When Los Angeles residents need an escape, many trade the Pacific coast for new waters—renting boats and chartering yachts in destinations known for adventure, luxury, and sunshine. Based on booking data and travel trends, these are the top 10 cities where people from LA go to rent boats and enjoy time on the water. Each destination offers something special for the West Coast boating crowd, from party lakes to tropical escapes.
Report Methodology
This report examines booking data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace. It examines the top destinations booked by renters from Los Angeles who are venturing out of the city and renting a boat during their travels and vacations.
This report contains proprietary boating data for each location. It discusses the distinct features that make each destination desirable for travelers who want to plan a boating excursion during their trip.
To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed recent boat rental data from renters who reside in Los Angeles but rented a boat in a different city outside of California on the Getmyboat platform, and ranked in terms of the number of rentals booked in each city.
The Top Destinations for Vacationers from Los Angeles Looking to Rent Boats
1. Lake Havasu, Arizona
Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons
Number of Vessels Available: 94
Why it's popular: Just a 5-hour drive from Los Angeles, Lake Havasu is the ultimate weekend boating destination for Angelenos. Known for its party coves, warm waters, and iconic London Bridge, it’s perfect for wakeboarding, pontoon lounging, and sunset cruises.
Data highlight: Lake Havasu is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States, with many newcomers moving from Los Angeles and other parts of California. The lake is also renowned for its bass fishing.
2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 301
Why it's popular: Cabo blends desert landscapes with deep blue sea, offering yacht charters, snorkeling tours, and luxurious catamaran cruises. Its proximity—just a 2.5-hour flight from LAX—makes it ideal for quick escapes.
Data highlight: Cabo is the #1 international yacht charter destination for LA-based travelers, with bookings peaking during winter and early spring.
3. Miami, Florida
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 870
Why it's popular: Miami is a stellar combination of East Coast glam and tropical boating paradise. LA travelers flock to Miami for its vibrant nightlife, clear Biscayne Bay waters, and upscale yacht parties at various sandbars and islands. Chartering a boat here is as much about the scene as the sea, and it’s ideal for sightseeing the millionaire mansions and stunning waterfront of the 305.
Data highlight: 400,000 visitors to Miami are from Los Angeles annually, with the highest numbers venturing here during the Spring Break season in March and April.
4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 281
Why it's popular: With calm Pacific waters and charming coastal towns, Puerto Vallarta is a favorite for LA families and couples. Key draws include whale-watching tours, private yacht charters, and snorkeling trips around the Marietas Islands.
Data highlight: Puerto Vallarta welcomes about one million tourists from the United States annually, with Los Angeles being the origin city of the most significant percentage of visitors.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
Most Popular Style of Boat: Sailboats
Number of Vessels Available: 57
Why it's popular: Aloha vibes meet epic ocean adventure. Honolulu offers travelers making the 6-hour flight from LAX access to world-class sailing, dolphin encounters, and catamaran sunset cruises. Here you can enjoy the joy of being on the water against the iconic backdrops of Diamond Head and Waikiki.
Data highlight: Honolulu is the top domestic island destination for boat rentals by LA travelers. According to a study by the Department of Tourism of Hawaii, Los Angeles is Hawai‘i’s most significant source market, accounting for 9.1% of all visitor arrivals in 2024.
6. Austin, Texas
Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons
Number of Vessels Available: 156
Why it's popular: Lake Travis and Lake Austin have become go-to inland boating destinations for young LA professionals. Known for bachelor and bachelorette parties and pontoon-filled party coves, Austin brings the lake life energy.
Data highlight: Newcomers from Los Angeles comprise a significant portion of people moving to the Austin area.
7. Cancún, Mexico
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 562
Why it's popular: Turquoise Caribbean waters, snorkeling at Isla Mujeres, and Instagram-worthy catamarans—Cancún delivers luxury and relaxation in equal measure. LA travelers enjoy both daytime sails and sunset yacht parties.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 247
Why it's popular: Surprisingly to some, Chicago’s boating scene is booming in the summer. LA residents visiting the Windy City love renting boats to cruise Lake Michigan, especially during events like the Air & Water Show or the Fourth of July.
Data highlight: LA-origin bookings for Chicago boats spike in July and August, aligning with seasonal demand and outdoor festivals.
9. Seattle, Washington
Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats
Number of Vessels Available: 157
Why it's popular: With Puget Sound, Lake Union, and the San Juan Islands nearby, Seattle is ideal for scenic sailing and casual cruising. LA travelers often choose it as a cool, nature-forward getaway.
Data highlight: Seattle attracts eco-conscious boaters from LA, with higher-than-average bookings for electric and sail-powered vessels.
10. The Bahamas
Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts
Number of Vessels Available: 184
Why it's popular: White sand, turquoise water, and private islands—The Bahamas are a dream charter destination. Many LA travelers book week-long yacht getaways here, often starting in Nassau or Exuma.
In Summary
From the deserts of Arizona to the tropics of Mexico and the islands of the Caribbean, Los Angeles travelers know how to chase the sun—and the water. These top 10 destinations showcase where Angelenos go to unwind, celebrate, and cruise in style. Whether it’s a quick road trip to Lake Havasu or a luxury catamaran in Cabo, LA boaters are embracing adventure far beyond the California coast.
About Getmyboat
Getmyboat offers boat rentals and charters 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.
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