If you are looking for boat clubs in Miami, we have researched the area for you.
We will provide the pros and cons of each club to make the choice easy for you.
Let’s get started!
10 boat clubs you should look at in South Florida
1) Freedom Boat Club
Freedom Boat Club has many types and models of boats to choose from.
Freedom also offers free training and they have a nationwide fleet of over 2,000 boats. Freedom also has over 190 locations in the US, Canada, and France.
Several budget-friendly membership plans are available and with the Freedom Boat Club, you pay a one-time fee and then choose a membership plan.
There are several plans, even a 3 and 6-month plan. (You can change your plan if the need arises.)
Bring the family, friends, and even the pets with you on your boating outing. You can snorkel, fish, cruise, explore, or even water ski.
Freedom Boat Club works this way, you join, and you get access to unlimited safety training, then reserve a boat and go have fun.
Reserve your boat online and show up to go out on the water.
2) Carefree Boat Club
Carefree Boat Club has a large selection of boats available in 77 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Carefree offers membership for less than owning a boat and they provide training to new users so you can safely go boating.
You do not need to worry about maintenance, dock fees, winter storage, insurance, or any of the other hassles of boat ownership.
The large variety of boats available means you should always be able to find a boat for your outing.
Enjoy the boats as often without any added expenses.
If you are military and are ordered out of town for more than 60 days, your membership will be placed on hold until you are back that way you do not lose any money.
3) Captain Joe’s
Captain Joe’s not only has a large fleet of boats but those boats range from 20’ to 54’. With the newest location, there is free parking and a wide range of water sport activities available as well.
Choose from boats, yachts, jet skis, or tubes for your water fun. Captain Joe will make sure you know how to use them safely.
They are well maintained so you can have a worry-free experience without crazy costs like dock fees, insurance, or maintenance.
The membership fee for Captain Joe is a one-time initiation fee of $3,000 plus $325 Per Month + 7% tax, and a yearly maintenance fee of $695 on May 1st.
4) Club Nautico
For over 30 years Club Nautico has been providing boat rentals and yacht charters. They provide unlimited access to most of their fleet to their members.
They also offer a marina service where they can slip boats from 22’ to 88’.
With three different membership plans, you can find one that will fit your needs and budget. All three are a fraction of owning a boat.
The Silver plan is $859, the Gold plan is $8,000, and the Platinum is $12,500.
5) South Florida Boat Club
South Florida Boat Club offers its members complimentary preliminary hands-on training. Their training starts with an online Boat Smart course which is followed with hands-on training.
Then, members will take either the US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course.
A large fleet of boats that include center consoles, bowriders, deck boats, and cruisers will give you plenty of choices when it comes to a boat.
There are three membership plans: boat, yacht, or cruiser.
Each has a one-time initiation fee after which the Boat club cost is $199 a month, the Cruiser club cost is $299 a month, and the Yacht Club monthly fee is $399.
6) Vice Boat Club
With Vice Boat Club, you get to play like a pirate without the work.
They offer 3 vice boat packages with package hours of 3, 4, or 5 hours on the water with a captain.
They also offer water sports activities, Radinn Jetboard, and island parties.
Please note that the prices do not include a Captain. You should bring your drinks, food, towel, sunscreen, and swimsuit. Some packages may include food and drinks you will need to read the package or ask in advance if those are included.
The captain will cost you extra so make sure that you have cash or ask if it is payable to the boat club before you get there.
7) Sunset Harbour Yacht Club
Sunset Harbour Yacht Club is unique from other boat clubs as it offers its members an equity club membership program.
This program offers owners and bondholders to share a piece of the key, waterfront property.
Amenities include:
- A private fitness center,
- an Olympic-size pool that is heated,
- an electrical service that provides high power,
- fresh water,
- telephone,
- internet digital satellite TV,
- and a personal dock box.
There is also a gated covered parking space that goes with their wet slip.
Sunset Harbour Yacht Club marina has showers, laundry facilities, fuel delivery to each slip and dry cleaning pick up and drop off.
The picnic area is a great place to meet for a meal and has a barbecue area that holds three, fully-stocked propane gas barbecue grills for you to use.
Sunset Harbour Yacht Club is able to provide a wide array of amenities for its members so that they can have everything they need, located in one place.
8) Key Biscayne Yacht Club
Key Biscayne Yacht Club offers five different levels of membership. New members must be sponsored by a minimum of three current members.
What you will find at Key Biscayne Yacht Club is waterfront chowder parties, fishing tournaments, swimming, tennis, sailing, and youth activities as well as a sense of community.
This yacht club has been in business since the late 1940s and many of the early traditions still hold today.
If you love water sports, fishing, and fun be sure to check out the Key Biscayne community. The waterfront activities include a Junior Sailing Program, SE Dinghy Championship, Round the Island Race, the Cardboard Boat Regatta, and more.
The clubhouse holds The Ship’s Store, The Gazebo, and several dining rooms.
You will find everything you need at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club to have fun on the water just bring your personal items such as sunscreen and swimsuit.
9) Coconut Grove Sailing Club
Coconut Grove Sailing Club offers sailing classes for adults and children, racing, education programs, and community service sailing programs. All sailing instruction courses are sanctioned by US Sailing Association so you will know how to safely boat around and enjoy the water.
Coconut Grove offers many social events at the clubhouse such as the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, and more. You will find every Friday night live music performances and The Grove’s Nest Bar and Lounge. There are several membership plans available so one of them will be just right for your needs and budget.
10) Family Boat Club
At Family Boat Club you will find top rated service, affordable membership, and a large selection of boat variety and availability.
There is even an introductory membership for those who are only in town for a short time.
You will receive training from the Family Boat Club so that you can enjoy a carefree safe day on the water.
You do not have to worry about upkeep, insurance or registration, or dock fees. Just reserve your boat then show up at the dock and get out on the water.
Pros and cons of joining a boat club
There are pros and cons to joining a boat club.
The Pros
- You do not have to own a boat
- No maintenance to worry about
- No repairs to make
- Do not need insurance
- No cost of boat storage
- No cost of transportation of the boat
- Do not need to register the boat
- Zero dock fees
The Cons
- You do not own the boat
- Member initiation fees
- Monthly dues
- In some cases classes or training
- Security deposit
Wrap up
A majority of boat clubs offer more than just the ability to rent a boat.
You can join other activities and find a community of boaters to be part of quite often for a fraction of the price of owning your boat.
Many offer amenities such as:
- Laundry,
- stores,
- picnic areas,
- fitness centers,
- restaurants,
- and much more.
Some even offer catering!
There are more pros than cons to joining a boat club, so take a look at these ten and then go talk to them to find the one that best suits your needs.

