The Best Boat Rentals in Boca Raton

Expect smaller pontoons and deck boats to start around $60–$150 per hour, mid-size center consoles and fishing boats to run roughly $120–$250 per hour, and captained yachts to range from about $300 to $900+ per hour depending on size, day of week, and season. Half-day outings commonly total $400–$1,200 for smaller vessels and $1,200–$2,500+ for yachts. Many listings include a cooler, ice, bottled water, basic safety gear, and fuel for idle-speed cruising; others charge fuel by the hour or at the pump after your trip. Platform service fees and taxes are added at checkout, and captain gratuity (typically 15–20%) is appreciated but not always included. Always review the specific listing for an all-in price before you book.

You’ll find a wide variety, including comfortable pontoons for sandbar days, versatile deck boats, center consoles for cruising or nearshore fishing, classic sailboats for a breezy afternoon under canvas, and modern motor yachts for celebrations. Most options can be booked for a few hours, a half day, or a full day, with itineraries tailored to Lake Boca Raton, the Intracoastal Waterway, or weather-permitting ocean runs.

In Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must carry a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card to operate a motorboat of 10 hp or more. If you don’t have one, you can quickly take an approved online exam to receive a temporary certificate that’s valid for 90 days. If you book a captained charter, you won’t need to operate the boat yourself—your licensed captain handles everything. Bring a government-issued photo ID, and confirm operator requirements with your host before you reserve.

Common meeting points include Silver Palm Park (600 E Palmetto Park Rd), which has the city’s primary public boat ramp with docks, and various pick-up spots around Lake Boca Raton near the Palmetto Park Road and Camino Real bridges. Some charters also stage from resort marinas on Lake Boca or nearby marinas just north or south of city limits. Your captain will confirm an exact pin and parking guidance; arrive a little early, as parking near the Intracoastal can fill quickly on weekends and holidays.

Most outings cruise the scenic Intracoastal past waterfront homes and The Boca Raton’s iconic pink tower, with a popular swim stop at the shallow Lake Boca Raton sandbar. Depending on conditions, you may idle by the Boca Raton Inlet to watch boats enter the Atlantic, or continue south to sight the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier and, a bit farther, the historic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. Along the way, keep an eye out for manatees, rays, sea turtles, and seabirds near Red Reef Park and the barrier island.

Yes—families are welcome. Every legal charter provides U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets for all ages. Florida law requires children under 6 to wear a life jacket while a vessel under 26 feet is underway, and your captain may ask older kids to keep theirs on too. Let the owner know the ages and sizes of children in your group so properly fitted vests are ready. Strollers are best left ashore; bring soft-soled shoes, sun protection, and snacks your kids enjoy.

Most hosts allow you to bring your own food and beverages, and many boats include a cooler with ice and bottled water. For everyone’s safety, avoid glass where possible and secure anything that can blow away. If you prefer, captains can often suggest dock-and-dine stops on Lake Boca, or coordinate easy pick-up from nearby waterfront restaurants between swims.

Many captains are pet-friendly with advance notice—especially for small, well-behaved dogs—and may request a modest pet or detailing fee. Bring a leash, a non-slip mat, fresh water, and a pet PFD. Note that pets are not permitted on the grounds of certain city parks, including Silver Palm Park, so plan curbside boarding at the dock if your meet-up is there.

South Florida boating is year-round, but summer afternoons can bring fast-moving thunderstorms, and the Boca Raton Inlet can be rough or shoaled on certain tides. Captains watch radar and may adjust routes to the calmer Intracoastal, recommend a morning departure, or reschedule if conditions are unsafe. Cancellation terms vary by listing; many owners offer a weather reschedule and some provide refunds per their stated policy. Platform service fees are typically non-refundable. Check the policy on your offer before you confirm.

If your priority is a smooth, social day—especially with a group—a captained trip is the easiest choice. Local captains handle docking, bridges, manatee slow zones, and any inlet shoaling or ocean chop, and they know the best sandbar and sightseeing spots. Confident boaters can self-operate where permitted, but you’ll need to meet Florida’s boater-education rules, stay within posted speed zones, and be comfortable with docking and traffic on the Intracoastal.

Absolutely—Boca is perfect for celebrations. Most groups choose a three- to four-hour cruise with a Lake Boca sandbar swim, music, and light bites, or a sunset ride along the Intracoastal for photos. Verify the boat’s maximum passenger count (infants count toward capacity), discuss any décor in advance, and let your captain know if you’ll bring a cake or catering so they can set cooler space and cleanup expectations.

Boating is popular year-round. November through May typically brings lower rain chances and comfortable temps; June through September is hotter with frequent afternoon storms and is within Atlantic hurricane season. Major boating holidays—Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day—sell out fast and are busier on the water. A unique local factor is Boca Bash, the large, unsanctioned sandbar party traditionally held on the last Sunday in April on Lake Boca; that weekend is extremely crowded and charters book early. Weekdays and morning departures are calmer and usually better value than weekend afternoons. Also note the city has sunset its traditional December Holiday Boat Parade, so December dates are easier to book than in prior years.

The classic half-day is an Intracoastal cruise from Lake Boca with a swim stop on the sandbar, plus sightseeing past The Boca Raton’s tower and waterfront estates. Many groups add a swing south toward Deerfield Beach to view the pier or continue to the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse for photos. Your captain will tailor the route to wind, tide, and bridge timing to keep the ride smooth and maximize swim or chill time.

Yes—Lake Boca’s shallow, sandy bottom makes it a favorite for raft-ups, swimming, and socializing. On fair-weather weekends it can get lively by midday, and on the last Sunday in April it becomes the focal point of Boca Bash, drawing large crowds and stepped-up law enforcement. For a more relaxed vibe, go on a weekday or book an early morning start so you can enjoy clear water and easier anchoring before lunchtime.