Rent a Boat in Destin, FL

The Destin boating scene checks every box for a Gulf-Coast adventure: sugar-white beaches and emerald-green water, the lively sandbar at Crab Island, miles of protected flats in Choctawhatchee Bay, quick runs to deep-sea fishing grounds, and a harbor lined with dock-and-dine restaurants.

What to know

The most popular boat rental styles in Destin include:

• Pontoons and double-decker tritoons with slides, ideal for Crab Island raft-ups, family sandbar days, and casual bay cruising.
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• Center consoles and small sport-fishers, perfect for trolling the Gulf, bottom-fishing for red snapper, or sight-casting to tarpon along the beach.

If you’re unfamiliar with the local waterways, consider opting for a boat rental with a captain who can navigate shifting shoals and tides and craft a custom itinerary for your crew.

Safety regulations

• Boating License/Education Rules: All Florida residents born after January 1, 1988, operating vessels with 10 horsepower or more must carry a Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. card. Operators of personal watercraft must be at least 14 years old.
  
• Life Jacket Requirements: Children ages 6 and under must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket while underway.