Miami's Floating Ghost Town: Stiltsville's Wild History – Boat Tour Secrets Revealed

Imagine a cluster of colorful wooden houses perched on stilts, seemingly floating above the turquoise flats of Biscayne Bay—just a mile off Key Biscayne. For decades, these quirky structures have captured imaginations in books, movies, and TV shows, earning the nickname Stiltsville. But in 2008, their future hung in the balance: federal park officials debated whether to preserve this eccentric slice of Miami history or dismantle it entirely.

Is Stiltsville a quirky landmark deserving protection as part of South Florida’s unique heritage, or simply an outdated collection of buildings that could harm the fragile Bay ecosystem? You can form your own opinion after watching this captivating video tour, narrated by renowned South Florida historian Dr. Paul George:

This 8-minute video tour of Stiltsville takes you past some of the most iconic stilt houses still standing, including the Leeshaw House, Hardin House, Shaw-Sessions-Baldwin House, Jimmy Ellenburg House, Hicks House, the Miami Springs Powerboat Clubhouse, and Bay Chateau

15 Things You’ll Learn in the Video

• How Stiltsville began in the 1930s, with Crawfish Charlie’s bait shack
• Definition of a Commodore
• Shallow areas in the Bay and a good spot for kiteboarding
• How the homes were constructed
• Rules and regulations on getting a lease
• How many homes were left standing after Hurricane Andrew
• Most abundant fish in the area
• Stiltsvillians' main enemy was not sun, or sharks, but seagulls
• Most picturesque home in the area
• Where Lloyd Bridges shot Around the World Under the Sea
• Distance to the Cape Florida Lighthouse
• Why Jimmy Ellenburg was the unofficial mayor of Stiltsville
• Where Jimmy’s Hurricane Drive-In was located and what was on the menu
• Which Stiltsville house was owned by a group of Miami firemen and policemen
• How to be a good tour guide

About the Tour

For two decades, Dr. Paul George, historian for the Historical Museum of Southern Florida (now HistoryMiami Museum), toured his way to acclaim with his continuing series of historic tours. As a South Florida native, author, and Miami Dade College professor, Dr. George gained fame for his ability to recall the most impressive details about the people and places that make South Florida so unique.

Dr. George is a great storyteller. For the entire 3 hours, he kept us entertained. He was charming to talk to. I highly recommend the tour!

Stiltsville Today (2026 Update)

In 2026, Stiltsville remains a protected historic site within Biscayne National Park, with seven houses still standing after surviving hurricanes and decades of debate. The National Park Service, in partnership with the Stiltsville Trust, preserves the structures for educational and interpretive purposes—no new construction is allowed, and the houses are no longer private residences but serve public history and occasional events.

Dr. Paul George continues to lead popular narrated boat tours through HistoryMiami Museum (typically a few times a year, often sunset cruises or themed outings—check historymiami.org for the current schedule, as they sell out quickly). Other operators like Biscayne National Park Institute (from Coconut Grove/Dinner Key Marina) and Ocean Force Adventures (from Miami Beach Marina) offer regular guided boat tours to view Stiltsville up close, with prices around $70–$100+ per person depending on duration and group size.

The area’s colorful history—from gambling clubs and celebrity parties in its heyday to its post-Hurricane Andrew revival—still fascinates, and the views of the stilt houses against the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay are as iconic as ever, and although the houses are not open to the public, kiteboarders have found a way to still play out there.

Editor’s Note: Originally published December 18, 2008 and lightly updated in 2026 for pricing changes.