Thanksgiving in Miami: How to Celebrate Like a Local
Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
Thanksgiving in Miami looks different than it does anywhere else. While most of the country bundles up, Miami locals are basking in 75-degree sunshine, planning dockside dinners, and finding creative ways to celebrate the long weekend on the water. Whether you live here or you’re visiting for the holiday, here’s how to experience Thanksgiving the Miami way.
Start the Day with a Beach Sunrise
Locals know the secret to Miami mornings: the Atlantic glows gold in November. South Pointe Park, Crandon Park, and Key Biscayne beaches are the best places to start your day. Bring a coffee, a light breakfast, and a few close friends.
Boatsetter Insight: Thanksgiving morning often brings some of the calmest water conditions of the season, perfect for early boat departures or paddle sessions before brunch.
Take Your Celebration to the Water
Thanksgiving weekend bookings in Miami show that locals are skipping the traditional table and spending time on the bay instead. Half-day trips are the most popular, with many groups launching mid-morning and docking just in time for sunset.
You don’t need to own a boat to join in. Book a captained charter, pack a picnic or charcuterie board, and spend a few hours surrounded by Biscayne Bay’s turquoise views.
Top routes for a Thanksgiving on the water:
- Cruise through the Miami River to dock and dine at Seaspice or Kiki on the River
- Anchor at Monument Island for a relaxed picnic and skyline backdrop
- Drift along Biscayne Bay for quiet reflection and open-air gratitude
Where Locals Are Eating
Thanksgiving in Miami isn’t just turkey and stuffing. The Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne will be open on Thanksgiving Day for a special brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering ocean views and boat-friendly access for those who want to celebrate right on the water.
Casadonna in Edgewater also offers Dock & Dine service for boaters, though guests should confirm Thanksgiving hours when booking a reservation.
Boatsetter Tip: Many locals book their boats for the morning and plan to arrive at their restaurant by early afternoon, turning Thanksgiving into an experience rather than an itinerary.
End the Day Miami Style
As the sun sets, Miami’s skyline turns the water gold and pink. Some locals return to the sandbars for one last toast. Others drift quietly along the coast, watching the city light up. Thanksgiving isn’t about where you are, it’s about the feeling of togetherness, and in Miami that feeling comes wrapped in ocean breeze and a little salt spray.
Plan your Thanksgiving on the water with Boatsetter and experience the city like those who know it best.
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