Explore the best Destin, FL and Crab Island boat rentals

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Top 10 Destin Boat Rentals and Yacht Charters

Rent a  Lexington pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
Icon $74+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (42 bookings)

2022 lexington 24ft 115hp

4 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 11 passengers
Rent a Lexington pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
Icon $74+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (14 bookings)

CRUISING THE BAY 1

4 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 11 passengers
Rent a CREST PONTOONS pontoon in Destin, FL near me
Icon $75+ /hour

Destin, FL

5.0 (3 bookings)

🎆🎇 2022 tritoon!

2 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Vip center console in Freeport, FL near me
$45+ /hour

Freeport, FL

22' bay boat fish or sun

2 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 7 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$49+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Amazing Bentley Pontoon Experience! 12 ppl

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$45+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

10 ppl Beautiful Bentley Pontoon

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 10 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$49+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

12 ppl Glorious Pontoon Bentley!

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$52+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

24' Bentley Pontoon for an incredible ride!

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Custom cruiser in Destin, FL near me
$350+ /hour

Destin, FL

5.0 (2 bookings)

Private Tiki Up to 18 Passengers!

2 - 8 hours Captained
Up to 18 passengers
Rent a Solid Craft pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
Icon $150+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

30' Double Decker Pontoon Boat, 2 Slides, 16 Passenger

8 hours No captain
Up to 16 passengers
Rent a Avalon Pontoons pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$49+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (2 bookings)

20 foot Pontoon boat

4 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 9 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$52+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Memorable times on 24ft Bentley Pontoon!

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a HARRIS BOATS pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$66+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (50 bookings)

Pontoon Rental

4 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Cruisers Yachts cruiser in Destin, FL near me
Icon $550+ /hour

Destin, FL

5.0 (21 bookings)

Cravin a Good Time? Join us on the "Miss B Haven"

3 - 8 hours Captained
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a ENCORE BENTLEY pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
Icon $49+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (9 bookings)

Bentley 240 Cruise - 12 people 24' Pontoon Boat!

4 - 8 hours No captain
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a Bentley pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$52+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Welcome aboard this fun pontoon experience!

4 - 8 hours Captain optional
Up to 12 passengers
Rent a SUN TRACKER pontoon in Shalimar, FL near me
$76+ /hour

Shalimar, FL

5.0 (2 bookings)

Rent this beautiful pontoon at Shalimar, FL!

4 - 8 hours Captained
Up to 6 passengers
Rent a Harris Flotebote pontoon in Fort Walton Beach, FL near me
$125+ /hour

Fort Walton Beach, FL

5.0 (10 bookings)

Harris Solstice 260 RD w Slide

4 - 8 hours Captained
Up to 6 passengers

How to rent a boat in Destin?

1

Find the perfect boat

Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, Destin, FL, United Statess.

2

Select a captain

Choose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.

3

Book with ease

Connect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.

4

Set sail

Enjoy your day on the water with friends and family!


Rent a Boat in Destin

Located near the northwestern end of the Florida Panhandle, Destin is one of the Gulf Coast’s most popular destinations for boating, fishing, and other water-based recreation. Known as the “Emerald Coast” for its stunning green waters, the area is also home to sugar sand beaches, diving and snorkeling, and an incredible variety of fresh-caught seafood thanks to Destin’s reputation as one of America’s best saltwater fishing ports.

Destin has been called one of the best places for boating in the United States by magazines and news outlets, and with its beautiful beaches, clear water, and a variety of land-based attractions, it’s easy to see why. 


What To Know

Destin’s great weather and the opportunity for both inshore and offshore boating make several boat styles popular, including – 

  • Pontoon and deck boats are common options for sunset cruises, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and exploring nearby Crab Island, Choctawhatchee Bay, and other Emerald Coast hotspots. 

  • Destin’s incredible offshore fishing reputation makes center consoles and small cruisers popular boat rental options, although larger sportfishing boats and luxury yachts are also common.


Safety Requirements:

  • Boating License/Education Rules: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

  • Life Jacket Requirements: Children ages 6 and under must wear a personal floatation device (PFD).

For more information, visit the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.


Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

  • Joe's Bayou Boat Ramp

  • Destin Marina

  • HarborWalk Marina

  • Okaloosa Island Boat Ramp

  • Legendary Marina


Weather Conditions

Late spring and early summer are great times to visit Destin. Temperatures are still lower than summer averages but with lots of 80-degree days, it’s usually warm enough to swim, snorkel, or lay in the sun. Summers are warmer but with 90-degree highs, but the Gulf weather is still a bit more mild than South Florida. 

The Gulf of Mexico and Florida Panhandle coastline can see some storm activity during hurricane season so be prepared for that possibility during the late summer and fall months. 


Avg. Temperature High: August is typically the hottest month at 90°F

Avg. Temperature Low: December and January are the coolest with temps around 55°F

Avg. Water Temperatures in and around Destin:

  • 80°F to 85°F in the Summer (June, July, August)

  • 65°F to 75°F in Spring (March, April, May)

  • 70°F to 80°F in Fall (September, October, November)

  • 60°F to 70°F in Winter (December, January, February)

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Destin Boating

Things to Do in Destin by Boat

Visit Crab Island

Visit Crab Island

North of the Destin bridge and just inside the entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay, Crab Island is one of Destin’s most popular attractions. Accessible only by boat, Crab Island is a large, shallow-water sandbar where people anchor up and enjoy the water, sun, and soft sand. 

Float on a raft or tube, fish, or snorkel in the shallow water with turtles, dolphins, and other sea life. Although it can be a popular party spot on major holidays, Crab Island is usually a family-friendly destination where visitors can even buy food and souvenirs from floating vendors.

High tide is the best time to go so check the local tide charts. Be sure to take plenty of food, water, and sunscreen along. 

  • Location: Google Maps Link

  • Closest boat ramp:  Destin Marina and Boat Ramp is available east of the sandbar on the western point of Destin.

  • Lat/Long: 30.39749° N, -86.51072° W

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Visit the Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Located at the southwestern edge of Destin, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and Harborwalk Village offer shopping, dining, live music and nightlife, access to the beach, and a full-service marina with transient slips for visitors. If you would like to book a charter boat or sightseeing tour and let someone else do the driving for a while, there are a variety of options available here as well. 

Destin’s Boardwalk was finished in 2012 after local businesses and property owners came together to connect attractions, restaurants, and shops, and also create an easy way to access the local charter fleet. 

The Boardwalk also offers a great place to watch Destin’s weekly fireworks display Thursday evenings at 9:00 PM throughout the summer and on holidays like July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. 

  • Location: Google Maps Link

  • Closest boat ramp:  Destin Marina and Boat Ramp is available east of the sandbar on the western point of Destin.

  • Lat/Long: 30.39459° N, -86.51162° W

Choctawhatchee Bay

Fish Offshore in the Gulf or Inland in Choctawhatchee Bay

With nicknames like “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and “Billfish Capital of the Gulf,” it’s easy to see why Destin is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Florida. There are a wide variety of light tackle species to catch in the shallow waters near the coast, or for bigger fish, the 600-foot depths of the Gulf of Mexico’s famed 100-Fathom Curve are less than 20 miles from Destin. 

Deep Sea Fishing in the Gulf (Offshore)

  • Target species: Marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, snapper, mackerel, cobia, shark, tarpon, snook

  • Seasonality: April through October are best for many species. Although things cool down in the winter, there is still plenty to catch

  • Boat selection: Center consoles, sportfish, and convertibles for deeper water

Fishing Choctawhatchee Bay (Inshore)

  • Target species: Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, flounder

  • Seasonality: May through September are the most active months

  • Boat selection: Flats skiffs, center consoles, aluminum fishing boats, runabouts, pontoon boats

Explore

Where to Go Boating in Destin

Joe’s Bayou

Joe’s Bayou

Located on the north side of Destin, the sheltered waterway at Joe’s Bayou is not a no-wake zone once you are more than 500 feet from the boat launch, making it a great destination for tubing, wakeboarding, and skiing.  As part of Choctawhatchee Bay, fishing is also good here with plenty of redfish and speckled trout. Access is easy from the city’s 1.5-acre park and concrete boat ramps making Joe’s Bayou a great place to spend a day on the water. 

Closest Boat Ramp: The city-run Joe’s Bayou boat launch provides easy access to the protected bay with 5 concrete ramps and plenty of parking

Wake Zone: The area within 500 feet of the boat launch is marked as a No Wake Zone

Hours: Official hours are Dawn to Dusk

Pro Tips: Access costs $20 per day. Destin residents can receive a free pass, while non-residents can purchase an annual pass for $205 which may make sense for longer visits.  

Lat/Long: 30.41084 N, -86.49186 W

Google Maps Link


Choctawhatchee Bay

Choctawhatchee Bay

With more than 130-square-miles of open water and plenty of bayous, bays, and marshes to explore and enjoy, Choctawhatchee Bay is a beautiful place to go boating – especially if the weather has the Gulf of Mexico churned up or you don’t want to venture too far from shore. Choctawhatchee Bay offers great fishing, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and sailing, or to see everything from undeveloped coastline to stunning waterfront homes. In other words, it’s a perfect place to spend a day on the water. 

Nearby Marinas: Destin Marina, Harborwalk Marina, Legendary Marina

Closest Boat Ramp: There are boat ramps all around Choctawhatchee Bay. The closest ramps to Destin are at Joe’s Bayou, Destin Marina, and Legion Park

Wake Zone: No Wake Zones exist in Choctawhatchee Bay near the Destin Bridge, in all of Destin Harbor, and in some smaller bays and bayous. Pay attention to warning signs and buoys and, above all else, be courteous to other boaters, swimmers, and the area wildlife. 

Tips: Choctawhatchee Bay is a beautiful place to spend the day when the Gulf is too rough or if you would rather stay close to shore. With plenty of places to fish, snorkel, tube, and sightsee, the Bay is a great place to spend a day on the water. 

Lat/Long: 30.43016 N, -86.42095 W

Google Maps Link

East and West Jetties and Norriego Point

East and West Jetties and Norriego Point

While each has something a little different to offer, all three destinations are great places to go boating. The large rocky structures of the East and West Jetties protecting Destin’s inlet provide the perfect home to abundant sea life making them both great places to go snorkeling or fish. Visit nearby Norriego Point and you can pull your boat up on the sand and lounge in the sun or walk the beach and search for shells. 

Nearby Marinas: Destin Marina, Harborwalk Marina

Closest Boat Ramp: Destin Marina

Wake Zone: The areas in the inlet and in Destin Harbor are all designated No Wake Zones. 

Tips: All three areas have their own personalities so take your time and visit each. Be sure to bring plenty of food, water, and sunscreen for a full day on the water. 

Lat/Long: 30.38919 N, -86.51181 W

Google Maps Link


Dock-and-Dine at Destin Waterfront Restaurants

With so much waterfront real estate, it's no surprise that Destin has a number of great restaurants that are accessible by boat. However, some of Destin's great eateries are just a short walk from a marina so while you're in town, be sure to check out:

Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurant

  • Address: 9 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541
  • Hours: Open every day from 11:00am–3:00pm
  • Reservations: Does not accept reservations
  • Type of food: Fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere
  • Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply


Boathouse Oyster Bar

  • Address: 288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
  • Hours: Open every day from 11:00am–“Late"
  • Reservations: Does not accept reservations
  • Type of food: Fresh oysters and gumbo in a bar atmosphere
  • Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply


Harry T's Lighthouse

  • Address: 46 Harbor Boulevard Destin, FL 32541
  • Hours: Open Mon-Fri 10:00am–10:00pm, Sat and Sun from 9:00am to 10:00pm
  • Reservations: Does not accept reservations
  • Type of food: Traditional American and fresh seafood with some vegetarian options
  • Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply


Harbor Docks

  • Address: 538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
  • Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:00am–10:30:00pm, Fri and Sat 11:00am – 11:00pm
  • Reservations: Does not accept reservations
  • Type of food: Sushi, seafood, steak and vegetarian options
  • Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply


Check Out Additional Destin Boating Guides



Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat in Destin?

The cost to rent a pontoon boat in Destin FL starts at $34/hour.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Destin FL?

The cost to rent a boat in Destin FL starts at $44/hour.

How much does it cost to rent a boat to go to Crab Island Destin?

Renting a boat to go to Crab Island can be as cheap as $44 per hour. Pricing varies based on the the type of boat you would like to rent and for how long.


Top boat rental reviews in Destin, FL

Verified full
141,792
Customers Reviews
4.95
Avg. Rating

  • We had been trying for hours to rent a boat and every one we would book would cancel on us right after I booked it....

    Sidney

    Mar 2023

  • The boat was fantastic, Captain AL and crew made the experience enjoyable from start to finish. Highly recommend this...

    Michael

    Mar 2023

  • Amazing ! Captain Al Altman went out of his way to make our Celebration of Life for my son beyond perfect. He and...

    Susan

    Nov 2022

  • Great boat great service. Rian is a solid guy made sure we where ready to roll and boat was in great condition with...

    Holoholo

    Nov 2022

  • The boat was perfect for our family’s trip and was just as described being nearly brand new. This is such a better...

    Rene

    Oct 2022
  • 5/5 stars

    Fabulous experience and easy experience. Highly recommend.

    Oak

    Oct 2022
  • 5/5 stars

    The pontoon boat was in very good condition. We had no wait when we picked up the boat. Great day on the water. They...

    Eric

    Oct 2022

  • Our day on the water with Captain Clay was exactly what we wanted. We saw dolphins in the ocean, cruised around some...

    Jessica

    Oct 2022

  • Such and amazing trip!!!! Great crew and great boat!

    Kevin

    Sep 2022

  • Rian was an exceptional host —we had a great time and his boat was everything it was advertised to be!!

    Would use...

    Marc

    Sep 2022

  • Not only do you get a great boat and a great host, but ice, gas, & all the gear included! Highly recommend.

    Noah

    Sep 2022

  • This was an amazing experience! Rian was so helpful, responsive, and kind! Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially...

    Tiffany

    Sep 2022

Boat rentals in Destin, FL



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