The 1 Life Boat Rental Nautic Star anchored in clear, shallow turquoise water in Biscayne Bay, Miami

Miami Beach · Private tour · Raccoon Island

Raccoon Island Miami —
the tour everyone’s talking about

Miami’s strangest, most talked-about boat stop. Anchor just offshore of a small mangrove island where wild raccoons swim out to greet the boat. Private charter, captain included, from $200/hr.

Reserve your boat 305-746-9309

Anchored in the clear shallows of Biscayne Bay aboard our Nautic Star

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USCG-licensed captains

Captain, fuel, water & ice included

100% private — your group only

Free cancellation 24hrs

No OTA fees — book direct

Departs 2400 Collins Ave

The stop

Real raccoons.
Real island.

Miami’s strangest, most talked-about boat stop. Anchor just offshore of a small mangrove island where wild raccoons swim out to greet the boat.

Raccoon Island — officially Sandspur Island — is a small, uninhabited mangrove island in Biscayne Bay, a short ride from Miami Beach. There’s no bridge, no road and no public dock: the only way to get there is by boat. A colony of wild raccoons lives there year-round, and they’ve grown so used to boats that they walk right down to the shoreline to say hello.

It’s real, it’s wild, and it’s nowhere else in South Florida — most visitors have never heard of it until a local tells them, and once they see it on our Instagram they book immediately.

Want the long version first? Read the in-depth guide: Raccoon Island Miami — the hidden gem you can only reach by boat.

A group of wild raccoons wading in the clear, shallow water at the edge of Raccoon Island, several looking up toward the boat and one reaching out a paw — The residents of Raccoon Island come down to the water’s edge to meet the boat — photographed on one of our tours.

Duration

2–3 hours

20–30 minutes at the island, plus the cruise and extra stops.

Ideal group

2–8 guests

Up to 8 on the Nautic Star; up to 13 on the Axopar 38, Pardo 40 or Sunseeker 74.

Best time

10–11am

When we see the raccoons most reliably, on the calmest water.

Departs

2400 Collins Ave

Miami Beach, across from 1 Hotel.

Why it’s different

Nothing else like it
in South Florida.

Every Miami landmark has been photographed a million times. Raccoon Island still surprises people.

Boat-access only

No road, no bridge, no public beach access. Because it’s only reachable by private charter, you rarely share the moment with more than a handful of other boats.

Wild, curious raccoons

They know the sound of boat engines and usually appear within minutes — curious, playful and endlessly photogenic. They’re wild, so they set the terms, which is exactly what makes each visit feel real.

Captains who know the island

Our captains have visited hundreds of times and know exactly when and where to anchor for the best encounter — and they’ll take the photos while you’re busy with the raccoons.

The skyline behind you

Crystal-clear water around the island and the Miami skyline across the bay make it one of the most-shared stops on our Instagram.

What to expect

How the visit works.

Raccoon Island is usually one highlight of a longer private tour. A typical 2–3 hour trip looks like this:

Board at 2400 Collins Ave. Meet your captain, stow your bags and get a quick safety briefing.
Cruise the celebrity mansions. Pass Star, Palm & Hibiscus Islands on the way across Biscayne Bay — your captain points out whose home is whose.
Anchor off the island. Your captain brings the boat close to the island’s shallow shore; you wade or swim the short distance to the bank.
Meet the raccoons. They usually appear almost immediately. Bring snacks like crackers or fruit — your captain shows you how to approach calmly and grabs the photos.
Swim, sandbar or cruise home. Fill out the trip with a swim, a sandbar stop at Nixon or Haulover, or a dolphin-watching cruise back.

What’s included

Everything for the day.

One rate, one boat, your group only. Here’s exactly what a Raccoon Island trip covers.

Round-trip from 2400 Collins Ave on our private 25ft Nautic Star — or a larger boat for bigger groups.
Time at Raccoon Island to wade ashore, meet the raccoons, swim or float near the island.
A pass by the celebrity mansions of Star, Palm & Hibiscus Islands on the way.
Captain, fuel, water, sodas, ice and Bluetooth speakers all included.
Life jackets for every guest — kids included.
Usually paired with a sandbar stop or celebrity homes run to fill out a 2–3hr trip.

Duration & timing

Best time to meet the raccoons.

Book a morning slot. We see the raccoons most reliably between about 10 and 11am, and mornings on Biscayne Bay usually bring the flattest, calmest water of the day — the best conditions for spotting dolphins on the way too.

Afternoons still work, and the island is a year-round stop. Keep in mind the raccoons are wild animals: most days they’re friendly and curious, occasionally they’re less interested. That’s nature — and part of what makes it authentic.

2 hours

$400 · minimum

Raccoon Island plus a pass by the celebrity mansions. Compact and easy.

3 hours

$600 · most popular

Raccoon Island, celebrity homes and a swim or sandbar stop without rushing.

4 hours

$800

Add proper sandbar time at Nixon or Haulover and a slow wildlife cruise.

6 hours

$1,200 · best value

The full Miami day: raccoons, mansions, sandbar and open-water cruising.

Before you board

Snacks for the raccoons — crackers, grapes or other finger food work well.
Water shoes — the shore is shallow and sandy but rocky in places.
Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat — there’s no shade on open water, and the bay reflects more sun than you expect.
A dry bag or waterproof phone case for photos in and out of the water.
Family-friendly: a favourite with kids and grandparents alike — kids should stay close and let the raccoons come to them.

Pricing

All-inclusive rates.
No surprises.

The Nautic Star 25ft is our boat — captain, fuel, water, sodas & ice all included. Book directly with us and skip the agency fees. For partner vessel pricing, contact us directly.

2 hours

minimum booking

$400

all-inclusive

3 hours

$600

all-inclusive

4 hours

$800

all-inclusive

Full day · 6 hours

best value

$1,200

all-inclusive

Everything included in the Nautic Star rate

Licensed captainFuelWater & sodasIce & coolerBluetooth · 4 speakersLife jacketsUp to 8 guestsFloating mat on request

Up to 8 guests included. Children count as 1 person.
$100 deposit secures your booking via Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal. Balance due on the day.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
See the full pricing table and the rest of the fleet on the homepage.

Questions

Raccoon Island FAQ.

More on deposits, BYOB and departure points in the general FAQ.

Is Raccoon Island real, and where is it?

Yes. Raccoon Island is the local nickname for Sandspur Island, a small uninhabited mangrove island in Biscayne Bay, a short boat ride from Miami Beach. It has no bridge or public dock, so the only way to visit is by boat.

Are the raccoons guaranteed to show up?

They’re wild animals, so nothing is guaranteed — but they appear on the vast majority of our visits, usually within minutes of anchoring. We see them most reliably between about 10 and 11am.

What should we bring for the raccoons?

Simple snacks like crackers, chips or grapes work well. Your captain explains how to approach calmly so everyone, raccoons included, stays comfortable.

Do we have to get off the boat?

Only if you want to. Your captain anchors close to the shallow shore and most guests wade or swim the short distance to the bank. Water shoes help, since the shoreline is rocky in places.

How long do we spend at Raccoon Island?

Usually 20–30 minutes, as part of a longer private tour. That’s why most groups book 2–3 hours and add the celebrity homes cruise or a sandbar stop.

Is the Raccoon Island tour good for kids?

It’s one of our most family-friendly tours. Life jackets are included for every guest, children count as 1 guest, and kids love it — just keep little ones close and let the raccoons approach on their own terms.

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