Best Boat Rentals in Austin, TX
Top Austin, TX boat rentals and yacht charters
$150+
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Top boat rental reviews in Austin, TX
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5/5 stars
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5/5 stars -
5/5 stars
Great boat, unreal time.
Henry
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars
Megan is the best and her boat is amazing
mark
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars
Nathan is a great boat owner. The boat is in great shape and would definitely rent again.
Fernando
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
Absolutely great boat!
Vannak
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars
We had a great day with our captain, Tom! He was accommodating in picking us up at Ski Shores and we had a great day.
Jen
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
Easygoing and prompt communication. Provided us a safe and fun boat to go out on
Brandon
Apr 2025 -
5/5 stars -
5/5 stars
Colin was so amazing his hospitality is very welcoming made us feel comfortable.
Elizabeth
Apr 2025
How to rent a boat in Austin?
Find the perfect boat
Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, Austin, TX, United Statess.
Select a captain
Choose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.
Book with ease
Connect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.
Set sail
Enjoy your day on the water with friends and family!
Rent a Boat in Austin
As the capital of Texas, Austin’s culture is a unique combination of lively music, eclectic art, a novel culinary scene, and the site of countless rivers and lakes for fun-filled boating days. With so much to see and do in Austin, preparing an adventure roadmap to make the most of your time in the area is key. To recharge or escape downtown, rent a boat and spend a lazy (or action-packed) afternoon on Lake Travis or Lake Austin. Both of these go-to lakes have taken shape from dammed segments of the Colorado River, and present endless opportunities for watersports, cliff jumping, raft-ups, party cove hangouts, and so much more.
What To Know
These popular boat rental styles are perfect for all the unique waterways surrounding Austin:
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Pontoon boats are essentially big party barges, large enough to suit families, couples, and groups of friends. Pontoons are perfect vessels for navigating party spots like Devil’s Cove and most of them are also equipped to pull towable tubes.
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Wake boats and ski boats provide an adrenaline rush for renters looking to try wakesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, or kneeboarding for the first time. They also tend to have epic sound systems to help you ‘rock’ the boat.
The lakes surrounding Austin are also destinations primed for exploration on personal watercrafts (PWCs).
Safety Requirements:
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Boating License/Education Rules: Texas has a mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercrafts (PWCs), including a 16-year old minimum age to operate a vessel with horsepower greater than 15 HP (including PWCs).
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Life Jacket Requirements: 13 years and under must wear a PFD.
For more information, visit Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
Where to dock your boat, or meet your rental:
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Lake Travis Marina
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Paradise Cove Marina
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Safe Harbor Emerald Point
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Riviera Marina
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Highland Lakes Marina
For more information, check out the Boating in Austin, TX Guide.
Weather Conditions
Austin has a humid, subtropical year-round climate that’s enticing to boaters. Cool weather in the winter only sticks around for two months out of the year in December and January, while the rest of the year delivers temperatures in the 70s. Many local boaters will go boating year-round, without ever needing to winterize their boat. Peak boating season on the nearby lakes run from April through October.
Avg. Temperature High: Peaks around 96°F in July and August
Avg. Temperature Low: Around 41-45°F during winter months, from December through February
Avg. Water Temperatures in and around Austin:
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73°F in the Spring (March, April, May)
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83°F in the Summer (June, July, August)
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79°F in Fall (September, October, November)
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65°F in Winter (December, January, February)
Things to Do in Austin by Boat
Raft-Up Party at Devil’s Cove (Lake Travis)
Devil’s Cove is one of the most infamous party coves in America, and for renters visiting the Austin area, it never disappoints. During weekends throughout the summer—and during busy holidays like spring break, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day—it's normal to expect 200 boats or more to raft-up in this location. Local police authorities actively patrol this area, so if you are boating without a professional captain onboard, be sure to boat responsibly and assign a designated sober skipper. For the full scoop on making the most of your experience here, read Devil’s Cove on Lake Travis: Boater’s Guide.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend booking a captained rental so you can enjoy the Devil’s Cove party to its fullest. Having a professional captain will allow you to sit back and relax, while your captain mans the helm and handles the process of rafting up with other boats.
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Location: Google Maps Link
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Getting to Devil’s Cove: Devil’s Cove is located on the northshore of Lake Travis, just north of Northshore Marina at the Hollows and Vincent’s on the Lake.
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Lat/Long: 30.4493° N, 97.9487° W
Fishing and Cruising the Colorado River
The Colorado River is basically the interstate waterway of Austin, connecting Lake Travis in the north, to Lake Austin, and finally down to Lady Bird Lake and beyond. Anglers will find some of the best bass fishing in central Texas, as these waterways are known for hosting largemouth, guadalupe, and white bass. Other target species in this area include gar, freshwater drum, and carp. If it's your first time fishing near Austin, look to book a fishing charter for a guided experience and learn from local captains.
Pro Tip: Just past the Mansfield Dam Park, you’ll find Tom Hughes park located along the northern part of the river near Lake Travis. This is one of the lake’s most popular areas to drop anchor to go swimming or watch the sunset.
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Location: Google Maps Link
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Seasonality: Anglers planning their bass fishing trips to lakes around the Austin area should book for spring or fall for the best bites; although, black bass is known to be caught year-round.
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Lat/Long: 30.3971° N, 97.8806° W
Take in the Sights at Hippie Hollow (Lake Travis)
Warning—this experience is best suited for adults only! Call the babysitter and leave the kiddos at home for this boat outing. Why? Well, Hippie Hollow Park is the only clothing-optional public park in the state of Texas, and entry to the park is restricted to those 18 years of age or older. And yes, you will see plenty of nude sunbathers here enjoying the summer heat along the rock formations and swimming in the water. Entry to the park is free if arriving by boat. On land, day entry is $8 per person, with park hours open between 9am to 8pm every day, rain or shine.
Pro Tip: The shoreline along Hippie Hollow is known to be quite rocky, so if you’re arriving by boat you’ll want to anchor just off shore before swimming up to the rocks.
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Location: Google Maps Link
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Getting to Hippie Hollow: The park is directly across from the Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp, as well as the Commanders Point Yacht Basin and nearby to Marshall Ford Marina near Tom Hughes Park.
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Lat/Long: 30.4145° N, 97.8869° W
Where to Go Boating in Austin
Lake Travis
Lake Travis, which is a 40-minutes drive north of downtown Austin, offers limitless entertainment and things to do for boaters and watersports enthusiasts. Aside from Devil's Cove and Hippie Hollow, places like Starnes Island and Mansfield Dam Park are other well known boating hop spots. Boaters can find Starnes Island in the Sandy Creek area of the lake, and may often hear it referenced by one of its many nicknames: ‘Monkey Island,’ ‘Rattlesnake Island,’ or ‘Snake Island.’ If you’re interested in checking out these iconic Lake Travis locations, we recommend booking a boat rental with a captain who can handle navigation, anchoring, and raft-ups.
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Nearby Marinas: VIP Marina Lake Travis is just north of Starnes Island, while boaters will find Lake Travis Marina to the south and the Northshore Marina at the Hollows to the west. Marshall Ford Marina is close to Mansfield Dam Park
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Wake zone: Yes - Devil’s Cove, Starnes Island and Mansfield Dam Park each have a lot of incoming and outgoing boat traffic, so be very conscious of your surroundings and keep an eye out for other boaters.
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Pro Tips: If you’re visiting Lake Travis for the Fourth of July, Starnes Island is home to the famous fireworks display, put on by local dockside restaurant Beachside Billy’s.
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Lat/Long: 30.4205° N, 97.9103° W
Lake Austin
Lake Austin, just 11-miles north and a 20-minutes drive from downtown, is home to the famous Pennybacker Bridge (also known as the Austin 360 Bridge). If you’ve ever seen destination or travel highlights of Austin, you’ve likely seen this beloved landmark showcased. Be sure to grab a group photo of a bridge as the sun sets, and then take advantage of some of the best dock-and-dine locations on the lake—many of which are located along or near Austin Boulevard, including Hula Hut, Ski Shores Cafe, and Abel’s on the Lake, just to name a few.
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Nearby Marinas & Launches: Located near central and southern Lake Austin, you’ll find Ski Shore Marine, West Lake Beach, Lake Austin Marina, and Oyster Landing Marina.
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Wake zone: Yes in some areas, keep an eye out for signage - also be sure to stay 200 feet away from the shoreline, especially when you are wake surfing.
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Pro Tips: Lake Austin is world-renowned as one of the top lakes in the U.S. for wakesurfing, thanks to its typically calm waters. This makes the location ideal for beginners who are just getting started.
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Lat/Long: 30.3516° N, 97.8062° W
Lady Bird Lake
Lake Bird Lake is located right near the heart of downtown Austin and is a go-to favorite for locals who want to go kayaking, hiking, biking and stand-up paddleboarding. Motorized vessels are not allowed in this lake; however, watercraft powered by electric motors under 5 horsepower are allowed to operate. While swimming is prohibited, anglers will be happy to hear that there is an impressive population of largemouth bass, as well as sunfish and large carp. Electric trolling motors that meet the horsepower requirements are ideal for fishing and navigating these waters. This location is also popular for night fishing.
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Nearby Boat Ramps: Festival Beach Boat Ramp is the best location for launching small vessels.
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Wake zone: Yes - the entire lake is a no wake zone.
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Pro Tips: Zebra mussels (an aquatic invasive species) have been found in Lady Bird Lake. Be sure to clean, drain, and dry your boat, trailer, livewells and bait buckets, and other gear before launching into another body of water.
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Lat/Long: 30.2477° N, 97.7181° W
Austin Boating Guides & Rental Locations
Boat Rental Locations Near Austin
Boating Guides for Austin
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Austin?
The cost to rent a boat in Austin for a half-day starts at $170. For a full day on the water prices on average range from $340 and $4,400.
How much does it cost to rent a small yacht?
The cost to rent a small yacht in Austin starts at $1400 for a half-day on the water and $3,900 for a full day with a captain.
What makes Boatsetter different from other boat rental platforms?
What makes Boatsetter different is peace of mind. Boatsetter is the first and only boat rental marketplace to offer insurance on every peer-to-peer boat rental. We know choosing the right boat rental platform is essential to your experience while on the water. That's why we've gone the extra mile to focus on safety through our exclusive partnership with GEICO Marine and BoatUS. As the first and only boat rental marketplace to offer insurance on every peer-to-peer rental, you are protected during all rentals with insurance coverage and on-water assistance through TowBoatUS.
How to rent a boat on Boatsetter?
At Boatsetter, our mission is to make getting out on the water as easy as possible. With our intuitive booking system, you can rent a boat as soon as today. -First, you must determine your budget and the type of boat you want to rent. -Next, decide where you would like to boat and the kind of boat you would like to spend the day on. -Finally, determine if you will be needing a boat captain and reach out to the boat owner. That’s it! You’re officially on your way to a fantastic day out on the water.
How many people can fit on the boat rental?
The number of people who can fit on boat rental largely depends on the boat's size and how many life jackets are on board. Currently the coast guard allows a maximum of 10-12 people on a Boatsetter boat rental.
How old do you have to be to rent a boat?
You must be 18 years old to rent a captained boat and 25 years old if you would like to rent a bareboat charter.
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat?
Boating license requirements vary from state to state. As a renter, you are responsible for understanding local state requirements.
Can you rent a yacht for the day?
Boatsetter allows you to rent a yacht for the day. Single-day yacht rentals are available for a select number of yachts. To chat with a yacht specialist please visit: https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters
Can you rent a yacht for the week?
Boatsetter allows its customers to rent a yacht for the week. Renting a yacht for a week gives you more access to the wide range of yachts available on our platform. You can either book a rental directly through the site or connect with one of our charter specialists to plan your trip here: https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters
Can you rent a yacht for the month?
Booking a month-long yacht rental is a detailed and hands-off process when working with our team of yacht charter specialists. We tailor each yacht charter to our client's specific wants and needs. Our luxury yacht charter specialists can be reached at (954) 715-4114 or by visiting https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters
Own a boat?
Boatsetter lets you make money renting out your boat. Peace of mind and insurance is included in every rental, and you choose who rents your boat.
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