Labor Day Weekend Trends: Boating Tops the List of Last-Minute Long Weekend Plans, Data Shows
Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
Key takeaways
- Boating emerges as the flexible Labor Day plan with 40% of bookings happening just days before the holiday (1).
- On Boatsetter, 58% of Owners list their personal boats, monetizing their passion and making boating accessible. (2).
- Boatsetter offers something for Americans making the most their summer before it ends, from cookouts on the water to beach getaways.
Nothing says holiday weekend like last-minute boat plans
Forty percent of Boatsetter bookings for long weekends happen the same week, with the majority taking place just a day or two before the holiday. The takeaway? People crave quick and flexible plans — and boating delivers.
With Labor Day Weekend (August 30–September 1) coming fast, there’s still time to lock-in a boat rental and make more core memories.
More affordable for groups: Boatsetter is a cost-effective option for groups that prioritize experiences and memory-making. A group of eight can split the cost of a boat—complete with a stocked cooler and surround-sound system for as little as $100 per person (3).
Amenities that matter: Roughly 70% of boat rentals on Boatsetter include amenities like coolers and ice, and many Owners go above and beyond with extras like paddle boards and floating mats (4). You can even filter by Amenities for BBQ grills and the cookout over the water.
Flexibility for spontaneous planners: More of a “wherever the wind takes me” kind of planner? Instant Book lets you snag a boat that’s ready to go. No anxious waiting. Just filter, book, and join the fun on the water.
The boat rental & on-the-water activities role in the future of work
Labor Day honors the American worker and today, that celebration extends to those pioneering new forms of work in the sharing economy. The outdoor/leisure sector of this economy—including boat rentals—is sizable and growing: the U.S. boat-rental market is expected to grow from USD 16.2 billion in 2025 to USD 26.8 billion by 2034 (5).
Angel, a 27-year-old from South Florida, put his dream in motion by investing in a yacht in 2023—today he’s made over $1 million, built a fleet, and joined the hundreds of Boatsetter Owners who’ve turned their passion into thriving businesses (6).
On the other side, with millions Americans seeking on‑the‑water experiences multiple times a year, Boatsetter has emerged as the go-to marketplace for people looking for more waterside time (7).
Unique on-the-water activities for a fun Labor Day weekend
Labor Day is the last three-day weekend of the season, and for many, the last opportunity to get on the water before the fall. Here are unique on-the-water activities how to make the most of your long holiday weekend.
Go on a private boat tour with a local expert
See your city from the water with a Captain who knows its history and hidden gems. Think D.C.’s monuments from the Potomac, a private Chicago architecture boat tour, or a New York Harbor cruise past the Statue of Liberty with fun facts and local stories along the way.
Book a boat & join a Labor Day sandbar party
Some of the biggest water-based gatherings happen off the beach. Try the John’s Pass Sandbar Party near St. Pete, Boca Grande’s sandbars, or Haulover, where boats raft up for music, floating, and Labor Day vibes on the water.
Beach boat day with friends
Find a local sandbar or quiet stretch of coast to spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and floating. In Tampa, boaters head to Caladesi Island; in San Diego, it’s all about Mission Bay; and in West Palm Beach, the go-to is Peanut Island, the hidden gem of Florida’s east coast.
Go on a guided fishing trip with a pro angler
Labor Day is peak season for inshore and offshore fishing. From calico bass off the coast of Los Angeles, or tarpon off the Florida Keys, just pack a bag, and your fishing boat rental comes with gear.
Host a cookout on the water
Book a boat with a grill and plan an onboard barbecue, complete many come with stocked coolers. In Fort Lauderdale, locals cruise the Intracoastal grilling up picanha, while in Austin, it’s all about burgers and dogs on Lake Travis.
Go to a Labor Day parade
Catch a classic celebration, then keep the momentum going with a post-parade boat day. In Virginia Beach, the Labor Day oceanfront concert sits right on the sand perfect for a post-show cruise. In Pittsburgh, boaters watch the parade then head for the rivers.
Explore a national park by boat
For a nature escape, try snorkeling with tropical fish at Biscayne National Park, explore the Channel Islands with a Captain, or Lake Powell along the Utah-Arizona border.
1. Based on internal Boatsetter booking data from Labor Day Weekend 2024.
2. As of 2025, 58% of Boatsetter Owners list their personal boats on the platform.
3. Based on 2025 average total booking price for an 8-person group across Boatsetter’s top 10 Labor Day Weekend markets.
4. Approximately 70% of active Boatsetter boat rentals include coolers with ice, based on current Owner data.
5. Yahoo Finance, July 4, 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boat-rental-market-outlook-report-094900990.html
6. As featured in Entrepreneur, November 6, 2023. https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/a-27-year-olds-passive-income-side-hustle-hit-30k-a-month/487080
7. National Marine Manufacturers Association database suggests 100 million Americans engage in boating yearly. The U.S. recreational boating industry generates $230 billion in annual economic impact, supporting over 36,000 businesses and more than 812,000 jobs.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
