Book top-rated boat trips, private party charters, and guided kayak tours to Miami's famous Sandspur Island. Explore our catalog of 12 verified tours or check our marina launch & transport guide before booking.
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Compare hand-picked guided boat trips, private yacht rentals, and eco-paddle adventures departing daily from North Miami and Miami Beach.
Whether traveling with young children, seeking a private romantic charter, planning a lively group party, or exploring coastal mangroves, choose the trip format tailored to your trip style.
Calm, waist-deep shallow waters around Sandspur Island provide a safe setting for children to swim, splash, and observe inquisitive raccoons under supervision.
Enjoy private two-hour boat charters with champagne, golden-hour skyline views across North Biscayne Bay, and peaceful island shorelines.
Book private yachts complete with licensed captains, high-power Bluetooth sound systems, large floating water mats, and BYOB beverage coolers.
Paddle single or tandem kayaks through Oleta River mangrove channels to Raccoon Island, discovering local marine life and quiet tidal coves.
Sandspur Island is an offshore landmass in North Biscayne Bay with no bridges, causeways, or road connections. Access is 100% water-based.
The safest and most effortless way to reach Raccoon Island. Experienced licensed captains handle navigation, tidal currents, and safety equipment. Trips depart conveniently from North Miami and Miami Beach marinas, offering celebrity mansion tours along the route.
Ideal for families, birthday parties, and group celebrations. Offers complete itinerary control, dedicated captain, Bluetooth sound systems, floating lily pads, and BYOB food and drink privileges.
Launch directly from BG Oleta River Outdoor Center inside Oleta River State Park (3400 NE 163rd St). Crossing the open bay channel takes 30 to 45 minutes of active paddling. Requires awareness of boat wakes and wind conditions.
Specialized tropical tiki boat shuttle service providing quick water transportation with island beach drop-off and scheduled afternoon pick-up times.
Explore key landmarks, marina docks, sandbars, and Oleta River State Park launch sites across northern Biscayne Bay.
Essential history, ecological insights, and practical guidelines for respectful interactions on Sandspur Island.
Sandspur Island (officially Sandspur Island and colloquially known as Raccoon Island or Beer Can Island) is a 15-acre artificial spoil island created during early 20th-century Army Corps of Engineers channel dredging in Biscayne Bay. Over recent decades, wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) established a thriving resident colony. Wildlife biologists trace their presence to storm rafting during Hurricane Andrew (1992), mangrove swim migrations, and local environmental adaptations. Today, between 40 and 60 habituated raccoons reside safely within the island hammock canopy.
Yes. Regional wildlife monitors and eco-tour partners track island health. The raccoons are accustomed to visitors wading in shallow waters. While they are peaceful, they remain wild animals with acute problem-solving dexterity. Raccoons will inspect unlatched bags or coolers within seconds. Store all food items in hard-shell latched containers. Maintain a respectful distance and avoid touching or cornering animals.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guidelines advocate zero hand-feeding of processed human foods, chips, or artificial snacks. Hand-feeding conditions animals toward aggressive food-seeking behavior, which threatens their health and natural foraging skills. Keep canvas backpacks zipped tight, keep food inside hard coolers, and enjoy watching raccoons wade through shallow shoreline waters naturally.
To maximize comfort, pack reef-friendly sunscreen, comfortable water shoes (essential for oyster beds and shallow mudflats), swimsuits, dry towels, waterproof phone pouches, and adequate drinking water. For private BYOB charters, bring ice and canned beverages (glass containers are prohibited on island sandbars).
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"Unforgettable experience! Raccoons walked right down the sandy beach into waist-deep water to greet us. Our boat captain was informative, pointing out celebrity estates along Indian Creek before taking us to the island."
"Booked the private party boat charter for 8 friends. BYOB privileges, loud Bluetooth music, and floating water mats made it the highlight of our Miami vacation. Sandspur Island is a hidden gem!"
Find clear answers to essential questions about visiting Sandspur Island, safety, access, and booking policies.
Yes, you can visit Sandspur Island (Raccoon Island) in North Biscayne Bay, Miami. However, because there are no bridges or mainland roads connecting to the island, access is strictly water-based via guided boat tours, private yacht charters, rental kayaks, or Tiki shuttles.
Tour prices vary depending on your preferred water experience. Shared motorboat tours start around $55–$75 per person, self-guided kayak and SUP rentals range from $35 to $50, while private party boat charters for groups cost between $350 and $650 per vessel.
Paddling from the launch site at Oleta River State Park takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes (about 1.2 miles across calm, sheltered bay waters).
Created in the 1920s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a man-made spoil island during Biscayne Bay channel dredging, Sandspur Island was later populated by wild raccoons that swam over from nearby Oleta River mangrove forests.
While Florida is famous for Key West and Sanibel Island, Sandspur Raccoon Island is widely considered Miami's most charming and unique hidden gem due to its clear turquoise shallow waters, pine grove canopy, and friendly resident wildlife.
No. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local veterinary health teams regularly monitor the island raccoon colony. The raccoons are healthy and rabies-free, though visitors are advised to observe them respectfully without hand-feeding.
While fine dining and nightlife in South Beach can be pricey, water activities around Raccoon Island offer great value. Shared boat tours and self-guided kayak rentals provide an affordable way to enjoy a full day on Biscayne Bay.
Visitors enjoy wading in knee-deep clear turquoise waters with island raccoons, picnicking under shaded pine tree canopies, snorkeling, paddleboarding along mangroves, and swimming at nearby Haulover Sandbar.
Sandspur Island spans approximately 15 acres (6 hectares) of natural land, featuring shaded pine forest trails and pristine white sand beaches surrounded by extensive shallow sandbars.
No. Sandspur Island (Raccoon Island) is situated in North Biscayne Bay with no bridges, causeways, or road connections to mainland Miami. Access is strictly water-based via guided boat tours, private yacht charters, kayak rentals, or tiki shuttles.
Its official chart designation by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names is Sandspur Island. Locally, it is widely referred to as Raccoon Island due to its resident wild raccoon colony, or colloquially Beer Can Island from historic boater anchorages.
Commercial tours depart primarily from North Miami marinas, Haulover Park Docks, Miami Beach charter docks, and Oleta River State Park launch ramps. Detailed departure address details are provided in your instant email confirmation upon booking.
Yes! Waters surrounding Sandspur Island are shallow, clear, and calm, making it family-friendly. Life jackets are provided on all commercial boat tours. Children enjoy watching raccoons wade along the shoreline while playing safely in waist-deep water.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations prohibit hand-feeding wild raccoons with processed human snacks. While raccoons wade into shallow water naturally, observing them respectfully from shore or boat ensures animal safety and health.
All featured tours booked through GetYourGuide and Viator offer full 100% refunds for cancellations made up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled activity departure time, providing complete flexibility for your trip planning.