The Best Boat Rentals Near Chilliwack

Expect self-drive lake boats in Chilliwack to start around CA$150–$250 per hour for smaller runabouts, with larger pontoons for groups commonly CA$200–$350 per hour in summer. Private captained river tours and fishing charters usually fall in the CA$175–$250 per hour range, with full-day outings often CA$1,200–$1,600 depending on boat size, season, and inclusions. Most rentals include required safety gear and a safety briefing; fuel, taxes, and security deposits are often extra, and captained trips may add gratuity. Prices rise on sunny weekends and holiday periods, so booking early helps lock in the best rate.

You’ll find comfortable pontoons and tri-toons for relaxed group cruising on Cultus Lake, nimble runabouts and bowriders for watersports, and purpose-built jet boats for guided trips on the Fraser River. In the surrounding area, smaller cabin cruisers and dedicated fishing boats are also available. Sailboats are less common on local lakes, and availability can vary with the season.

Both options are available. Many lake rentals on Cultus Lake are self-operated after a dockside safety briefing, which keeps the day simple for planners. On the Fraser River, most groups prefer a captain or guide because of currents, seasonal debris, and shifting sandbars; a captain also handles docking, routing, and safety so you can focus on hosting your crew.

Common launch points include the Maple Bay and Jade Bay public boat ramps at Cultus Lake Provincial Park (open 7 a.m. to dusk, with Maple Bay operating seasonally) and the large Island 22 Regional Park boat launch on the Fraser River in north Chilliwack. For alpine scenery, the small, shallow launch at Sxótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park serves boats under about 20 feet and is best early in the day. Some Fraser River guides also meet guests at river-access areas like Gill Road when conditions and access allow. Nearby Harrison River trips often depart from Kilby Provincial Park or the Harrison lakefront.

On Cultus Lake you’ll cruise past sandy swimming areas and forested slopes with views toward the Coast Mountains. The Fraser River offers sweeping farmland vistas framed by the Cheam Range and Mount Cheam, and it’s common to spot bald eagles and great blue herons. In late fall on the Harrison River, huge numbers of eagles gather to feed on salmon, making wildlife viewing a standout seasonal experience.

For self-operated motorboats in Canada, you must carry proof of competency. Most visitors either present a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or complete a Transport Canada Rental Boat Safety Checklist provided at pick-up, which serves as temporary proof for the rental period. Captained charters do not require you to hold a license. Age rules apply: operators under 16 face horsepower limits, and you must be at least 16 to operate a personal watercraft. Non‑residents may use an equivalent boater card from their home country or complete the rental checklist.

Yes. Families are welcome on most boats, and approved lifejackets are provided in a range of sizes. Children should wear properly fitted PFDs whenever on deck, and many captains require it at all times. For infants and toddlers, confirm availability of the correct size in advance or bring your own. Let the owner know your group size and ages so they can have the right safety equipment ready.

Bringing snacks, picnic-style meals, and non‑alcoholic drinks is usually fine, and many captains are happy to provide a cooler space. British Columbia has strict alcohol rules on boats: open alcohol is only legal on private pleasure craft that have permanent cooking, sleeping, and toilet facilities and are anchored, beached, or moored (not underway). Most small lake boats and open river boats won’t meet those criteria, so plan to keep the day alcohol‑free unless your vessel clearly qualifies and the owner allows it.

Pet policies vary by owner. Small, well‑behaved dogs are often welcome on pontoons and private charters, sometimes with a cleaning fee. Always request approval in advance, bring a canine lifejacket if you have one, and keep pets leashed around docks and park day‑use areas.

Operators watch conditions closely and prioritize safety. Lakes are usually calmest in the morning; mountain lakes like Chilliwack Lake can see stronger afternoon winds, and the Fraser River can run high and carry debris during the late‑spring freshet. If conditions are unsafe, most owners will reschedule or follow their posted weather policy. Build a little timing flexibility into your plan, and message the owner the evening before if the forecast is marginal.

Absolutely. Pontoons on Cultus Lake are great for laid‑back celebrations, while captained river boats suit adventure‑minded groups and fishing days. Share your headcount and desired vibe (swim stops, sightseeing, or fishing), ask about music, decorations, and cake storage, and confirm any age or footwear rules. Holiday weekends book out first, so reserve early and consider weekday or morning departures for the smoothest experience.

Peak boating runs from late May through early September, with the warmest, busiest period in July and August. Local holiday weekends—Victoria Day (late May), Canada Day (July 1), B.C. Day (first Monday in August), and Labour Day (early September)—sell out fast and can have higher rates. Weekdays are typically quieter and more cost‑effective, and mornings bring calmer water and easier parking. In late fall, boating shifts to wildlife and river sightseeing, especially during the eagle migration on the Harrison River.

Two standouts are the Harrison River bald eagle migration—thousands of eagles gather from roughly October through January, often peaking in November—and year‑round, catch‑and‑release white sturgeon charters on the Fraser River. If you’re planning an eagle tour, go with a permitted operator and stay off sensitive sandbars during the viewing season to protect salmon and raptor habitat.