Boat Rentals In Florida: Open For Business?

Florida's 8,000 miles of coastline, lakes, rivers, and waterways make it a prime destination for boating enthusiasts. The state offers a variety of boat rental options, from luxury yachts and fishing boats to powerboats and sailboats. Whether you're looking for a captained boat or prefer to sail on your own, Florida has something for everyone. The best places to rent boats in Florida include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, and the Florida Keys. Prices vary depending on the type of boat, duration of the rental, and additional services, but you can find options starting at around $40 per hour. So, if you're planning a trip to Florida and want to hit the water, boat rentals are definitely an option worth considering!

Yacht rentals in Florida

For example, a 50-foot yacht can be rented for $108 per hour, while a 70-foot Azimut yacht with two jet skis included can be rented for a minimum of two hours, with prices starting at $100 off or a free jet ski from Monday to Friday. A 46-foot luxury sport yacht is also available for rent, with no extra fees, for between three and eight hours.

Yacht rental companies in Florida, such as Boatsetter and Tropicalboat, offer a variety of trips and charters that can be tailored to customers' desires. These can include fishing charters, sunset cruises, exploring uninhabited tropical islands, or celebrating special events.

When renting a yacht in Florida, it is important to note that a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card is required for boat operators born after January 1, 1988, if the boat is 10 horsepower or greater. Additionally, the minimum age to rent a captained boat is 18 years old, while a bareboat charter requires the renter to be at least 25 years old.

Fishing boat rentals in Florida

Florida is a great place to rent a boat, with options for fishing, yachting, sailing, partying, and more. With more than 8,000 miles of coastline, lakes, rivers, and waterways, Florida is the perfect destination for boating enthusiasts.

Florida is known as the "Fishing Capital of the World," with abundant and diverse fishing opportunities. You can find fishing opportunities anywhere across the Sunshine State, but some of the best places to go fishing in Florida include:

• The Florida Keys, famous for deep-sea fishing, where you can find more than 200 species of fish, like mahi-mahi, sailfish, swordfish, and tuna.
• Destin, known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," where charters focus on catching snapper, grouper, and amberjack.
• Stuart, known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World" on the Atlantic side of the state.
• Jacksonville, which hosts the world's largest wahoo tournament each year.
• Tampa Bay, an excellent destination for tarpon fishing or catching redfish or snook.
• Lake Okeechobee, known for its bass fishing tournaments, is a great spot for freshwater fishing.

The cost of renting a fishing boat depends on the location, boat size, and whether you plan to go inshore or offshore fishing. Prices start from approximately $50 per hour without a captain to over $400 per hour with a captain.

Boat Rental Platforms

There are several boat rental platforms that offer fishing boat rentals in Florida, including:

• Boatsetter, which offers an easy, safe, and accessible way to experience on-the-water adventures, including fishing trips. They have boat rentals in over 600 locations and provide insurance for every boating trip.
• GetMyBoat, which offers a wide range of boat rentals, from small motor boats to luxury mega yachts, with prices starting at $40 per hour.
• Sailo, which offers beautiful yacht rentals in Florida at various price points. They have over 890 boats to choose from, including sailboats, catamarans, and motor yachts.

Florida Boating Requirements

When renting a fishing boat in Florida, it's important to keep in mind the following requirements:

• A valid Florida fishing license is required for both residents and non-residents over 16 years of age.
• A Florida boater's license and a Boating Safety Education Identification Card are required for boat operators born after January 1, 1988.

Powerboat rentals in Florida

Renting a powerboat is a fantastic way to explore the coast of Florida and experience the Sunshine State from the water. There are many powerboat rental companies in Florida, with boats available in a range of sizes and styles, from small motorboats to luxury yachts.

Where to Rent Powerboats in Florida

Powerboat rentals are available in various locations across Florida, with a high concentration in Miami and the surrounding area.

For example, Sunshine Boating offers powerboat rentals in over a dozen cities near Miami, including Sunny Isles Beach. They provide powerboats for a range of rental periods, from afternoons to weeks, with engines installed in the boats or as outboard motors.

Other powerboat rental companies in Florida include Getmyboat, Boatsetter, and Sailo.

Cost of Renting a Powerboat in Florida

The cost of renting a powerboat in Florida varies depending on the boat's size, features, and rental duration. Prices can start from as little as $40 per hour for a small motorboat or pontoon, with daily rentals typically ranging from $200 to $1,000 or more.

For those seeking a more luxurious experience, daily yacht rentals can start at $500 per day and go up to over $5,000 per day, depending on the yacht's size, amenities, and inclusions such as catering and crew.

Requirements for Renting a Powerboat in Florida

Boat operators in Florida who were born after January 1, 1988, and operate a boat with an engine capacity of 10 horsepower or more, must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card with them while the boat is underway.

Additionally, the minimum age to rent a captained boat is typically 18 years old, while the minimum age for renting a bareboat charter is usually 25 years old.

Sailing in Florida

Florida is a great place to rent a boat, with options for every type of sailing experience. With more than 8,000 miles of coastline, lakes, rivers, and waterways, Florida is a dream destination for boating enthusiasts.

The best places to sail in Florida include Miami, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Sanibel & Captiva, St. Augustine, and the Florida Keys—all of which have multiple outfitters offering a variety of sailboat rental and charter options. For those wanting to learn to sail in Florida, some of the most popular sailing schools include St. Augustine Sailing, Coconut Grove Sailing School, MidBay Sailing in Niceville, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Blue Water Sailing School in Fort Lauderdale, and the Veteran Sailing Association in the Florida Keys.

Private sailboat rentals range from around $40 per hour for a small sailboat to $450 per hour for a captained 80-foot schooner. Sailing charter prices depend on whether they're private or with a group, the size of the boat, and its location. Sailing school prices also vary, from $160 per person for a two-hour session in Sarasota to over $3,000 for a live-aboard certification experience in Fort Lauderdale.

If you're planning to sail on your own boat, make sure you have your boating license and Boating Safety Education Identification Card. Also, keep in mind that Florida's weather can be unpredictable, especially during the summer with afternoon thunderstorms, so be sure to check the weather forecast before setting sail.

Party boat rentals in Florida

Party boat rentals are available in Florida, with sources advertising rentals in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Peanut Island, Jupiter, Tampa, St. Pete Beach, Coral Gables, North Bay Village, Pompano Beach, Hallandale, Cape Coral, and more.

There are various party boat rental companies in Florida, including Sailo, Boatsetter, Tropical Boat, and Getmyboat.

Boatsetter offers a range of party boat options, including Clean Pontoon, Fun Day Boat Tours, Double Decker Pontoon with a Slide, Luxury 42' "Captain Jack", and more. They also offer insurance and USCG licensed captains for an additional cost.

Sailo provides party boat rentals with and without captains, depending on the renter's preference. Their party boat options include a 45-foot boat for up to 45 guests, a 50-foot BOHO party boat for up to 24 guests, and a 40-foot "Best Party Boat in Miami!".

Tropical Boat offers party boat rentals in Miami, Biscayne Bay, the Florida Palm Beaches, and the Intercoastal.

Getmyboat offers a Premium Edition Party Pontoon with a slide for up to 14 people in Largo, Florida.

Party boat rental prices vary depending on the boat's size, location, rental time, and additional amenities. Prices can range from $200 for a half-day rental to just under $1,000 for longer rentals.

Frequently asked questions