Aventura, which is bordered on the east by the Intracoastal Waterway and to the south by the Haulover Inlet leading to the Atlantic Ocean, is a prime area for boating and watersports in Miami. Whether you want to cruise the bay on a powerboat or enjoy an active kayaking adventure through a canopy of mangroves, Aventura is one area where you can savor it all.

Aerial view of fishing charter — Charter a boat in Aventura.

Aventura Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

Aventura is a water-lover’s paradise. Since the bay and ocean are both close at hand, you can have almost any kind of water adventure you choose. One option is to let someone else do the navigating by chartering a boat with a captain. From skiffs and sailboats to megayachts, the charter options are nearly unlimited. Look into Y Charter or Aventura Charters – they’ll pick you up in Aventura for a day or evening out on the Atlantic. If you want to enjoy more of a party vibe with somebody else at the helm, check out A R Boat Rentals, Miami Party Boat Rentals, Boat Rentals of Miami or My Miami Boat Rental.

Miami is known for its incredible deep-sea fishing. Just north of the city, take your pick from marinas full of fishing charters in Aventura. Look for a full-day or half-day fishing charter with Sea Cross Sport Fishing or Reel Adventure Charters, then set your lines and get ready for excitement.

Also in Aventura, the Turnberry Isle Marina & Yacht Club is home to a number of luxury yachts and is the gateway to Dumfoundling Bay, the northernmost part of Miami’s beautiful Biscayne Bay. If you’re heading out on the water from this marina, you might want to first make a stop at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. Enjoy a round of golf on one of two 18-hole championship golf courses, luxuriate in their 25,000-square-foot spa, play in the water park or dine in one of two signature restaurants: Bourbon Steak Miami by Michael Mina or the Corsair Kitchen and Bar.

Aventura Boat Rentals

If you really want to experience Aventura like a local, you’ll want to rent a boat or kayak for the day and set your own course. Just a bit south of Aventura, you’ll find a few hidden island gems that you can only reach by water. Choose your vessel: Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, all easy to find in this area of Miami.

If you’re looking for a boat rental, head to BG Oleta River Outdoor Center at Oleta River State Park or Sunny Isles Beach Water Sports for a kayak or paddleboard – you’ll have an adventure and get some exercise at the same time.

Island Adventures in Aventura

Aventura is just north of Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban park at just over 1,000 acres. For a small entrance fee, you’ll find a peaceful river estuary among a tangle of tidal mangroves where you can kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or simply enjoy the beach in a protected cove. This is a great starting point for an island- and sandbar-hopping adventure.

Haulover Sandbar

You might want to start your adventure with a trip to the Haulover Sandbar. An island of sorts when the tide is low, this Miami sandbar is known for its welcoming atmosphere and bunch of floating locals. Haulover Beach is also famous for its popular clothing-optional area at its northern end. In summer, there’s a good chance you’ll see playful dolphins in the area.

If you didn’t bring a cooler with lunch, don’t worry – there are boats nearby selling water, other drinks and all kinds of food from ceviche to burgers. There’s even a delivery service via kayak that will bring hotdogs to hungry floaters.

Hollywood Paddle Club will deliver kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals to the Haulover Beach area. Show up early in the day to reserve a spot for your boat in a shallow area. The floating waterpark Tarzan Boat Miami is located nearby.

Kayaks — Explore area waterways by kayak.

Little Sandspur Island

Slightly more than an acre in size, Little Sandspur Island sits right in the center of Biscayne Bay. The little brother to Big Sandspur Island, it’s about a 1.5-mile trek from Oleta Park.

Here you can bring the kids and the dogs and enjoy a little playtime or relaxing time away from the crowds. It’s a quiet haven that doesn’t typically have the same crowd as its northerly neighbors. The area is well worth a kayak or SUP trip to spend a few hours – or even a full day – on the island.

Big Sandspur Island

Big Sandspur Island has been a gem hidden from the landlocked for ages. The island is rustic, without restrooms or picnic areas. Come prepared with water and snacks or you’ll need to head out to the sandbar to stave off afternoon munchies. If you do bring food, expect a visit from the native raccoons, who act like playful (and hungry) pups on this 15-acre island.

On this largest of the Biscayne Bay islands, visitors enjoy the easy access by boat and fun-for-the-whole-family atmosphere. The interior of the island is a bit too dense to penetrate, so you’ll probably want to stick to the beach.

Oleta River Outdoor Center rents kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards by the hour or day for use in the area. You just might spot dolphins, manatees and waterbirds during your island exploration. The island is a thriving ecosystem with abundant wildlife and native greenery. From the nesting platforms for ospreys to hidden “paths” into the overgrown interior, you’ll find surprising gems at every turn.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even pitch a tent and stay the night. A bonfire and s’mores are optional.

When it’s time to head home, be sure to take with you everything you brought to the islands. You’ll want to leave these islands a little better than you found them for the next time you come to visit.

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