A Guide to Power Boating in Florida

By Jennifer Stevens

Florida is a paradise for powerboat enthusiasts, offering visitors diverse waterways, an abundance of natural beauty, and a vibrant boating culture.

Whether you’re looking for high-speed offshore racing or leisurely pontoon cruises, Florida provides endless opportunities for getting out on the water in private or chartered powerboats.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to do it across the state.

Northwest Florida: Fishing and Pontoon Heaven

Florida’s Panhandle, with its emerald green calm waters, is one of the state’s most popular places for powerboating. The white-sand beaches of Destin, Pensacola, and Panama City all boast marinas and charter companies for fishing trips and cruises to nearby islands. And places like Apalachicola and Carrabelle, while still on the Gulf of America, also have miles of freshwater creeks, rivers, and bays to explore by powerboat.

Destin is often referred to as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” because of its wide variety of fish species and deep Gulf waters. Here, you’ll find plenty of fishing charters and opportunities to hire a variety of powerboats. Pontoons in particular are very popular, and there are a range of options available, including Boogies Watersports’ 25-foot rentals, DESTINy Water Adventures’ ten to 12-passenger boats, and Beach Weekend’s captain-optional 12-14-person pontoons for hire.

Many of Destin’s charter companies take guests to the underwater sandbar Crab Island, which is a well-loved gathering place for locals and visitors. The namesake outfitter, Crab Island Company, offers guided tours of the area on its 34-foot power catamaran, and provides guests with snorkeling gear, stand-up paddle boards, and kayaks. Crab Island Pontoons offers four to five hour charters on its 25-foot double-decker pontoon boats, and Destin Pontoon Charters has options to hire captained six-person to 32-passenger pontoons.

To the west of Destin, in the beautiful beach town of Pensacola, powerboaters can enjoy the calm waters of Pensacola Bay, Perdido Bay, and the Santa Rosa Sound, and also the open Gulf of America. Similar to the Destin boating scene, pontoon rentals are plentiful, with Pensacola Pontoons offering both rental and charter options, and Frisky Mermaid Boat Tours providing four hour to seven day packages for experienced boaters. Highlights of power boating around Pensacola include spotting dolphins, snorkeling, and enjoying secluded beaches.

Further south, but still in the Panhandle, is a place often referred to as “Florida’s Forgotten Coast,” where powerboaters can enjoy a quieter boating experience from Alligator Point to Apalachicola. Along this coast, you’ll find several boat rental and charter companies so you can cruise to the idyllic St. George Island for a day at one of the USA’s top beaches, or to sightsee and fish along the expansive Apalachicola River.

North Central Florida: Lake Days, Fishing and Scalloping

Florida’s north-central region, full of pristine lakes and untamed Gulf coastline, is an often forgotten but rewarding powerboating destination. Here, boaters can enjoy cruising the calm waters of inland Lakes George and Santa Fe, or head to the “Big Bend” area to explore charming towns like Steinhatchee and Cedar Key along the Gulf of America for scalloping and fishing.

Just north of Gainesville is the 5,850-acre spring-fed Santa Fe Lake and surrounding nature park. A popular weekend getaway for city dwellers, the lake is one of the largest in North Central Florida, and one of the top local destinations for largemouth and sunshine bass. Sundaze Rentals offers pontoon boat rentals for up to eight hours, and they deliver them straight to the lake’s public boat ramp.

Another inland powerboating option, Lake George, is Florida’s second-largest lake (after Lake Okeechobee), spanning 46,000 acres. The lake is part of the St. Johns River system, located in the Ocala National Forest—famous for its crystal-clear springs and wildlife. Castaways on the River, located along the St Johns River in Astor, has 20 and 22-foot pontoon boats available for half and full-day rentals. Also on the St. Johns River in Crescent City, is Welaka Boat Rentals, which provide not only half and full day rentals, but also multiple day rentals.

Over on the Gulf Coast, in Florida’s Big Bend region, you’ll find a town commonly referred to as “The Best-Kept Secret in Florida.” The delightful town of Steinhatchee is known for its scalloping and fishing opportunities (scallop season is June 15-Labor Day), and has several marinas offering powerboat rentals. The Sea Hag Marina has more than twenty 24-foot Carolina Skiffs for rent, and the Good Times Motel and Marina, just across the Steinhatchee River, has a variety of powerboats for rent, including pontoons and deck boats.

For those wanting to continue their powerboating tour of the Big Bend, cruise south to Cedar Key: a picturesque small town located on a chain of islands in the Gulf of America. Here, you can find several small fishing charters (and clam and oyster harvesting opportunities) and also CK Marina, where you can rent your own powerboat for the day.

Northeast Florida: Sightseeing by Powerboat

From the rivers and waterways of Florida’s larger northeast cities to the Intracoastal Waterway and salt marshes of Amelia Island, Northeast Florida offers a diverse variety of powerboating experiences. Whether you’re looking to go fishing or just enjoy sightseeing and island hopping, here are the best places to rent and charter a powerboat in Florida’s northeast region.

Florida’s largest city, Jacksonville, boasts 22 miles of beaches and a vast network of waterways, making it a premier destination for fishing enthusiasts and water lovers. There are opportunities to boat along the St. Johns river, which winds throughout the city, and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Jax Boat Rentals, located along the river, has 25 and 27-foot pontoon boats available to rent as well as “mini yachts” that hold up to 12 people. Further south in Fleming Island, you can also rent pontoons, as well as sport deck boats to explore the river. And on the Atlantic side, you’ll find several fishing tour companies like Southern Salt Fishing Charters, Fish Hunter Charters, and Bailey’s Charters: all well-reviewed companies offering both offshore and inshore fishing excursions on powerboats. 

About 40 miles south of Jacksonville is St. Augustine: a place not only rich in history, but rich in waterways. The Intracoastal Waterway, the Matanzas River, and the Atlantic Ocean are all integral to St. Augustine's charm, offering a variety of opportunities for powerboating. Bluewater Adventure has pontoon boats for rent and also offers a two-seat catamaran tour, where you and one other person can cruise around St. Augustine’s historic sites at 30 miles per hour. Gone2Sea Boat Rentals also has pontoon boats for hire, and GetMyBoat has a variety of powerboats for rent, including pontoons and speed boats that come with or without a captain.

Outside of Florida’s major Northeast cities you’ll find a charming barrier island about 60 miles north of St. Augustine: Amelia Island. With gorgeous beaches to the island’s east and pristine marshes to the west, there’s a variety of landscapes to explore by powerboat. The Amelia Island Boat Club offers pontoon and bay boat rentals for non-members, allowing visitors to explore nearby Cumberland Island and go backwater fishing. And for a 2.5-hour guided trip around the island, the two-seater Backwater Cat Adventure boats are a fun and unique way to get out on the water with the whole family (5 years and older may ride).

Central Florida: Explore Interconnected Lake Systems

While Central Florida is most popular for its theme parks, its surrounding lakes are also worthy of attention. From the expansive Lake Tohopekaliga to the scenic Harris and Butler Chain of Lakes, Central Florida has an abundance of options for powerboating adventures.

Just northwest of Downtown Orlando is one of Florida’s largest lake systems: the Harris Chain of Lakes. The ten interconnected lakes are part of the larger St. Johns River Basin and are known for great bass fishing, diverse wildlife, scenic views, and of course, boating. Along the chain are a whopping 30 public boat ramps and several outfitters where you can rent your own powerboat for a day of exploring. Lake Harris Boat Rentals has a variety of pontoon boats available to rent, as well as fishing boats and two-person Craigcat powerboats. Additionally, Lake Adventures on Lake Eustis rents 18 and 20-foot pontoons for people to privately explore the chain. And Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina offers a variety of powerboat rentals from five hours to full day private excursions.

For guided tours of some of the Harris Chain lakes, CatBoat Adventures in Mount Dora offers two-hour narrated tours on two-person power catamarans around Lake Dora and through the gorgeous cypress tree-lined Dora Canal. Also in Mount Dora, Premier Boat Tours offers narrated pontoon boat tours around the Harris Chain of Lakes and also through the Dora Canal, which the company claims to be “the most beautiful mile of water in the world.” And for fishing enthusiasts, Monster Bass Fishing Charters is a renowned outfitter on the Harris Chain of Lakes, offering fishing trips on its 26-foot pontoon boat.

Just 15 minutes from Walt Disney resort, in the affluent town of Windermere, is the Butler Chain of Lakes. The 13 connected lakes are dotted with celebrity mansions and full of wildlife, and Florida Lake Tours offers chartered tours of the chain, as well as private boat rentals, which include a choice of watersports equipment.

Central East Florida: Waves, Lagoons and the State’s Longest River

Whether you’re looking to zip over ocean waves by speedboat or cruise along nature-rich lagoons by pontoon, Florida’s Central East coast is a powerboating paradise. From the popular Atlantic beaches of Cocoa and Daytona to the scenic Indian River Lagoon off Merritt Island, there are not only plenty of waterway options, but also boat rental and charter companies.

Known for ocean waves, Cocoa Beach and Daytona are popular destinations for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. The consistent waves here, while moderate, offer thrill seekers conditions for exciting speedboat adventures. SunTime Charter Boats in Cocoa Beach offers captained excursions from two hours to six hours all around the area, and GetMyBoat has several powerboat options to choose from—both captained and bareboat. In Daytona, Blue Diamond Boat Rentals is a popular option for chartered pontoon boats and also for a “Vortex” speed boat night tour.

Just west of Cocoa Beach, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon is Merritt Island: home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Here, powerboaters can enjoy cruising the calm Indian River Lagoon and Banana River, where you can see dolphins, manatees, and stingrays in shallow waters. Wildlife Watersports has a variety of pontoon boat rentals to choose from and also two-person Craigcats, while Cape Crossing Boat Rentals has similar offerings, in addition to fishing pole rentals and bait. (The area is known for its redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon.)

Fishing enthusiasts should also consider heading to Deland to enjoy time out on the St. Johns River, where anglers are known to catch trophy-sized largemouth bass, in addition to crappie, bluegill, and catfish. The Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina has 22-foot pontoons and 16-foot fishing boats available for rent as well as covered boat slips. There’s also a resort onsite for anglers and boating enthusiasts who want to spend a few days exploring Florida’s longest river.

Central West Florida: White-Sand Beaches and Crystal Clear Springs

Powerboating in Florida’s Central West region offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, from cruising the clear spring waters of Crystal River and Homosassa to speeding in the open waters of Clearwater and St. Pete Beaches. Spend your days spotting manatees or dolphins, fishing, or enjoying some of the state’s best nature preserves from the comfort of a powerboat.

Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are famous for having some of the world’s most beautiful white sand, in addition to calm, emerald green waters. Both beaches have plenty of rental and charter opportunities, with outfitters specializing in fishing trips and day trips to nearby islands. In Clearwater, Adventures Boat Rental and Paradise Island Pontoon Rentals allow visitors to rent their own pontoon boats to explore the area at their own pace. For chartered options, Clearwater Island Boat Tours and A Boat Day both offer private, captained powerboat tours to nearby Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands, and Sea Screamer takes guests dolphin spotting on the world’s largest speedboat (73-feet!). From St. Pete Beach, St. Pete Boat Rentals has several powerboat rental options as well as charters to the John’s Pass Sandbar and private sunset cruises. Blind Pass Boat and Jet Ski Rental has a 20-foot Deckboat and a 21-foot Hurricane Sundeck for rent, and also offers private Jet Boat charters to take visitors tubing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing.

Farther north are some of the state’s most beautiful springs—home to manatees, a variety of freshwater fish, turtles, alligators, and birds. Homosassa and Crystal River are the towns that serve as gateways to this pristine area, with several companies offering powerboat rentals. Homosassa Springs Marina has 20, 22, and 24-foot pontoons for those who want to cruise the Homosassa River or scallop (scallop season is from July 1-September 24) on their own. Also in Homosassa, just across the river, is River Safaris, which offer a variety of pontoons, skiffs, and deck boats for rent, as well as chartered “swim with the manatee” tours, scalloping tours, and both pontoon and airboat tours. In Crystal River, you’ll find similar tours through Crystal River Watersports and River Ventures, and can rent pontoons from Crystal River Preserve Adventures.

An area often overlooked by people traveling to the Central West Coast of Florida is Tarpon Springs: a charming town with a strong Greek cultural heritage, recognized for being the “Sponge Capital of the World.” A popular spot for boating and fishing, Tarpon Springs has several marinas and is a launching point to explore the pristine Anclote Key Preserve State Park via the mangrove-lined Anclote River. Rent pontoon boats from Anclote Village Marina, take a pontoon tour from Anclote River State Park with Gulf Coast Boat Tours, or a cruise from Tarpon to Anclote with the area’s biggest boat tour company, Odyssey Cruises.

Southeast Florida: Power Yachting at its Finest

While this region is known as the “Sailing Capital of the Florida,” it could just as easily hold the title for powerboating. From Fort Lauderdale’s extensive network of canals to Miami’s famous Biscayne Bay, there’s no shortage of powerboat rentals, charter companies, and boat slips for hire.

Often called the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal is a 300-mile network of waterways, popular for yachts, fishing charters, sailing and powerboat cruises. Throughout the city, you’ll find dozens of rental and charter companies to choose from. 100 Pro Boats has a variety of speed boats, sporty bowriders, leisure cruising boats, and pontoons available for rent from two hours to several days. They also offer chartered options, including custom yacht trips to Bimini and the Caribbean. For a unique couple of hours on the Intracoastal, Las Olas Paddle Boards offers two-person mini powerboats, Blue Bimini mini powerboats for two to four people, and a 1962 Aristocraft Funliner for slow cruising.

Just 30 miles south of Fort Lauderdale is Miami: a must-see city, famous for its iconic beaches, vibrant culture, and waterfront lifestyle, where yachting and powerboating is unmatched. GetMyBoat, BoatSetter, and Sailo all have dozens of powerboats for hire from two to eight hours, with or without a captain. Beach Boat Rental provides a variety of powerboat charter options, from its new 27-foot Monterey to a 74-foot Sunseeker Manhattan, and Aquarius Boat Tours has a range of powerboats for rent (all captained), from 22-foot sports boats to 34-foot luxury powerboats. For those wanting to live the yacht life, Odysea Rentals allows visitors to charter a range of luxury captained yachts (from 37 feet to 100), for a tour around South Beach, Star Island, downtown Miami and to tropical islands and lagoons. Similarly, Miami Yachting Company and Prime Experiences offer a range of yachts as small as 27 feet to as big as 134, with options to charter a yacht for a few hours or for multi-day trips to the Bahamas.

For a quieter powerboating experience, the beach town of Jupiter, just north of West Palm Beach, boasts the wild and scenic Loxahatchee River, the Jupiter Inlet, and access to the Atlantic Ocean. Jupiter Inlet Boat Rentals has 23-foot to 26-foot powerboats for half day and full day rentals. Additionally, Boatsetter, GetMyBoat and Sailo have a variety of speed boats, power yachts and pontoons available. For charters, Blue Bliss offers private pontoon trips for up to six people around Jupiter Island and to the nearby sandbars and intracoastal beaches.

Southwest Florida

If you’re looking to explore some of Florida’s most beautiful islands and state parks, look no further than the state’s Southwest region. This area includes the sophisticated coastal cities of Naples and Sarasota, the expansive Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge, and the idyllic islands of Pine, Sanibel & Captiva, and the remote Cayo Costa State Park.

Sarasota, just south of Tampa Bay, is renowned for its fishing opportunities (particularly snook, grouper and snapper) and easy access to the gorgeous beaches of Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. Rent a powerboat from Boatsetter, or one of the city’s many rental and charter companies. Marina Jacks has a variety of powerboats for hire, from fishing and deck boats to double-decker pontoons equipped with slides. Off the Hook Boating offers zippy sports cruisers and pontoons for rent, from a few hours to days, with options to add tubes, stand-up paddle boards, and floating mats to enhance the experience. And out of Siesta Key, you’ll find runabouts, deck boats, center consoles, and pontoon boats for rent at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters.

Another thriving boat-friendly city on Florida’s west coast is Naples: a place that has its own charms but also offers powerboaters the opportunity to explore nearby Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. GetMyBoat and Boatsetter both have captained and bareboat powerboat options, and Pure Florida offers Hurricane Deck Boat rentals for four or eight hours. Other options to get out on a powerboat in Naples: fishing charters through Naples Fishing Boat or Captain Joey D. Charters, or take a two-person Craigcat tour of the Ten Thousand Islands.

About 40 miles north of Naples, just near Fort Myers, is Cape Coral: a prime boating destination that has been dubbed a “Waterfront Wonderland." With 400 miles of canals and quick access to the barrier islands of Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa, and Pine Island, Cape Coral is an incredible base to explore pristine waters and secluded beaches. Blue Coral Boat Rental has a wide range of powerboats available for one day to week-long rentals, as does Speed Dock. Additionally, GetMyBoat and Boatsetter have captained and bareboat options, including pontoon boat rentals, speedboats and deck boats.

Things to Keep in Mind

• If you’re planning to rent your own powerboat, people born after 1988 need to have a Boating Safety Education Identification Card.
• If you plan on fishing, you need a fishing license.
• Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during the summer with afternoon thunderstorms and during hurricane season, which runs from June 1st through November 30th. Make sure to check the weather forecasts before setting sail.
• While we listed several charter companies for each location, you will also find Freedom Boat Club locations throughout most of Florida. This is another way for members to find and rent their own powerboats.