Rent a Boat in St. Augustine

St. Augustine, known as a boating hub, holds the title of the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States since its founding in 1565. The town is steeped in history, featuring a 17th-century stone fort (Castillo de San Marcos) and Spanish architecture in its historic district. Legends of the Fountain of Youth add to its allure, with a park housing a spring believed to be linked to Juan Ponce de Leon. Boaters enjoy various waterways with easy access to the Atlantic and city amenities, including marinas, bars, museums, and shopping areas.
Nature enthusiasts find solace in St. Augustine's diverse wildlife despite its development, spotting rare birds like spoonbills and wood storks, dolphins, manatees, and occasional sea turtles. Fishing enthusiasts flock to the rivers and inlet, targeting species such as speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, while deeper waters offer opportunities for king mackerel and sailfish. For deep-sea fishing, booking a fishing charter is recommended due to specific knowledge and equipment required.

What to Know

You’ll find all types of boats for rent in St. Augustine, but some of the most common are:
Center consoles, which are favored by anglers (they usually have livewells, fishing rod holders, and integrated fishboxes), and also make great boats for families day-tripping around town. These boats tend to be relatively sporty, too, with plenty of power and comfy seating.
Pontoon boats are quite popular, too. With large rectangular decks mounted atop a pair of pontoons (or sometimes three), these maximize the amount of available space aboard and often have seating for a dozen or more people. They’re incredibly comfortable, and some have enough power to pull water toys like wakeboards and tubes. Most aren’t appropriate for use in open or rough waters, however, so if you want to go through the inlet, these won’t be the best option.

Safety Requirements

Boater License/Education: In the state of Florida, all people born on or after January 1, 1988, have to complete an approved boater education course prior to operating a powerboat with 10 or more horsepower. You’re also required to carry identification at all times while operating a powerboat.
Safety Gear: The United States Coast Guard sets the basic standards for required safety gear. That means carrying an approved life jacket for everyone aboard, having the right fire extinguisher, and more, with applicable regulations depending on the size and type of the boat. And on all powerboats, children under six must wear an approved Type I, II, or III life jacket while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length that’s underway.
Proper Lookout: The waters here can be quite crowded and as always when running a boat, maintaining a careful lookout is critical. Also remember that there are many speed zones to watch out for, as well as mooring fields which it’s best to avoid motoring through.
For more information on safety requirements, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating regulations webpage.

Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

- St. Augustine Marina
- Hidden Harbor Marina
- Fish Island Marina
- St. Augustine Municipal Marina
- Rivers Edge Marina
- Comachee Cove Yacht Harbor
- English Landing Marina
- Oasis Boatyard and Marina
- Cat’s Paw Marina

Weather Conditions

This is Florida, so boating is a year-round activity — but it can also get quite toasty. That said, St. Augustine is fairly far north on Florida’s Atlantic coast so it won’t be quite as blazing-hot as some of the more southern ports. Expect plenty of humidity during the summer months, as well as fairly common afternoon thunderstorms. These tend to move through quickly, though, and after they pass, you can usually get right back out on the water.
- Avg. Temperature High: 91.2 degrees F at the summer peak
- Avg. Temperature Low: The January average low is 55 degrees F
- Avg. Water Temperature in and around St. Augustine:
-- 71.6 degrees F in the spring (March, April, May)
-- 82.7 degrees F in the summer (June, July, August)
-- 79.7 degrees F in the fall (September, October, November)
-- 66.0 degrees F in the winter (December, January, February)

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