September 4, 2025

Star Island

Star Island Miami Guide: Boat Tour Views, Map, Access, Anchoring Rules & Tips
Miami Beach • Celebrity Homes • Boat Views

Star Island Miami Guide: Boat Tour Views, Map, Access, Anchoring Rules & Tips

Last reviewed: Coverage: Biscayne Bay off MacArthur Causeway
Location: Biscayne Bay, just south of the Venetian Islands (Miami Beach), off MacArthur Causeway
Best For: Sightseeing by boat tour, skyline photos, “Millionaire’s Row” cruise
Access: Guarded residential island; no public beaches/parks. Best experienced from the water or MacArthur Causeway viewpoints.
Coordinates: 25.7775° N, −80.1508° W
Highlights: Waterfront mansions, downtown & South Beach views, proximity to Monument Island & South Pointe

Overview

Star Island is Miami Beach’s most famous man-made island—home to sprawling waterfront estates and A-list residents—set between the Venetian Islands and South Beach. Roads are guard-controlled with no public beaches or parks, so the classic way to experience it is from the water: a bay cruise or private charter circling the shoreline for mansion spotting and skyline photos.

Local insight: For golden-hour photos, time a loop around Star Island before sunset, then continue to Monument Island for a calm swim (anchoring permitted in sandy areas outside channels).

Access note: The entrance is guard-manned off MacArthur Causeway. While some sources describe the streets as public, access is often limited; treat the island as residential/private—no trespassing or dock tie-ups.

2025 Anchoring Update (Nearby Waters)

  • Overnight anchoring limits: Florida’s 2025 law expanded local authority on overnight anchoring in big counties. Miami-Dade designated additional Anchoring Limitation Areas, including the waters between Palm Island and Star Island. Plan to overnight elsewhere. Daytime sightseeing at idle speed is fine—respect no-wake zones and private docks.
  • Where to stop legally: Use common day-anchor spots like Monument Island (sandy patches) and avoid channels, seagrass, and marked exclusion areas.

Always verify current local notices before you go; Marine Patrol enforces in this corridor.

Things To Do

  • Millionaire’s Row Cruise: Circle Star Island then continue past Palm, Hibiscus & the Venetian Islands.
  • Photo Ops: Shoot skyline backdrops of Downtown/Brickell from the south/west side of the island.
  • Combine Stops: Monument Island swim stop, South Beach lunch, or sunset at South Pointe Park.

Rules & Safety

  • Private docks & seawalls: No tying up or beaching. Keep music moderate near residences.
  • Speeds: Idle/no-wake near shoreline and anchored vessels; give paddlecraft room.
  • Anchoring: Do not anchor on seagrass. Avoid overnighting in designated limitation areas between the islands.

Quick FAQ

  • Can I visit Star Island on foot? It’s a guarded residential island with no public parks or beaches. Best viewed from the water or MacArthur Causeway.
  • Where exactly is it? In Biscayne Bay off the MacArthur Causeway, roughly at GPS 25.7775, −80.1508.
  • Is anchoring allowed? Daytime anchoring on sand outside channels is common away from the residential seawalls. Overnight anchoring is restricted in the waters between Palm & Star Islands—use other anchorages.
  • What tour should I take? Any bay “Millionaire’s Row” cruise typically loops Star, Palm & Hibiscus Islands with skyline views.

Helpful references: Florida anchoring rules (2025 updates) and Miami-Dade Marine Patrol advisories.

About This Guide

Author & Reviewer: Fernando Yemail — Miami lifestyle expert and founder of Out.Miami and Feeling Yachty, with first-hand experience curating South Florida waterfront guides and luxury yacht charters. See his profiles at Out.Miami and Feeling Yachty.

Editorial policy: We combine local expertise with official sources; pages are refreshed when regulations and conditions change.