The Best Boat Rentals in Los Angeles

For planning purposes, expect smaller electric harbor cruisers to start around $100–$175 per hour, classic sailboats to run roughly $150–$250 per hour, and standard motor yachts to average about $300–$500 per hour. Larger luxury yachts and inspected party vessels can range from about $700 to $1,500+ per hour depending on size, amenities, and peak times. Most captained charters include the vessel, a licensed captain and basic safety gear; some include soft drinks, ice, fuel for local cruising, and Bluetooth sound, while crew gratuity, docking at additional ports, catering, and extended fuel use are typically extra. These ranges reflect recent Los Angeles–area listings and are meant to help you budget easily.

You’ll find a wide mix tailored to different outings: sleek motor yachts for celebrating on the bay, sailboats and sailing catamarans for relaxed coastal cruises, sportfishing boats for offshore runs, and easygoing electric harbor cruisers or pontoons for smooth time inside the marina. Pick your style first, then match the capacity and comfort features to your group and plan.

If you plan to drive a motorized boat yourself, California requires a California Boater Card for operators of any age as of January 1, 2025. Many renters choose captained trips and skip operating entirely; in that case, you don’t need to hold the card because you’re not at the helm.

For open-water cruising along Santa Monica Bay or down toward Palos Verdes, most planners prefer a captained charter—it removes the stress of navigation, keeps your group focused on fun, and the captain manages docking, sea conditions, and safety. Self-operated options are typically best for calm, inside-the-harbor cruising; just remember California’s boater-card requirement applies to anyone operating a motorized vessel.

Popular pickup spots include Marina del Rey’s waterfront (with guest and commercial docks near Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village), Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor by Shoreline Village and the Aquarium, Redondo Beach’s King Harbor, and Cabrillo Way Marina in San Pedro near the Port of Los Angeles. Your exact meeting point is confirmed after booking, but these hubs cover most departures across the metro coast. (beaches.lacounty.gov, visitmdr.com, longbeach.gov, dbw.parks.ca.gov)

Inside the marina you’ll pass sea lions lounging on buoys and sleek sailboats sliding by; out on the bay you can spot the Santa Monica Pier and beaches, the bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula with Point Vicente nearby, and on clear days the silhouette of Catalina. Cruising south, many trips circle the historic Angels Gate Lighthouse at the Port of Los Angeles and glide past the Long Beach skyline by Rainbow Harbor. Seasonal wildlife like gray and blue whales often travel offshore, with dolphins seen year-round. (aquariumofpacific.org, sanpedro.com)

Yes—boat charters regularly welcome families. U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets are carried for all passengers, and California law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket while a vessel is underway. Let your captain know the ages and sizes of kids in advance so properly fitting vests are ready when you arrive.

Most hosts are happy for you to bring snacks, birthday cakes, and preferred beverages; many also offer catering as an add-on. Glass and red wines may be restricted to protect decks, so check your listing. Passengers may drink on board, but the person operating any vessel must stay sober—California law treats boating under the influence similarly to driving, with a 0.08% BAC limit for recreational vessels.

Captains watch conditions closely and will adjust routes for comfort or reschedule if seas or wind make it unsafe. Along this coast, mornings are often the calmest; in late spring and early summer, a marine layer called “May Gray/June Gloom” can bring cool, cloudy mornings that usually clear later. If the captain deems conditions unsafe, you’ll typically be offered a new time or a weather cancellation per the listing’s policy. (nps.gov, en.wikipedia.org)

Absolutely. Los Angeles boats regularly host milestone celebrations, proposal cruises, photo shoots, and team events. Share your headcount, vibe, and must-haves (decor, playlist, catering, swim stops) and your captain will tailor a route—sunset coastal cruises and harbor party rides are both popular. Larger inspected vessels can host bigger groups comfortably, while many yachts are perfect for intimate celebrations. For holiday weekends, lock in your date early.

Peak boating season runs roughly May through September, when water temps and daylight are ideal. Major boating holidays in this region are Memorial Day weekend, July 4th, and Labor Day; Marina del Rey hosts a 20-minute fireworks show each Independence Day, and the harbor also stages a beloved Holiday Boat Parade each December. Weekdays and morning departures tend to be calmer and less crowded than weekend afternoons, especially in summer. (portoflosangeles.org, beaches.lacounty.gov)

Dolphins and sea lions are common year-round, and whale sightings shift with the seasons: gray whales migrate past Southern California mainly December through March, while blue whales are typically seen late spring through summer when krill blooms draw them close. Your captain will steer toward the best wildlife reports for your date and sea conditions. (nps.gov, 2seewhales.com)

In addition to summer holidays, the LA Waterfront in San Pedro hosts LA Fleet Week around Memorial Day, with visiting naval ships and flyovers that make for lively harbor scenes, while Marina del Rey’s Holiday Boat Parade brightens December evenings on the main channel. If your cruise coincides with these, expect festive traffic on the water and plan to meet your captain a bit early. (portoflosangeles.org, lafleetweek.com, beaches.lacounty.gov)

Yes—many captained charters offer full‑day itineraries to Catalina for snorkeling coves or lunch in Avalon or Two Harbors. The run is a substantial open‑water trip, with the closest mainland harbors in the Los Angeles area (San Pedro/Long Beach) roughly 22–26 nautical miles from Avalon, so plan for an early start, a full day on the water, and weather‑flexible timing.