From sun-worshipping to partying, there's much more to do in Miami. How about enjoying the outdoors on a relaxing cruise along the Miami River and Biscayne Bay? We’ve done the research for you, and here’s our roundup of the best tours on the water. 

Island Queen Cruises

If you want to see Miami’s beautiful downtown skyline, PortMiami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and “Millionaire’s Row”–the homes of the rich and famous–then Island Queen Cruises is the type of daytime fun you won’t want to miss. Enjoy a relaxing day on the water sailing by Star and Hibiscus Island, where boat captains share tabloid-worthy secrets about local celeb residents including Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias.

Docked at Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami, the 140-passenger double-decker, air-conditioned boat fills its 90-minute narrated tour with tidbits of history, anecdotes and fun facts. The first tour starts at 11 am, and the last cruise departs at 7 pm.

Miami Pirate Duck Tours

Departing daily from the New World Center's SoundScape Park in Miami Beach, this top-rated amphibious duck tour takes you along Ocean Drive’s Art Deco District, Monument Island, Star Island and the MacArthur Causeway. Miami Pirate Duck Tours is an informative adventure transitions seamlessly from land to the water as the pirate and mermaid guides share little-known facts of the area. Floating down Biscayne Bay, you’ll experience the rich history of the area in a fun, creative way. 

Coopertown Airboat Tours

Since 1945, in a small town known as Coopertown on U.S. 41—11 miles west of the Florida Turnpike—Coopertown Airboat Tours has been the main tourist attraction. The site has been visited by a “who’s who” of notables and celebrities, including actors Doris Day, Burt Reynolds and Chuck Norris and baseball hero Micky Mantle.

With seven airboats in operation, Coopertown offers daily tours of the Everglades National Park and its unique ecosystem from 9 am to 5 pm. After the ride, visitors like to stop in at the Coopertown Restaurant for one of their delicacies like frog legs, gator tail and catfish.

Miami Aqua Tours

Know for its sightseeing cruises and Miami Party Boat, Miami Aqua Tours entertains passengers of all ages with their tours. You can dance the night away to the tunes from yesterday and today while cruising down Biscayne Bay on their signature Miami Party Boat.

The 75-minute tour departs Friday and Saturday at 10 pm and 11:30 pm. Adults receive a complimentary beer with reservation that can be redeemed at the cash bar. Tours are narrated by professional guides in English and Spanish.

JetBoat Miami

Not for the faint of heart, JetBoat Miami is the most exciting way to see Miami. Catch this thrilling tour from Sea Isle Marina and get ready for speed, spins and to get a little wet on this 30-minute rollercoaster on the water.

You'll twist, drift and travel along San Marco Islands, Memorial Island, Star Island and Fisher Island and learn all about the residents of the homes in these private, exclusive enclaves from expert guides. For those adrenaline junkies requesting an extra set of twists during the tour, you may receive a survivor T-shirt from the captain.

Play Time Water Sports

Experience the beauty of Miami at dusk on a two-hour Great White catamaran cruise by Play Time Water Sports. You'll cruise to Key Biscayne aboard the 50-foot catamaran with views of the Miami skyline, Stiltsville and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Along the way, spot the bay's wildlife including dolphins, manatees, egrets and pelicans. The Sunset Twilight Sail Cruise is a spectacular way to watch the sunset from Miami Beach or Miami. Tour departs from Marbella Marina on Brickell Avenue in Downtown Miami and also includes an open bar with beer, wine, soft drinks and light snacks like cheese and crackers, veggies and fresh fruit.

Ocean Force Adventures

Try a unique sea tour that is fun for all ages, especially families with young children. Organized by Ocean Force Adventures, this tour explores more than 40 miles of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay on special, high performance Zodiac RIB Boats—the type used by law enforcement, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

Catch this extensive tour on Alton Road in Miami Beach and get ready to cover the surrounding islands, popular film locations for "Miami Vice,""CSI" and "Scarface," the Cape Florida Lighthouse in Key Biscayne and much more! 

SpeedBoat Tours 

You'll be treated like a VIP in this intimate boat tour by SpeedBoat Tours on Watson Island. It provides a mix of education and thrill in this tour of the waterways of Biscayne Bay and the Intracoastal. With a deep understanding of Miami's history and culture, their certified captains have garnered them among the best boat tours in Miami on Trip Advisor. 

Don't forget to bring your camera, there's much to see on this 90-minute tour, from the Florida White House where President Richard Nixon spent his summers to the former home of Chicago mobster Al Capone. 

Prizm is a cutting-edge art fair that is multidisciplinary in scope, promoting the work of artists of color, who reflect global trends in contemporary art. During Miami Art Week, Prizm will be located in the Miami Modern (MiMo) historic district, 7300 Biscayne Boulevard, from December 1 through 13. The fair's public programs include a series of conversations and film screenings presented by leading thinkers and practitioners in contemporary African and African diaspora art. Panelists participating are Kebona Mercer, Professor of Art and African American Studies at Yale University, contemporary visual artist, Jefferson Pinder, Charlotte Mouquin Voznesenskaya and Oshun Layne of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation among others. A mid-day block party and Basel domino tournament is scheduled for Dec. 5 from noon to 7 pm. Suggested donation of $10. 7300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, prizmartfair.com

Founded in 2012, this internationally curated art fair enlists a curatorial team to identify and curate the selection of the galleries, exhibitions and museum partners to create a diversified program of performances, talks and special events during the five-day extravaganza. Located directly on the beach, the show's tent is a custom-designed pavilion by John Keenan and Terrence Riley from K/R architecture firm, Untitled focuses on emerging and midcareer contemporary art. Ocean Drive and 12 Street, Miami Beach, art-untitled.com

Contemporary art show relocated from Midtown Miami to Miami's Performing Arts District—alongside Red Dot Art Fair, explores "emergence" as its 2015 theme. The artists and galleries selected to participate at Spectrum Miami will reflect this theme, as will the show’s special programming, including Art Labs, Art Talks, and the Spotlight Artist and LaunchPad Programs. 1700 NE 2nd Ave., spectrum-miami.com

The fourth edition of the Miami Project Art Fair will feature fifty-five top galleries from around the world at the fair's new location, the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach. At Miami Project, visitors are met with an impressive survey of work by Modernist masters, providing fairgoers with the unique opportunity to acquire works or engage with exhibitions by established painters, sculptors and photographers who have shaped major artistic movements. The fair opens to the public from 11 am to 7 pm, Dec. 2-5 and closes on Sunday, Dec. 6, noon-6 pm. 6701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, miami-project.com

This annual celebration attracts artists from around the world to showcase their work. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and films are on display in the main exhibition hall of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Art Basel also offers a stimulating program of Conversations and Salon talks that allows participants to deepen their knowledge of artistic practice, the international art world and the art market. Ambitious large‐scale artworks, film and visual performances light up the landscape at nearby beaches, Collins Park and SoundScape Park. 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach, www.art-basel.com

Located on Ocean Drive and drawing over 45,000, SCOPE Miami Beach is among the most innovative satellite art fairs during Art Basel. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2015, SCOPE is celebrated and lauded by art critics worldwide for showcasing international emerging contemporary artists and multi-disciplinary creative programming. Admission ranges from $25 for students, $35 for adults and $100 for the preview event. 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, www.scope-art.com

Known as Miami's anchor and oldest fair, Art Miami and its sister fair, CONTEXT can be found at Midtown Miami the first week of December. During Art Basel and Miami Art Week, find thousands of collectors, dealers, curators and artists descend upon Miami. Visitors will find Art Miami offering a stylish gallery-like decor, with a wide variety of art forms showcasing modern and contemporary art from 125 international galleries. 3101 NE 1st Ave., Miami, www.art-miami.com

In December, indulge your creative spirit and discover a world of art and culture at the largest art show of the Americas—Art Basel. This premier event attracts thousands to the multi-day extravaganza that spans more than 500,000 square feet and includes 267 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, showcasing their best works.

Besides art, you'll find several amenities throughout the Miami Beach Convention Center that'll make your visit "baseling" more enjoyable, including two self-service restaurants, food markets and various cafés. For a special treat, stop in at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden across the street to sample food prepared by Miami’s star chef, Michelle Bernstein.

During Art Basel, art is not restricted indoors; there are more than 20 large-scale sculptures and installations by leading and emerging international artists installed in Collins Park and other public spaces around the beaches. Guided tours of Collins Park will be offered daily during show hours.

Visitors will find a robust schedule of public programs including outdoor movies at Miami Beach's SoundScape Park. If you are planning on attending Art Basel, keep in mind that there are some key rules and regulations to remember. There is a size limit (22ʺ×8ʺ×16ʺ) for all bags and briefcases, backpacks and umbrellas must be checked at coat checks located at entrances B and D of the exhibition hall. Selfie sticks, tripods, drones and video recording is also not permitted. Traffic can also be a major turn-off but the City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami have made great strides to ease traffic congestion between Art Basel and the satellite art fairs by offering free shuttle service. The East-West Loop connects the Miami Beach Convention Center with stops at Midtown Boulevard and 29th Street and Buena Vista Avenue and 36th Street, whereas the North-South Loop rotates through South Beach, Middle Beach and North Beach with stops at 10th Street and Washington Avenue, 41st Street and Royal Palm Avenue, 46th Street and Collins Avenue, and the North Shore Bandshell on 72nd Street and Collins Avenue. 

Miami Art Week Satellite Fairs

Capitalizing on the momentum and attention that Art Basel has brought to the area, for many years now it has also signaled the start of Miami Art Week—as it is now called. Miami Art Week features over 20 satellite fairs celebrating the region’s rich diversity and the dynamic art scene. With nonstop events, parties and exhibition openings, it may feel overwhelming to decide where to go and what to do. To help, we've put together our guide of what to expect at some of the top art fairs.

Stop in at Midtown Miami to check out Art Miami, the city’s original and longest running contemporary and modern art fair and the anchor event of Miami Art Week, expect to find cutting edge artwork from international galleries, including modern masters and the latest in contemporary paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and prints from Europe, Asia, Latin America, India, the Middle East and the U.S. Make sure to catch Art Miami’s sister fair, CONTEXT next door too. A one-day pass ($40) provides admission to both Art Miami and CONTEXT.

South of Midtown Miami in the heart of Miami's Performing Arts District, you'll find Red Dot Art Fair and Spectrum Miami. Their convenient new location is at the corner of NE 2nd Avenue and NE 17th Street, just a short walk away from the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel. Red Dot is a juried show that has distinguished itself for presenting some of the most affordable works of art from any other fair. This year's official café and VIP lounge is organized by Bocce Italian Grill providing Italian delights and artisanal cocktails sure to please.

Adjacent to Red Dot is Spectrum Miami, one of the largest shows during Art Week, featuring trend-setting artists and galleries as well as a curated selection of contemporary Cuban art through a collaboration with Arte Cuba. Don't miss their nightly parties held between 7-9 pm filled with live music, drinks and entertainment at the Spectrum Miami Patio and Sculpture Garden. Venture north to the Miami Modern Historic District (MiMo) for PRIZM. In its second year, this art fair promotes the work of artists of color, who reflect the African diaspora in contemporary art, through a blockbuster exhibit on display through December 13th and special programs with renowned speakers from Yale University and the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. 

An up-and-coming fair and a favorite among critics, Miami Project continues to delight visitors each year. With a move to Miami Beach's Deauville Beach Resort, Miami Project showcases mid­-career and emerging artists, and gives fair­goers the opportunity to experience the art of pioneering artists of the 20th century shown beside the trendsetters of today.

After a full-day of art, visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find a pop-up bar curated by The Broken Shaker, recently named one of the best bars in the world. Bar Lab will offer a menu of specialty handcrafted cocktails made with elixirs, syrups and infusions made from garden herbs and spices, and fresh-pressed produce and exotic ingredients. If it is sustenance that you seek, try the farm-to-table dishes from a culinary pop-up from the owners of New York's popular Lower East Side eatery, Black Tree. During Miami Project expect brand new creations inspired from locally-sourced ingredients. 

Follow the sand to South Beach to experience two distinct alternatives to Art Basel: UNTITLED and SCOPE. Located directly on the beach in a temporary space designed by New York architects, John Keenan and Terry Riley, UNTITLED is well-known for creating immersive, experiential environments amidst the thought-provoking work of mid-career and emerging artists. Here, you'll not only enjoy the art, conversations and performances broadcasted on UNTITLED Radio, but you can admire the architectural marvel of the temporary pavilion while you soak up some rays at the beach in the daytime or enjoy the restaurants and bars at night. UNTITLED will offer complimentary shuttle service to the Miami Beach Convention Center from 11 am to 6 pm. Valet parking will be available for $15-25 outside of the Hotel Victor, 1144 Ocean Drive.

Also on the sand on Ocean Drive and Eighth Street is SCOPE, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, is the largest art fair with the most expansive global reach of emerging art in the world. With its partnership with VH-1, this fair is where music and art collide, giving you the perfect opportunity to listen to great music as you check out the works throughout the pavilion. Like many of the other tents offering lounges, cafés and performances, SCOPE is no different. It is the home base for the Heineken® Mobile Art Experience. Visitors will be introduced to the Heineken Art Project Lounge, a multi-sensory environment featuring streaming video content from the mobile truck, a large-scale mural, a Heineken bar, a Montana Cans display and selections from previous Heineken Art Projects.

Ready, set, start baseling! 

Join Bikini Brasil for a cocktail party to celebrate the launch of a new collection by Ellis Beach Wear. This shop brings the best and most charmimg bikinis from Brazil straight to South Beach. 4021 14th St., Miami Beach, 305.695.7979. www.bikinibrasil.com

The holidays are coming! Looking for the perfect gift for those who’ve been naughty or nice? Well, luckily for you, we’ve got some inspired gift ideas from local retailers for everyone on your list.

YoLove305 Beach Tote

Whether for the beach, groceries, or an everyday bag, project your love for one of Miami’s first area codes, 305, with this canvas tote bag from Miami’s art museum on the bay. Perez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Guayabera 

Ramon Puig has been touted as the “King of guayaberas,” the traditional Cuban, linen shirt. With four pockets, there’s plenty of space to hold cigars. Ramon Puig, 5840 SW Eighth St., Miami.

“The Everglades: River of Grass” by Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Written in 1947, environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas made Floridians pay attention to the destruction they were inflicting on the Everglades, once seen as a desolate swamp with no value. Thanks to her, 2 million acres became a protected national park, still enjoyed by locals and visitors today. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables.

Wynwood Brewing Pub Glass

The craft brew scene is growing in Miami, and in 2011 Wynwood Brewing opened in the heart of Miami’s art district. Guests can go on a tour of the brewery to see how the frothy stuff is made, drink a pint of beer and take home a pub glass for the memories. Wynwood Brewing Taproom, 565 NW 24 St., Miami.

Orange Blossom Candle

Give the gift of summer with this tropical candle exclusive to The Webster hotel, presented inside a box with a print inspired by vintage wallpaper. With this very Florida scent that fills a room, you'll never leave the Sunshine State. The Webster Miami, 1220 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Paddleboard

With sunny weather almost all year-round, there’s plenty of opportunities to hit the water. Atop a paddleboard, novices to experts can explore the waterways of South Florida with ease or try your Pilates and yoga practices on the water! Island Water Sports Miami, 16231 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Beach.

Gypsychila Handbag

As featured in Oprah's Favorite Things list for 2015, this ethnic handbag handmade in Colombia by the Wayuu Women is made of mochila cloth woven with leather, fabrics, sequins, crystal and fine hardware. Luxchilas, 7201 SW 48th St., Miami.

Cafecito (Coffee) Set

Once you take your first sip of Cuban coffee, you’ll be hooked. Perk up during the afternoon with this set, fit with coffee grounds, a coffee maker, cup and saucer, spoon, and a wafer snack. Sentir Cubano, 3100 SW Eighth St., Miami.

Miami Exotic Auto Racing

Got a need for speed? Jump into a luxury car and take a few laps around the Miami Speedway and unleash your inner racecar driver. Choose from a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Audi to ride in style. Homestead-Miami Speedway, One Speedway Blvd., Homestead.

TAudrey Handmade Jewelry

Add sophistication to your bling game with a piece of timeless jewelry hand-crafted by local Miami artisans. Each custom-made piece allows the wearer to elegantly flaunt her own personal style while dressed for any occassion. The Jewelry Box, 147 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables.

Miami Club Rum

Add some spirits to the season by giving the gift of Miami's own hand-crafted rum. Made by artisans whose craft goes back five generations, this smooth, mixable liquor is the result of a combination of local craftsmanship, superior ingredients fresh from Florida and a distinct aging process that is sure to put a rhythm in your feet. Miami Club Rum, 2320 N. Miami Ave., Miami.

Tickets to South Beach Food & Wine Festival

Presented by the Food Network & Cooking Channel, this sophisticated, gourmet food fantasy will delight your tastebuds this holiday season. From February 24-28, more than 80 events throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties present diverse gastronomic experiences ranging from a midnight breakfast hosted by Chrissy Teigen to a "yappie" hour for dogs and their owners hosted by Rachel Ray. Food Network and Cooking Channel South Beach Food & Wine Festival, various locations, 877.762.3933.