I have lived in Florida for 42 years, but nothing makes you learn your town better than trying to entertain a guest from out of town. Even though I live in Palm Beach county, I very rarely go to Miami if I can help it. Not knowing the area, and being easily frustrated by crowds and parking, I typically tend to stay in my county. I had a friend visiting me from the UK for a week, and I wanted to show her a little bit of everything. This tour came highly recommended to me by a friend so I figured we would check it out.
The prices were very reasonable ($45), but we ended up saving a few dollars by booking through Groupon. They were very efficient, and got most of my information from Groupon. I was even getting reminder texts! This made check in extremely easy. (Although we did encounter one small snafu - We were booked for a 5:30 p.m. tour, and they called me at 4:30 asking to either push it up or change days. Thankfully they were able to get us on the 5:00 tour that day)
We checked in, and then we were told to go wait in the queue. As we were waiting they had a photographer come down the line and took photos of all the groups (for later purchase) They superimposed the boats on some of these pictures and for $31 We received two 8x10s and three smaller sizes)
The boat itself was massive! It probably could hold up to 40 people, if I'm guessing. Each seat came with a seatbelt, which, when you factor in the intense speed, is a very necessary option. Neither my friend or I had ever been on a speed boat before, and we were both so excited!
Our captain and the MC running the microphone were both so great, and entertaining. Once we get out out of the no wake zone, our captain really opened it up and we got to see how fast these boats can move! They played loud music which really got everyone psyched up, and then we were speed demons! Such a great experience!
When we got to no wake zones again, the MC took his time pointing out local landmarks, giving history of the city, and showing us all sorts of celebrity homes/yachts .
I learned a lot on this tour. For instance, I had no idea that David and Victoria Beckham owned so much of Miami! Or that you could rent out his yacht for a ridiculous money per night.
After the celebrity homes, we had a few moment to joy ride at fast speeds again, and everybody on the boat had a perma-smile on their face!
I was so glad that I took my friend's suggestion, and booked the tour with this company. My girlfriend from the UK had never seen anything like this, and was beyond thrilled that we got to do this. I highly recommend it to anyone considering one of the many boat rides available down in Biscayne. You...
Read moreDuring our trip to Miami, we had decided to go for a ride on the Speed Boat. I had bought the tickets online. Because I was driving to it, I needed a parking lot close by and there is a parking structure "next door" which was really convenient. The Big Bus tour starts there as well so, it was perfect because it was our next "attraction". They have a desk between the parking garage and the boat, so the lady was able to check us in, we were able to ask questions and she directed us to the pier where the boat was located. This helped because there are a lot of boat tours, shuttle boats, jet ski rentals, etc. in the Marina. If you want to be at the front of the boat (better view ?) you need to get in line early. First come first serve basis. The boat is equipped with seatbelts unfortunately they were hanging or touching the floor below the seats, and they were saturated because they had just sprayed the boat with water to rinse it and it had rained the night before. The seats were dry though. We didn't sit in the first row but the second one, so on the pictures and videos, you can see the lady's arm (waving her hand) and her hair flapping everywhere on them... they were long and almost reaching me because the boat goes fast and it's windy. Tip : hang on to your hats ! By not sitting in the front, that might save you from having to replace yours by a "Miami Beach" souvenir one. The crew is young and dynamic, they play songs from Pitbull in the speakers and with a sunny day, we had a great time ! The mic was cutting off a little bit during their speech but we could still get the idea or story being told. They slow down at some point to show you the expensive houses, some of them are famous (were in movies), some of them are owned by famous people. We enjoyed oursleves, took pictures, videos, didn't lose our hats and were able to see Miami skyline from the water. I have to say it was one of my wife's highlights of our trip. She would do it again in a heartbeat. Another tip would be not to eat too much before the ride because, it may feel like turbulences and with the waves and quick turns, you may not feel great.
You will get a souvenir picture of your experience, picture taken prior to the ride, while you are waiting in line.
We...
Read moreWe had an amazing experience with the Speedboat Adventure Tour at Bayside Marketplace, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling yet scenic way to explore the area!
Booking and Arrival: We booked the tour online, which was a seamless process. On the day of the tour, we arrived 30 minutes early as suggested, ensuring we had enough time to check in and get ready for the adventure. The boarding process was smooth, and everything was well-organized.
The Tour Experience: Once aboard, we were greeted by Captain Chris and Manny, who were absolutely fantastic throughout the tour. Their professionalism, humor, and knowledge added to the overall enjoyment. The speedboat itself was an exhilarating experience--it was fast, exciting, and a great way to feel the ocean breeze while taking in the stunning views.
Sightseeing and Sunset: The tour wasn't just about speed; it also included plenty of sightseeing opportunities. We got to see beautiful landmarks and enjoyed panoramic views of the city skyline and the water. What made our tour extra special was the timing--we did the tour at 5:00 PM, and we were fortunate enough to witness a breathtaking sunset in the background. It was truly magical and made the experience unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: The Speedboat Adventure Tour is a perfect mix of adventure and sightseeing, making it suitable for both thrill-seekers and those who want to take in the beauty of the area. Captain Chris and Manny ensured everyone had a great time, and their energy was infectious.
Whether you're a local or visiting the area, I'd highly recommend adding this tour to your list of activities. It's a fantastic way to explore the city, enjoy the water, and create...
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