Learn more about boating on the scenic waterways of Arizona and seeing some of the most stunning natural features of the Southwestern United States on the water.

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Arizona, known for its desert landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, offers an array of boating destinations catering to casual boaters and avid enthusiasts. From impressive lakes to winding rivers, Arizona's waterways provide a refreshing escape for boating enthusiasts.

Year-round favorable temperatures and consistent sunshine also contribute to the high demand for boating and outdoor activities on the water. There are over 125,000 registered boats in the state, indicating that many more people opt to rent rather than own boats in Arizona.

In this report, we dive into Arizona's busiest cities for boating, highlighting their unique features and attractions for people who love to get out on the water.

About This Report

This report analyzes booking data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining Arizona's cities with the highest demand for boat rentals and charters. The cities are determined by where the boat owner registers the boat within their profile on the platform. Data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates, while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.

It contains proprietary boating data for each location, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and explores the local boating culture, amenities, attractions, and overall boating experience they offer.

Arizona’s Top 5 Locations for Boating & On-Water Recreation

Az Data Map 2026

Arizona’s boating scene continues to grow in 2026, fueled by strong tourism demand, year-round sunshine, and increased interest in accessible, short-term boat rentals. Lake-based recreation remains dominant across the state, with pontoons and personal watercraft leading the market.

1. Lake Havasu City

Most Popular Vessel: Pontoons
Number of Boats Available: 100
Share of Statewide Rentals: 48%

Lake Havasu City remains Arizona’s undisputed boating capital in 2026, holding onto the #1 position for another year. Nearly half of all boat rentals in Arizona take place here, making it the state’s most dominant market by a wide margin.

Known as the “Personal Watercraft Capital of the World,” Lake Havasu is famously where Kawasaki’s Jet Ski brand originated. The 45-mile-long reservoir offers expansive, stable water levels year-round, ideal for watersports and wakeboarding, Jet Skiing, and Multi-day houseboat trips.

The iconic London Bridge, relocated from England in 1971, continues to serve as one of the most photographed boating landmarks in the Southwest. Spring break and shoulder-season tourism continue to push rental growth, with group pontoon charters especially popular.

2. Lake Pleasant

Most Popular Vessel: Pontoons
Number of Boats Available: 71

Share of Statewide Rentals: 28%

Lake Pleasant holds strong at #2, standing out as Arizona’s second-busiest waterway. The lake spans 10,000 surface acres, 116 miles of shoreline and has a maximum depth of 260 feet. Popular activities include pontoon cruising and party boats, jet skiing, and paddleboarding.

With Phoenix metro population growth continuing in 2026, weekend boating traffic remains high. Pontoons dominate bookings here, particularly for half-day and sunset rentals.

3. Mesa

Most Popular Vessel: Jet Skis
Number of Boats Available: 32

Mesa continues its popular trajectory, firmly holding 3rd place in 2026 after entering the top rankings in 2025. Mesa’s nearby waterways that are popular for rentals include Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, the Salt River and the Verde River. Jet Skis are the most requested rental type here, reflecting strong demand for shorter, high-energy outings. The region’s canyon-lined lakes and desert scenery create ideal conditions for tubing, bass fishing, wildlife spotting and scenic cruising

Recent infrastructure investments — including improved boat ramps and marina enhancements — have increased accessibility, helping Mesa grow its popularity for on water recreation.

4. Scottsdale (New to Top 5 in 2026)

Most Popular Vessel: Luxury Pontoons & Wake Boats
Number of Boats Available: 28

Scottsdale has made its debut in the Top 5 for the first time in 2026. While Scottsdale itself is not directly on a major lake, it functions as a high-demand booking hub for luxury boating experiences nearby, including Saguaro Lake and Bartlett Lake, and operators register in Scottsdale to reach visitors and locals in the popular city.

Scottsdale’s boating demand is strongly attributed to the city’s popularity for Bachelorette parties, golf weekend groups, corporate retreats, and luxury tourism. Premium pontoon charters and wake boats are especially popular, with higher-than-average booking values compared to other Arizona markets.

Rental operators report strong growth in captained charters catering to visitors seeking curated, social experiences.

5. Page (Lake Powell)

Most Popular Vessel: Bowrider Powerboats
Number of Boats Available: 19

Page rounds out the Top 5 in 2026, holding steady after climbing dramatically from #9 to #4 in 2025. Located on Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, Page offers over 1,900 miles of shoreline, with gorgeous slot canyons and red rock formations. Boating here also gives you access to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Following water-level stabilization efforts in recent seasons, boating access has improved, helping sustain rental activity. Houseboating and multi-day excursions remain major draws, along with guided scenic tours.

Bowriders are especially popular for exploring narrow canyon waterways and secluded coves.

2026 Arizona Boating Market Overview

Arizona continues to solidify itself as one of the top inland boating destinations in the U.S. thanks to:

  • Over 300 days of sunshine annually
  • Multiple high-capacity reservoirs
  • Strong tourism from California, Nevada, and Texas
  • Growing Phoenix metro population

Group-oriented boating continues to dominate demand, especially for birthdays, spring break, and summer celebrations.

In Summary

Arizona’s waterways are ideal for cooling off from the hot sun and enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the American Southwest. The 2026 rankings reveal shifts driven by tourism demand, improved facilities, and infrastructure investment. These locations are ideal for on-water experiences for visitors and locals, and the extensive hot weather season makes Arizona a competitive state at the top for boat and watercraft rentals.

About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.

Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.