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Dock & Dine

The Rusty Pelican

A landmark dock-and-dine stop on the Rickenbacker Causeway with direct Biscayne Bay access and some of Miami’s best skyline views—especially at sunset.

The Rusty Pelican is one of Miami’s most iconic waterfront restaurants, set right on the Rickenbacker Causeway between Miami and Key Biscayne. Boaters love it for the easy “dock-and-dine” appeal—come off the bay, tie up, and step into a special-occasion dining room with sweeping views toward Downtown/Brickell.

Opened in 1972, the restaurant has long been a Biscayne Bay landmark. It famously rebuilt and reopened in 1987 after a major fire in 1984—today it’s back as a favorite for celebrations, golden-hour cocktails, and seafood-forward American cuisine.

If you’re arriving by boat, plan ahead for busy weekends and event traffic, and call the restaurant for docking guidance before you approach. Conditions on Biscayne Bay can change quickly, so have lines and fenders ready as you come alongside.

8 mi
Boating search radius
25.7480090, -80.1754454
GPS coordinates
Rickenbacker Causeway
Waterfront location
Opened 1972
Local landmark

Restaurant Location

Map showing The Rusty Pelican

Address

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Parking

Boat-accessible with a dock for dock-and-dine arrivals (call ahead for current guidance and availability).

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Boats for Your Dock & Dine Trip

Silver
Por Que Knot Sea Ray SD240

Por Que Knot

6 Pax
Platinum
Lucido Beneteau

Lucido

13 Pax
Platinum
Aura Cranchi Mediterranee

Aura

13 PaxPet FriendlyStew
Diamond
Splendor Azimuy Fly

Splendor

13 PaxStew
Silver
Blue Hurricane 2400 OB

Blue

10 PaxPet Friendly
Platinum
BeerBoss at Key Biscayne Sea Ray SLX

BeerBoss at Key Biscayne

10 Pax
Platinum
Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne

12 Pax
Diamond
Balboa at Key Biscayne Axopar Brabus Sun-Top Mediterrana 2022

Balboa at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxPet Friendly
Black
Whiskey & Waves at Key Biscayne Prestige 500 Fly

Whiskey & Waves at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxStew
Black
Shining Force at Key Biscayne Pardo 2022

Shining Force at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxPet Friendly
Black
Bubble at Key Biscayne Sailing Catamaran

Bubble at Key Biscayne

13 PaxStew
Titanium
Le Grand Bleu at Key Biscayne Azimut 66 FLY

Le Grand Bleu at Key Biscayne

13 PaxStew
Silver
Por Que Knot Sea Ray SD240

Por Que Knot

6 Pax
Platinum
Lucido Beneteau

Lucido

13 Pax
Platinum
Aura Cranchi Mediterranee

Aura

13 PaxPet FriendlyStew
Diamond
Splendor Azimuy Fly

Splendor

13 PaxStew
Silver
Blue Hurricane 2400 OB

Blue

10 PaxPet Friendly
Platinum
BeerBoss at Key Biscayne Sea Ray SLX

BeerBoss at Key Biscayne

10 Pax
Platinum
Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne

12 Pax
Diamond
Balboa at Key Biscayne Axopar Brabus Sun-Top Mediterrana 2022

Balboa at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxPet Friendly
Black
Whiskey & Waves at Key Biscayne Prestige 500 Fly

Whiskey & Waves at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxStew
Black
Shining Force at Key Biscayne Pardo 2022

Shining Force at Key Biscayne

Lux13 PaxPet Friendly
Black
Bubble at Key Biscayne Sailing Catamaran

Bubble at Key Biscayne

13 PaxStew
Titanium
Le Grand Bleu at Key Biscayne Azimut 66 FLY

Le Grand Bleu at Key Biscayne

13 PaxStew
View All 184 Boats →

The Experience

The Rusty Pelican is a Key Biscayne/Miami waterfront institution with panoramic Biscayne Bay and skyline views that make it a go-to for celebrations, date nights, and visiting boaters. First opened in 1972, it rebuilt and reopened in 1987 after a 1984 fire—reinforcing its status as a long-running local icon on the causeway. Expect a lively, polished atmosphere, outdoor seating options, and a menu centered on seafood and modern American favorites.

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BoatPass for a Dock-and-Dine Day

BoatPass makes it easy to plan a day on Biscayne Bay with a dock-and-dine stop at The Rusty Pelican. With BoatPass, membership covers the captain, fuel, and docking on all trips—so you can focus on the view, the food, and the ride.

BoatPass is the #1 boat club in the world
Membership covers captain, fuel, and docking on all trips
No initiation fees, no contracts, cancel anytime
3,000+ boats globally across 300+ marinas
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Quick Boater Checklist

Bring dock lines and 2–4 fenders, sun protection for the patio/wait, and a light layer for evening bay breezes. Call ahead for docking guidance at (305) 361-3818—especially on weekends and around sunset.
The Rusty Pelican

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Rusty Pelican is promoted as boat-accessible with a dock for dock-and-dine visits. Availability and procedures can vary, so call ahead for current docking guidance.

Use 25.7480090, -80.1754454 (lat, lng) when navigating by chartplotter or maps.

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekends and sunset seating. For the smoothest trip, reserve your table and call the restaurant to confirm docking guidance the same day.

Golden hour and sunset are the most popular for skyline views. Arrive early to allow time for docking, securing lines/fenders, and any wait during peak periods.

Yes. Rickenbacker Marina (3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, 305-361-1900) is very close on the causeway. Dinner Key Marina & Mooring Facility in Coconut Grove is another large option for longer stays.

Yes. Valet parking is commonly available, and the restaurant is frequently listed as having parking available. Policies and pricing can change, especially during events.

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†For full terms and conditions, please refer our Membership Agreement and the terms below:

$500 Credits - If you become a BoatPass Member during your scheduled Call, you'll receive $500 in Coupons via email (five coupons worth $100 each). These can be used for upgrades or extra hours on your bookings as a Member. Coupons will be valid for as long as you remain a Member in Good Standing. Coupons are non-transferable and cannot be combined.

Annual $5,000 Global BoatPass Experiences Credit - Members are eligible for up to $5,000 in Credits each year to use toward Global BoatPass Experiences. Credits may be applied only to Global BoatPass Experiences trips of 7+ consecutive days, at a rate of $500 per day. This annual benefit applies to qualifying Global BoatPass Experiences trips taken within the same calendar year. Credits cannot be transferred or combined with other promotions and cannot be carried over to future years.

BoatPass Rewards – BoatPass Rewards is available only to Members on monthly or yearly plans. See BoatPass Rewards for full Terms and Conditions.

Rollover – Any unused Passes automatically roll over to the next month and don't expire as long as you remain a Member in Good Standing.

Guaranteed Availability - If you book more than 7 days in advance, we guarantee that at least one boat in your Category or a higher Category will be available on your desired date in any officially launched city. Holidays and holiday weekends are excluded from this guarantee.

Free Trip for Yearly Membership - A Pass will be manually added to your account within one business day of joining the yearly Membership. This Pass can be used to book a boat in the same Category and for the same trip length as your Membership.

Special Dates Bookings - There are no blackout dates. However, July 4th and December 31st may carry an additional fee for night timeslots due to seasonal market conditions (crew rates increase drastically on those dates). Similar adjustments may apply during certain local holidays or special events, depending on the city.

First Month Discount – The first-period introductory rate is a one-time welcome benefit designed to give new Members who have never experienced BoatPass a reduced first month as they begin their Membership. This introductory rate is offered exclusively to first-time Members who have not experienced BoatPass before and is limited to one per household for the lifetime of the account. If eligibility requirements are not met, or if the offer is used in a manner inconsistent with this purpose, the Membership will be billed at the standard first-month rate. By joining, Member authorizes BoatPass to apply any required billing adjustments to the card on file.

Crew, Gas, Water & Ice – In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, a captain is provided only for commercial charters with six or fewer passengers. For bareboat charters (up to 13 passengers total, including the charterer and up to 12 guests), the charterer is responsible for selecting and hiring the crew. You may choose your crew from a list of options provided, and we can remit payment to the crew you select on your behalf using your Membership Dues. The charterer is also responsible for fuel. We can remit the fuel payment on your behalf using your Membership Dues. Local trips typically require no additional fuel, although longer-distance or non-local navigation may require an additional fuel charge. Likewise, the charterer is responsible for water and ice. We can remit these payments on your behalf using your Membership Dues.

Pet Policy – For Pet Policy and other FAQs please see boatpassclub.com/faqs

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