Explore the best Destin, FL and Crab Island boat rentals

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Top 10 Destin Boat Rentals and Yacht Charters


Top boat rental reviews in Destin, FL

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284,324
Customers Reviews
4.95
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  • Excellent customer service. I will rent again

    Jeff

    Jun 2025

  • Had a great day on Crab Island with Ed as our captain! Highly recommend this boat and captain. We had a family of 12...

    Sharon

    Jun 2025
  • 5/5 stars

    Our family had a great time!

    Edward

    Jun 2025

  • Fantastic rental! The dock crew was very knowledgeable and super friendly. The boat was in great condition. No issues.

    Mark

    Jun 2025
  • 5/5 stars

    Hula-Mama was so much fun! I would recommend 1000/10! The slides were so much fun and the Bluetooth speaker was...

    Karley

    Jun 2025
  • 5/5 stars

    We had a great day at Crab Island! Thanks for the memories!

    Krista

    Jun 2025

  • Thank you Corbin for everything, 5 star attention, we enjoyed our time in water

    Angel

    Jun 2025

  • My friends and I had a great experience. We scheduled our pontoon for a 40th birthday party and it was a perfect day....

    Lauren

    Jun 2025

  • Excellent crew. Carlos was super welcoming and communicative. Boat was in good conditions and the best was the plus...

    Tamar

    Jun 2025

  • Had a great time! The floating pad and paddle board being included was a game changer. The boat was nice, with shade...

    Kayla

    Jun 2025

  • Absolutely awesome trip. Rodrigo was the nicest captain. He took pics for us, set up water floats and games. He...

    Lisa

    Jun 2025

  • Love love love the experience ! ❤️ My family had a blast.

    Nellie

    Jun 2025

How to rent a boat in Destin?

1

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

2

Select a captain

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3

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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.


Boat rentals in Destin, FL



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