Rent a Boat in San Diego, CA

San Diego blends year-round sunshine with diverse waterways: sail past the USS Midway on San Diego Bay, anchor at Glorietta Bay beneath Hotel del Coronado, or chase gray whales along the Pacific coast.

What to know

The most popular rental styles in San Diego, CA are: 

• Sailboats and catamarans for light-air afternoon cruises, sunset charters, and whale-watch outings beyond Point Loma.
• Motor yachts and center consoles for sport-fishing, harbor cocktail cruises, and island hops to Mission Bay’s quads and coves.

New to naval traffic lanes or kelp-bed hazards? A USCG-licensed captain can navigate restricted zones and find the best skyline photo ops.

Safety regulations

• Boating license/education: As of 2025, all California boat operators of powered vessels need a California Boater Card (phased-in program now complete).
• Life jackets: Children under 13 must wear a Coast Guard–approved PFD on moving vessels.