At Getmyboat, we believe that the best day on the water is the one you remember for all the right reasons. A great sunset cruise. A perfect tubing run. A surprise dolphin sighting. Not a story that starts with "we should have known better." Safe Boating Week is the annual reminder to brush up on the basics so the only thing memorable about your trip is the fun part.

Here's our guide to making this summer your safest — and best — yet.

Why National Safe Boating Week Matters

National Safe Boating Week is the official kickoff to summer boating season in the U.S., organized by the National Safe Boating Council and supported by the U.S. Coast Guard. The week serves as a reminder that boating is one of the most rewarding ways to spend a day outdoors — and one of the most rewarding ways to spend it well-prepared.

The data is clear about what keeps people safe. According to the Coast Guard's annual recreational boating statistics, the vast majority of boating incidents come down to a handful of preventable factors: operator inexperience, distracted driving, alcohol use, and skipping life jackets. None of these require expensive equipment to address. They just require a little intention before you leave the dock.

The Getmyboat Safe Boating Checklist

Whether you're booking a captained yacht in Miami, a pontoon in Lake Tahoe, or a sailing charter in Croatia, the safety fundamentals are the same. Here's the pre-departure list every renter should run through.

1. Know who's driving — and whether they should be

Be honest about your experience level. If you've never operated a boat before, or it's been years since you have, book a captained option. It costs more, but you get a licensed professional who knows the local waters, the weather patterns, and exactly how to handle the boat you're on. On Getmyboat, you can filter by "captained" with a single tap — and in many destinations, the captain is one of the best parts of the trip.

If you're driving yourself, make sure you've completed any required boater safety education for the state or country you're boating in. Many U.S. states now require a boater education card for anyone born after a certain year.

2. Wear the life jacket. Actually wear it.

The Coast Guard reports that in fatal boating accidents where the cause of death was drowning, around 80% of victims were not wearing a life jacket. A life jacket stowed under a bench is not the same as a life jacket worn. Modern inflatable PFDs are slim, comfortable, and easy to wear all day. Kids should be in them at all times.

3. Check the weather — twice

Marine weather changes faster than land weather, and it changes differently. Check the forecast the night before, then check it again the morning of. Pay special attention to wind, wave height, and any small craft advisories. If the conditions don't match your skill level (or your captain's recommendation), reschedule. Getmyboat owners and captains are used to working with renters on weather-related flexibility.

4. File a float plan

Tell someone on land where you're going, who's with you, and when you'll be back. It's the simplest thing on this list and one of the most effective. If something does go wrong, knowing where to look is half the rescue.

5. Pack the essentials

Sunscreen. Water (more than you think you need). A first-aid kit. A phone in a waterproof case. A whistle or air horn. Snacks. And if you're going somewhere with limited cell coverage, a marine VHF radio.

6. Skip the alcohol while operating

Alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. If you want to enjoy a drink on the water, that's exactly what captains are for.

The Easiest Safety Upgrade: A Captain

If we could give one piece of advice for Safe Boating Week, it would be this: the smartest, simplest way to make a day on the water safer is to hire a captain.

A licensed captain knows the boat, knows the area, knows the weather, and knows what to do when something unexpected happens. They handle docking, navigation, and the dozens of small judgment calls that make boating safe. You and your guests get to focus on what you came for — the swimming, the sunsets, the time together.

Following our 2025 merger with Boatsetter, Getmyboat now offers the largest network of professional captains in the world, available in nearly every major boating destination. Whether you want a quiet sailing afternoon in San Diego or a full-day yacht charter in the Bahamas, finding a captain takes just a few minutes.

Boating for Every Budget, Every Skill Level

One of our favorite things about Safe Boating Week is the reminder that boating is for everyone — not just yacht owners. Getmyboat hosts experiences in over 184 countries, with options that start under $100 and go up from there. Electric boats. Pontoons. Sailboats. Center consoles. Catamarans. Luxury yachts. Houseboats.

There's no "right" way to spend a day on the water. The only requirement is doing it safely.

Make This Summer Count

National Safe Boating Week runs May 16–22, 2026, but the habits it promotes are year-round. Wear your life jacket. Check the weather. Skip the drinks while you're driving. Consider a captain. File a float plan. Take a safety course.

Do those six things, and you're set up for a season of stories worth telling.

Ready to plan your summer on the water? Find your boat on Getmyboat— over 150,000 listings, in over 184 countries, with captained options in every major destination.

Here's to a summer of safe, unforgettable days on the water.