Miami Beach wants that visitors and citizens rediscover the city from the water with a new water taxi that will conect with the city. In a bold move to ease its long-standing traffic headaches, the city has approved the new service that promises to turn daily commutes into breezy bay crossings. It offers a faster, calmer and far more scenic way to travel.
Set to launch on January 20, 2026, the vehicle will be operated by Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale LLC, a company well known for navigating South Florida’s waterways. City officials say the goal is simple: give people a reason to leave their cars behind and experience a smoother, stress-free ride across Biscayne Bay.
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During Miami Art Week and Art Basel, a temporary version of the water taxi connected South Beach with downtown Miami. It quickly became a crowd favorite. Riders praised how effortlessly it sliced through congestion that paralyzed nearby bridges, turning what is often a frustrating drive into a relaxing journey.
That enthusiastic response convinced Miami Beach commissioners to make the service permanent and, crucially, free. Officials believe the no-cost model will encourage everyday use, not just by tourists but by workers, students and residents.
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Another experiences
Miami Beach has experimented with water transit before, most notably with the Poseidon Ferry in 2024. That paid service struggled with mechanical issues and low ridership, averaging only a few dozen passengers a day before being shut down.
City leaders say the new plan learns from those missteps by eliminating fares and relying on a seasoned operator capable of delivering consistent, reliable service.
While final routes and schedules are still being refined, expectations are high. The city envisions frequent departures between key points in Miami and Miami Beach, potentially every few minutes during peak times. Riders can expect a commute free of honking horns and bumper-to-bumper frustration, replaced by gentle waves, fresh air and postcard-worthy views of the city skyline.
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The project also adds a new layer to Miami’s growing network of water transportation. While services like the Miami Water Taxi already offer sightseeing routes around Biscayne Bay, they are largely geared toward tourists. This new initiative aims to blend that sense of adventure with everyday convenience — transforming the bay into a true transit corridor.
Mayor Steven Meiner says the water taxi is about more than transportation. It’s about quality of life. By embracing the water that defines Miami, the city hopes to offer a cleaner, smarter and undeniably more enjoyable way to move.
