Things to Do in Key Biscayne

A two-day pass aboard the Hop On Hop Off Tour provides riders with accessible transit and the cranial expansion of local knowledge. Throughout the route, a narration crafted by expert locals will keep you up to speed on where you are, where you are going, and where to direct your photographic and human irises. Non-English-speaking guests or bilingually curious natives can tune in to multilingual headsets along the ride. In addition to directing rubberneckers, the local good-times gurus at Gray Line lead wide-eyed wonderers into cultural hotbeds and fashionable storefronts. Riders who want to simply sink into the sun-soaked sand can browse the beach buffet out their window, hopping off when the bus reaches a towel-worthy strip.

Jet Ski Tours of Miami sends clients soaring by the opulent homes of Star Island to sites where they may view marine wildlife or let loose to ride the open waves during 90-minute guided adventures. Unlike jet-ski rentals that relegate riders to a certain square of water, daring drivers on the tour can satiate velocity cravings in a speed-limit-free zone and may spot wild dolphins or manatees during the expedition, getting close enough to touch them or swap snickerdoodle recipes. From the seat of their blazing water steed—a 2010–2011 Yamaha VX110 WaveRunner—customers take in views of sandy beaches, sparkling water, and posh villas, culling companionship from a chosen friend, date, or waterproof robot, since a second rider is free with the tour. Jet skis are inspected weekly for safety and serviced monthly to ensure a breakdown-free ride and an absence of talkative barnacles.

A white sail propels a 50-foot sailing catamaran out into Biscayne Bay. The wind-powered watercraft belongs to Playtime Watersports, whose captains narrate ocean sailing tours or host private and corporate events as sunsets paint the sky. Elsewhere on the bay, wave runners and pontoon boats—two of Playtime Watersports' other rental watercraft options—churn up water as they drag race with thrill-seeking dolphins.

Despite its name, Playtime Watersports doesn't limit itself to on-water revelry. The staff hosts corporate outings such as Beach Olympics, with events including beach volleyball, sand sculpting, and scavenger hunts.

Buddy closes his eyes as he sits on the deck of Buddy's Dream, letting the ocean breeze run through his gold hair as his tongue flaps in the wind. Ernie, owner of South Beach Boat Rentals, appointed his golden retriever as the company's mascot, naming all of his boats after the pooch instead of using impersonal numbers or the names of favorite Congressmen. After retiring from directing films in New York, Ernie decided to move to Miami, where he fell in love with boating, which helped him forget day-to-day concerns as he skimmed over the water.

Ernie's fleet of rental boats includes powerboats and luxury yachts, such as a 25-foot Azure Luxury 250 horsepower bow rider or an 18-foot Sea Ray sports boat, which renters can pilot themselves with a valid driver's license and boating experience. Ernie also leads private tours, including the historical Stilts Ville tour or the popular two-hour Miami Waters tour, which zooms past the homes of celebrities such as Gloria Estefan and Shaquille O'Neal while giving stunning views of the Miami skyline.

Giant toy soldiers clothed in thousands of colored lights wave at passersby as glowing reindeer take off into the dusk. Towering Christmas trees topped with stars glimmer and glisten with blue and green fiber optics. At Santa's Enchanted Forest, one of the world’s largest Christmas-themed amusement parks, holiday spirit and festive music fill the air long before the end of December. Visitors laugh and shriek on a multitude of carnival rides, including whirling swings, bumper cars, tower drops, and roller coasters, whipping through the air until their cheeks are as rosy as old Saint Nick’s. Traditional carnival games are also on hand, such as dart tosses and soccer-ball kicks, to complement more unconventional carnival amusements such as giant plastic balls to roll around in and a rock-climbing wall to scale. Wee visitors, meanwhile, can make the acquaintance of small livestock in a petting zoo or draw a portrait of their favorite goat in royal costume on a wall-size coloring-book mural. Carnival food, such as barbecue, pizza, and cinnamon donuts, fuels guests as they conquer rides or take in the Cats of the World Tiger Show, the Cirque Equinox, or the Sea Lion Splash Spectacular.

Captain Wayne Conn draws on expertise garnered through tournament fishing and a native’s knowledge of South Florida’s waters when taking groups out for deep-sea charter fishing. Captains Chris Neiderman, Ryan Omsted, and Chris Temmel round out The Reward Fleet crew, which together boasts more than a century of experience.

Up to 50 passengers can climb aboard The Another Reward, a 70-foot angling boat equipped with electronics to locate fish, a galley, and a salon with eight dinettes inside. Three times a day, she sets sail on public charter-fishing trips so guests can scan ocean waves for fish such as tuna, kingfish, bonito, sailfish, snapper, and grouper. During these trips, guests will be provided with all the necessary equipment and bait. The crew also specializes in corporate charters, bachelor parties, and long-range trips.