Yacht Charters & Custom Events in Stuart, Florida

The sunset is only part of the show. This private Stuart cruise pairs a roomy 43-foot Hatteras yacht with personal hosting from Captain Phil and Amy, giving you a quieter way to see Florida’s waterways than a large group boat. I like the small private group of 3 to 7 people and the chance to shape the cruise around your plans. I also like the thoughtful food touches, from charcuterie to Florida Key lime cupcakes.

The main point to check is timing. The experience is described as about two hours, but available cruises can run from 1.5 to 4 hours, and Champagne or wine tastings cost extra. The address information also needs a careful look: the booking location says West Palm Beach, while the meeting and pickup details place the cruise in Stuart and Martin County.

Key details before you book

• A 43-foot Hatteras for your own group: This is a private yacht outing for 3 to 7 passengers, not a shared sightseeing boat.
• Captain Phil and Amy host the cruise: Phil handles the boat while Amy prepares snacks and helps point out wildlife and waterfront sights.
• Sunset is the featured moment: The cruise is designed around changing light, open water, and views along Stuart’s waterways.
• The food is more than an afterthought: A sample menu includes charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes.
• Pickup is available in Martin County: The company SUV holds up to four people. You can also use Uber or drive to the Stuart meeting area.
• Weather can change the plan: If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

A private yacht, not a standard group cruise

The biggest difference here is privacy. You and your companions have the 43-foot Hatteras yacht, Onward & Upward, to yourselves. With space for 3 to 7 passengers, the setting fits a couple who wants a special outing, a family celebration, or a small group marking a birthday, anniversary, or holiday.

That private format changes the mood. You do not need to share the deck with a large crowd, compete for a view, or adjust every conversation to the people around you. You can focus on the water, the food, and the company you brought along.

I would not choose this for a low-cost, quick ride with a large party. The $130 price per person reflects a private charter, a captain, hosting, and a more personal setup. For two people, that can feel expensive. For a group of five to seven splitting the cost, the value becomes easier to see, especially if you are planning a celebration rather than simply looking for transportation on the water.

The yacht itself is large enough to make a two-hour outing feel like a proper event. Still, the supplied details do not promise a particular cabin arrangement, seating plan, or onboard facilities, so I would ask about those points if they matter to you.

Meeting in Stuart and sorting out the location

The listed meeting point is 4862 SE Anchor Avenue in Stuart, Florida 34997. A second Stuart address, 4307 SE Bayview Street, is also provided for driving to the company in South Stuart. Since the general location is labeled West Palm Beach but the detailed pickup instructions point to Stuart and Martin County, confirm the exact address before setting out.

That small bit of planning matters. Stuart and West Palm Beach are not interchangeable meeting areas, and you do not want to spend your sunset hour sorting out a location mix-up.

Pickup is available anywhere in Martin County in a company SUV that holds four people. If your group has more than four passengers, the information suggests that some of you may need to drive or arrange another ride. You can also use Uber or drive directly to the Stuart area.

The experience operates daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the stated operating period, August 8, 2025 through February 18, 2027. A sunset cruise naturally fits the later part of that window, but your exact departure time should be confirmed when booking.

What the 1.5 to 4-hour cruise feels like

The cruise is listed as approximately two hours, with possible durations ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours. That flexibility is useful for custom events, but it also means you should not assume every booking has the same length.

A shorter cruise may suit you if you mainly want sunset views, a drink, and a small plate of food. A longer option gives the outing more breathing room and may be a better choice for a celebration where conversation and a relaxed meal matter as much as the scenery.

The route is described as a river cruise, with views along the Intracoastal waters around Stuart. You can expect the focus to be the water itself, waterfront homes, wildlife, and the changing light near sunset. The cruise has one named focus, sunset, rather than a long list of formal stops.

That is both a strength and a limitation. You get an unhurried boat ride instead of a packed schedule. On the other hand, this is not a sightseeing tour built around numerous historic sites or scheduled shore visits. You stay on the yacht, and the appeal comes from the setting and the company.

Sunset on the water

Sunset is the central event here. As the light fades, waterfront homes and the river take on a different look, and the boat gives you changing views that are hard to get from land.

I like that the cruise is not presented as a race from one attraction to another. The value is in having time to sit with the view, share food, and watch the water. A sunset cruise also gives you a natural reason to slow down, which is often what a special outing needs.

The timing is worth discussing before you pay. The operating hours extend until 8:00 PM, but the best departure time depends on the date and sunset. Ask the operator when to board for the main sunset portion of the cruise, especially if your booking is closer to the shorter 1.5-hour option.

Weather is the one major variable. The cruise requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy protects you from paying for a rough or disappointing outing, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Dolphins, sharks, birds, and waterfront homes

The cruise can include more than scenery. During one Christmas vacation outing, the route included views of large waterfront homes along with dolphins, sharks, and seabirds. Captain Phil and Amy pointed out the wildlife, adding useful context instead of leaving you to spot everything on your own.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so I would treat them as a welcome possibility rather than the main reason to book. The same goes for the particular homes and birds you may see. Water conditions, season, timing, and chance all affect what appears along the route.

Still, the wildlife reports give this cruise more character than a simple ride past expensive houses. Dolphins can turn a calm boat trip into a memorable one, while seabirds help you notice the natural side of the waterway. Sharks may be spotted too, but the available information does not identify a particular species or promise a close view.

For families, this can help hold attention during the quieter parts of the cruise. For adults, it adds a bit of surprise to an evening that might otherwise be centered only on drinks and sunset.

Captain Phil and Amy bring the personal touch

The hosting is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Captain Phil pilots the yacht, while Amy prepares food and helps identify sights and wildlife. That division gives the cruise a more personal feel than a boat ride where the captain remains separate from the group.

The combination matters because a private charter can feel either warm or overly formal. Here, the available details point toward a friendly outing, with the hosts taking an active part in the experience. One Christmas cruise ended with the visitors feeling they had made new friends, which suggests that the welcome is a major part of the appeal.

You should also keep expectations grounded. A private yacht charter is still shaped by safety, weather, and the captain’s responsibilities. The hosts may guide the flow of the trip, but the information does not promise a fully customized route or unlimited onboard requests.

If you value conversation and a host-led experience, this is a good fit. If you prefer to be left entirely alone, ask how much interaction to expect when you book.

The sample menu: simple, festive, and Florida-friendly

Food gives the cruise a special-event feel. The sample menu includes:

• Charcuterie
• Shrimp cocktail
• Mini Florida Key lime cupcakes

That is a smart menu for a boat. Charcuterie is easy to share, shrimp cocktail feels festive without requiring a formal meal, and Key lime cupcakes add a clear Florida touch in a small, manageable dessert.

Bottled sparkling or flat water is available, while Champagne or wine tastings can be arranged for an additional charge according to your preferences. Since the menu is described as a sample, I would confirm exactly what is included in your selected package and whether dietary needs can be handled.

The food should be viewed as part of the setting, not as a full restaurant meal. If you expect a large dinner, this may not meet your needs. If you want tasteful snacks with a drink and a sunset, the menu sounds well matched to the occasion.

The extra cost for Champagne or wine tastings can add up, especially when combined with the $130 per-person rate. For an anniversary or private celebration, that may feel worthwhile. For a casual afternoon, bottled water and the included food may offer the better value.

How the $130 price earns its keep

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. The price makes more sense when you consider what you are buying: private use of a 43-foot yacht, a captain, personal hosting, food, and a small group setting.

For a group of three, the cost is harder to justify unless the occasion matters. For six or seven people, the per-person price may feel more reasonable because you are sharing the private charter among several people while keeping the group together.

The two-hour format also matters. A short private cruise can be a good choice if you want one polished part of a larger day in Stuart. If you want a longer event, ask about the price for a 4-hour option before booking, since the duration range suggests that rates or arrangements may vary.

I would compare this with the cost of a private dinner, a large shared boat tour, and other special-event activities in the area. The advantage here is not simply time on the water. It is the combination of privacy, a personal host, food, and the chance to see wildlife in a relaxed setting.

Who should book this Stuart cruise?

I think this charter suits:

• Couples celebrating an anniversary or special milestone
• Families who want a private outing together
• Small groups visiting Stuart for a holiday
• People who prefer a quiet cruise over a crowded sightseeing boat
• Anyone planning a custom event with food and optional wine or Champagne

The cruise may be less suitable if you want a full-day activity, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, a formal multi-course dinner, or a low-cost boat ride. The available details also do not describe fishing as part of this particular cruise, though the company has offered fishing charters as another possible service.

Service animals are allowed, the activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Because this is a private activity, your group does not share the yacht with strangers.

Booking and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book. I would use that moment to verify the exact Stuart meeting point, the start time, the cruise length, the food included, and any added cost for Champagne or wine.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time.

Bad weather is handled differently. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can select another date or receive a full refund. That makes it wise to avoid scheduling this as the one fixed event that cannot move during your visit.

Should you book Onward & Upward?

I would book this cruise if you want a private, host-led sunset outing in Stuart and care more about atmosphere than a packed sightseeing schedule. Captain Phil, Amy, the 43-foot Hatteras, wildlife spotting, and the Florida-style food give the experience a personal identity.

I would pause if you are watching every dollar, need a guaranteed route or wildlife sighting, or expect a full dinner. Before paying, confirm the Stuart address, exact duration, and what your $130 includes. For a small celebration or a relaxed evening with family and friends, this looks like a thoughtful way to spend time on the water.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise begin?

The listed start point is 4862 SE Anchor Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34997. Another Stuart address, 4307 SE Bayview Street, is provided for people who choose to drive to the company in South Stuart.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered anywhere in Martin County in the company SUV, which holds up to four people. You can also use Uber or drive to the Stuart meeting area.

How many people can join the private yacht cruise?

The private yacht, Onward & Upward, is intended for 3 to 7 passengers. Only your group participates in the activity.

How long is the cruise?

The experience is described as approximately two hours, with available cruise lengths ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours. Confirm the exact duration when booking.

Is food included?

A sample menu includes charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. Bottled sparkling or flat water is available. Champagne or wine tastings cost extra and can be tailored to your preference.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.