Boat rental guides
Everything to know before you rent: how boat rentals work, what drives the price, and the rules for driving one yourself.
- How Boat Rentals Work: A First-Timer's Guide
Captained vs. bareboat rentals, marketplaces vs. local marinas, what to ask before booking, and what to bring. - Pontoon Boat Rentals: What to Know Before You Book
Why pontoons are popular rentals, capacity and size, half-day vs. full-day, and what to check before driving one. - Jet Ski Rentals: Rules, Safety and Booking Tips
What to know about renting a jet ski (personal watercraft): age rules, boater education, guided tours and safety. - Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat?
Most U.S. states don't issue a 'boat license' but many require a boater education card. Here's how it works and how to check your state. - Boat Rental Cost: What Drives the Price
The factors that set boat rental prices (boat type, captain, season, location, fuel and fees) and how to compare quotes fairly. - Boatsetter vs. Getmyboat: How the Two Marketplaces Compare
An overview of Boatsetter and Getmyboat, the two big boat rental marketplaces, what to compare, and what their merger means for renters.
BigSkipper may earn a commission when you book through some links. We do not test or inspect boats; these guides explain how renting works and what to compare.
Planning a Caribbean boat day? CaymanInsider's Grand Cayman snorkeling and diving guide covers where to go.
New: Boat rental cost calculator: see the full price of a rental, including captain, fuel, fees and tip.
New guides
- Bareboat Charter: What It Is and What You Need to Rent One – What a bareboat charter is, the experience and paperwork charter companies ask for, and how it compares with a crewed charter.
- Fishing Boat Rentals: Self-Drive vs. Fishing Charters – How to rent a fishing boat: self-drive rentals vs. guided charters, fishing licenses, what's included and what to ask.
- Boat Rental Insurance: What's Covered and What to Ask – How insurance works when you rent a boat from a marina or peer-to-peer platform, security deposits, damage waivers and questions to ask.