There’s an old saying that goes something like “The two happiest days in a boat owner’s life is the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it.” So, obviously renting boats is the way to go. Here in Central Florida, spending a day on a boat you don’t own is way cheaper than you think. Whether it’s splitting the cost with your friends for a day on a pontoon boat, fishing all morning on a rented canoe or kayak, or taking in a swampy cruise on an airboat, we live in one of the best places to get out on the water for cheap.
Just remember that rates always vary, and be sure to call and check on weather and availability before heading out.
Cracker Creek Canoe & Kayak Rentals
1795 Taylor Rd, Port Orange | 352-795-6798
Located in Port Orange, Cracker Creek offers one of the most “Florida” experiences in the area. Rent canoes or kayaks and float down the brackish of the Spruce River. Be on the lookout for manatee, gators, osprey, heron, jumping mullet, and more.
Rate: $60 for a 4 hour canoe rental and $40 for a 4 hour kayak rental
Photo via chicksfly2/InstagramDisappearing Island
Drop the anchors– it’s low tide and Disappearing Island is back at it again. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a hip hop music video with all the boats, booze and bangin’ tunes in every direction. Enjoy the warm water while you can… low tide only last so long.
1 hour and 20 minutes
Photo via boosted_09gt/InstagramBoat Rental New Smyrna
4 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach | 386-444-0311
The Indian River is going through some serious dead fish problems right now, but the pros at Boat Rental NSB know exactly where to direct you to ensure you have the best river day yet.
Rate: $170 for a half-day pontoon rental
Photo via Boat Rental New Smyrna Beach/FacebookBoat Tree Marina
4370 Carraway Place, Sanford | 407-322-1610
This marina is only a 30 minute or so drive from Orlando and offers some of the best deals for getting out on the water. You’re not allowed out on Lake Monroe, but this stretch of the St. John’s is great for fishing or just boatin’ around with some cold ones. They also have a punch card system where your fourth boat rental is free!
Rate: $140 for a 4 hour pontoon rental
Photo via Boat Tree Marina/FacebookWinter Park Scenic Boat Tour
312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park | 407-644-4056
Right in Winter Park’s backyard is the totally unique Scenic Boat Tour, which takes you on a journey to some of Orlando’s littler-known gems like Mr. Roger’s old house. Besides learning about the history of Winter Park, ons of the best things about this tour is the never ending supply of “dad jokes” from the boat captains.
Rate: $14/person
Photo via apple_cyc/InstagramTierra Verde Boat Rentals
100 Pinellas Bayway S., St. Petersburg | 727-867-0077
There’s plenty to do when cruising the waters around St. Petersburg: go birdwatching on Egmont Key, search for coral on Shell Island or take in a sunset with a view of Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Rate: $300 for a 6 hour boat rental
Photo via Tierra Verde Boat Rentals/FacebookBlack Hammock
2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road | 407-365-2201
We’d say “let the wind flow through your hair as you embark on an exhilarating airboat ride” but it’s not like you have much of a choice on this crazy ass speedster. Black Hammock sits on Lake Jesup, home to over over 9,000 gators and Native American artifacts. Plus, every airboat ride ends with a photo-op with a live baby alligator.
Rate: $26.95/person for 30 minutes
Photo via Black Hammock Adventures & Airboat Rides/FacebookMt. Dora Boating Center
148 Charles Ave. Mount Dora | 352-383-3150
Fill up the cooler with enough of your favorite brews ’cause you’re gonna want to spend every minute of your rental time on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Mount Dora.
Rate: $225 for a 5 hour boat rental
Photo via Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina/FacebookLake Fairview Marina
4503 N. Orange Blossom Trail | 407-295-0117
Owned by a brother and sister dynamic duo, the vibe at Fairview is always positive. This marina is right off OBT, so there’s really no excuse for you not to gather some friends for an afternoon of cruisin’. Pack some champagne and say it with me, “Welcome to the good life.”
Rate: $195 for an all-day pontoon rental
Photo via rx7lover/InstagramHayley’s Jet Ski
96 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne | 321-507-5400
If the waters of the Indian River start to make you a little seasick, take a break, set up a BBQ and chill out on the shore of one of the many sandy islands that litter this waterway.
Rate: $295 for a half-day boat rental
Photo via Hayley’s Jet Ski & Boat Rental/FacebookHighbanks Marina
488 W. Highbanks, DeBary | 386-668-4491
A boat ride on the St. Johns is essentially Florida’s version of a jungle cruise: There’s wildlife around practically every river bend.
Rate: $95 for a 4 hour pontoon rental
Photo via Highbank’s Marina & Campresort/FacebookBoggy Creek
2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee | 407-344-9550
This is actually a decent deal for an airboat ride, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some gators, along with all the other exotic birds, snakes, and turtles that call Florida home.
Rate: $27.95/person for 30 minutes
Photo via Boggy Creek Airboat Rides/FacebookMidway Airboat Rides
28501 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas | 407-568-6790
One of the best things about this air boat ride, is you get to meet Pork Chop the pig before hand. But, there’s also ton of other cool things to see on this stretch of the St. Johns river like bald eagles, gators and more.
Rate: $37.56/person for 1 hour
Photo via AirBoat Rides & Tours at Midway Orlando Florida on Saint John’s River/FacebookButler Boat Rental
10900 Chase Road, Windermere | 407-448-3427
A day on Lake Butler is a nice change of pace from the theme parks. If you’re a novice behind the wheel of a pontoon boat, Daryl and his staff will get you squared away.
Rate: $300 for a 4 hour boat rental
Photo via Butler Boat Rentals/FacebookCrystal Lodge Dive Center
525 NW 7th Ave., Crystal River | 386-304-0778
Watch a brief orientation video, rent some snorkel gear and a boat and be on your way to splashing around with manatees.
Rate: $102 for a 4 hour boat rental
Photo via Crystal Lodge Dive Center/FacebookAction Jet Ski & Boat Rentals
925 Sickler Drive, Daytona Beach | 386-451-1026
If you want to spend an afternoon with dolphins, this is one of the best places to rent a boat. They have deck boats and pontoon boats which are great for larger parties, but as their name implies you can also go full throttle on jet skis.
Rate: $200 for a 4 hour boat rental
Photo via Action Jet Ski & Boat Rentals/FacebookKate’s Fish Camp
6518 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville | 352-372-1026
Newnan’s lake is part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places because of the prehistoric canoes found on its shores, so essentially, you’re traversing the same waters that ancient Native American tribes did thousands of years ago.
Rate: $45 for a 6 hour boat rental
Photo via Kates Fish Camp/FacebookTwin Lakes Fish Camp
17105 South County Road 325, Hawthorne | 352-466-3194
Located on historical Cross Creek, this place campground is “Old Florida” at its finest. You might recognize this location from the book The Yearling. Here you can rent a motorboat for $60 for an entire day, which is sooo cheap. You can also paddle in a canoe for just $20 a day.
Rate: $60 for a full-day boat rental
Photo via Twin Lakes Fish Camp/FacebookInlet Marina
9502 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach | 321-724-5424
Sebastian Inlet is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country, so if you’re into fishing, birding, or just boatin’ around, this is one of the coolest places to do it.
Rate: $200 for a 4 hour pontoon rental
Photo via Inlet Marina/FacebookPlantation on Crystal River
9301 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River | 352-795-4211
This hotel and resort has an Action Center that specializes in snorkeling and boating. Here you can rent pontoon boats, Jon boats, canoes and kayaks and explore over 600 acres of water in the Kings Bay.
Rate: $125 for a 4 hour pontoon rental
Photo via Plantation on Crystal RiverCaptain Tom’s Charter Systems Boat Tours
Silver Springs, Fla. | 352-236-0872
If you take the Silver River Tour with your Captain Tom, you will indeed come across feral monkeys.
Rate: $160 for a 4.5 hour boat rental
Screen grab via TripAdvisorWater Toy Shop
645 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach | 386-257-2031
Their 24-foot pontoon boat can hold up to 14 of your best mates. Plus, it comes with a built-in cooler, radio with iPod hookups, swim ladder and a pop-up changing room.
Rate: $190 for a 4 hour pontoon rental
Photo via Water Toy Shop, Inc./FacebookA1A Beach Rentals
6811 N. Atlantic Ave., Cape Canaveral | 321-505-7455
You might not be able to speed through this low wake zone, but the Banana River Lagoon is the perfect place to spend a lazy, boozy afternoon drifting alongside a few manatees.
Rate: $319 for a half-day boat rental
Photo via A1A RentalsBeachside Boat Rentals
2700 Harbortown Drive, Merritt Island | 321-458-4462
If you split the cost between 6-8 people, $200 for an all day pontoon boat rental is cheap!
Rate: $200 for an all-day pontoon rental
Photo via Beachside Boat Rentals/Facebook
