The Best Boat Rentals Near Ocean City

Expect most private bay cruises with a captain to run about $150 to $300 per hour for smaller boats, while mid‑size cruising yachts generally range from $300 to $700 per hour. Fishing charters commonly fall around $100 to $200 per hour for the whole boat, depending on trip length and target species. If you prefer to drive yourself, half‑day pontoon rentals are often $300 to $650, with full‑day rates around $600 to $800. Prices typically include safety gear and basic fuel use for slow bay cruising; captained trips include the captain’s time. Taxes, service fees, gratuity, and add‑ons like tubing gear or bait are usually extra. Always check the specific listing to see what’s included and whether fuel is billed at the dock after your ride.

You’ll find plenty of comfortable pontoons for relaxed bay cruising, center consoles and bowriders for quick hops and sandbar stops, inshore and nearshore fishing boats, plus a selection of cabin cruisers and small yachts for special occasions. Sailboats and larger event boats are also available in the greater area, especially from nearby marinas just over the bridges.

If you want a no‑stress outing, a captained charter is the easiest route—your captain handles docking, navigation in shallow back bays, and all safety decisions. Self‑operated pontoon or skiff rentals are great for confident boaters who know to follow marked channels and no‑wake zones. Many planners choose captained trips for celebrations, then book a self‑drive on a quieter weekday for relaxed family time.

Common meeting points include the Tennessee Avenue Public Boat Ramp on the bay side and the cluster of Bay Avenue marinas between roughly 2nd and 12th Streets. For larger vessels, many charters stage just over the Route 52 Causeway in Somers Point, and some trips on the south end use the Corson’s Inlet State Park ramp. Your captain will confirm the exact pickup spot after you book.

Back‑bay cruises glide past salt‑marsh islands, osprey platforms, and the Route 52 Causeway with views of the Ocean City Welcome Center rookery in season. You’ll take in the skyline of the Boardwalk district, the Ocean City–Longport Bridge to the north, and sunset over Great Egg Harbor Bay. On calm days, ocean runs can showcase the beach, the Music Pier, and distant views toward Atlantic City, with the chance to spot birds and occasional marine life along the beaches.

If you book a captained charter, no license is needed. To operate a motorboat yourself on New Jersey’s tidal waters, you typically need a New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate or an equivalent NASBLA‑approved certificate from your home state. New Jersey also allows many adults aged 18 and up to operate a rented motorboat (not a PWC) after completing the required pre‑rental safety instruction provided by the rental business; check the listing’s rules before you book. Personal watercraft always require the Boating Safety Certificate for operators ages 16 and up.

Yes—Ocean City is a family‑favorite for calm bay cruises. Every legal charter or rental supplies U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets sized for guests. By New Jersey law, children 12 and under must wear a properly fitted life jacket whenever the boat is underway unless they are inside an enclosed cabin. If you’re bringing infants or toddlers, tell your captain their ages and weights in advance so the right sizes are ready, and ask about stroller storage and shaded seating.

Most captains welcome snacks, water, and soft drinks, and many allow beer or wine in moderation on private charters. Ocean City is a dry town—alcohol isn’t sold on the island—so if your captain allows it, plan to purchase off‑island before boarding. Avoid glass and red wine to keep decks safe and stain‑free, use small coolers, and confirm any catering or cleanup fees in advance.

Pet policies vary by boat. Some captains allow small, well‑behaved dogs on private trips, while others do not accept pets due to deck layouts or upholstery. If pets are permitted, bring a leash, a non‑spill water bowl, and a dog life jacket if you have one. Always disclose pets in your booking request so your captain can plan for safe boarding and cleanup time.

Captains closely monitor conditions for wind, storms, and visibility. If weather is unsafe, they will usually offer to reschedule or cancel according to the policy shown on your listing. For the calmest water and lowest wind, morning departures are your best bet, especially in midsummer when pop‑up thunderstorms are more common in the afternoon.

Absolutely. Private bay cruises are popular for milestone birthdays, family reunions, and bachelorette groups because they’re easy to customize with music, decorations, and sunset timing. Ocean City’s signature Night in Venice boat parade in late July is the busiest weekend on the bay and sells out months ahead, and early September brings the Ocean City Airport Festival and Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show—both weekends also book fast. If your dates overlap with a big event, lock in your boat early.

Peak boating season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with the warmest water and longest days from late June through August. Holiday weekends and Night in Venice are the highest‑demand dates. For easier parking, smoother water, and better availability, choose weekdays over weekends and morning departures over afternoons. May and September offer pleasant temps, lighter boat traffic, and great value while the back bays remain warm.

At sunset, cruise Great Egg Harbor Bay for big sky colors over the marsh. In late spring and summer, look for the heron and ibis nesting colony near the Route 52 Causeway by the Ocean City Welcome Center. On Night in Venice weekend each July, decorated boats parade from the Ocean City–Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue with fireworks after—private charters for that evening are limited and should be reserved well in advance.