Island Queen Cruises & Tours is Miami, Florida's beloved sightseeing cruise operator, offering scenic bay tours, celebrity home spotting, and sweeping views of the city skyline.
Island Queen Cruises & Tours operates from Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami, one of the city's most animated waterfront destinations, placing passengers at the heart of the action before they even step aboard. The company has been running narrated sightseeing cruises on Biscayne Bay for decades, building a reputation as one of the most accessible ways to understand Miami's geography and its culture of wealth, spectacle, and architectural ambition.
During a typical 90-minute tour, an onboard narrator guides passengers past landmarks that define the city's identity, including the Port of Miami, Dodge Island, and the palatial homes of Star Island, where some of the most recognizable names in entertainment and sport have maintained residences over the years. The bay itself is a character in the experience, its turquoise shallows framing the gleaming towers of Brickell and Downtown Miami against an open sky. The cruise also passes through Government Cut, offering close-range views of massive cruise ships that dwarf everything around them, a reminder of Miami's status as one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.
The open-air upper deck is the preferred vantage point for photographers and first-time visitors alike, while the lower covered deck offers shade and seating for those who prefer a more relaxed pace. For anyone who wants to move beyond the beach and understand how this city is shaped by its relationship with water, Island Queen Cruises & Tours offers a perspective that no walking tour or driving route can replicate.
Book the 90-minute narrated bay tour for the most complete overview of Miami's waterfront landmarks and celebrity estates.
Arrive at Bayside Marketplace at least 20 minutes before departure to secure a spot on the upper open-air deck for the best views.
Bring sunscreen and sunglasses regardless of the season, as the sun reflects intensely off Biscayne Bay even on overcast days.
Visit on a clear weekday morning for calmer waters and smaller crowds, which makes the narrated commentary easier to follow.
After your cruise, explore Bayside Marketplace's waterfront promenade for local food vendors and live music just steps from the dock.
Glide past Art Deco streets and waterfront mansions on Millionaire’s Row
Book a 2-hour private Miami yacht cruise with a licensed captain
Choose a 2- or 4-hour private Miami yacht cruise with time to anchor
Choose a 2- or 4-hour Sea Ray 46 cruise with island anchoring option
Bundle four Miami tours plus a free 3-hour South Beach bike rental
Cruise Biscayne Bay, then ride South Beach with a free 3-hour bike rental
See Miami by bus and boat, plus a 3-hour South Beach bike rental
Cruise Biscayne Bay with skyline views, onboard music, and a cash bar
Snorkel Fort Lauderdale’s Twin Ledges reef with gear and onboard instruction
See Miami’s skyline and Millionaire’s Row on a double-decker cruise
Private Four Winns boat with captain for up to 12 guests
Cruise to Haulover Sandbar and swim with your private group (up to 6)
Rent a 21 ft Bayliner with captain for up to 6 guests from Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood