Boating in Daytona Beach, Florida

Located in Volusia County, Daytona Beach is celebrated not only for its wide, scenic Atlantic Ocean shoreline and its role in hosting the iconic annual Daytona 500 NASCAR race, but also for its excellent boating environment. With access to the Halifax River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the open Atlantic, it offers boating enthusiasts a rich variety of experiences—from tranquil river cruising to ocean-bound excursions. The region is well-equipped for boaters, with a wide selection of marinas, launch facilities, and services. The City of Daytona Beach works in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the United States Coast Guard(USCG) to promote safe, enjoyable boating activities.

Whether you’re operating a rental vessel or running a charter, every Getmyboat operator must adhere to local rules and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. This includes securing all required registrations, passes and permits, following dock and marina usage guidelines, and obeying any additional local or facility-specific directives.

Below is a streamlined summary of key considerations and updated laws and regulations affecting boat rentals and commercial operations in Florida.

Boating Insurance in Florida

While Florida law does not require boat insurance, boat rental businesses must maintain adequate insurance coverage—both to protect passengers and to meet legal responsibilities for vessels and operations. It's often a requirement to operate out of marinas in Florida. Many lenders also require it, so if any of your vessels are financed, this will be a must.

If you’re listing rentals, it’s wise to speak with a specialist insurance provider experienced in charter or livery coverage. To learn more about the essential insurance coverage, contact our partner, Boat Charter Insurance.

Vessel Titling & Registration

In Florida, nearly all motor-powered vessels must be registered through your county tax collector’s office (or via a licensed plate agent). You’ll need to provide proof of ownership (such as a bill of sale, builder’s contract, manufacturer’s certificate, federal documentation, or another approved form). If the vessel requires titling, you must obtain the title prior to registration.

Once registered, the certificate must be onboard and available for inspection.


Registration numbers must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the hull in bold, contrasting letters. The registration decal must be renewed annually and placed near the registration numbers.

Captain’s License & Commercial Operations

For commercial or for-hire operations, the captain must hold the appropriate license from the USCG: for vessels carrying up to six passengers, a “6-pack” (OUPV) license; for more than six passengers, a Master Captain’s license. The captain is responsible for safe vessel operation and passenger welfare.


If you’re operating a commercially-used vessel (for hire, charter, etc.), you must also meet any required state commercial registration, special USCG certificate (if applicable), and FWC charter/boat license requirements.

Boating Safety Education

Under current Florida law, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more must complete a boater-safety education course and carry their Boating Safety Education Identification Card.


Key updates: As of the 2025 legislative session, further changes have been approved:

  • The Boating Safety Act of 2022 (SB 606) went into effect 1 January 2023 and required all “livery” operators (boats for rent or lease) to obtain a permit via the FWC, carry livery insurance, provide safety instruction, and report certain incidents.
  • The Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388) was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on 19 May 2025 and takes full effect on 1 July 2025. It prohibits random vessel stops without probable cause, disallows local bans on gas-powered vessels, and creates a “Florida Freedom Boater” decal program tying vessel registration to assumed compliance with safety equipment requirements.
  • Another law, often referenced as “Lucy’s Law” (HB 289), took effect in July of 2025 to increase boater education requirements for non-residents and enhance penalties for reckless operation.

Commercial Vessel & Rental-Operator Requirements

Some of the important obligations for boat rental or commercial charter operations (especially relevant in the Daytona Beach area) include:

  • A commercial vessel must hold a current USCG inspection (if required) and be approved for commercial use.
  • The operator must secure any required license or permit from the City of Daytona Beach (or Volusia County) for commercial operations.
  • Onboard safety gear must include one wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) per person, a throwable PFD, and a fire extinguisher.
  • Commercial vessels must have at least two crew members while underway.
  • Specific operational restrictions apply in the Daytona area: for example, commercial vessels may not operate within 300 feet of the Daytona Beach Pier; they cannot operate within 100 feet of any anchored or moored vessel; they must avoid the swimming area at Main Street Beach; and must keep at least 300 feet distance from dolphins when operating commercially. They must also observe any “no-wake” zone restrictions at the Halifax River entrance.
  • Rental operators must ensure pick-up/drop-off procedures follow designated marina or launch-area guidelines (e.g., public ramps at Halifax Harbor Marina and the ramp at 115 E Orange Ave).
  • Depending on your exact service (e.g., fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, etc.), additional state or federal licensing may be needed (for instance, for paid saltwater fishing charters).
  • Many of these rules are derived from local City of Daytona Beach regulations and state statutes—always check directly with the City of Daytona Beach and the FWC.

What’s New & What You Should Know

  • Under the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), law enforcement may no longer board or inspect a vessel solely for the purpose of a safety equipment check unless there is probable cause of a primary violation (such as reckless operation or BUI).
  • The act prevents state or local bodies from imposing restrictions on vessels based solely on their energy source (e.g., gasoline vs. electric vs. solar). So local bans on gas-powered boats are invalid under this legislation.
  • The “Florida Freedom Boater” decal program (under SB 1388) ties compliance with safety equipment carriage and use to vessel registration renewal. A decal affixed at registration may “deem” the vessel compliant for a designated period, reducing the likelihood of secondary citations.
  • The Boating Safety Act of 2022 (SB 606) remains the key law for livery rental operators: anything offered for rent or lease is considered a “livery vessel” and subject to permit, insurance, and reporting requirements.
  • New rules regarding long-term anchoring and derelict vessel management (e.g., SB 164) also passed in 2025, which may affect anchoring practices near Daytona if vessels remain stationary for excessive periods.

Local Considerations for Daytona Beach

Because you’ll be operating in the Daytona Beach area, keep in mind:

  • Always check with the local marina or boat ramp for pickup and drop-off guidelines (e.g., Halifax Harbor Marina at 450 Basin St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; boat ramp at 115 E Orange Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114).
  • Coordinate with the City of Daytona Beach and Volusia County if you operate commercially (for example, charter trips, rentals with captains) to ensure compliance with all local licensing and operational criteria.
  • Stay aware of no-wake zones and marine-wildlife protection zones (for example, dolphins in the Halifax River area) and be sure your operations do not conflict with posted signage or local ordinances.
  • Because state law now limits random vessel stops without cause, ensure your documentation, registration, decals and safety equipment are all in order—so you’re clearly operating in compliance if you are boarded.

Summary

Daytona Beach is a premier destination for boating—whether you’re cruising the Halifax River, navigating the Intracoastal Waterway, or heading out on the Atlantic. To make the most of your time on the water (and avoid regulatory pitfalls), be certain you are fully registered, insured, licensed and compliant with state and local laws. Recent legislative changes—especially the Boater Freedom Act and the Boating Safety Act of 2022—affect what’s required for operators and renters alike.

By staying up to date and following best practices, boat rental businesses in the Daytona Beach region can focus on delivering exceptional on-the-water experiences while maintaining the highest standards of safety and legal compliance.