Where to live in Miami if you own an 85-foot yacht—or bigger.
If you own a superyacht—or you’re planning to buy one—and you want a waterfront condo in Miami, this guide was written for you.
Miami is one of the only cities in the world where you can dock a 100+ foot yacht within walking distance of a luxury high-rise. But not every building that says “marina access” can actually deliver. Air draft clearance, slip availability, time-to-ocean, and whether your crew can walk to provisions—these details matter more than marketing claims.
This guide breaks down every Miami neighborhood with marina access, using real data and firsthand knowledge. No fluff, no sales spin—just what works and what doesn’t for yacht owners.
This is the #1 deal-killer for large yachts in Miami. The Julia Tuttle Causeway (I-195) has a fixed clearance of 56 feet—and it divides the Intracoastal Waterway into two zones. If your yacht’s air draft exceeds 56’, anything north of the Julia Tuttle (Aventura, Sunny Isles, North Bay Village) is effectively off-limits via the ICW. We call this the “North Bay Block.”
The NBV Rule: If you’re considering North Bay Village, your only ocean outlet is Haulover Inlet to the north. There is no southern bay route for yachts exceeding 56’ air draft. Also note: the A1A fixed bridge at Haulover clears just 32 feet. If your yacht exceeds that, you cannot pass under it at all.
If your vessel draws 6.5’+, pay close attention. Biscayne Bay marinas (Downtown, Fisher Island, Miami Beach Marina) offer 10–15’+ depth. The ICW varies: 7–10’ in maintained channels, but shoaling is common. Always confirm dockside depth and approach channel depth—they’re not the same thing.
Private marinas (Fisher Island, Marina Palms, Vita at Grove Isle) offer controlled access, shorter waitlists, and sometimes deeded slips. But they’re often smaller and limited in services. Public marinas (Miami Beach Marina, Dinner Key, Miamarina at Bayside) tend to be larger, better-equipped, and open to transient vessels—but come with waitlists. Fisher Island Club requires an equity membership ($250K+) that includes marina access.
A marina 30 minutes from the inlet is a very different ownership experience than one that’s 5 minutes out. Government Cut (between South Beach and Fisher Island) is the primary ocean outlet. Haulover Inlet serves the northern corridor.
| Marina Location | Approx. Time to Open Ocean | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach Marina / Fisher Island | ~5 min | Via Government Cut |
| Haulover / Bill Bird Marina | ~10 min | Via Haulover Inlet |
| Key Biscayne (Crandon Marina) | ~10–15 min | Via Bear Cut |
| Key Biscayne (Rickenbacker Marina) | ~15–20 min | Via Government Cut or Bear Cut |
| North Bay Village | ~20–30 min | Via Haulover Inlet |
| Coconut Grove (Dinner Key) | ~30–45 min | Scenic, bridge-free via Biscayne Channel |
For larger yachts, crew quarters, parking, and provisioning access are real operational factors. Some buildings (Fisher Island, Vita at Grove Isle) offer staff housing. Others don’t even have crew parking. We cover this in more detail later in the guide.
| Your Priority | Start Here |
|---|---|
| Fastest ocean access | Fisher Island, South of Fifth |
| New construction + value | North Bay Village (Pagani, Ritz-Carlton) |
| Mega-yachts (150’+) | Watson Island / Downtown |
| Walkable crew lifestyle | Coconut Grove, Sunset Harbour |
| Branded luxury + marina proximity | Brickell (St. Regis, Baccarat, Mandarin Oriental) |
| Privacy + full-service marina | Fisher Island, Grove Isle |
| Island living + ocean access | Key Biscayne (Rickenbacker Marina, Crandon Marina) |
Ordered deepest first.
Watson Island is home to Yacht Haven Grande, the only facility in Miami that can berth vessels up to 550 feet. Downtown Miami adds Miamarina at Bayside (city-run, 165’) and Epic Marina (transient/drop-off, 300’+). Together, this corridor is where the largest yachts in the world dock.
What’s coming: Watson Harbour, a $1B+ redevelopment of Watson Island, will add new mega-yacht infrastructure, a deep-water channel, and waterfront residences. Timeline is TBD—but it could reshape the downtown yacht landscape.
Why yacht owners choose Downtown: Yacht Haven Grande is the gold standard for mega-yachts in Miami—27-foot dockside depth, customs clearance, and a 5,000-square-foot yacht club. Miamarina at Bayside is city-owned and offers 130 slips with 10-foot dockside depth. Epic Marina, at the mouth of the Miami River, is transient/drop-off only—no long-term slips.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Haven Grande (Watson Island) | Mega-Yacht Hub | 550’ | One Thousand Museum — $5M–$25M — 7–10 Min Drive Waldorf Astoria 2027 — $1M–$50M — 7–10 Min Drive | 27’ dockside depth. Customs clearance. 5,000 sqft yacht club. |
| Epic Marina (Mouth of River) | Drop-Off / Transient | 300’+ | Aston Martin Residences 2024 — $1M–$59M — Next Door 🚶 | Transient/drop-off only. No long-term wet slips. |
| Miamarina at Bayside (Downtown Bayfront) | Public (City of Miami) | 165’ | One Thousand Museum — $5M–$25M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 Waldorf Astoria 2027 — $1M–$50M — 5–8 Min Walk 🚶 | 130 slips. 10’ dockside (14’ approach). Transient/seasonal & long-term. 55’ minimum. |
This corridor mixes beachfront resort living with legitimate marina infrastructure. Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park is one of the best-maintained public marinas in the county. Turnberry Isle Marina offers private, deep-water access (12’+). Marina Palms gives residents 112 deeded slips.
Why yacht owners choose this corridor: Deep water (8.5–12’+) without going downtown. Bill Bird Marina is one of the few marinas with direct inlet access (Haulover). Turnberry Isle is private with no transient traffic. Marina Palms is the only building in Miami with deeded slips and full-service yacht club amenities on-site.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Bird Marina (Haulover Park) | Public | 120’ | Oceana Bal Harbour 2017 — $4M–$20M — 5–7 Min Drive Four Seasons Surfside 2017 — $5M–$30M — 7–10 Min Drive Ritz-Carlton Sunny Isles 2020 — $2M–$12M — 10–15 Min Drive Bentley Residences 2026 — $4M–$25M — 12–15 Min Drive St. Regis Sunny Isles 2027 — $3M–$20M — 15–20 Min Drive | 150 slips. 8.5’ dockside depth (8’ approach). Fuel. Direct Haulover Inlet access. |
| Turnberry Isle Marina (Aventura) | Private | 180’ | Turnberry Ocean Club 2020 — $2M–$10M — 7–10 Min Drive Privé at Island Estates 2018 — $2M–$8M — 10–12 Min Drive St. Regis Sunny Isles 2027 — $3M–$20M — 10–15 Min Drive | 68 slips. 12’+ controlling depth at MLW. Direct ICW. No transient slips. |
| Marina Palms Yacht Club (N. Miami Beach) | Private | 90’ | Marina Palms Residences 2016 — $350K–$4.5M — On-Site 🚶 | 112 slips. 7’ dockside depth. Full-service: fuel, dock master, concierge. 20 min to Haulover Inlet. |
Fisher Island is accessible only by ferry or private yacht—the most secure zip code in the U.S. The Fisher Island Club operates two deep-water marinas (Main & Vanderbilt) with slips for vessels up to 250’. This is the only Miami neighborhood where you can dock a large yacht and never leave the island for anything.
Why yacht owners choose Fisher Island: Privacy. No bridge restrictions. 5 minutes to open ocean via Government Cut. Equity membership in Fisher Island Club includes marina access. Two deep-water marinas (Main & Vanderbilt) handle vessels up to 250’. Full customs clearance available.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher Island Club Marina | Private (Equity) | 250’ | The Residences at Six Fisher Island 2027 — $15.5M–$60M+ — 2 Min Golf Cart 🚶 Palazzo Della Luna 2019 — $8M–$35M — 2 Min Golf Cart | 100+ slips across two deep-water marinas (Main & Vanderbilt). 12–15’ depth. Related Group / Kobi Karp. 50 units, 3,800–16,000 sq ft. Last developable parcel. Fisher Island Club membership included. |
The southern tip of Miami Beach—known as SoFi—puts you walkable to Miami Beach Marina, one of the busiest mega-yacht marinas in the Southeast. Government Cut is right there; ocean access takes minutes. This is the most urban yacht-owner lifestyle in Miami.
Why yacht owners choose South Beach: Miami Beach Marina can handle vessels up to 250’+ with 12-foot depth and full customs clearance. Government Cut is 5 minutes away. South of Fifth offers a walkable, restaurant-dense lifestyle that’s hard to replicate elsewhere in Miami.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach Marina | Public (Privately Managed) | 250’+ | Five Park 2024 — $1.2M–$17M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 Icon South Beach — $1M–$5M — 2 Min Walk 🚶 Ritz-Carlton South Beach 2026 — $3M–$15M — 7–10 Min Drive | 400+ slips. 12’ dockside depth (13’ approach). Fuel, full service. ~5 min to open ocean via Government Cut. |
This stretch between South Beach and Bal Harbour offers Miami’s highest concentration of branded residences—but marina options are boutique-scale. Fontainebleau Marina (160’), Sunset Harbour Yacht Club (210’), and the Ritz-Carlton private marina (40’ max) are the primary options.
Why yacht owners choose Mid-Beach: Fontainebleau Marina (68 slips, 7’ depth, Indian Creek) and Sunset Harbour Yacht Club (125 slips, 10’ depth, equity membership) offer legitimate dockage for vessels up to 160–210’. The Ritz-Carlton Residences has a private marina, but it’s capped at 40’ (Surprise Lake bridge restriction). Mid-Beach puts you in the center of Collins Avenue’s luxury corridor, walkable to Bal Harbour Shops.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fontainebleau Marina | Private / Resort | 160’ | The Perigon 2026 — $4M–$20M — 5–7 Min Drive 57 Ocean 2021 — $3M–$15M — 5–7 Min Drive Casa Cipriani Residences 2026 — $3.5M–$12M — 5 Min Drive | 68 slips. 7’ dockside depth (8’ approach). Indian Creek / direct ICW access. |
| Sunset Harbour YC | Private | 210’ | Palau Sunset Harbour 2016 — $1.5M–$6M — Across Street 🚶 The Raleigh / Rosewood 2026 — $4M–$20M — 10–12 Min Drive Shore Club Private Collection 2026 — $6M–$35M — 10–12 Min Drive Ritz-Carlton South Beach 2026 — $3M–$15M — 12–15 Min Drive W South Beach 2009 — $1M–$8M — 10–12 Min Drive | 125 slips. 10’ dockside depth (8’ approach channel). Equity membership. |
| Ritz-Carlton Private Marina | Private | 40’ LOA ⚠️ | Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach 2020 — $2M–$10M — On-Site 🚶 | 40’ max boat length. Surprise Lake bridge restrictions. |
Edgewater sits on the mainland side of Biscayne Bay, just north of downtown. It’s Miami’s most active condo construction corridor. The neighborhood’s only marina—Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (formerly Sea Isle Marina)—handles boats up to 140 feet, but bridge clearance southbound (Julia Tuttle at 56’) limits access for tall vessels.
Why yacht owners choose Edgewater: Venetian Marina & Yacht Club offers 150+ slips with 10-foot dockside depth, full service, and direct ICW access. It’s the closest marina to Miami’s densest cluster of new luxury towers. Walk-to-boat is realistic from several buildings.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (Formerly Sea Isle Marina, 7928 East Dr.) | Full-Service | 140’ | Missoni Baia 2023 — $1M–$5M — 5–7 Min Drive Edition Residences Edgewater 2026 — $1M–$4M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 Lofty Brickell 2025 — $800K–$3M — 8–10 Min Drive The Standard Residences 2027 — $800K–$3M — 5–7 Min Walk 🚶 Casa Bella by B&B Italia 2024 — $1M–$3.5M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 | 150+ slips. 10’ dockside depth. Full-service: fuel, pump-out, electric, dockmaster. Direct ICW access. 56’ bridge clearance southbound (Julia Tuttle). |
Brickell is Miami’s densest luxury corridor and one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods for branded residences. While it sits on Biscayne Bay, Brickell’s marina infrastructure is more limited than Downtown or Miami Beach—though improving rapidly with Vice City Marina (opening 2026).
Why yacht owners choose Brickell: Walkable urban lifestyle with branded residences from Baccarat, Dolce & Gabbana, Cipriani, and St. Regis. Vice City Marina (opening 2026) brings 36 new slips to central Brickell. Yacht Haven Grande at Island Gardens is accessible with no fixed bridges. The area offers direct Biscayne Bay frontage south of the Miami River—no bridge restrictions to Government Cut.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice City Marina (Central Brickell) | Full-Service | 80’ | Baccarat Residences 2026 — $1M–$11M — 3 Min Walk 🚶 888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana 2028 — $2M–$15M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 The Residences at 1428 Brickell 2027 — $1M–$7M — 5 Min Walk 🚶 Cipriani Residences 2028 — $1.5M–$8M — 5–7 Min Walk 🚶 | 36 slips. 9’ dockside depth. Long-term & transient. No fixed bridges to Government Cut. |
| St. Regis Brickell Private Marina (On-Site) | Private | ~100’ | St. Regis Residences Brickell 2027 — $1.5M–$10M — On-Site 🚶 | Pick-up/drop-off service only—no confirmed slip sales or rentals. Verify with building. |
| Epic Marina / Yacht Haven Grande | Drop-Off / Mega-Yacht | 300’+ / 550’ | The Residences at Mandarin Oriental 2029 — $3M–$30M — 7–10 Min Drive Cipriani Residences 2028 — $1.5M–$8M — 10–12 Min Drive | Epic is transient/drop-off only—no long-term slips. YHG: 22’ dockside, 27’ max draft for permanent dockage. |
Key Biscayne is a residential island accessible via the Rickenbacker Causeway. There is no full-service yacht marina on the island itself—Crandon Marina is a county park facility (80’ max, 6’ depth, sport fishing focus). Serious yacht owners use Rickenbacker Marina (Virginia Key) or marinas on the mainland.
Why yacht owners choose Key Biscayne: Island lifestyle with easy access to the bay and Government Cut. Rickenbacker Marina offers full service and haul-out (100’+). Crandon Marina works for smaller vessels and day boats.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rickenbacker Marina (Virginia Key) | Full-Service | 100’+ | Oceana Key Biscayne 2015 — $2M–$10M — 5 Min Drive | Full-service marina, boatyard, haul-out. 10’ depth. Popular with Key Biscayne residents. |
| Crandon Marina (Key Biscayne) | Public (County) | 80’ | Oceana Key Biscayne 2015 — $2M–$10M — 3 Min Drive | ~190 slips. 6’ depth. Sport fishing. No mega-yacht infrastructure. |
North Bay Village sits on a chain of islands between Miami Beach and the mainland, accessed by the 79th Street Causeway. It’s emerging as a yacht-owner neighborhood thanks to two major new developments: Pagani Residences and the upcoming Ritz-Carlton Residences North Bay Village.
Why yacht owners choose North Bay Village: New construction at 30–40% below comparable Miami Beach product. Pagani Residences includes a private 100’+ marina. Ritz-Carlton North Bay Village will add 42 slips. Direct bay access—no ICW needed.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pagani Marina (On-Site) | Private | 100’+ | Pagani Residences 2028 — $2M–$10M — On-Site 🚶 | Private marina for residents. Slips for yachts up to 100’+. 7–8’ depth. Bay access via 79th Street channel. |
| Ritz-Carlton NBV Marina (On-Site, Planned) | Private (Planned) | TBD | Ritz-Carlton Residences North Bay Village 2028 — $1.5M–$8M — On-Site 🚶 | 42 slips planned. Details TBD—verify with developer. |
Coconut Grove is Miami’s oldest neighborhood and one of the most walkable. Dinner Key Marina is one of the largest in the county (over 500 slips), and nearby marinas like the Coral Reef Yacht Club and Grove Harbour add options. The vibe is more sailboat-and-cruiser than mega-yacht, but serious yacht infrastructure exists.
Why yacht owners choose Coconut Grove: Walkable village lifestyle—restaurants, shops, parks, all on foot. Dinner Key Marina is one of the largest in the county. Vita at Grove Isle offers a private marina with slips up to 110’+. Mr. C Residences and Grove Central bring new luxury product. The Grove is 30–45 minutes to open ocean, but the route is bridge-free and scenic.
| Marina | Estado | Max Boat | The Best New(er) Condos | Notas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner Key Marina (City of Miami) | Public | 80’ | Mr. C Residences 2024 — $1M–$5M — 5 Min Drive Grove at Grand Bay 2016 — $3M–$10M — 5–7 Min Drive | 582 slips. 7–8’ depth. One of the largest marinas in Florida. Waitlist: 2–5 years. |
| Vita at Grove Isle (Private Island) | Private | 110’+ | Vita at Grove Isle 2025 — $2M–$12M — On-Site 🚶 | Full-service marina. 8’ depth. Private island—accessible by bridge. Staff housing available. |
Fort Lauderdale—not Miami—is the yacht capital of the world by volume. If your vessel exceeds 200 feet or you need serious refit/maintenance infrastructure, Fort Lauderdale is where the industry lives.
Worth considering if: Your yacht exceeds 200 feet, you need regular haul-out or refit services, or you want maximum slip availability without waitlists. Many Miami condo owners dock in Fort Lauderdale and drive down—it’s 30–45 minutes on I-95.
Every developer in Miami markets marina access. Here’s what to verify before signing.
| What Developers Say | What to Verify |
|---|---|
| “Private marina for residents” | How many slips? What’s the max LOA? Are slips deeded, leased, or first-come? |
| “Deep-water access” | Dockside depth and approach channel depth. 10’ dockside doesn’t help if the approach is 6’. |
| “Walking distance to marina” | Actual walk time? Through secure areas or public streets? Acceptable in summer heat? |
| “Full-service marina” | Fuel? Pump-out? Dockmaster? Customs clearance? Or just a dock with cleats? |
| “Direct ocean access” | How many minutes to the inlet? Any bridges or locks? What’s the controlling depth en route? |
| “Yacht-friendly building” | Does the HOA allow yacht-related activity? Crew access? Provisioning deliveries? Dock carts? |
For yachts over 80 feet, crew logistics are an operational factor that most real estate agents ignore.
| Factor | Public Marina | Private Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Slip Availability | Waitlists (often 2+ years) | Immediate or short waitlist |
| Coste | $23–$25/ft/month at Dinner Key; $30–$60/ft at MBM | HOA-bundled or $40–$80/ft |
| Yacht Size | Miami Beach Marina: 250’+. Most others: 80–165’ | Varies: 40’ (Ritz-Carlton MB) to 250’ (Fisher Island) |
| Servicios | Full-service at larger marinas (fuel, customs, repair) | Varies: some full-service, some basic docks |
| Seguridad | Standard | Higher (controlled access, cameras, concierge) |
| Transient / Visitor | Yes—drop-in available at most | Residents/members only |
| Live-Aboard | Permitted at some (Dinner Key, MBM) | Rarely permitted |
Rarely. Most Miami condos don’t include deeded slips. Buildings with private marinas—Vita at Grove Isle, Pagani Residences, Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach—offer slip access as an amenity or purchasable add-on. Marina Palms is the exception: deeded slips are sold with units. Fisher Island Club marina access comes through equity membership ($250K+).
Air draft is the height from the waterline to the highest fixed point on your vessel (typically the radar arch or mast). In Miami, the Julia Tuttle Causeway (I-195) has a fixed clearance of 56 feet—anything taller cannot pass under it on the ICW. The A1A fixed bridge at Haulover clears just 32 feet. If your yacht exceeds either of these, your marina options narrow significantly.
Vita at Grove Isle (110’+), Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach (40’ max), Pagani Residences (100’+), Ritz-Carlton North Bay Village (42 slips, TBD). Fisher Island Club offers marina access through equity membership. Aston Martin Residences has a drop-off dock only—no long-term slips. St. Regis Brickell has a private marina, but it’s pick-up/drop-off service only.
Coconut Grove offers a walkable village lifestyle with shallower water (7–8’) and 30–45 minutes to open ocean. Dinner Key Marina has 582 slips but a multi-year waitlist. Fisher Island offers complete privacy, deeper water (12–15’), and 5 minutes to the ocean via Government Cut. The tradeoff: Fisher Island requires a ferry for guests and an equity club membership.
North Bay Village—new developments like Pagani and Ritz-Carlton offer private marina access without waitlists. Private marinas (Yacht Haven Grande, Fisher Island Club) use membership/approval processes rather than waitlists. Public marinas (Dinner Key, Miami Beach Marina) can have multi-year waits.
56 feet at Julia Tuttle Causeway (I-195)—this divides the ICW and blocks tall vessels from moving north-south. The A1A fixed bridge at Haulover clears just 32 feet. If your yacht exceeds either, plan your marina location accordingly.
Public marinas: $23–$25/foot/month at Dinner Key, $30–$60/foot at Miami Beach Marina. An 85-foot yacht runs roughly $1,900–$2,100/month plus utilities at a public marina. Private marinas charge higher monthly fees or require $100,000+ equity membership (Fisher Island). Deeded slips at Marina Palms sell separately and hold resale value.
Yes, but it’s limited. Dinner Key Marina allows live-aboards with permits. Miami Beach Marina permits it as well. Most private marinas restrict or prohibit live-aboard arrangements. Always confirm the specific marina’s policy before committing.
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Most marinas require proof of insurance and a hurricane plan (where you’ll move the vessel during a named storm). Insurance premiums are higher in South Florida. Budget for named-storm deductibles, document your vessel’s condition annually, and know your haul-out options (Lauderdale Marine Center is the go-to for large vessels).
Yes, for value-focused buyers. New construction is priced 30–40% below comparable Miami Beach product. Both Pagani Residences and Ritz-Carlton North Bay Village include private marinas. The tradeoff: northern-only water access via Haulover Inlet (~20 min to ocean), and the 56-foot Julia Tuttle restriction applies if you need to head south on the ICW.
| Yacht Size | Best Neighborhood | Best Marina | Top Condo Picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 60’ | South Beach, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne | Miami Beach Marina, Dinner Key, Crandon Marina | Five Park, Mr. C Residences, Oceana KB |
| 60–100’ | Downtown, North Bay Village, Key Biscayne | Yacht Haven Grande, Pagani Marina, Rickenbacker Marina | Aston Martin, Pagani Residences, Oceana KB |
| 100–150’ | Downtown, Fisher Island | Yacht Haven Grande, Miamarina at Bayside, Fisher Island Club | Waldorf Astoria, The Residences at Six Fisher Island |
| 150–300’ | Downtown | Yacht Haven Grande | One Thousand Museum, Aston Martin |
| 300’+ | Watson Island | Yacht Haven Grande | One Thousand Museum, Waldorf Astoria |
Marina specs change, slip availability shifts, and marketing doesn’t always match reality. If you’re buying with a yacht in mind, I can help you verify what actually works for you and your vessel.
Call or Text: 646-376-8752 Email MeAnthony Guerriero — Manhattan Miami Real Estate
Specializing in luxury waterfront properties across Miami, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and Fort Lauderdale.