What to know about renting a boat in St Petersburg

There's a variety of boat rental options in St Petersburg, offering everything from yachts to jetskis. St. Pete's is in Pinellas County, which has more registered boats than any other county in Florida. the calm waters and great weather during most of the year making it the perfect spot for special events and family vacations especially on a pontoon rental.

Boating is one of the best ways to discover the city of St. Petersburg. Caladesi Island is a fantastic state park to access by boat where you can see dolphins and comb the beach for beautiful shells. Egmont Key is a great spot for snorkeling, with calm and clear waters, perfect for young or novice snorkelers. There’s a huge variety of sea life, from tiny fish to dolphins swimming in these waters.

Boca Ciega Bay is a great destination for nature lovers in St. Petersburg. There are miles of sandy beaches, protected wildlife areas, mangroves, and oyster beds to explore by boat, either motorized or man-powered. It’s also a great spot to go fishing and snorkeling. Try a fishing charter if you want a full day on a boat reeling in great catches. It’s also an excellent destination for avid bird watchers.

Eastward from St. Petersburg is Tampa Bay, which is a fantastic location to explore by boat. There are tons of marinas and spots to anchor in order to explore a bit more, including Coffee Pot Bayou and Riviera Bay.

Beachfront restaurants are a great choice for boaters looking to take a break and get a bite to eat, and there’s no shortage in St. Pete’s Beach.

Boating Events in St Petersburg

In September, the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship is a boat racing event that is sure to get everyone excited. Boats zip by at nearly 200 mph and you can watch it from shore or from your own boat parked outside the course. It’s a great, 3-day family event. In addition to the adrenaline-charged races, there is a boat parade, food vendors and live entertainment.

In the winter months, the Saint Petersburg Power and Sail Boat show is an interesting event for visitors and locals. It hosts a display of thousands of boats, marine seminars and youth fishing clinics.

Other Things To Do in St Petersburg

If you’re looking for a rainy day activity off the water, check out The Dali Museum to see the artwork of Salvador Dali and learn about his life and career. It has the largest collection of Dali paintings outside of Spain. If you’re not into museums, Saint Petersburg check out the Free Fall and American Stage theaters for a performance. You can explore nature reserve areas and the historical section of the city by foot or Segway.

Another land activity that will be a vacation highlight is horseback riding on the beach. C Ponies Beach Rides, Cypress Breeze Beach Horseback riding and Beach Horseback are all great choices for this experience. Downtown Saint Petersburg is teeming with bars and restaurants, art museums, great shopping and vibrant nightlife.

Marinas in St Petersburg

There are tons of marinas located around the peninsula of Saint Petersburg, with thousands of boats to choose from. A few of the most popular marinas are Harborage Marina, the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, O’Neill’s Marina, Marina Bay of St. Pete’s Beach and many more. The harbors give access to the intracoastal waterways, the Gulf of Mexico and fantastic beaches that comprise the city of Saint Petersburg. Many are connected to hotels and resorts, making it even easier for vacationers to find the perfect boat rental.

About Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the 5th largest city in Florida. It's located on the peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a relaxed but vibrant place to visit on vacation, providing the atmosphere of the Caribbean. It’s one of the sunniest places in the world, with a record of the most consecutive days of sunshine (768) recorded from 1967-1969. While noted for hosting a large population of retirees, it’s becoming a more youthful city due to its relatively low cost of living, growing art scene, and favorable climate. It’s commonly known by locals and visitors as St. Pete’s Beach

The best time to visit Saint Petersburg is between March and May. The temperature during this time falls between 65-87℉ with only 1-3 inches of rain on average. During this part of the year, a wide range of events take over the city, making hotels and other bookings more expensive. It’s worth the extra money to visit in the springtime, especially if you catch the beautiful purple Jacaranda trees as they bloom. The summer months bring sweltering temperatures, heavy rainfall and hurricane season. The winter months are also considerably colder.

While onshore, be sure to check out some of the incredible events that go on in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, the top events include the Firestone Grand Prix, the PGA Tour Valspar Championship and the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. In the fall, check out the John’s Pass Seafood festival and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday festival.

St Petersburg Boat Rental FAQs

How much does it cost to rent a boat in St Petersburg?

A boat rental in St Petersburg starts at $59 an hour for a small center console and can go up to $1,500 an hour for a larger more luxurious motor yacht rental.

What is there to do in St Petersburg in 2 days?

Renting a boat is a great way to spend a short visit to St. Petersburg, Florida. Pontoon boat rentals, deck boats, motor yachts, and fishing boats are available and a great choice of activity when visiting St. Petersburg. You can explore the Intracoastal Waterway or the open waters of the gulf.

What fish are biting in St Petersburg?

On a fishing boat or fishing charter from St. Petersburg, you can expect to catch trout, snook, tarpon, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and kingfish. Tarpon are considered to be the local “trophy” fish of this area of Florida.