15 Private Island Boat Tours in the USA to Build a Day Around

1.Maui -PRIVATE- Air Tour: 5 Islands: (2-5 people): SEE Even MORE!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 785 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $536Our pick

Take a 75 to 90 minute private flight from Kahului over Maui County. Expect Honolua Bay, Nakalele Blowhole, Lanai’s coast, Kahoolawe, Molokini Crater, Wailea, Kihei, and Makena’s lava fields, with headsets and live commentary from your pilot. Pilot Eric is praised for his smooth landings and personal service.

“Beautiful flight with breath taking views. Highly recommend. Our pilot was awesome, gave good commentery.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Maui -PRIVATE- Air Tour FUN: 3 Islands: (2-5 people): SEE it ALL!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 559 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $338

Fly from Kahului in a private cabin with Maui Plane Rides, seeing Molokai’s sea cliffs, Honolua Bay, Nakalele Blowhole, Makena, lava fields, and coral reefs. Pilots including Eric, Steve, and Laura provide live commentary, and you may get a chance to handle the yoke.

“Eric is an excellent pilot and did an incredible job of showing us the beauty of Molokai. A must when visiting Maui!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Fully Private Speed Boat Tours, VIP-style Miami Speedboat Tour of Star Island!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 401 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from Watson Island for a private Miami speedboat tour lasting about two hours. Your captain guides up to six people past Star Island, Millionaires Row, South Beach, Fisher Island, and Miami’s waterfront sights, mixing local stories with open-water speed. Water and an ice-filled cooler are provided.

“Mike is absolutely brilliant. This has been the highlight of our trip to Florida. Loved being out on the water with Mike and seeing all the beautiful homes. He knows lots of history and it was great to hear and experience what he had to say. A definite must if your in Miami. Loved it hope to come again”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Sailing Tour through the Ten Thousands Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Captain Nick, or possibly Captain Kirk, for a two-hour private sail from Goodland through the Ten Thousand Islands. Help handle the sails or relax on a roomy catamaran while watching for dolphins, turtles, mangroves, tropical scenery, and sunset light.

“When the captain let the sails out. Also he took the time to follow the dolphins. My granddaughter really enjoyed that!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Luxury Private Boat Charter in Big Island Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Start at 8:30 a.m. in Kailua-Kona for a four-hour private charter with Captain Koichiro and a rotating first mate. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay, watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, or manta rays, and shape the morning around your group.

“We had a fantastic time on our tour, captain and first mate were awesome and let us decide what we wanted to do. We got lucky and were able to see whales and two different species of dolphins . The snorkeling was fantastic and we would definitely recommend this trip!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Charter: Customizable Big Island Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend four private hours off Kona with Hang Loose Boat Tours. Your captain can shape the trip around snorkeling, dolphins, whales, or the black volcanic coast. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, snacks, water, and sandwiches are included. Simon, Kenney, and Adam are among the guides named in guest feedback.

“Awesome crew. Awesome time. Highly recommend! Our family age range was 11-76 and all had a blast. Go go go.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Boat Tour, Sunset Cruise, Island Hopping and more!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 3 - 8 hours

Captain Steve takes up to six people on a private, flexible boat tour from Palm Harbor, Clearwater Beach, or Indian Rocks Beach. Choose dolphin watching, sunset views, sandbars, Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, beach stops, or a simple swim in the Gulf. Coolers, water, ice, and water toys are included.

“Capitain Steve has been great. He took us on amazing islands. We had a blast. we got to see Dolphins. it's been an unforgettable moment.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private 2 Hour Sunset Cruise Marco Island, FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews

Captain Jason leads a private two-hour cruise from Goodland through Marco Island’s 10,000 islands. You’ll watch the Gulf sunset, look for dolphins, manatees, and birds, then stop at a remote island for shelling and beach time. The boat holds up to six, and you may bring a cooler.

“Captain Jason was the best! We absolutely loved this sunset cruise. We saw so many dolphins, and Jason was able to get them to play in the wake which was super fun to watch. I highly recommend this activity!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Goodland, FL: The 10,000 Islands Private Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 2 hours

Join Easy Breezy Charters in Goodland for a two-hour private catamaran sail around Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands. Captain Nick may point out dolphins, sail toward a sunset, or stop at a quiet island for shell collecting. The spacious boat has a restroom, lounging space, and bottled water.

“The highlight of our vacation! Friendly captain, a beautiful sunset, and lots of dolphins. Would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Private Boat Charter for Masonboro Island and Wrightsville Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Captain Reggie takes your private group of up to six from Carolina Beach through the Intracoastal Waterway, Banks Channel, and Wrightsville Beach to Masonboro Island. Expect beach time, house and waterway views, onboard restroom, WiFi, fuel, and a flexible five-hour outing.

“We had a wonderful time with Captain Reggie on his beautiful boat! We loved Masonboro Island it was such a gorgeous beach and he treated us like family. We will definitely recommend and be back to explore more!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.St. Petersburg: Private Barrier Island and Dolphin Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 3 hours

Set out from Salt and Mist Sea Tours for three private hours on St. Petersburg’s Gulf waters. Your English-speaking captain, possibly Captain Ridge or Captain Joe, guides your group toward dolphins, manatees, birds, and quiet barrier island beaches. Bring snacks, drinks, swimwear, and sunscreen.

“Personable, private tour of the waters! Was wonderful with our 3 year old who wanted a boat ride! Captain is knowledgeable about ecosystem and marine wildlife! Great for private small group/families! Definitely would do again. Small is ALWAYS better! Support personal/small businesses!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island by Ferry with Private Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 6 reviews · 3 hours - 390 minutes · from $275Best value

Take a private ferry tour from Battery Park to Liberty Island with a licensed guide in English, French, Italian, Spanish, or German. Choose 3, 5, 4.5, or 6.5 hours, with Ellis Island and private hotel transfers added on longer options. Guides including Ronald, Bill, and Laura have earned high praise.

“The guide was really nice offering us all the information we needed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Tampa Bay: Private Sunrise Dolphin & Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours

Join Captain Joe and Salt and Mist Sea Tours for a private two-hour sunrise cruise through Boca Ciega Bay. Bring drinks and snacks, listen for tropical birds, watch for dolphins during their morning feeding, and enjoy a calm start for up to six people.

“Everything was amazing, especially the captain. He has such great energy and really does his best to make sure everyone enjoys the experience. Watching the dolphins play in the waves was unforgettable. Don’t be lazy to wake up early, it’s a truly magical moment. THANK YOU CAPTAIN JOE”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours

Set out from Folly Beach in a private boat for a two-hour cruise through tidal creeks and past dolphins, birds, and marine life. Your English-speaking captain takes you to Morris Island for 45 to 60 minutes to see the 161-foot lighthouse and search the beach for shark teeth, fossils, and shells.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Hilton Head Island: Private Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1h 30m

Set out from Palmetto Bay Marina with a licensed captain for a private 90-minute cruise around Hilton Head. Look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, pass Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island, and enjoy snacks, drinks, and family photos.

“Our guide Pete was outstanding! Incredible knowledge about the island and how it has developed. He was informative and very interesting. The boat was beautiful. It was well worth taking a couple hours and we saw several dolphins! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review