Are you looking for a unique vacation with your furry travel companion? Something completely different from any other trip you’ve taken? You might want to rent a pet friendly boat!
There’s no better way to leave the hustle and bustle behind than getting out on the water. Whether you’re exploring Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park in a houseboat, or navigating the sandstone canyons along the shores of Arizona’s Lake Powell in a powerboat, you’ll have an experience of a lifetime.
But how do you know where you can rent a pet friendly boat? Leave that to us! Below you’ll find places across the country where pet friendly boat rentals are available.
What Do You Need To Rent a Boat?
Operating a rental boat doesn’t require special licensing or prior experience. In most cases, all you’ll need is a valid drivers’ license. However, it’s a good idea to take a boating safety course and be familiar with navigation rules before setting out.
Wherever you choose to rent, the staff will walk you through the mechanics of driving the boat you’ve selected. They’ll also go over local regulations and an orientation of the waterways. Life vests will be provided for humans, but you should bring one for your pet.
In most cases, your rental will not cover fuel or insurance. You should also expect to pay a refundable damage deposit when renting a pet friendly boat. Finally, be sure to ask whether the company charges additional pet fees.
READ MORE ⇒ 5 Questions to Ask Before Taking Your Dog On a Boat
Where Can You Rent a Pet Friendly Boat?
Finding a pet friendly boat rental isn’t as difficult as you think! Here’s a list of companies across the country where you can rent a pet friendly boat for a perfect time on the water.
Arizona
5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ
Phone: 480-335-2308
Boats are pet friendly with some rules and restrictions. Please call for details.
Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
Wahweep Marina – 100 Lake Shore Drive, Page, AZ
888-896-3829
The only way to really experience Lake Powell is on the water in your very own powerboat. Rent a pet friendly boat to explore the iconic Rainbow Bridge National Monument – one of the largest known natural bridges in the world!
40202 87th Avenue, Peoria, AZ
Phone: 855-690-0794
Pets are allowed on designated boats only.
5299-5287 S Ash Avenue, Tempe, AZ
Phone: 855-690-0794
Boats are pet friendly with some rules and restrictions. Please call for details.
72 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ
Phone: 855-690-0794
Boats are pet friendly with some rules and restrictions. Please call for details.
California
1715 Strand Way, Coronado, CA
Phone: 619-437-1514
Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on some rentals (powerboats up to 24’ and sailboats up to 27’) and should bring their own life vest.
429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA
Phone: 562-491-7400
Book an electric, pedal, powerboat, or kayak and enjoy Newport Harbor with your pooch! Dogs must be well behaved and leashed.
256 Harbor Drive South, Oceanside, CA
Phone: 760-722-0028
The powerboats, pedal boats, and kayaks are pet friendly. Dogs must be well behaved and leashed.
Fisherman’s Wharf – Channel Islands Blvd and S Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, CA
Phone: 805-382-1100
333 W Harbor Drive, Gate 1, San Diego, CA
1641 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA
Phone: 619-437-1514 or 888-834-2628
Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on some rentals (powerboats up to 24’ and sailboats up to 27’) and should bring their own life vest.
11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura, CA
Phone: 805-649-2043
Rent a boat for a fishing trip or to pleasure cruise Lake Casitas. Your leashed dog is welcome to accompany you. Note that swimming is not allowed (for people or dogs) as this is a drinking water reservoir.
Colorado
61450 County Road 62, Clark, CO
Phone: 970-879-7019
Dogs are allowed on pontoon boats for $25 fee. As per ADA laws, qualified service dogs are exempt from this fee.
Florida
Club Nautico Powerboat Rentals & Yacht Charters
7200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL
Phone: 305-394-9099
Offering a fleet of powerboats and luxury yachts for short and long-term rental and charter. This company will even cater your trip! Dogs are welcome aboard the rentals.
102 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL
Phone: 850-650-2628
From their website: “We have pet friendly boats available! Please inquire when making your reservation, as pets are not allowed on all boats. Note that there may be a $25-50 per pet cleaning fee (depending on the boat), and that pets are not allowed on area beaches. Your pet will need to stay on the boat or in the water at all times, or you will be subject to a fine from Marine Patrol.”
Club Nautico Powerboat Rentals & Yacht Charters
300 Alton Road No.112, Miami Beach, FL
Phone: 305-394-9099
Offering a fleet of powerboats and luxury yachts for short and long-term rental and charter. This company will even cater your trip! Dogs are welcome aboard the rentals.
Windsong Charters & Boat Rentals
4927 US-19, New Port Richey, FL
Phone: 727-326-7391
Rent and drive a pontoon boat! Dogs are allowed, but will included when calculating the weight limits for the vessel. Dogs must be leashed on islands. Don’t forget to bring a life jacket and water for your pup. When you make your reservation, please mention if you’ll be bringing a pet.
Indiana
4855 S State Road 446, Bloomington, IN
Phone: 812-837-9909
Rent a canoe, kayak, pontoon boat, ski boat, fishing boat, row boat or paddle boat and enjoy a day on beautiful Lake Monroe. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the rentals. Owners are responsible for any required cleaning.
MarylandÂ
Bill’s Marine Service Boat Rentals
1867 Deep Creek Road, McHenry, MD
Phone: 301-387-5677
Rent a ski boat, fishing boat, or pontoon boat and enjoy a day on Deep Creek Lake. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome to accompany you on the rentals. Be sure to return the boat clean to avoid any unexpected charges.
Bill’s Marine Service Boat Rentals
20721 Garrett Hwy, Oakland, MD
Phone: 301-387-5677
Rent a ski boat, fishing boat, or pontoon boat and enjoy a day on Deep Creek Lake. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome to accompany you on the rentals. Be sure to return the boat clean to avoid any unexpected charges.
14448 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, MD
Phone: 410-326-3241
Rent a boat and take your pet fishing on the Patuxent River! We provide tackle, gas, and life jackets (for humans). Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the rentals, and should bring their own life jacket.
READ MORE ⇒  Pet Friendly Boat Tours and Ferries
Massachusetts
131A Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA
Phone: 508-487-0898
Rent a powerboat, fishing boat, sailboat, or kayak and explore Cape Cod from the water. Well behaved pets are welcome on the rentals.
Michigan
615 E Front Street, Traverse City, MI
Phone: 231-922-9336
Offering more than 40 ski boats, pontoon boats, sail boats, kayaks, and paddle boats with delivery to all the areas surrounding lakes. This company allows well behaved pets aboard their rentals.
Minnesota
2031 Town Road 488, International Falls, MN
Phone: 218-286-5391
Rent a houseboat and explore the greatest system of interconnected waterways on earth — where no roads can be found. Pets are allowed aboard the houseboats for an additional $50 charge, per pet. Note that within Voyageurs National Park pets are allowed only in the developed areas (around visitor centers, boat ramps, picnic areas, campsites and houseboat sites). Pets are not allowed on the park trails.
10326 Ash River Trail, Orr, MN
Phone: 888-883-2357
Rent a pet friendly houseboat and explore the greatest system of interconnected waterways on earth — where no roads can be found. Two pets are allowed aboard the houseboats for $50 per pet. Note that within Voyageurs National Park pets are allowed only in the developed areas (around visitor centers, boat ramps, picnic areas, campsites and houseboat sites). Pets cannot go on the park trails.
9482 Angus Road, Tower, MN
Phone: 218-753-3548
Rent a houseboat and explore beautiful, 40 mile long, Lake Vermilion. Pets are allowed aboard the houseboats for an additional $150 charge, per pet. Note that within Voyageurs National Park pets are allowed only in the developed areas (around visitor centers, boat ramps, picnic areas, campsites and houseboat sites). Pets are not allowed on the park trails.
From their website: “We love pets; however, we no longer allow pets on select boats. When making your reservation, please inform us how many pets you intend to bring. Also our very own dogs live here at the landing; upon arrival please keep Fido in your vehicle until your party has been checked in. Please keep your pet on a leash at all times for others safety and pick up your pet’s poo!”
Ohio
30443 Lake Logan Road, Logan, OH
Phone: 740-380-9233
This boat rental company allows well behaved dogs on the pontoon boats. They recommend your dog wear a life jacket and that you bring water for him. Dogs count as people for boat capacity.
Utah
Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
Bullfrog Marina – Utah Hwy 276, Lake Powell, UT
888-896-3829
The only way to really experience Lake Powell is on the water in your very own powerboat. Rent a pet friendly boat to explore the iconic Rainbow Bridge National Monument – one of the largest known natural bridges in the world!
Washington
1010 Valley Street, Seattle, WA
Phone: 206-382-2628
The Center for Wooden Boats offers sailing classes, floating exhibits, a wooden boat restoration center, and workshops. It is also an excellent place to learn about Seattle’s maritime history. Check their calendar for a schedule of special events! Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you on livery boats. To take a sailing boat, you must be approved by staff. Please clean up after your pets at all times.
Wisconsin
Fun’N the Sun Houseboat Rentals
S2221 H 35, Alma, WI
Phone: 888-343-5670
Explore the Mississippi River Valley and St. Croix River on a pet friendly houseboat! Rentals include guidebooks, charts, and handling instructions. From the website: “Pets are allowed ONLY on our 16′ x 56′ (562 PET BOAT) for an additional charge of $75.00 per pet. Linens are not provided.”
We hope you get the opportunity to rent a pet friendly boat with your travel buddy! If you know of another rental company we should add to the list, be sure to let us know in the comments.
S&S Houseboat Rentals in Lansing Iowa has pet friendly boat & houseboat rentals.
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know, Sabrina!
Several state parks in TX, OK, and AR with lakes also either have boat rentals themselves or marinas they partner with for boat rentals. We’ve rented boats for our dogs in the state parks of all 3 of these states! Remember safety first and always bring a life jacket for the dog(s) too!
Thanks so much for the heads up, Cheri!