Rent a Boat in Washington, DC
With iconic monuments as your backdrop, boating in the nation’s capital delivers a one-of-a-kind blend of history and scenery. Glide past the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River, explore the revitalized Wharf District on the Washington Channel, drift into the quiet coves of the Anacostia, or head south toward Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor for waterfront dining and live music.
What to know
The most popular boat rental styles in Washington, DC include:
• Deck boats, bowriders, and small cruisers for monument tours, sunset happy-hours, and dock-and-dine trips to Georgetown, The Wharf, or National Harbor.
• Pontoon boats and double-deckers for laid-back floating picnics, cherry-blossom viewing, and birthday gatherings on the calm Washington Channel.
• Center consoles and cuddy cabins for angling the tidal Potomac—targeting largemouth bass, striped bass (rockfish), and catfish.
If you’re unfamiliar with shifting currents, security zones, and restricted areas around bridges and federal sites, hire a USCG-licensed captain who knows the local rules and best photo angles.
Safety regulations
• Boating License/Education Rules: District law requires anyone operating a mechanically propelled vessel on DC waters to carry a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)–approved boating safety certificate (out-of-state equivalents are accepted).
• Life Jacket Requirements: Children under 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket while underway on any vessel. From November 1 through April 30, every occupant of a vessel under 16 ft must wear a life jacket due to cold-water risk.