Nothing embodies the Miami lifestyle better than a day of sailing on the beautiful blue waters of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, or the Intracoastal Waterway. Boating is a way of life in South Florida. For those who want to board a boat and join the fun, here is a list of our 10 favorite sailing and boating clubs in Miami. 

1) Biscayne Bay Yacht Club

2540 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove 

The Biscayne Bay Yacht Club (BBYC) is Miami’s oldest boat club, dating back to 1887, when it leased the Florida Cape Lighthouse as its headquarters.  The club purchased its current clubhouse in 1932 and has been involved in practically every important sailing race in South Florida to date. 

Today, the club continues to be among the most popular sailing clubs in Miami, with regattas throughout the year, sailing lessons, and all kinds of sailing events. The BBYC has also become popular among windsurfers and is now known as the international hub for this popular sport, turning out Olympic-caliber athletes, and hosting several windsurfing regattas yearly.

2) Coconut Grove Sailing Club

2990 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove 

Founded in 1946 by a group of local boating enthusiasts, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) hosts year-round regattas, as well as BBYRA Events, Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regattas, the Audi Melges 20s Winter Series. The CGSC is also the home of the University of Miami Sailing Team.  

You don’t have to be a member to dock your boat at their moor, take sailing lessons, or take advantage of sailing camps for youth, but membership entitles you to preferred pricing for clubhouse parties and a slew of sailing events.  While the club doesn’t rent boats, members can take advantage of their Adopt-a-Boat program and enjoy the benefits of boat ownership without having to make an actual purchase.  

3) Coral Reef Yacht Club

2484 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove

The exclusive Coral Reef Yacht Club (CRYC) purchased its elegant clubhouse in 1955 and is known as a top of the line yachting center.  The CRYC hosts some of the most renowned yacht racing competitions in the world, and provides facilities for boating as well as social events for club members and their guests. 

The club also promotes regattas and other types of sailing competitions.  While it is private, members can enjoy sailing, cruising, fishing, and scuba diving followed by luxury club amenities such as a heated pool, piano bar, and fine dining.

4) Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

1928 Sunset Harbour Dr #1424, South Beach

Located in the heart of South Beach, the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club (SYHC) is a full service marina with 125 wet slips that accommodate vessels ranging in size from 45 to 150-plus feet. The club has a five-star rating and ranks among the world’s best, offering a unique equity membership program that grants owners and shareholders a piece of the marina’s prime, waterfront real estate. And while you may find more motorboats here than sailboats, it provides a prime location to get on the water with ease. 

SYHC is a State of Florida designated Clean Marina. The club has demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship by complying with a set of “green” conservation policies that address such issues such as sensitive habitat, waste management, storm water control, spill prevention, and emergency preparedness, all of which are designed to protect Florida’s waterways. Membership also includes access to a private fitness center, heated Olympic-size pool, and many other amenities.  

5) SailTime SoFlo

2550 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove

While not a sailing club in the traditional sense, SailTime is an exclusive boat club membership featuring a fractional sailing program that allows members to sail a professionally maintained, fully outfitted sailboat using a proprietary online scheduling system for a price that’s less than what a slip and maintenance would cost. Similar to a lease, the program lets you enjoy the benefits of sailing on your own boat without having to actually buy a boat.

Members choose a sailboat from the club’s fleet and book their own dates.  Each boat is shared between a limited number of members to guarantee ample monthly access to all members. You can even take your boat out at night or reserve it for an extended cruise. 

SailTime Miami is located at Prime Marina in Coconut Grove with easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean by way of Biscayne Bay Inlet, with a top tier marina and other amenities.  After a day on the water, enjoy a feast at the ever-popular Monty’s Raw Bar & Restaurant, also located at Prime Marina.

6) Key Biscayne Yacht Club

180 Harbor Drive, Key Biscayne

The Key Biscayne Yacht Club (KBYC) was founded in 1955 and has been an icon in Key Biscayne for over 50 years. Designated as a Clean Marina by the State of Florida, the KBYC is committed to responsible stewardship and the protection of Florida’s waterways.  The marina has 100 slips and accommodates vessels from 20 to 60 feet. 

The club also sponsors a variety of yacht races and regattas year-round, and activities such as fishing, tennis, and golf. They also offer a junior sailing program for kids, as well as a Sailing, Kayaking and Marine Science Summer Camp for youth. 

7) Miami Yacht Club

1001 MacArthur Causeway, South Beach

Founded in 1927 as the Southern Florida Boat Racing Association, the Miami Yacht Club (MYC) eventually changed its name and moved to its current location on Watson Island between Downtown Miami, Edgwater and Miami Beach.  The club provides year-round docking facilities for members and short term docking for guests, as well as various opportunities to participate in racing events and regattas. 

Through its 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Miami Yacht Club Youth Sailing Foundation, the club provides a summer sailing camp for teens, and public sailing lessons for youth, teens, and adults, training world-class sailors that have made it as far as the Olympics. The club also hosts the City of Miami Marine Patrol and Underwater Recovery Unit.

8) Club Nautico

4000 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne

Located in the Crandon Park Marina in Key Biscayne, Club Nautico has been providing boat rentals and yacht charters in Miami and South Florida for over 30 years for those who seek an excellent alternative to boat ownership. You can rent any type of boat with only 2 hours notice, and enjoy a variety of sailing experiences, from an intimate 18-foot open bow to a luxurious 200-foot yacht. 

For a basic entry fee and monthly dues, you can get unlimited training from licensed yacht captains and take out any boat as often as you wish. The club also offers half-day and full-day charters and access to exclusive partnership offers with local restaurants, nightclubs, and services. 

9) Freedom Boat Club

300 Alton Road, South Beach

Freedom Boat Club was founded in 1989 to provide affordable access to boating for those who aren’t ready for boat ownership. Members pay a one-time entry fee and choose one of several membership plans. They even offer short-term, 3- or 6-month plans. Pick the type of plan you want based on how often you want to take a boat out, then just make a reservation and go sailing. 

Freedom takes care of maintaining and cleaning all boats so all you have to do is enjoy the water, return the boat, and pay for fuel.  To ensure your safety, all members receive unlimited training with USCG-certified captains who will help you get to know each boat, as well as help you become familiar with any new location.

10) Miami South Florida Boat Club

3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne

Miami South Florida Boat Club is Miami’s largest private boat club, providing an affordable alternative to boat ownership. Members can choose from a fleet of boats to rent including Center Consoles, Bow Riders, Deck Boats, and Cruisers.  The club offers a simple online reservation system, and all members receive New Boater Safety and On The Water training by licensed, certified professionals. Boat Insurance is also provided.  

You can rent a boat for an afternoon or an entire day, and extended hours are also available. With no need to worry about the hassles of cleaning, maintaining, repairing or preparing a boat, all you have to do is reserve, show up, and hit the water. 

Whether you own your own vessel or just want regular access to a boat, and whether you’re a seasoned captain or just learning the ropes of sailing, you can choose from among any of these local options to make your sailing and boating dreams a reality in Miami.