Yacht Charters & Custom Events in Stuart, Florida

The best part of this Stuart yacht charter is the private 43-foot Hatteras. You are not sharing the boat with a crowd, so the cruise can feel personal and relaxed, with Captain Phil at the helm and Amy handling the hosting and food. The route brings you past waterfront homes and may include dolphins, sharks, and seabirds.

I like the small group size, which works well for a family, couples, or a close group of friends. I also like the thoughtful food service, including charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. The main consideration is that the stated cruise length ranges from 1.5 to 4 hours, while the headline duration is about 2 hours, so you should confirm the exact sailing time and menu before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for 3 to 7 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with no unrelated passengers joining the cruise.
• Captain Phil and Amy host the trip: Phil captains the Hatteras while Amy helps with hosting, snacks, and custom event details.
• Sunset is the featured stop: The cruise is built around waterfront views and the changing light over Stuart’s waterways.
• Wildlife and waterfront homes: You may see dolphins, sharks, seabirds, and impressive homes along the shore.
• Food and drinks can be tailored: Charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Key lime cupcakes are sample offerings. Sparkling or flat water is available, while champagne and wine tastings cost extra.
• Pickup is limited but useful: The company SUV holds four people and can collect you anywhere in Martin County. Larger groups can use Uber or drive to the Stuart meeting area.

A private Hatteras cruise in Stuart

This is a small, hosted yacht outing rather than a standard sightseeing boat ride. Onward & Upward Events and Cruises takes your group out aboard Onward & Upward, a 43-foot Hatteras designed for three to seven passengers.

That distinction matters. With a private boat, you do not have to fit your plans around strangers or compete for the best view. You can sit with your own group, talk with the hosts, and shape the mood around a birthday, anniversary, family outing, sunset celebration, or simple afternoon on the water.

The two hosts are part of the appeal. Captain Phil handles the boat, while Amy helps create the social side of the cruise. This arrangement gives the outing more of a hosted event feel than a basic charter where you are simply dropped onto a vessel and left to entertain yourself.

You should expect a calm ride through Stuart’s waterways, with time to look along the shore and watch for wildlife. The route may pass impressive homes, and the water can offer sightings of dolphins, sharks, and seabirds. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the setting gives you something to watch beyond the boat itself.

Sunset on Stuart’s waterways

Sunset is the named stop, and it is the strongest choice for a special occasion. The changing light gives the cruise a clear purpose, especially if you want photographs, a quiet drink, or an easy way to mark the end of the day.

The exact route is not detailed, so I would not book this expecting a fixed list of landmarks. Instead, think of it as a private river and coastal-waterway cruise where the pleasure comes from being on the water, seeing the shore from a different angle, and letting the timing build toward sunset.

The route can also make a nice contrast with a busy Florida day. After shopping, beach time, or sightseeing, two hours on the water gives you a slower pace. The cruise is especially suited to people who enjoy scenery and conversation more than a packed schedule of stops.

One practical point: sunset cruises depend on weather and daylight conditions. The operator states that poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is useful in Florida, where conditions can change quickly, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your plans.

Wildlife, mansions, and the value of a local host

The shore views appear to be one of the most memorable parts of this outing. You may pass waterfront mansions, and the hosts can point out dolphins, sharks, and seabirds when they appear.

That personal attention makes a difference. On a larger boat, wildlife can be easy to miss, especially if you do not know where to look. Here, Captain Phil and Amy can help direct your attention toward what is happening around the boat.

The wildlife sightings are best treated as a bonus, not a promise. The supplied details do not guarantee dolphins or sharks on every departure. The reliable feature is the cruise itself, with the chance to see waterfront homes, open water, and birds along the route.

Coming from a colder climate, you may find the Stuart setting particularly appealing. One account described the cruise as a welcome change from a northern winter, with warm-weather scenery and a clear sense of being on South Florida’s waterways. That makes this a good addition to a winter visit when you want more than another restaurant meal or land-based tour.

Food service that feels more personal

Food is not an afterthought here. The sample menu includes charcuterie to start, shrimp cocktail as the main offering, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes for dessert.

That menu fits the setting well. Charcuterie is easy to share while the boat is moving, shrimp cocktail feels suitably coastal, and Key lime cupcakes give the meal a distinctly Florida finish. The portions and final menu may vary because the food is tailored to your preferences, so confirm what is included when you arrange the charter.

Bottled sparkling or flat water is available. Champagne or wine tastings are extra, which is important when comparing the total cost. The base price should not be treated as an all-inclusive food and beverage package unless the company confirms that for your booking.

I like the flexibility here because a private event can be more enjoyable when the food matches the group. A couple might prefer light snacks, while a family celebration may want a fuller spread. The available information confirms customization, but it does not provide a full list of menus or prices for upgrades.

Is the $130 price good value?

The listed price is $130 per person. For a private yacht charter, the value depends heavily on the size of your group and the final duration.

At three passengers, the starting group cost would be about $390 before any extras. At seven, it would be about $910. A larger group gets more value from the private-boat format because the cost is spread across more people, while a smaller group pays more for privacy and personal hosting.

You are paying for more than transport. The price covers access to a 43-foot Hatteras, a private cruise, a captain, hosted service, and the chance to arrange food and drinks around your plans. That makes it a stronger fit for a celebration or meaningful outing than for someone seeking the cheapest way to get on the water.

The time description needs attention. The experience is advertised as roughly two hours, but the cruise can be described as lasting from 1.5 to 4 hours. That is a wide range. Ask which duration applies to your booking, what the $130 includes, and how extra time is priced.

If the trip is close to two hours, the cost may feel reasonable for a private event with food. If you receive a longer cruise or arrange a special menu, the value improves. If champagne, wine, or other additions are important to you, add those costs before making your decision.

Meeting points and pickup in Stuart

The listed starting point is 4862 SE Anchor Avenue in Stuart, Florida. Pickup information also gives a company SUV option from anywhere in Martin County, with room for up to four people.

There is also a second Stuart address provided for people who prefer to drive or use Uber: 4307 SE Bayview Street. Because two addresses appear in the information, confirm the exact pickup location before the day of your cruise. This is especially important if you are relying on a rideshare service or planning your timing around sunset.

The SUV is convenient for a couple or a group of four. If your party has five to seven people, the SUV will not hold everyone, so you should plan to drive separately or arrange another way to reach the meeting point.

The activity returns to the meeting point at the end. That makes planning easier, since you do not need to arrange a one-way transfer after the cruise.

The operating dates listed run from August 8, 2025, through February 18, 2027, with hours shown daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Since sunset timing changes during the year, confirm the departure time that matches the date you want.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This cruise is a good match for a small group that wants privacy and a relaxed pace. Couples can use it for a sunset date, while families may appreciate having the boat to themselves rather than managing children around strangers.

It also suits people marking an occasion. The private setting, custom food, and optional wine or champagne can turn a normal water outing into a birthday, anniversary, or reunion. You can enjoy the event without having to organize a full day of activities.

The boat can also work for visitors who want a local view of Stuart. The cruise is not built around a long list of formal attractions. Its appeal is the water, the homes along the shore, the wildlife, and the chance to spend time with hosts who can point things out as you go.

This may be less suitable if you want a fast-paced sightseeing tour, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a large party. The maximum group size is seven, and the supplied details do not promise a fixed route or guaranteed animal sightings.

The cruise is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, though the details specifically provide pickup by company SUV, driving, or Uber rather than a dedicated public transit arrangement.

What to confirm before you pay

I would ask four practical questions before finalizing the booking:

• Is your cruise exactly two hours, or is it 1.5 to 4 hours?
• Which of the two Stuart addresses is your actual departure point?
• What food and drinks are included in the $130 price?
• How much do champagne, wine tastings, or extra time cost?

These questions are not signs of a difficult booking. They simply clear up the parts of the offer that can affect your budget and schedule.

You should also give the company your preferred food style and any event details in advance. The service is described as tailored to your preference, so the more clearly you explain what you want, the easier it should be to match the outing to your group.

The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That gives you more control over the tone of the cruise, but it also means you are responsible for bringing the right people. If you want a social boat trip with new companions, this is not that type of outing.

Cancellation and weather planning

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted.

The operator also requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since this is an outdoor water activity, I would avoid scheduling it immediately before a fixed evening commitment.

Booking about a week ahead is common, with the average booking time listed as eight days in advance. If your visit falls during a busy holiday period or you need a particular sunset time, reserving earlier is sensible.

My take: book it for privacy and personal service

I would book this charter if I wanted a quiet, private way to see Stuart with a small group. Captain Phil and Amy give the outing a personal feel, and the combination of sunset views, waterfront homes, wildlife, and custom snacks makes it more distinctive than a basic boat ride.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private Hatteras, the small group limit, and the hosted food service. The biggest cautions are the unclear cruise length, the two listed Stuart addresses, and the extra charge for champagne or wine tastings.

Choose it for a celebration, a couple’s outing, or a family cruise where the company of your own group matters. Skip it if your top priority is the lowest possible price or a guaranteed list of wildlife sightings. Before booking, confirm the exact duration, departure address, and inclusions. Once those details are clear, this looks like a pleasant and personal way to spend a few hours on Stuart’s waterways.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise start?

The listed starting point is 4862 SE Anchor Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34997. Another Stuart address, 4307 SE Bayview Street, is provided for people who drive or use Uber, so confirm the exact departure location before your cruise.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private yacht charter?

The yacht is for groups of 3 to 7 passengers. Only your group participates.

How long is the cruise?

The headline duration is about two hours, but the description also gives a range of 1.5 to 4 hours. Confirm the exact length when booking.

Is pickup available?

Yes. The company can pick up up to four people in its SUV anywhere in Martin County. You can also drive or use Uber to reach the Stuart meeting area.

Are food and drinks included?

Sample food includes charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, and mini Florida Key lime cupcakes. Bottled sparkling or flat water is available. Champagne and wine tastings cost extra and can be tailored to your preference.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.