South Miami, FL Outdoor Activities

The Floridian sun sparkles off rolling waves, reflecting dancing patterns of light onto the white-and-red hull of Aquaworld Miami’s excursion vessel, the Caribbean Spirit . The double-masted catamaran catches the gulf’s gusty winds in its twin sails to journey to a shallow sandbar for a day of watersports, offloading jet skis, banana boats, and a parasailing-equipped speed boat into the knee-deep water. On Atlantic Ocean excursions, the 78-foot vessel parks over a shallow water shipwreck for guests equipped with snorkels to explore. The rhythmic thump of the waves combines with Calypso music that constantly drifts from the boat’s speakers, offering the only method of sonar capable of identifying an undersea dance party.

Getchasome Charters' Captain Jimmy Wickett, a US Coast Guard–licensed captain, spent more than 18 years honing his sea legs and snagging snook, tarpon, and sharks amid the glistening coastal regions of Florida. Whether children or adults, beginner or tournament fishers, Wickett's guests all benefit equally from his seasoned expertise as he helms his charters and guides them through the scenic waters of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Florida Keys. During sunny daytrips, Wickett extols upon the wonders of the ocean while helping seasoned passengers make boast-worthy catches and fledgling fishermen learn how to bait a fish with promises of a starring role in an animated-movie franchise.

White sand dunes crowned with tufts of grass. Shorelines overflowing with native plants and coastal trees. Clear cerulean waters stretching out onto the horizon, reflecting the undulating landscape of the Miami skyline. At Golden Yacht Charters, captains lead visitors into these scenic waters on boat tours while staffers rent out a fleet of powerboats to customers who want to experience owning a yacht without having to maintain it or parallel park it at the end of each day.

Captains and passengers embark on sunset or nighttime cruises along Miami's downtown and bayside coasts; daytime voyages to private spots such as Palm Island, Star Island, and Fisher Island; and trips to see the lighthouse at Cape Florida. Captains also helm tours past locales such as The Miami Herald, Freedom Tower, Rickenbacker Causeway, and Port of Miami. Guests can explore these same waters at their own pace aboard Tahoe, Sylvan, Hurricane, and Sea Ray powerboats, crafts up to 26 feet and outfitted with plush aft seating and insulated coolers. Staffers also rent fishing boats, catamarans, and luxury speedboats.

Its sides look like the planking of a ship, but its wheels are suggestive of a bus. On the open-sided deck space, a guide dressed in a felt tricornered hat, sailor's shirt, and red sash crows "Ahoy, matey!" to welcome up to 49 passengers onto the US Coast Guard-certified amphibious vessel. Then the wheeled ship is driven toward the water, where it hits the surface and glides forth with almost no break in rhythm. For the next 90 minutes, Miami Land & Sea Pirate Adventure's semiaquatic tour pirate ship vessel roams both land and sea as guests take in the city's many sights.

In Action Town Florida's 34,000-square-foot enclave, battles take place with paint, lasers, and putters. A professional paintball team designed the outdoor paintball arena, which sprawls across 2 acres and encompasses terrain such as a village, a wooded area, and a professional field filled with inflatables. Area 51, the 25,000-square-foot laser-tag arena, fuels competition with high-tempo music and glow-in-the-dark obstacles. The nine-hole miniature golf course also glows in the dark, offering a helpful way to distinguish between real obstacles and imaginary friends' heads. Action Town Florida also fills its facility with arcade games, bumper cars, and climbing walls, as well as a bounce-house city with very reasonable property taxes. Its party packages give guests a taste of all offerings, along with refreshments and food.

Captain Joe, a US Coast Guard master licensed captain, has been sailing for more than 35 years and wanted to share his love for running charters to the Bahamas with others. Within a matter of years after he created Captain Joe’s Boat Rentals, Tours and Charters, Inc., his fleet swelled to more than 12 vessels ranging from 14-foot fishing boats to 45-foot luxury yachts, not to be confused with humpbacked whales. In addition to helming charters to the Keys and Caribbean and island-hopping sightseeing tours, he offers boat rentals, with which patrons can hit the high seas on their own or take boating lessons.