The Best Boat Rentals Near New Brunswick

Expect a wide range. Small motorized boats on sheltered bays typically start around $85–$170 CAD for one to three hours. Group tours on the Bay of Fundy usually run about $90–$110 CAD per adult in peak summer. Private charters range from roughly $1,000–$1,600 CAD for a two-hour outing on larger vessels, while full-day private charters for smaller yachts and cruisers often land near $1,100 CAD per day, before fuel, taxes, and gratuity. Pricing varies by boat size, season, and whether a captain is included. (lepaddleshediac.ca, jollybreeze.com, shediacbaycruises.ca, sailo.com)

You’ll find family-friendly pontoons and compact motorboats on the Wolastoq (Saint John River) system, plus sailboats, power cruisers, tall ships, and high-speed zodiacs for coastal tours in Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy. Houseboats are also available on the river near Fredericton for multi-day trips. Availability shifts by location and season, so check listings for your dates. (oromoctoboatclub.ca, frederictoncapitalregion.ca, lakewayhouseboats.com, jollybreeze.com)

If you prefer to relax and focus on hosting, a captained charter is the easiest option—especially on Fundy waters where tides, fog, and currents can change quickly. Confident boaters can book self-operated rentals on rivers and bays; under Canadian law you must carry proof of competency such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or complete a Transport Canada Rental Boat Safety Checklist provided by the rental company for the duration of the booking. Non-residents may use an equivalent credential from their home country. (discoversaintjohn.com, laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)

Popular departure points include Market Wharf on King Street in St. Andrews for whale and wildlife cruises in Passamaquoddy Bay, the Saint John Marina for river and harbour outings near the Reversing Falls Rapids, the Shediac Bay Yacht Club and nearby Pointe‑du‑Chêne Wharf for warm‑water bay cruises, Oromocto Boat Club near Fredericton for river trips, Gagetown Marina in the lower Wolastoq, and Ritchie Wharf/Station Wharf in Miramichi for scenic river cruises. (waze.com, saintjohnmarina.ca, waterwayguide.com, oromoctoboatclub.ca, frederictoncapitalregion.ca, discovermiramichi.com)

On the Bay of Fundy, boats pass lighthouses, seabird rookeries, and may encounter porpoises, seals, and whales; the Old Sow—one of the world’s notable tidal whirlpools—stirs near Deer Island. In Saint John, sightseeing cruises showcase the Reversing Falls Rapids where Fundy tides meet the river. Along the Acadian coast near Shediac, you’ll cruise warm, shallow waters with sandy shorelines. Around St. Andrews, you can view tidal landmarks like Ministers Island, which is accessible by bar road only at low tide. (visitswnb.ca, en.wikipedia.org, parcsnb.ca, ministersisland.net)

For any motorized pleasure craft, Canadian law requires proof of competency. Most renters either present a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or complete a Transport Canada Rental Boat Safety Checklist with the operator before departure; non‑residents may use an equivalent credential from their home jurisdiction. Your rental provider will guide you through the right option for your booking.

Yes—families are welcome. Operators supply the required safety equipment, including properly sized lifejackets or personal flotation devices for every passenger, with additional child sizes stocked on passenger vessels. You’ll also find the standard safety kit appropriate to the vessel class. Ask your captain or host about infant sizes and bring your child’s weight and height to ensure a perfect fit. (tc.canada.ca, laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)

Many captained trips allow you to bring snacks and non‑alcoholic drinks; some larger vessels offer licensed bar service. Open alcohol rules are strict in Canada: the operator must always be sober, and alcohol consumption on a boat is generally allowed only when the vessel is equipped with permanent sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities and is anchored or moored. Always confirm the policy with your captain before packing beverages.

Pets are typically welcome at the owner’s discretion on private charters and small motorboat rentals, provided your dog is comfortable on the water and you bring a suitable pet PFD. Wildlife‑focused tours may restrict pets to protect animals and sensitive gear, so request approval during booking.

Coastal conditions can change quickly with Fundy tides, wind, and summer fog; captains continuously monitor marine forecasts and will reschedule or refund if conditions are unsafe. Morning departures are often smoother before afternoon sea‑breezes strengthen, and your crew will time Fundy experiences—like the Reversing Falls—around the tides for comfort and safety. (jollybreeze.com, en.wikipedia.org)

Absolutely. Private charters across the province regularly host celebrations and team outings, with options to customize food, music, and sunset timing. Capacity varies widely, from intimate cruisers to large, fully crewed vessels on Shediac Bay and Saint John Harbour, so it’s smart to secure your preferred date well ahead of peak summer weekends. (shediacbaycruises.ca, saintjohnmarina.ca)

Peak boating season runs roughly June through September, with the warmest water on the Acadian coast near Shediac in July and August. For wildlife, whale activity peaks in August and September around St. Andrews. Demand spikes on Canadian long weekends—Victoria Day in late May, Canada Day on July 1, New Brunswick Day on the first Monday in August, and Labour Day in early September—and the New Brunswick Day weekend also brings major waterfront festivals in Saint John. Weekday mornings often offer calmer water and easier parking than weekend afternoons. (travel.destinationcanada.com, jollybreeze.com, canada-holidays.ca, todocanada.ca)

Most charters include the vessel, safety gear, and a professional captain when applicable; many wildlife tours provide interpretation and basic refreshments, while private charters may offer catering packages. Extras typically include taxes, fuel for self‑drive boats, gratuities, and add‑ons like special menus or dockside pickup. Review your listing for specifics before you check out. (jollybreeze.com, shediacbaycruises.ca)

Yes. Tours from St. Andrews explore Passamaquoddy Bay and the Fundy Isles for minkes early in the season, with fin and humpback sightings building through summer; peak viewing generally runs July through September, with trips operating from late May into October when conditions allow. (jollybreeze.com, visitswnb.ca)