Water taxi in Miami: the free boat between Miami Beach and downtown, with the full timetable
The free weekday water taxi from Sunset Harbour to the Venetian Marina near the Omni: departure times, docks, parking and what it does not do.
En bref
- What it is: A free City of Miami Beach boat across Biscayne Bay, about 20 minutes each way.
- Route: Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (18th St and Purdy Ave) to Venetian Marina, 1635 N Bayshore Dr.
- When: Monday to Friday, first boat 7:00 am from Miami, last 7:30 pm from Miami Beach.
- Weekends: No regular weekend service; the city adds special schedules for big events.
- Price: Free, checked on miamibeachfl.gov in October 2026.
Miami's water taxi is the free weekday boat between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park in Miami Beach and the Venetian Marina near downtown, running hourly from 7 am and every 30 minutes after 4:30 pm.
A weekday on the water taxi
- 7:00 amFirst boat leaves Miami · Departs the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club and reaches Maurice Gibb Memorial Park at 7:20. It turns around at 7:30, the first departure from Miami Beach, and is back in Miami at 7:50.
- 8:00 am to 4:00 pmOne boat, every hour · Boats leave Miami on the hour (8:00, 9:00 and so on) and Miami Beach on the half hour (8:30, 9:30). The last hourly boat leaves Miami at 4:00 pm.
- 4:30 pmA second boat joins · From here departures run every 30 minutes in both directions. From Miami: 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 pm. From Miami Beach: 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30 pm.
- 7:00 pmLast boat from Miami · Arrives in Miami Beach at 7:20. Miss it and you are on the bus, the trolley or a ride app.
- 7:30 pmLast boat from Miami Beach · Leaves Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and reaches the Venetian Marina at 7:50 pm. There is nothing later, even on busy nights.
The two docks
| Dock | Address | Parking nearby | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach: Maurice Gibb Memorial Park | 18th Street and Purdy Avenue, Sunset Harbour (the launch release gives the dock as 1790 Purdy Ave) | Lot 46 at the park; Sunset Harbour garage, 1900 Bay Road | South Beach Trolley, Freebee in parts of Mid and North Beach, Citi Bike station at Purdy Ave and 18th St |
| Miami: Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (also called Sea Isle Marina) | 1635 N Bayshore Drive | Omni Garage, 453 NE 15th Street | Omni station for Metrobus and Metromover, Downtown-Brickell Freebee |
The city does not list parking rates on the water taxi page; check the rate at each lot or garage before you leave the car.
City of Miami Beach water taxi page and launch release (miamibeachfl.gov), checked October 2026
What the water taxi is, and what it is not
The service started on January 20, 2026. It is run for the City of Miami Beach by Water Taxi of Miami Beach, LLC, with 40-foot boats that carry up to 55 passengers. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and the city's pitch is simple: a boat never waits for a bridge to open or a jam on the Venetian Causeway.
It is one straight line across the bay. It does not stop at Bayside Marketplace, South Pointe, Key Biscayne or Brickell, and it is not a sightseeing cruise with commentary. If you land at the Venetian Marina, downtown is a Metromover or bus ride from the Omni station, not a walk to Bayside.
Demand is real. Miami Today, quoting a memo from the mayor, reported 73,254 riders from launch to May 1, 2026, about 1,000 a day, and said that on average 8% of people waiting were left behind because the boat was full. At rush hour, get to the dock early or plan for the next departure.
There is no service on observed federal holidays unless the city says otherwise. Bicycles and scooters go on board only at the captain's discretion and only if there is room.
Which boat for which plan
| Weekday commute between Sunset Harbour and the Omni area | The free water taxi; it is built for this trip |
| Saturday or Sunday | No regular boats. The city ran a special weekend schedule for the World Cup final weekend (July 18 and 19, 2026, every 30 minutes from 10 am to 11 pm), so watch miamibeachfl.gov before big events |
| Art Week, December 2026 | No 2026 boat schedule had been announced by October 26. In 2025 the city ran up to seven boats on the same route from December 1 to 7; check the Art Week page in late November |
| You want to see the mansions from the water | A sightseeing cruise from Bayside, such as Island Queen's Millionaire's Row cruise |
| You are staying in Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale has its own Water Taxi, hop-on hop-off from 10 am to 10 pm every day; its site does not list a Miami route |
| Bayside, South of Fifth or a north-south route on Miami Beach | Only studied so far: Miami Today reported in May 2026 that these routes and weekend service need funding |
Island Queen Cruises & Tours
The sightseeing boats at Bayside. Their best-known trip is the Millionaire's Row cruise past the waterfront homes on the bay, the view a commuter boat will not slow down for.
Their site also lists a private water taxi service, with no price published, so ask for a quote. Prices and departure times for the public cruises are on their booking page.
Before you go to the dock
- Check the date: weekdays only, and no boats on observed federal holidays unless the city announces otherwise
- The live Water Taxi and Trolley Tracker is on the city's site, and Google Maps now shows the water taxi as a travel option
- At 5 or 6 pm the boat can fill up; if you must make a dinner or a flight, take the departure before the one you need
- Bring a bike or scooter only if you can live without it on board; the captain decides
- On the Miami side the dock is at the Venetian Marina, near the Omni, not at Bayside
- The last boat leaves Miami Beach at 7:30 pm, so plan the night-time trip back another way
Les questions qu’on se pose
Is the Miami Beach water taxi free?
Yes. The City of Miami Beach runs it fare-free between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club, according to its water taxi page checked in October 2026.
Where does the water taxi leave from?
In Miami Beach from Maurice Gibb Memorial Park at 18th Street and Purdy Avenue in Sunset Harbour. In Miami from the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club, 1635 N Bayshore Drive, near the Omni station.
Does the Miami water taxi run on weekends?
Not regularly. The city says there is no weekend service during the initial launch, but it has run special weekend schedules for big events, such as the World Cup final weekend in July 2026.
How long is the water taxi ride?
About 20 minutes each way, according to the city's timetable: for example 7:00 am from Miami, arriving in Miami Beach at 7:20.
Does the water taxi go to Bayside or Key Biscayne?
No. It runs only between Sunset Harbour and the Venetian Marina. A Miami Beach Marina to Bayside route was being studied in 2026 but needed funding.
Autres guides
The free trolleys in Miami: Miami Beach, City of Miami and Coral Gables routes and hoursSouth Beach · Trolley · Free · 4 min de lecture
Miami Metromover: the free downtown train, its loops, hours and current closuresDowntown · Metromover · Downtown · 3 min de lecture
Jet ski and boat rentals in Miami: where they leave from and what they costOn the water · Jet ski · 6 min de lectureRoute, docks, timetable, parking and connections from the City of Miami Beach water taxi page and its January and July 2026 releases (miamibeachfl.gov); ridership from Miami Today (May 2026); Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi from watertaxi.com; Island Queen from islandqueencruises.com; all checked October 2026.