Where to Find the Best Sarasota Boat Rentals

When you take a vacation to Sarasota, FL, you’ll find that there’s as much fun to be had ON the water as there is on the beach and IN the water. From fishing to sunset cruises, it’s a great idea to take advantage of the activities you can add to your list when you check out Sarasota boat rentals.

Once you’ve chosen your accommodations from among many Sarasota vacation rentals, such as beachfront condos or homes, and started putting together your itinerary, be sure to research Sarasota boat rentals to learn about your rental options for a fun day, or days, on the turquoise waters of this coastal city. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top boat rental locations in and near Sarasota:

Big Daddy Boat Rentals

You can rent boats for a day, multiple days, or even the week at Big Daddy Boat Rentals, a 24-hour, 7-day/week operation servicing Sarasota and Venice. Rental hours are between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Big Daddy’s fleet consists of 22-ft. center console boats, 22-ft. bowriders, and 21-ft. pontoon boats. The newest addition, just added earlier in 2021, is the center console Sea Hunt Ultra 211 that comfortably holds a family of five.

If you’re staying at a waterfront rental, you can take advantage of Big Daddy’s availability to deliver to boat ramps close to Sarasota vacation rentals. Big Daddy delivers boats on trailers to boat ramps all around the area.

Big Daddy will match any boat rental price should you find a cheaper price advertised elsewhere.

Sarasota Boat Rentals

Found at Marina Jack, Sarasota Boat Rentals by Suntex offers four boat rental options.

The Aloha Double Decker is a 30-ft. pontoon boat where you can suntan, snorkel, or just cruise around and enjoy the sights. Slide from the upper deck into the water or enjoy the Bluetooth stereo. This boat holds up to 14 guests. Alternatively, the Starcraft Deck Boat is a brand-new 20-ft. 2021 vessel that holds up to 8. It features a built-in, removable cooler and in-floor storage for fishing gear, water skis, and other equipment. 

You might also be interested in the Tidewater Center Console Fishing Boat a 22-ft., 200-HP with a sunshade that holds up to 8 guests. Finally, on the Aloha 22 Tritoon, up to 10 guests can enjoy a leisurely trip on this 23-ft. pontoon with sunshade.

Boat rentals are offered by the hour up to 12 hours.

BluWave Boat Rentals

Proclaiming “We Go Overboard for You!”, family-owned and operated BluWave Boat Rentals in the Tampa Bay/Sarasota area has a fleet of five vessels, including a 21-ft. Tahoe deck boat that comfortably carries 11, a 22-ft. Avalon Tritoon fishing/cruise barge with four fishing chairs (two bow and two stern) and pole holders, and 17-, 18-, and 19-ft. center console skiffs great for fishing, with fully collapsible Bimini tops and storage lockers.

BluWave rents boats daily or for a few days, a week, even a month, and allows boats to be taken on the Gulf as long as the weather permits. Boats are deliverable to your dock/slip. A FREE boating safety course can be taken, covering maneuvering, docking, navigating, and more.

Rates change by season. Reservations can be made online. Boats are delivered to the public marina or boat ramp where you will be boating. Charter boats for events and even customized trips and boat tours, such as dolphin/manatee tours and snorkeling trips, are also available from BluWave. If your dog likes boats too, bring them along! We have plenty of Sarasota pet friendly vacation rentals to go with your boat rental!

Bayfront Yacht Works

Whether you’re fishing, cruising, partying, or just running about, Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina has the boat for you! Rentals are offered through on-site Suntex Boat Rentals.

There’s the versatile, roomy Aloha 22 Tritoon with Bimini top and lounge seating for a relaxing day on the water or casting a fishing pole into the ocean; the 17-ft. Starcraft Runabout that takes six onto an adventurous day at sea; or the 20-ft. Starcraft Deck Boat with collapsible Bimini top and 150-HP engine.

All boats are cleaned and sanitized after each rental.

Aquaholic Boat Rentals

Rent a 23-ft. Sweetwater pontoon boat from Aquaholic, located on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota; a great boat to take a leisurely cruise on Sarasota Bay or to visit Anna Maria Island.

Take a picnic on the water, go fishing, or celebrate an anniversary or birthday bash on board this vessel, which holds 13 people who can relax on three large couches under dual Bimini tops.

The boat can be rented by half-day (four hours) or full day (eight hours); $280 for the former, $380 for the latter, plus tax and fuel. Half day rentals can be taken out from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. An extra hour is an additional $60 charge.

Siesta Key Watersports

The 11-person Godfrey Sweetwater Pontoon can be rented for four, eight, or ten hours ($329; $589; $699 plus $7.50 fuel charge per hour). You can choose to take the boat to visit nearby Siesta Key, Bradenton, or Lido Beach, Venice, or Longboat Key, where you can spend time on the beach, shopping, or dining; explore islands in the Intracoastal Waterway, or take a cruise in the Gulf.

Licensed captains can pilot the vessel should you not wish to operate the boat yourself, as long as Siesta Key Watersports is notified in advance.

Private charters, fishing charters, sunset cruises, and dolphin tours are other services offered; in addition, Siesta Key Watersports is a #1-rated parasail and jet ski rental business in Sarasota. A fleet of 20 jet skis is available for rental, including high-performance models. There are several other Sarasota jet ski rentals as well!

CB’s Boat Rentals

Pontoons and deck boats make up the majority of the fleet of boat rentals offered by CB’s Bat Rentals. There’s 20-, 24-, and 27-ft. Berkshire pontoon boats, all tritoons, all comfortable for cruising or fishing; two 19-ft. deck boats, a Glastron GTD 180 and a NauticStar, and a 24-ft. Glastron Deck Boat with powerful 250-HP Suzuki motor (the 19-footers hold five, the 24-ft. up to 10), all three equipped with Bimini tops, and a 17-ft. center console skiff that allows up to three people on board to enjoy fishing, sightseeing, or cruising.

Half and full-day rental options are offered; half-day is four hours, a full day is nine hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). A $250 security deposit is required for all rental boats.

Rental prices are as follows:

  • 17-ft. Carolina Skiff Center Console: $189/half-day, $299/full day
  • 19-ft. Glastron GTD 180 Deck Boat: $259/half-day, $369/full day
  • 19-ft. NauticStar Deck Boat: $229/half day, $339/full day
  • 24-ft. Glastron Deck Boat: $379/half day, $499/full day
  • 20-ft. Berkshire Pontoon Boat: $289/half day, $399/full day
  • 24-ft, Berkshire Pontoon Boat: $319/half day, $429/full day
  • 27-ft. Berkshire Pontoon Boat: $359/half day, $469/full day

Pontoon boats hold between eight and 14 guests. Boats can be taken onto intercoastal waterways. Jet skis and parasailing equipment can also be rented.
As you can see, there is plenty of variety when it comes to Sarasota rentals, such as types of boats, pricing, rental duration, and more; however, what all Sarasota boat rentals have in common is that most are close to many vacation rentals Sarasota, FL. When you’re vacationing, convenience is one of the luxuries you are sure to look for, so you’ll totally be on board with how easy it will be to get to boat rental locations and secure your fun day at sea.