High-rollers in Miami Beach know how to show up, whether via limo, convertible or luxury yacht. Now, anyone can experience the joy of a glamorous arrival by boat as the city is about to add a free commuter water taxi to its roster of transportation options.
That's right, it's on the water and it's free. So you can beat the traffic, enjoy the bay breezes and snap a few fabulous sunset selfies along the way.
After a unanimous vote by the Miami Beach City Commission on December 17, the city is moving forward with the free water taxi service connecting Miami Beach and downtown Miami. The pilot program proved wildly popular during Miami Art Week over the past two years, ferrying tens of thousands of people between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park in Sunset Harbour and the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club on the Miami side. Starting in late January 2026, that pop-up success will become a regular weekday thing.
The service will run Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays. Boats will depart roughly every hour from 7am to 4:30pm, then pick up the pace with 30-minute intervals until 7:30pm. For now, there won't be service on the weekends, though city officials have hinted that future expansions could include more routes along the western edge of Miami Beach and possibly Indian Creek, if funding allows.
Each of the two sleek, 40-foot vessels can carry up to 55 passengers. Mayor Steven Meiner called the initiative a “game-changing” step toward easing congestion with cleaner, more efficient transit. It’s hard to argue with that when you’ve spent 45 minutes stuck on the MacArthur Causeway.
The water taxi will easily fit in with the full transportation system. Riders can swiftly connect with Miami-Dade County buses, Miami Beach’s free trolley system and the city’s on-demand Freebee service in parts of Mid and North Beach. The link-up means you can ditch the car and enjoy a smoother ride with a smaller impact.
The price tag for the service comes to $1.2 million for the 2026 fiscal year, not including fuel costs, but for commuters, residents and visitors, the cost is zero. The free water taxi may not get rid of Miami Beach traffic overnight, but it's a welcome upgrade that makes the city's waterfront location a highlight of the daily commute.