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The Best Boat Rentals in Chicago
Browse, book, and get out onto the water with local captains and boat owners.
Suggested Searches
Types of Boats Popular in Chicago
Yachts
From mid-size to mega yachts, these luxury boats are great for groups and celebrations
$200-$1,135
Tours
Explore local waters with a boat rental dedicated to sightseeing and exploration
$170-$1,035
Sailboats
Set sail with these traditional wind-powered boats
$125-$535
Pontoons
Perfect for casual cruising, sandbar stops, swimming, and parties
$200-$800
Fishing Charters
Let a captain do the driving while you do the fishing
$65-$350
Houseboats
All the comforts of home out on the water, for multi-day boat trips
$250-$800
Fishing Boats
Boats outfitted for fishing, from small inshore angling boats to deep-sea yachts
$65-$350
Jet Skis
Fast, fun, and easy to operate, these are a guaranteed good time on the water
$130-$195
Kayaks
Who says you need a motor to have fun on the water?
$120
Recent Reviews in Chicago
Bria
Beautiful Yacht 40 LOA 340 Sundancer Searay
Our group of 11 had an amazing time out on the lake with captain pete! He communicated well and had all of the amenities needed- coolers, Lilly pad, blue tooth, refrigerator space for food, etc. the boat was clean and had lots of space, accurate to listing. We would definitely book with Captian Pete again!
OT
Olivia
Stunning 45’ Sea Ray Yacht
Fantastic Experience with Peter and Team! Peter was incredible—he even met us in the parking lot with a wagon to help transport our drinks and food. He was extremely friendly and communicative from start to finish. My coworkers and I had an amazing time cruising around the lake. The only minor downside was needing to bring our own ice, but everything else was absolutely 10/10. We’ll definitely be booking with Peter and his team again!
Mark
Luxury 31ft Bayliner 3055 Ciera for your Playpen Party
Ali was EXCEPTIONAL with the logistics, and Captain Z was AWESOME with the boating!!! We had group of five, and the accommodations fit our group exceptionally well. Our only regret is that the four hours went by so fast! lol! Highly recommend, and will DEFINITELY keep him in mind for the next excursion!
TJ
Thea
Diversey Harbor Gorgeous 48' Sea Ray Luxury Yacht
My friends and I had such a great time on this yacht! The yacht was spacious and clean, perfect for our group to relax and enjoy the day. Everything went smoothly from booking to the very end. Kevin’s customer service was hands down the BEST I’ve experienced. He was responsive, helpful, and kept us informed every step of the way. Our captain, Evan, was just as amazing! The ride was smooth, safe, and so much fun. I highly recommend booking with Kevin, and I’ll absolutely book with him again when I return. Thanks for everything!
AM
Amanda
Cpt included. A perfect blend of comfort and adventure aboard Sea Ray Sundancer.
Diego was awesome and so was his boat! Four of us girls went out for the day and had the best time! Perfect size with plenty of space for 4. He also had a lily pad and a cooler full of ice, which was perfect! Diego is a safe, responsible captain always aware of his surroundings (and other watercraft drivers not paying attention), and made sure we were safely anchored in the playpen with plenty of space to enjoy ourselves and swim. Will book with Diego for my next boat outing & highly recommend!
Shannon
'The Gwen' 38’ Carver Mariner Captained Charter with all amenities in Chicago!
This was our second year in a row booking this boat. They have consistently delivered the best customer service. I have been renting yachts for years and this is the only boat to provide ice and water making the experience very comfortable. I couldn’t recommend them enough!
How To Book on Getmyboat
Browse
Find the right listing for you and your crew, with options for boat types, group size, captained or self-charter, and lots more.
Inquire & Book
Found one you like? Send a rental inquiry with your preferred trip details, and you’ll receive an offer from your captain to book.
Enjoy
Coordinate a pick-up place and time, meet your boat captain, and get out onto the water!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rent a boat on Lake Michigan?
Renting a boat in Chicago starts at $100 an hour for a small powerboat and goes up to $800 an hour for a luxury motor yacht.
How much is it to rent a yacht in Chicago?
A smaller motor yacht rental will cost around $250 an hour, while a larger yacht can cost up to $700 an hour. When getting a quote, inquire if the captain’s fee and gas are included in the price.
What are the best places to go boating in Chicago?
While there are many options while boating in Chicago, here is a list of the most visited boating destinations and tours in Chicago.
- Navy Pier
- Playpen
- Chicago Architecture Tour
- Cruise The River
- Shoreline Tour
When is the boating season in Chicago?
While boating season in Chicago can vary depending on the weather, it usually starts at the beginning of May and can extend through to October.
What is the Playpen in Chicago?
The Playpen is one of the most popular boating destinations in Chicago. It’s a protected area in front of Lake Shore Drive created by a breakwall in front of the water filtration plant. It’s the perfect destination for swimming, boat parties, and floating. Boaters stop here and tie-up with other boats for an on-the-water social affair. In fact, the Playpen hosts the largest annual boat party in all of Chicago, dubbed the Chicago Scene Boat Party.
What is the Chicago Scene Boat Party
The Chicago Scene Boat Party is an annual event held in the Playpen where hundreds of boats tie up for what is now the largest boat party on Lake Michigan. This event is usually held the last weekend of July, but boat rental reservations fill up months in advance. The Chicago Scene Boat Party was started in 2000 by Ted Widen, the publisher of the luxury lifestyle mag Chicago Scene.
Does the boat rental include a captain?
Boats listed on Getmyboat offer boat rentals with or without a captain in Chicago. Before confirming your booking, you can always communicate with the boat owner through Getmyboat to ensure your captain and crew needs are met.
Why choose Getmyboat over Airbnb for Chicago boat rentals?
While Airbnb has a few boats or yachts that you can sleep in overnight at the marina, they do not allow you to go out on the boat. Getmyboat specializes in top-quality boat rentals and yacht charters in Chicago that allow you to leave the dock and experience the water. Don't just sleep on the boat, explore with the boat.
Real reviews from happy Getmyboaters.
4.9 out of 5! 500,000+ reviews
