Watching New Year's Eve Fireworks from the Water in Miami
A guide to the displays, and how to make the most of watching them on your boat.

Posted Friday, December 30, 2011

 


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Downtown Miami plays host to the biggest and most spectacular display of fireworks on the water in South Florida as 2011 makes way for the New Year 2012.

Yachts from all over Miami anchor around the fireworks platform while surrounded by the ever expanding and brightly lit skyline of Downtown Miami and Brickell in the near background. New Year’s Eve in Miami Beach will be a dazzling spectacle of fireworks, music and magic attracting people from all over the world who are determined to celebrate in a city where the weather, the people and the party spots are always hot.

For the largest free New Year’s party in south Florida, head to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. There you’ll be joined by around 250,000 others to witness the ascent of the 35-ft smiley-faced neon icon ‘Big Orange’, as it creeps up the side of the Intercontinental Hotel over a six hour period, followed by a massive fireworks display over Biscayne Bay. Bayfront Park is a 32-acre (13 ha) public, urban park in Downtown Miami, Florida on Biscayne Bay.

You can also enjoy the Enjoy free fireworks at midnight on the beach as the City of Miami Beach rings in the New Year. Revelers will gather at Ocean Drive & 8th Street in South Beach.

Both venues can be viewed from your boat at several key locations between the Rickenbacker Causeway and Venetian Causeway. Anchoring along the MacArthur Causeway will most likely be a popular place, and chances are there will be plenty of Coast Guard and Marine Patrol boats around. Other spots include anchoring along the Venetian Causeway or in the Miami Yacht Club basin.

Wherever you choose to watch the fireworks from, be sure to have all safety equipment aboard, especially a strong light or lantern. If you will be having the whole family aboard, please remember that in the state of FL all children under the age of 6 must be wearing a life vest or PFD. Have fun, happy new year, and please don't boat under the influence!

Here's a video of Miami's New Year's Fireworks 2011:

This live stream is in Miami for the New Years Eve fireworks and celebrations: