intracoastal Waterway and Biscayne Bay. Haulover Sandbar is a popular recreational boating stop on the inlet’s flood shoal. Oleta draws visitors to its Biscayne Bay beach, saltwater lagoon, and mangrove waterways. At Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Whiskey Creek offers a sheltered, sandy-bottom spot where boaters can beach their vessels, picnic, and visit the ocean beach.

Source: Miami-Dade County (miamidade.gov)

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)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules require boaters to carry life jackets, stay sober, use properly registered vessels, follow personal watercraft limits, and obey posted no wake and manatee zones. Every vessel must carry an accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear one while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal; a .08 blood or breath alcohol level creates a presumption of impairment. Most vessels must be registered and carry the certificate aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, wear a noninflatable PFD, and not operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

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

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)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Aventura has 17 boat rentals, 2 boat clubs and 2 boat dealers.