View of the deck of a yacht docked at a marina during sunset with city skyscrapers and a Ferris wheel in the background.

Your Premier Chicago Private Charter. Captained, All-Inclusive, and Uncrowded
For up to 6 guests, departing directly from the iconic Navy Pier Marina.

Unlike many charters that tack on surcharges after the fact, Bayside Voyage offers fully transparent pricing from the moment you book.

Step aboard, we'll handle the rest — white glove charter on Lake Michigan

Included:

  • A USCG-licensed captain (*No separate Captain Fee when directly booked*)

  • All fuel and gas costs for your cruise on Lake Michigan

  • Taxes like Illinois ROT (around 10.25% in Chicago)

  • Ice, Coolers, Huge Lily Pad, Towels, & Complimentary Bottled Water (BYOB)

Call 847-840-3969 or email to inquire about booking a specific day and time

People enjoying water activities near a city skyline, with a boat in the foreground and tall buildings in the background, and a clear blue sky.

Boat Amenities (37’ Sea Ray Sundancer)

  • Premium Sound & Connectivity: Integrated Bluetooth audio system to set the mood with your own playlists.

  • Refreshments & Comfort: Complimentary bottled water, coolers, and ice provided; guests are welcome to BYOB and bring snacks.

  • Private Facilities: Access to a clean, well-maintained onboard head (restroom) for your comfort throughout the trip.

  • Swimming Access: Integrated swim platform and boarding ladder for those mid-lake dips- *Includes Giant Lily Pad that can fit 11 adults*

  • Tableware: Plastic utensils, plates, napkins, paper towel

  • Pet Friendly: Pets are welcomed with open arms

A white motorboat docked at a marina with sailboats in the background under a clear blue sky.
A white yacht docked at a marina with calm water, behind a concrete wall and a black fence, under a partly cloudy sky.
Interior of a boat with a cream-colored leather sofa, wooden cabinets, a small dining area, a bed, and a window.
Interior of a boat or RV with cream-colored leather seating, a small table, a wall-mounted TV, and wooden cabinets.
Close-up view of a yacht's interior showing a flat-screen monitor, speakers, and part of the boat's ceiling with window and city skyline in the background.
The image shows the interior of a boat, including white cushioned seats, a small wooden table, a built-in grill, and various equipment and storage compartments.
Interior view of a boat showing white cushioned seating with headrests, a small table, and the view through an opening to the dock with boats and water outside.
View from a docked boat showing part of its roof, a city skyline with tall buildings, a ferris wheel, and a sunset sky with clouds and warm colors.
Visit the Playpen, Swim, sunset cruise around Chicago, Cruise Chicago River, Watch Navy Pier Fireworks

Weekend Charter (Sat & Sun)
Chicago's weekends on the water — when the skyline, the lake, and the energy of the city all come together. Whether you're planning a daytime cruise or watching the sun set over Lake Michigan, weekend charters are our most popular booking window.

Departure Times
Daytime Charters: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Evening Charters: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm
(2, 3, or 4 Hour Charters)

Weekend Pricing (Saturday & Sunday)
2 Hour Charter — $900
3 Hour Charter — $1,200
4 Hour Charter — $1,400

People enjoying a sunset dinner on a boat in a city harbor, with skyscrapers and a skyline in the background and boats on the water.

Weekday Charter (Mon–Fri)
Beat the weekend crowds and enjoy Lake Michigan and the Chicago River at their calmest. Bayside Voyage's weekday charters give you the same private, captain-led experience — just with more flexibility on timing and a quieter city backdrop.

Departure Times
Daytime Charters: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Evening Charters: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm
(2, 3, or 4 Hour Charters)

Weekday Pricing (Monday–Friday)
2 Hour Charter — $800
3 Hour Charter — $1,050
4 Hour Charter — $1,200

People on a boat watching fireworks display in the evening sky.

Fireworks Charter (Wed & Sat nights)
There's no better seat for Chicago's summer fireworks than the deck of your own private charter. Every Wednesday and Saturday night, Navy Pier lights up the sky over Lake Michigan — and Bayside Voyage puts you right on the water to watch it unfold, away from the crowds on the pier, with an unobstructed view of the skyline glowing behind the show.

Departure Times
Wednesday: 7pm or 8pm (2–3 hrs)
Saturday: 7:30pm or 8:30pm (2–3 hrs)

Fireworks Pricing
2 Hour Charter — $800
3 Hour Charter — $1,050

Chicago’s Front-Row Seat

Every trip is different, and yours can be too. Choose one of our signature experiences below, or tell us exactly how you want to spend your time on the water.

Signature Experiences

Chicago River Cruise — Wind through the heart of downtown for an up-close look at the city's famous architecture, bridges, and skyline from a completely different angle.

Sunset Cruise — Head out onto Lake Michigan as the sky turns gold and pink over the water, with the Chicago skyline glowing behind you. A favorite for date nights and special occasions.

The Playpen — Anchor with us in the legendary Playpen, Chicago's iconic on-water gathering spot just off Oak Street Beach, where the lake comes alive with boats, music, and summer energy.

What You'll See

  • The Skyline — Sweeping, panoramic views of the entire Chicago lakefront.

  • The Chicago River — It's a totally different city from the water, and honestly one of the coolest ways to experience Chicago.

  • The Museum Campus — Get up close to the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Buckingham Fountain.

  • Stadiums & Stages — Cruise past Soldier Field and the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.

  • The Playpen & Ohio Street Beach — Drop anchor and join the energy of Chicago's premier lakefront social scene.

Call 847-840-3969 or email to inquire about booking a specific day and time

Four women sitting and posing on a boat with a city skyline, water, and other boats in the background during sunset.
View from the boat showing three women on a boat deck, one drinking from a cup, two facing away, with a city skyline in the distance and a blue sky with clouds.
People on a boat watching fireworks display in the evening sky.
A group of five men standing closely together on a city rooftop with tall buildings in the background, smiling and enjoying each other's company in casual summer clothes and sunglasses.
A group of six friends sitting on a boat with a city skyline and a bridge in the background, enjoying drinks and smiling at the camera during daytime.
People sitting on a boat watching fireworks light up the night sky over a city skyline with tall buildings.
People standing on a boat in a city with tall buildings and skyscrapers along the water, with some boats visible in the water.
Group of five women enjoying a boat ride on the water in an urban area with skyscrapers and yachts in the background. They are smiling, wearing sunglasses and swimsuits, and holding drinks.
People relaxing on a boat, sitting on the deck, with a city skyline in the background and a clear blue sky.
Group of people on a boat holding small cups, with a body of water, a boat, and a distant shoreline in the background.
An aerial view of Chicago skyline with Lake Michigan in the background. The text reads: "One Chicago Partners Bayside Voyage. Book your next private charter adventure!" and includes a website link: Baysidevoyage.com.
A group of people enjoying a boat ride on a sunny day with the city skyline and a ferris wheel in the background, seated around a table with drinks and snacks.

A 6-Pack Charter.

It might seem like more guests means more value — but on the water, it's the opposite. Many bareboat charters pack in up to 13 passengers to maximize revenue per trip, leaving you crowded, competing for space, and carrying more liability and risk.

Bayside Voyage is permitted up to 6 guests per maritime law. This is by design and by choice.

That means:

  • Room to actually move. Stretch out, swim, relax, and enjoy the space and "white glove" service we strive for with up to 6 of your closest family and friends (bring the dog too, if you want).

  • A captain who knows the boat — not a rental agreement you're responsible for. With bareboat charters carrying up to 13 passengers, more people usually means more liability resting on the renter, not less.

  • An experience built around your group, not maximum headcount. Fewer guests means more attention, more flexibility, and a trip that feels private instead of packed.

Feature Bayside Voyage (6-Pack) Standard Bareboat (Up to 13)
Guest Capacity Up to 6 guests — Spacious, uncrowded luxury Up to 13 passengers — Cramped, maximum headcount
Captain & Crew USCG-Licensed Captain included Must find, hire, and pay captain separately
Pricing Structure 100% Transparent — Captain, fuel & taxes included Base rate + separate captain fee + fuel surcharges + taxes
Legal Liability Commercial charter operator insurance Renter signs bareboat agreement and assumes vessel liability
Included Amenities Ice, coolers, giant Lily Pad, towels, bottled water & Bluetooth audio Water toys, fuel, and ice often incur extra add-on fees
Boarding Location Navy Pier Marina — Direct lakefront access Often distant public docks or river slips with long transit times
Pet Policy Dog-friendly (well-behaved pups welcome) Frequently restricted or requires extra pet deposits

Inquiries: