Palm Beach Sightseeing Tours on Your Own Private Boat
The best views of Palm Beach County aren't from the road. They're from the water. Our sightseeing tours in Palm Beach put you on a private boat with a Coast Guard-licensed captain. You'll see waterfront estates, two historic lighthouses, megayachts and the island where a president's bunker was built. You choose the sights, and we plan the route.
Palm Beach Boat Charters by Yacht Hampton has spent 14 years running family-owned charters. We board at Delray Harbor Club Marina on the Intracoastal. That puts us between the landmarks to the north and the inlets to the south. Your concierge will help you fit the sights you care about into the time you have.
How a Private Sightseeing Tour Works
A sightseeing tour is a boat trip built around what you want to see. You aren't on a fixed loop with a crowd. You can slow down at an estate, circle back for a photo or skip a stop that doesn't interest you.
Your captain knows these waters well. Along the way, they'll point out the landmarks and the best angles for photos. Want to swim at a sandbar between sights? That's easy to add.
Every trip is a private charter for your group only, like all of our Palm Beach boat charters.
Landmarks You Can See From the Water
These are the sights our guests ask about most. Some sit close to our marina. Others are a longer ride.
Mar-a-Lago and the Palm Beach Estates
The town of Palm Beach sits on a barrier island along the Lake Worth Lagoon. From the water, you get a clear look at the estates, private docks and seawalls along the shore. Mar-a-Lago is one of the best-known homes on the route.
West Palm Beach Megayachts
Across the lagoon, the West Palm Beach waterfront is a good place to see megayachts up close. Cruising past them gives you a sense of scale you can't get from shore.
Manatee Lagoon
This free FPL Eco-Discovery Center sits on the water in West Palm Beach. In cooler months, manatees gather in the warm outflow from the power plant next door. You may spot them from the boat, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Peanut Island
Peanut Island sits near the Palm Beach Inlet. It started as fill from dredging the inlet in 1918. The island also holds the John F. Kennedy bunker, built during the Cold War. The bunker has been closed to tours since 2017, so plan to see it from the outside.
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
This 108-foot brick tower was first lit in 1860. It's still an active aid to navigation, according to the Bureau of Land Management. You'll see it from the water. Climbing tours are run on land by the lighthouse museum.
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
To the south, past Boca Raton, the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse marks the inlet near Lighthouse Point. It's a good goal for a southbound trip.
The Boynton Inlet and Beer Can Island
These are the closest sights to our marina. Beer Can Island is a popular sandbar spot near the inlet. Watching boats run in and out of the inlet is a show of its own.
Our Sightseeing Tours
Each of these trips has its own page with more detail.
Sightseeing Boat Tour
This is our classic landmark cruise. Tell us what you want to see, and we'll build a loop around it. See our sightseeing boat tour page.
Peanut Island Boat Trip
Cruise to Peanut Island to swim, snorkel and see the island up close. Plan your Peanut Island boat trip.
Beer Can Island Boynton Sandbar Trip
Anchor at the sandbar off Beer Can Island and enjoy the water. Learn about our Beer Can Island sandbar trip.
Boynton Inlet Boat Tour
This short, scenic run takes you to the inlet and back. It's a good fit when time is tight. Read about our Boynton Inlet boat tour.
Match Your Sights to Your Trip Length
This is the part most sightseeing pages leave out. Not every landmark fits in every trip.
- 3 to 4 hours: Focus on one direction. The Boynton Inlet and Beer Can Island are closest to our marina. You can pair them with a swim stop.
- 6 to 8 hours: Go farther. A full day gives you time to reach the Palm Beach estates, Peanut Island and the West Palm Beach waterfront.
- Far north or far south: The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse are the longest rides. Ask your concierge which one fits your day.
- Sunset: A sunset cruise works best for nearby sights, with the sky as the main event.
Your concierge will check the route against your time before you book. That way, you won't spend your trip rushing.
Two Sample Routes
Every trip is custom, but these two routes show how a day can come together.
The Northbound Route
Leave Delray Harbor Club Marina and head up the Intracoastal. You'll pass the Boynton Inlet first, with Beer Can Island just inside it. Keep going through the Lake Worth Lagoon past Manalapan. The Palm Beach estates line the east shore, and Mar-a-Lago comes into view. Cross to the West Palm Beach waterfront to see the big yachts. Then finish near the Palm Beach Inlet with a look at Peanut Island. On a long day, you can keep going north toward Jupiter.
The Southbound Route
Head south from the marina toward Boca Raton. The waterway passes homes, docks and quiet stretches of water. Keep going and you'll reach the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, near Lighthouse Point. This route is a good pick if you've already seen Palm Beach, or if you're staying in Boca Raton.
Tips for Better Photos From the Boat
A boat gives you angles you can't get on land. A few tips help you make the most of them:
- Late afternoon light is soft and warm. A sunset trip is great for photos.
- Ask your captain to slow down near the landmarks you care about most.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch when you're not shooting.
- Wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to cut the glare on the water.
Why Book Your Sightseeing Tour With Us
A Captain Who Knows the Route
Every captain on our team holds a U.S. Coast Guard license. They know where to slow down and where the best views are.
The Right Boat for Your Group
We have more than 30 boats, from 22 feet up to a 122-foot event yacht. Couples can take a smaller boat. Big families can take a yacht with room to move.
Planning Done for You
Your concierge maps the route, books any dock-and-dine stop and sets up catering if you want it. Our team speaks English and Spanish.
Fuel Is Included
Our prices include fuel. You won't get a fuel bill after a long sightseeing day.
Sightseeing Tour Pricing
Private charters range from $690 to $9,999, plus gratuity. The price depends on boat size, trip length and add-ons. Fuel is always part of the price.
We offer weekday discounts and gift cards. We accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH and wire transfers. We don't accept cash or mobile pay. Appointments are recommended, and you can book online.
Sightseeing Tour FAQs
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Can we go inside the Kennedy Bunker on Peanut Island?
Not right now. The bunker has been closed to tours since 2017. You can still see the island and swim nearby.
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Can we climb the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse on our tour?
Climbing tours are run on land by the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, and they charge their own admission. On our charter, you'll see the lighthouse from the water.
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Which sights are closest to your marina?
The Boynton Inlet and Beer Can Island are the closest. They fit well into a 3 to 4 hour trip.
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Do you offer sightseeing tours in Spanish?
Yes. Our team speaks English and Spanish, so we can plan and run your trip in either language.
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What hours do your sightseeing tours run?
We operate 7 days a week, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, all year.
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Can we stop to swim during a sightseeing tour?
Yes. Your route can include a sandbar or a calm swim spot. Life jackets, pool noodles and snorkel gear come with every trip.
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Are sightseeing tours good for kids?
Yes. The Intracoastal is calmer than the open ocean, and life jackets come with every trip. Your concierge can keep the route short and simple for young kids.
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Do you offer sunset sightseeing tours?
Yes. A sunset cruise works best for sights close to our marina. Your captain times the trip to that evening's sunset.
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What if the weather turns bad?
If weather cancels your charter, you get a 28-month rain check to rebook.
Plan Your Sightseeing Tour
Pick the sights, and we'll handle the rest. Our sightseeing tours in Palm Beach start at Delray Harbor Club Marina and go where you want to go. Call (561) 593-3999 or book online to talk with our concierge.