The City of Miami Beach Commission is scheduled to vote on Dec. 17 on whether to enter into an agreement with Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale LLC to operate a free ferry service between Miami and Miami Beach.
If approved, the no-fare service is expected to begin Jan. 20, 2026, offering a waterborne transit option across Biscayne Bay.
The move is the next step in Miami Beach’s long-term effort to establish reliable water-based transit as an alternative to roads, something city officials see as a way to help reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity.
A permanent water taxi system has been discussed for years and has been under evaluation by city staff and commissioners.
Earlier this year, staff opened negotiations with Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale, which ranked highest in Miami Beach’s request for proposal bids, after a pilot program with another operator wasn’t successful. The pilot, run by Poseidon Ferry, experienced operational challenges and was eventually scaled back, but it provided lessons for the city’s long-term planning.
Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale has decades of experience operating water transit in Broward County and beyond, which helped it rise to the top of contenders to serve Miami Beach.
If Miami Beach commissioners approve the agreement next week, the service would begin early in 2026 and be offered for free to riders.