Boca Raton Boating Guide

Looking for a fabulous, beach escape without the heavy crowds and high prices? Consider a vacation to Boca Raton!

Boca Raton is a gem in South Florida that is a great destination for families, young professionals, and retirees alike. It offers beautiful beaches, warm sunshine, and plenty of activities and attractions for children of all ages. There is a vibrant art scene and many museums and plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore and enjoy. Boca Raton has grown in popularity as travelers look for alternatives to busy Florida cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Boating Events in Boca Raton

With the summer boating season coming up, more boat parties and large gatherings on the water are starting again. Boat parties, sandbar hopping, and other festivities can be the highlight of your summer. If you’ve always wanted to experience this aspect of the boating lifestyle, book a captained charter with Getmyboat for a summer boat party.

Here are some of the parties and celebrations that happen on boats in Boca Raton:

Boca Boating & Beach Bash

This annual beach party is a celebration and a fundraiser for people with disabilities. It starts at 10 AM at Spanish River Park and usually takes place in March but the date changes annually, so check out their website for updated event information. Check out this event to enjoy free boat rides, lunch, beach activities, live entertainment, games, and giveaways. It's a wonderful, family-friendly event in Boca Raton.

Boca Holiday Boat Parade

The holiday boat parade in Boca Raton is an annual event where lighted boats slowly cruise the Intracoastal, starting at C-15 Canal and traveling south. There is bleacher viewing at Red Reef Park for spectators and spots along the route to enjoy watching the parade go by. It's a fun holiday season event, with the option to win up to $10,000 in prizes.

Boca Raton Boat Bash

This is the largest boat party in Boca Raton, and it happens once a year. The boat party always falls on the last Sunday of April, and it’s completely free and open to the public. It’s a great day to bring a cooler of drinks and snacks, inflatables and rafts, and to cruise on your boat around Lake Boca, drop anchor, and relax for hours in the sun.

Book a boat charter with a local captain on Getmyboat to enjoy the festivities safely.

Top Boat Rentals in Boca Raton

Stacey’s Luxury Yacht in South Florida

As a Best of Getmyboat 2021 winner, Stacey earned her title for providing incredible boating experiences in South Florida! Cruise in style through the Intracoastal and surrounding waterways aboard a 50ft Marquis yacht that can accommodate up to 12 guests. The boat is equipped with three staterooms, underwater lights, TVs in each room, an electric girl, air conditioning, and a bimini canvas. The spacious layout provides ample room to move around, lounge, and entertain. Onboard you can admire the mansions and yachts along Millionaire's Row, New River, Intracoastal Waterway, and Port Everglades. Be on the lookout for local wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, turtles, and more! With this yacht charter, you can spend quality time with family and friends on the water in South Florida!

“We celebrated my daughter's 30th Birthday Boss Bash aboard Serenity, and it was absolutely perfect! Everything was seamless; from booking to boarding, the service was exceptional. The vessel was beautiful, and the captain and crew members were positively amazing and made the charter even more enjoyable! It was an event to remember, but we will definitely be booking again. Book Serenity, you'll be so glad you did.”

Caption Olaf’s Budget-Friendly Boat Rentals in Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

Captain Olaf makes boating affordable and accessible in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. With prices starting as low as $120/hour, you can easily get out on the water without breaking the bank. Olaf is an experienced USCG captain that knows the local waterways and can customize the perfect boat day for your group.. With Olaf, you and 5 friends can enjoy a leisurely cruise, snorkel, fish, stop at a sandbar, explore the canals & Intracoastal, or watch the sunset from the water.

Renter Review:

"We had an awesome day on the water with Olaf. I booked a 6-hour boat and Captain tour of Pompano to Boca. We did a little of everything, including snorkeling, sand bar swimming, stopping at a restaurant for lunch, and stopping at Hillsborough Lighthouse. Olaf was very accommodating and gave us a very insightful tour. Thankfully the weather was gorgeous on this particular day which was a bonus. You will not go wrong with Olaf! Book now."

Spacious Starcraft Pontoon Rental with Brandon

With Brandon’s Starcraft pontoon you can embark on an incredible boating adventure with your favorite people! A pontoon rental is excellent for large groups and an affordable rental option. This spacious boat can accommodate up to 10 guests, making it the perfect rental for an outing with family and friends.

“Super awesome boat! The location was very easy to get to and the Intracoastal provided some great sights! Our Captain even told us some history of the homes and who owned them! Great experience; would definitely recommend it!”

Boating Safety Reminders & Tips for Boca Raton

1. With the high amount of boat traffic at the event, paying attention to other boaters is essential.
2. Wear a lifejacket when out on the water.
3. Don’t forget the sunscreen. It can be easy to forget that you’re in the sun all day when socializing with friends and other people you meet on their boats. Reapply often and have a bimini top available for some shade during the hottest points of the day.
4. Always drive slowly and pay attention to no-wake zones. Lake Boca is very shallow so it’s crucial to navigate cautiously.
5. Pay attention to local watercraft advisories and make sure your boat is suitable for the weather conditions.
6. If navigating the Boca Inlet - only go with an experienced captain who knows the area. This channel can be dangerous for small watercraft.
7. Never drink and boat. If you wish to consume alcoholic beverages, always have a sober captain.

Top Sights to See by Boat in Boca Raton

Red Reef Park

Red Reef Park in Boca Raton is a gorgeous, oceanfront park that offers picnic areas, BBQs, public facilities, a boardwalk and hiking trails, and a vast expanse of beach. It’s a wonderful destination to go snorkeling, as the park has set up several recreational snorkeling areas full of fish species including Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish, Bar Jack, Spottail Pinfish, and Molly Miller. Please note that pets and alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Red Reef Park.

Spanish River Park

Sometimes referred to as the Lagoon of Boca Raton, this is a popular area for boaters and allows access to the Intracoastal waterway of Florida. It’s a beautiful waterfront park with a beautiful beach for swimming and great bird-watching opportunities. It’s a family-friendly waterfront park with a playground, bathrooms, and showers.

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse

Seeing the iconic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse from your boat is a must when cruising around Boca Raton. The lighthouse was first constructed in the mid-1800s and has served as an important landmark and navigation tool for boaters along the coast of Florida. The lighthouse indicates the north edge of the Florida Reef, an underwater coral reef.

Waterfront Restaurants in Boca Raton

Waterstone Rum Bar & Grill

Come here for a waterfront happy hour, sip a cocktail in the sun. This is a favorite spot to stop off on a boat trip around Boca Raton. It’s a happy hour with an excellent view, and there’s a marina near the restaurant for boating needs.

Address: 999 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Phone: (561) 368-9500

Website: https://www.waterstoneboca.com/

The Cove Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Cruise into the Intracoastal and park your boat at The Cove. This is a favorite spot for outdoor live music, excellent food and drinks, and a fun, boat-loving atmosphere. Come here for happy hour on Friday or cruise over to watch the game on one of their outdoor TVs. It's a wonderful gathering place to visit by boat in Boca Raton.

Address: 1754 SE 3rd Ct, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Phone: (954) 421-9272

Website: https://www.thecovedeerfield.com/

JB’s On the Beach

JB's is a hot spot in Deerfield Beach for tropical cocktails, delicious food, and oceanfront views. Enjoy seafood, steaks, ribs, and live music right on the beach at JB's. Here

Address: 300 NE 21st Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Phone: (954) 571-5220

Website: https://www.jbsonthebeach.com/

Heading to Boca Raton? Don’t forget to book a boat charter or water experience with a top Getmyboat captain for your vacation. Download our app for iOS and Android for easy boat bookings on the go.