One of the best parts of keeping a yacht in South Florida is everything within easy reach of it. Fort Lauderdale is often called the yachting capital of the world, and for good reason. From here, you can be anchored in the turquoise water of the Bahamas in under two hours, exploring coral reefs in the Florida Keys by lunchtime, or cruising the Intracoastal past some of the most impressive waterfront homes in the country, all without the hassle of an airport.
Whether you have a weekend free or a full week to play with, this guide walks through the best yachting destinations within reach of South Florida, what makes each one worth the trip, and roughly how long it takes to get there. If you are still shopping for the right boat to make these trips on, our team can help you find a vessel suited to the kind of cruising you have in mind, whether that is quick island runs or longer coastal trips.
Travel times below are approximate and depend heavily on your vessel's cruising speed, sea conditions, and which marina in South Florida you are departing from. Always check current weather forecasts and sea conditions before any offshore crossing, especially when traveling to the Bahamas.
The Bahamas: The Classic South Florida Yacht Run
For most South Florida boat owners, the Bahamas is the trip. It is close, it feels like a completely different world the moment you arrive, and it offers some of the clearest water you will find anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.
Bimini: The Quickest Bahamas Escape
Bimini sits about 50 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, which puts it within reach in under two hours for most cruising yachts. It is the closest taste of the Bahamas you can get, with shallow turquoise flats, good snorkeling around nearby wrecks, and a laid-back island atmosphere. For a quick overnight or even a long day trip, Bimini is hard to beat.
Nassau: Island Sophistication
Nassau takes a bit longer, generally around four hours depending on your boat, but it offers a more cosmopolitan experience. Marinas here can accommodate larger vessels, and the island has a wider range of dining, shopping, and nightlife than the smaller out-islands. Nassau works well as a base if you want a mix of relaxation and city energy on the same trip.
The Abacos and Exumas: For Longer Trips
If you have more than a weekend, the Abacos to the north and the Exumas further south open up days of island-hopping, with countless anchorages, sandbars, and small settlements to explore. These trips require more planning, including provisioning and weather windows, but they reward owners who can take the time with some of the best cruising grounds in the Caribbean.
Heading to the Bahamas requires advance planning around customs clearance and cruising permits. Review our guide on yacht registration and documentation requirements before you go, and make sure your tender setup is ready for island anchorages.
The Florida Keys: A Relaxed Stateside Getaway
If you would rather stay in US waters, or the weather window for a Bahamas crossing is not cooperating, the Florida Keys are a reliable and rewarding alternative. The cruise south along the coast is scenic in its own right, and the Keys have a personality all their own.
Key Largo: Reefs and Easy Diving
Key Largo is roughly three and a half hours from Fort Lauderdale by yacht and is known as a top diving destination, home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the famous underwater Christ of the Abyss statue. For owners who enjoy snorkeling or diving, this is one of the easiest ways to get world-class reef access without leaving the country.
Key West: History, Nightlife, and Sunset Views
Key West sits at the southern tip of the island chain and is reachable in just under four hours for most yachts. It has a completely different feel from the rest of the Keys, with a lively downtown, historic architecture, art galleries, and one of the most famous sunset traditions in the country at Mallory Square. It is a great choice for a trip that mixes time on the water with time exploring on land.
Islamorada and Marathon: The Quieter Middle Keys
Between Key Largo and Key West, Islamorada and Marathon offer a quieter pace, good fishing, and easy access to sandbars and backcountry flats. These stops work well if your goal is mostly relaxation with a bit of fishing mixed in, rather than a packed itinerary.
Palm Beach and the Intracoastal: A Closer-to-Home Option
Not every trip needs to be an overnight adventure. Heading north along the Intracoastal Waterway from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach is a comfortable one and a half to two hour cruise that makes for a great day trip or short overnight stay.
Palm Beach is known for its waterfront mansions, upscale dining, and a more refined pace than the party-oriented spots further south. Cruising past Worth Avenue and the grand estates along the water is a destination in itself for many owners, even before you step off the boat. It is also a popular stop for boaters splitting time between South Florida’s major boating hubs, including Boca Raton and Miami, both of which are easy additions to a longer Intracoastal cruise.
Miami and Biscayne Bay: City Energy on the Water
Heading south instead of north, Miami and Biscayne Bay offer a completely different vibe: skyline views, vibrant waterfront neighborhoods, and easy access to popular anchorages like Nixon Beach and No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne, both of which are favorite weekend spots for local boaters.
Miami works well as either a standalone destination or as a stop on the way south toward the Florida Keys. The combination of city amenities and genuinely nice sandbar anchorages nearby makes it one of the more versatile destinations on this list.
Planning Your Trip: A Few Practical Tips
A few simple things make any of these trips go more smoothly, whether you are heading out for a weekend or planning something longer.
- Check the weather and sea conditions in the days leading up to departure, especially for any Bahamas crossing. Our yachting weather resources page is a good starting point
- Confirm marina reservations ahead of time during peak season (roughly November through April), when South Florida and Bahamas marinas fill up quickly
- Make sure routine maintenance is up to date before any longer trip, particularly engines and safety equipment
- If anchoring out at islands or remote spots, check that your tender and onboard valuables are properly secured
- Have your documentation in order well ahead of any international trip, including the Bahamas
Don’t Own a Yacht Yet? You Can Still Experience These Destinations
If you do not yet own a yacht but want to experience these destinations, chartering a yacht is a great way to test the waters, literally, before deciding whether ownership makes sense for you. And if you already own a yacht and are not using it for every available weekend, placing it in a charter program during the periods you are not using it can help offset some of your ownership costs while other owners get to enjoy these same trips.
Conclusion
Few places in the world offer the variety that South Florida does for yacht owners. Within a few hours in almost any direction, you can be snorkeling over coral reefs, anchored off a quiet Bahamian sandbar, exploring a historic island town, or cruising past some of the most impressive waterfront real estate in the country. That kind of access is part of what makes owning a yacht here so worthwhile.
If you are considering buying a yacht to make trips like these a regular part of your life, or you are ready to upgrade to a vessel better suited for longer-range cruising, our team at AK Yachts can help. With over 23 years of experience in the South Florida yacht market, we know these waters and the kinds of boats that make the most of them.
Speak With Andy Kniffin
Andy Kniffin is a CPYB Certified Professional Yacht Broker and Former Captain, helping yacht buyers and sellers make confident decisions with practical market insight and hands-on yachting experience.
