From family outings to bachelorette parties, a boat day—or days—offers up the potential to elevate any and every vacation. Thanks to ever-evolving peer-to-peer platforms and established charter companies, travelers can book any kind of rental (from almost anywhere), from budget-friendly pontoons and sleek speedboats to catamarans with a full crew, all in just a few clicks. Whether you’re splitting costs with a group, looking to water-ski off the back of the boat, or want a fully catered experience, boat rental services are increasingly user-friendly and easy to plan.
According to Boatsetter CEO Michael Farb, boat rental services are on the rise—especially for Gen Z. “One of the biggest trends we’re noticing is the rise of group bookings, especially among Gen Z,” says Farb. “This segment has grown by 30% year-over-year and now books more than Gen X—and nearly half of their rentals are for larger boats that fit eight or more passengers.” Farb says this confirms that more travelers are looking for these kinds of shared experiences: ”Whether it’s celebrating a special occasion or just spending a day on the water with friends, splitting the cost makes it even more accessible,” Farb continues.
To help you plan your next trip out on the water, we’ve rounded up the best boat rental services, tailored for different types of travelers—whether it be a sunset cruise in Miami, a week-long catamaran adventure through the Greek islands, scuba diving off the coast of Belize, or even a quaint fishing day on a quiet lake in the US Pacific Northwest. Here are 5 of the best boat rental services right now.
FAQ:
Do I need a boating license?
A required license depends on location and boat type. According to Click&Boat, in many regions, the type of boat you can rent without a license is limited to those with smaller engines. For example, boats powered by engines less than 15 horsepower are often exempt from licensing requirements. Check local regulations and with the captain of each boat directly to understand what limitations may apply, as there are different regulations depending on the country or the state.
How much do boat rental services generally cost?
Pricing, of course, varies by destination and boat type. According to Val Streif, a manager at GetMyBoat, you can find self-drive pontoons for $50 an hour, jet skis for around $100 an hour, and crewed yachts for $100 to $500 per hour.
The price varies widely depending on the type of boat guests choose, or the time of year, says Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager of The Moorings and Sunsail. “You can book a one-week charter with The Moorings for anywhere from $4,000 for a smaller three-cabin Sailing Monohull (at, roughly, $600 per person), up to $30,000 for a large, all-inclusive Crewed Yacht (at around $3,750 per person), and anywhere in between,” says Pedersen. “The main point is that The Moorings charters are completely customizable, allowing people to create a package that suits them (and their budget) the best.”
“What’s great is that boating is often a group experience, and we see a lot of groups of eight to 10 splitting the cost, typically spending less than $100 per person,” says Farb. “This makes even high-end charters surprisingly accessible.”
When booking your boat rental, you should ideally reserve the service two to three weeks in advance. Like any travel booking, it’s best to reserve a rental earlier during peak weekends like the Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
However, for larger yacht charters with companies like The Moorings, travelers should aim to book between four and six months in advance. “That seems to be the sweet spot for when most of our customers book their charters, but many reserve their charters as far as a year in advance or more,” says Pedersen. “It is important to remember that we have a finite number of yachts available, so for peace of mind it is often smart to reserve the perfect yacht for your group as early as possible, and rest easy knowing it will be ready and waiting for you for your specific dates.”
“One travel tip I like to share is that if you’re adding a boat day to your vacation itinerary, consider booking it earlier in your vacation,” says Streif. “This way, if there is bad weather, you have more flexibility to reschedule for later in the week.” According to Streif, most owners and captains are very flexible in these cases and will let you push back your reservation to another day of your vacation.
What’s the best boat type for my trip?
For families, it’s probably best to book from an array of comfortable pontoons or catamarans—though, of course, it depends on where you’re traveling and what your interests are. And those traveling with groups—say, for buzzy and fun bachelor or bachelorette parties—you can book a party-at-sea, from large deck boats to yachts with sound systems. For more of a full-service, ultra-luxe experience, you can charter a fully-crewed catamaran, high-end yacht, or even a sailboat. There are also options to book some water sports gear on these platforms like jet skis or speedboats. Or, if it’s a crewed yacht charter, experienced boat renters have suggested booking an accredited broker. It’s no extra cost to you and they have first-hand knowledge of the yacht and crews.
Getmyboat
GetMyBoat
Best for: All-around budget-friendly and flexible rentals (primary locations in the US and Caribbean)
GetMyBoat is one of the largest peer-to-peer boat rental platforms, offering budget-friendly rentals and captained charters in popular Caribbean destinations such as Nassau, Fajardo, and Cartagena. The platform makes it easy to book motorboats, sailboats, and yachts via its user-friendly app, catering to both experienced boaters and first-time renters with options for bareboat rentals to captained charters. The company has excellent availability in US coastal cities and island destinations worldwide, making it a convenient choice for travelers looking for an affordable and hassle-free boating experience. According to Streif, the site offers some unassuming and surprising destinations where you can book yachts at very affordable prices, including Istanbul, Dubai, Belize, Islamorada, Florida (a great alternative to busy Key West), Arizona’s Lake Havasu (popular for pontoons), and The Canary Islands in Spain (a cheaper alternative to many Caribbean destinations).
I personally used GetMyBoat for the first time on a recent trip to Miami where I set sail with Captain Francisco Areitio who owns and services many boats on the site. It was one of the swiftest travel booking experiences that I’ve had in a while—and it was, of course, then that much easier to enjoy a day on the water. It was truly amazing to see the city that I’d been to countless times before in a new light.
Top GetMyBoat trips:
Boatsetter
Boatsetter
Best for: Diverse rental options, from fishing charters to overnight stays
Boatsetter stands out for its vast variety of rentals across the US and international hotspots, including Miami, Seattle, Barcelona, and the Amalfi Coast. With over 50,000 boats available in more than 700 locations, the platform offers everything from single-day charters to overnight stays and even boat-sharing options. According to Farb, the company has found that bookings are now reaching further corners of the globe—with an increased interest in locations outside of the typical Miami bookings. Domestically, the company is growing in the Florida Keys, Charleston, and even some inland destinations like Salt Lake City and Minneapolis. You can even sail under the Milky Way on Lake Michigan, with a night voyage from Chicago to Saugatuck. Internationally, he said that the company is also seeing major growth, particularly in Mexico—where bookings have been up 40% over the past two years—and the Caribbean, with 60% growth.
“More travelers are looking for unique experiences, whether that’s a sunset cruise in Charleston, whale watching off the coast of Los Angeles, or a houseboat trip in Lake Powell [in Northern Arizona],” Farb says. “Overall, it’s clear that travelers today want flexibility, adventure, and ways to connect with friends.” Whether you’re looking to rent an electric boat for a quiet lake day, book a fishing charter, or lounge on a high-end yacht, Boatsetter has a diverse fleet to choose from. While motor-boats and sunset cruises are all the rage in Miami, you’re more likely to find pontoons in Tampa—perfect for a relaxing day on the water with friends, according to Farb. Out in Austin, the water is peppered with ski and wakeboarding boats, which made up 15% of the bookings last year, explains Farb, demonstrating how the boat rental scene can provide a window into each city’s character.
Farb also notes that Boatsetter offers a wide range of experiences at different price points, making it easy for guests to find the right fit for their trip. “For a relaxed day on the water, smaller boats like pontoons typically start under $500 for a full day, making them a great choice for families and friend groups looking for an easygoing, social experience,” Farb says. “For those looking for something more elevated, motor yachts average around $375 per hour, with destinations like Los Angeles trending higher—where the average hourly rate is over $400.” And at the top end of the spectrum, he says that luxury charters in Turks & Caicos can go for over $8,000 per day.
Top Boatsetter trips:
Jean-Louis Carli/Click&Boat
Click&Boat
Best for: Yacht and sailboat rentals in Europe and the Mediterranean
While Click&Boat is based in Paris, it specializes in yacht and sailboat rentals across Europe and the Mediterranean, particularly in Greece, Ibiza, and Saint-Tropez. It offers a range of vessels, including catamarans and motorboats, with flexible booking options for travelers who may not have a boating license. After merging with Nautal, the platform expanded its fleet and enhanced its global offerings, making it even easier for users to book a boat in sought-after coastal regions. Click&Boat is an excellent option for first-time boaters and experienced sailors alike, providing a seamless rental experience in the far corners of the world, with some of the most picturesque sailing and yachting destinations.
