Things to Do in Gladeview

Not content to make only customers happy, the staff of luxury yacht service The Advantaged have been lauded by a flurry of publications and honored for their contributions to the community by The Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners. Aside from chartering lushly appointed yachts, the pals of Poseidon also launch watersports expeditions via wakeboard or kayak, loft voyagers on air-and-sea excursions, and throw yacht parties for travelers who want a taste of luxury or barge parties for multimillionaires thirsting for the stowaway experience.

For more than two decades, The Great Taste of The Grove has ushered in a miscellany of tastes, sips, and sounds for participants of all ages in order to raise funds for the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce. Crowds of up to 20,000 descend upon local cuisine from area eateries as chefs grill up their own specialties during live cooking demonstrations. Wine samples, beer, and cocktails from renowned libations manufacturers acquaint themselves with uninitiated taste buds, and entertainment includes Saturday's Tribute concert covering songs from Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, and Journey and Sunday's Clash of the Decades featuring a mix from the 50s tunes to modern hits with headliner Suenalo. While adults mingle, youngsters can head to the adventure park, where they can hop on carnival rides or get their faces painted.

The Biscayne Xpress Water Taxi glides across Biscayne Bay, circling through its three stops—Bayside Marketplace, the Miami Beach Marina, and the downtown Riverwalk station—in a constant two-hour loop. Up to 42 passengers drink in views of coastal Miami and its gamboling manatees and pelicans as crew members impart juicy factoids about the city to visitors. At the Bayside Marketplace stop, patrons can browse a 120-store shopping complex or charter a fishing boat at Pier 5, whereas the Miami Beach Arena stop drops seafarers near a glut of restaurants, and the downtown Riverwalk station delivers visitors straight into the city’s rhythmically beating heart.

After Captain Chris Gruno escaped the chilly air of New Jersey and his desolate cubicle desk, he brought the Grouchy Turtle to the Florida Keys, where he now ferries patrons through tropical waters. The catamaran, a 33.5-foot-long boat with six rooms, can sleep up to four on overnight voyages and fit up to six passengers on daytime jaunts. A blue, U-shaped bench borders the table in the saloon, and the master cabin boasts a bed big enough for a queen. The vessel is the vehicle for diverse aquatic jaunts, including kayak tours.

[[m:####Miami WaterLife Tours

Across Miami's coastline, the setting sun casts a warm glow that reflects off skyscrapers and twinkles atop the ocean's waters. Miami Waterlife Tours' fleet of watercraft explores this fusion of urban and natural landscapes. Jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks float on self-guided rentals and tours that pass into view of celebrity properties and their CGI homes. At nearby sandbars, IKO-certified instructors lead kiteboarding lessons while parasails soar into the sky.

Bringing luxury to the water, Miami WaterLife Tours also charters boats. Its vessels range from a 25-foot Bayliner to a 94-foot Ferretti motor yacht complete with private chef and dolphin interpreter.:m]]

As Luis Niño programmed the printer for another press run, all he could hear was the ocean—the waves rolling against the boat's hull, the wind whipping across the sails. After navigating waters from the Florida Keys to the Bahamas for years as a recreational sailor, he dreamed of one day captaining his own ship, eventually taking the leap and launching Sailing on Biscayne Bay.

Today, Captain Niño and his wife, first mate, and professional photographer Mabel welcome passengers with English and Spanish salutations as they board the Dorinda, a Tartan 34 sailboat. They charter two- or three-hour, half-day, and full-day sails through Biscayne Bay along Miami, Brickell, and Key Biscayne. Luis and Mabel entertain guests with drinks and snacks and can also arrange a catering menu.