What Is a Water Taxi? Definition, Meaning and Concept

The water taxi industry has been around for thousands of years. Most cultures built their small villages near large bodies of water. The original versions were functions of the society to help transport their people and goods to neighboring villages.


In modern times, there are many forms of water taxi services. Most are similar to a taxi in the city. They transport people across the water between points and are available to the public for tourism and private parties.


The boats used for taxi services are mainly large boats with internal engines. Most of these containers are covered or closed and provide heat when needed. They provide restrooms, galleys, outdoor terraces, and some cocktail services. Smaller boats with outboard motors or catamarans with sails are mainly used for the tourist trade.


Most of the world's major cities that are located on a large body of water provide some form of water taxi service for their residences and tourists. For commuters, the water taxi is a great alternative form of transportation that is comfortable, safe, and relaxing. In Venice, Italy, gondolas have been used to transport people for hundreds of years. Since civilization has occupied the Nile River region of Egypt, similar floating cruise ships have been popular.


In the United States, cities such as Baltimore, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, most of Florida, and Hawaii have some type of water taxi service. China has several water cities that have been around since ancient times and rely on water taxi services. Belize offers magnificent “River of Caves” floating tours that run underground on the Sibun River.


In most tropical regions, water taxi services also offer underwater tours. These are an excellent opportunity to see the underwater life of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, coral reefs, lava flows and a magnificent variety of tropical fish.


In the United States, licensed and insured captains operate all water taxi vessels. The United States Coast Guard also regularly inspects them. Comfort, cleanliness, reliability and safety are competitive requirements that keep them in business.