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Boat rentals in Florida start around $150 to $300 for a half-day on a small powerboat. Luxury yachts, fishing charters, or full-day captained trips can range from $600 to over $2,000 depending on location and type of vessel.
If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you need to complete a Florida Boating Safety Education Course to operate a boat. For captained rentals, no license is required since the captain handles the navigation.
Yes, captained boat rentals are widely available in Florida and are ideal for visitors or events. Captains handle all navigation, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day on the water.
Top boating destinations in Florida include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Destin, the Florida Keys, Naples, and Sarasota. Each offers unique access to beaches, islands, or wildlife viewing.
Popular boating activities in Florida include sandbar hopping, fishing, dolphin watching, snorkeling, sunset cruises, island visits (like Crab Island or Shell Key), and intracoastal sightseeing tours.
Popular marinas include Haulover Marina (Miami), Bayfront Park Marina (Naples), Bahia Mar (Fort Lauderdale), Clearwater Beach Marina, and Garrison Bight Marina (Key West). Most cities have several access points for rentals.
Expect to see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans, and a variety of fish species. Some locations, like Crystal River or the Keys, offer up-close experiences with manatees or reef ecosystems.
Yes, sandbars like Haulover Sandbar (Miami), Three Rooker Island (Tampa), and Crab Island (Destin) are popular boating destinations. Many boaters anchor here to swim, picnic, or enjoy floating restaurants and vendors.
Yes, but summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. Plan morning departures and check weather forecasts. Always follow local boating safety guidelines and watch for pop-up showers during hurricane season (June–November).
Absolutely. Many rentals are perfect for families, including pontoon boats, deck boats, and captained tours. Look for kid-friendly features like shade, safety gear, and calm water excursions.
Boat Operators of a boat that is 10 horsepower or greater in Florida who are born after January 1, 1988, must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card. This card must be with the operator on the boat while underway.
Daily yacht rentals in Florida start at about $500/day but can range up to well over $5,000/day depending on the level of luxury of the yacht and other inclusions such as a captain and crew, catering, and other details.
It varies, but typically, the minimum age to rent a boat in Florida is 18. There is no minimum age requirement to operate a boat in Florida, but personal watercraft operators like jet skis must be at least 14 years old.