You don't need a boating license or a zillion-dollar yacht to explore Miami by boat. Thanks to several enterprising companies, boat tours are easy to find, affordable, and an excellent way to see the city from a more liquid perspective.

Venice in Miami--You don't have to endure jet lag and time zone differences to enjoy the beauty of Italy. Located just off Miami Beach, Florida's own Venetian Islands (NE 15th St. and Dade Blvd.) were joined together in 1926 by a bascule bridge known as the Venetian Causeway. A series of 12 bridges connecting the Venetian Islands and stretching between Miami and Miami Beach feature octagonal concrete entrance towers, which give you a great view of the water. The oldest causeway in metropolitan Miami, the Venetian is rickety in a charming way, featuring fantastic views of the city and the mammoth cruise ships docked at the port, not to mention a glimpse of some of Miami's most beautiful waterfront homes. Bikers and joggers especially love the Venetian causeway because of limited traffic and beautiful scenery.

Sightseeing Tours--While there are several sightseeing tour operators in Miami, most, unfortunately, either don't speak English or are just plain shoddy.

Specialized Tours--A great option for seeing the city is to take a tour led by Dr. Paul George. Dr. George is a history teacher at Miami-Dade Community College and a historian at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. He also happens to be "Mr. Miami." There's a set calendar of tours (including the Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem Bus Tour), and all of them are fascinating to South Florida buffs. Tours focus on neighborhoods, such as Little Havana, Brickell Avenue, or Key Biscayne, and on themes, such as Miami cemeteries and the Miami River. The often long-winded discussions can be a bit much for those who just want a quick look around, but Dr. George certainly knows his stuff. The cost is $15 to $39 and reservations are required (tel. 305/375-1621). Tours leave from the Historical Museum at 101 W. Flagler St., downtown. Call for a schedule.