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How to rent a boat in New Jersey?

Find the perfect boat

Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, New Jersey, 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 New Jersey

Boaters visit New Jersey for its beautiful scenery, extensive on-water activities, and its proximity to New York City. With a captained or non-captained boat rental, you can fish for bass in the local rivers, water ski across the lakes, and do some freshwater scuba diving in the local reservoirs.

What to Know

Popular boat types in New Jersey include:

Day boats for fishing, lounging, day cruising on local waterways like Cape May.
Larger motor yachts and cruisers for bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and sightseeing.

Safety Requirements:

Boating License/Education Rules: A boat license and safety certificate are required to operate a power vessel or personal watercraft. Operators can be between 13-15 years of age if a vessel is powered by electric motor, or if the vessel is 12' or greater with engine/engines of less than 10 total horsepower. To drive a personal watercraft (PWC), users must be 16 years of age and must possess a boating safety certificate.
Life Jacket Requirements: 12 and under must wear a PFD.

For more information, visit the New Jersey Marine Service Bureau.

Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

Liberty Landing Marina
South Jersey Marina
Cape May Marina
Frank S Farley State Marina

Weather Conditions

The weather in New Jersey varies based on the part of the state you're visiting and the time of year. Winters can be very cold in the north and fairly mild in the central to southern parts of the state. In contrast, summers can reach up to 90°F in many parts of the state.

Avg. Temperature High: Peaks around 90°F in July

Avg. Temperature Low: Daily high is 43°F; drops as low as 16 °F in December.

Avg. Water Temperatures in New Jersey during the Summer:

51°F in May
64°F in June
72°F in July
74°F in August

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Things to Do in New Jersey by Boat

Explore Lighthouses on the Delaware Bay

Boating in Delaware Bay gives you the benefit of exploring two states at once: both New Jersey and Delaware. If you’re a history buff, there are three water monuments within cruising distance, dating back to the late 1800s: Harbor of Refuge lighthouse, Cape May lighthouse, and Breakwater East End lighthouse. Be mindful of wake zones signs while boating here!

Pro Tip: For great view of Harbor of Refuge lighthouse, boat at Cape Henlopen Beach.

Location: Google Maps Link
Boat ramps: Goshen Creek Boat Ramp, Mad Horse Boat Ramp, Lewes Public Boat Ramp
Lat/Long: 39.137° N, -75.2471° W

Day Cruising on the Maurice River

The Maurice River is an adventurous 39-mile river that runs through a quaint oyster harvesting town. Not only do we recommend bringing a camera to capture the local scenery and nature—like a snapshot of soaring bald eagles—but we also recommend fishing in these rich waters. Anglers can hook striped bass, white perch, and channel catfish.

Pro Tip: Be sure to pack a pair of binoculars for the best bird watching experience, and if you’re visiting in the autumn, this area is ideal for leaf-peeping.

Location: Google Maps Link
Boat ramps: Fowser Road Boat Ramp
Lat/Long: 39.2592° N, 74.9837° W

Fishing on Cape May

Cape May is a charming seaside town, and is home to several of the area’s most popular beaches, such as Madison and Broadway. For anglers—beginners and pros alike—you can expect to find redfish, bluefish and striped bass.

Pro Tip: Visit Cape May Point State Park to see the Cape May Lighthouse (friendly for all ages). There you have the opportunity to visit freshwater ponds, dunes, and several beaches.

Location: Google Maps Link
Boat ramps: Spicers Creek Boat Access, Mill Creek Marina
Lat/Long: 38.9384°N, -74.9072° W

Explore

Where to Go Boating in New Jersey

Lake Hopatcong

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake, offers 45 miles of shoreline to explore. It’s located in the well preserved Lake Hopatcong State Park, which is open daily from 8am to 8pm. Keep an eye out for wake zones close to shore, particularly around marinas or residential docks.

Pro Tip: There are over 15 waterfront restaurants on Lake Hopatcong! Plan to dock and dine at places like Windlass and Jefferson House.

Target fish species in Lake Hopatcong include: largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, perch, bluegill, crappie, chain pickerel, walleye, sunfish, and channel catfish.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental at Lake Hopatcong:

Flash Marina, Bridge Marina
Lake View Marina
Lake Hopatcong State Park

Boat ramps

There are several places to launch your boat:

Beeba Marina
Sandy Point Marina
Lake Hopatcong State Park ($10 per launch)

Google Maps Link

Ocean City

Ocean City is one of New Jersey’s most beloved coastal destinations that’s just a short 20 minutes drive away from the casinos in Atlantic City. Boaters have 8 miles of beaches to explore and a boardwalk for the family! For those interested in watersports like jet skiing, Ocean City’s waters are perfect for a guided or self-guided tour of the area, and allows you to see the resort city from another perspective.

Pro Tips: If you’re looking for live music in the area,, go to the Ocean City Music Pier! Either anchor just offshore, or dock on the bayside of Ocean City to make your way over to the oceanfront by land.

Target fish species in Ocean City include: Striper, marlin, tuna, bluefish, bonito, and others.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental along Round Valley shores.

Ocean City Boathouse Marina
10th Street Wharf
Seaview Harbor Marina

Boat ramps

There are several places to launch your boat along the shores of Round Valley Reservoir.

Corson’s Inlet Boat Ramp
Tennessee Avenue Boat Launch
NJ Boat Ramp

Google Maps Link

Barnegat Bay

One of the most attractive things about Barnegat Bay is it’s close proximity by boat ride to many of New Jersey’s popular seaside destinations, like Seaside Heights, Island State Beach Park, and Sedge Island. Boaters are free to explore every stretch of this 42-mile long bay. If you’re looking for a beach to swim in, go to Ocean Swimming Beach. Otherwise, the fishing takes a crown as the next most popular activity in the bay.

Pro Tips: All anglers in New Jersey who are 16 or older must have a license to fish legally.

Target fish species at Barnegat Bay include: Smooth dogfish, smallmouth flounder, silver perch, atlantic moonfish, and others.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental along the Deal Lake:

Bayview Harbor
Barnegat Bay Marina
Lighthouse Marina

Boat Ramps

Barnegat Light Boat Ramp
Oyster Creek Boat Ramp
Pine Beach Boat Ramp

Google Maps Link

Dock & Dine at New Jersey’s Waterfront Restaurants

Wharfside Restaurant

Address: 101 Channel Dr, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Hours: Sun - Thurs 11:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat 11:30am - 10pm
Reservations: Not available
Seating capabilities: Indoor & outdoor
Type of food: Seafood, bar food
Dockage available: Yes; located on the Manasquan River

Red's Lobster Pot Restaurant

Address: 57 Inlet Dr, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Hours: Sun - Thurs 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat 12pm - 10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Reservations: Yes, available online at Resy
Seating capabilities: Indoor & outdoor
Type of food: Seafood
Dockage available: Yes; located just near the Manasquan Inlet

Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

Address: 56 Shrewsbury Ave, Highlands, NJ 07732
Hours: Mon - Thurs 11:30am - 12am; Fri - Sat 11:30am - 2 am; Sun 10am - 12am
Reservations: Yes
Seating capabilities: Indoor & outdoor
Type of food: Seafood, bar food
Dockage available: Yes; located just north of the Sandy Hook Bridge

Check Out Additional New Jersey Boating Guides

Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

How much is it to rent a boat for a day NJ?

The cost to rent a boat in NJ starts at $56 per hour.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht for a day NJ?

The cost to rent a yach in NJ starts at $295 per hour.

Can you rent a boat without license in NJ?

The State of NJ requires all operators of motorized vessels hold a Safe Boating Certification. A boating safety certificate is not required if you are not captaining the boat.

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