Written by Kelly Sanchez on February 11, 2026
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Miami Beach aims to expand the free water taxi it launched last month, adding pickup and drop-off spots and increasing frequency.
About 900 passengers have boarded daily since the Jan. 20 launch, said Transportation and Mobility Director Jose Gonzalez. The taxis currently glide across the bay Monday through Friday from Miami Beach at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park to Miami at Venetian Marina & Yacht Club, sailing hourly from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“At this time, we’re providing regional service connecting two cities, City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami,” he said. “We do have plans to expand that service and be able to provide service along the western coast of our city to connect South Beach, Mid Beach and North Beach as well as penetrating the Indian Creek waterway within our city and also expanding to other points on the mainland as well.”
Mayor Steven Meiner called the water taxi a success, saying they’ve had to turn away passengers during peak times due to lack of capacity.
“I think we’re always looking to expand and I think we’re adapting as we go and the success keeps building on itself because it’s generating a tremendous amount of excitement – I see it; I hear it,” Mr. Meiner said. “Obviously our residents can utilize it to help with mobility, our tourists love it, it’s a way to be out on the water doing something fun and it helps ease congestion on our roads. It’s efficient, it’s good for the environment, so it’s a win-win across the board.”
What’s limiting expansion, Mr. Gonzalez said, is money. The water taxi is funded in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, which pays half the operating cost.
“We do hope that more of our transportation partners and our neighboring cities will hop on board, no pun intended,” he said, “and help the City of Miami Beach be able to expand this service and serve other communities as well.”