Best Boat Rentals Near Panama City Beach, FL

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Best Boat Rentals Near Panama City Beach, FL


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How to rent a boat in Panama City Beach?

1

Find the perfect boat

Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, Panama City Beach, FL, United Statess.

2

Select a captain

Choose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.

3

Book with ease

Connect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.

4

Set sail

Enjoy your day on the water with friends and family!


Rent a Boat in Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon, offers a diverse aquatic playground with clear waters and endless recreational possibilities. Whether you seek relaxation, wake surfing, or tarpon fishing, this Florida destination has it all. From snorkeling to dolphin-watching, the water adventures are endless. Renting a boat ensures an unforgettable day exploring new waters.
Located in Bay County, Panama City Beach is a sought-after vacation spot with white sandy beaches, delectable dining, and various accommodations. The town hosts various events and is renowned as the spring break capital of the world. Regardless of your reason for visiting, your experience will be enhanced by spending time on the water, with various boat options available.
Panama City Beach's year-round appeal stems from its favorable climate and various fish species to target. Whether you opt for an independent boating adventure or a guided fishing charter, there's no shortage of options to explore this aquatic paradise. Book a fishing charter in Panama City Beach.

What to Know

You can find just about any type of boat available for rent here. That said, some styles are more popular than others. Depending on what sort of activities you hope to experience these types of boats tend to be top options.
Pontoon boats are an excellent choice for all sorts of activities in the lagoons and bays behind the barrier islands. These party barges offer gobs of space, easy access to the water, and excellent stability.
Center console fishing boats will be the natural choice for most anglers, thanks to their 360-degree fishability and accessories like livewells and fishboxes.
Speed boats offer up serious action for thrill-seekers. You can enjoy some fast-action watersports with many models, or just blast around the bay with your hair whipping in the wind.

Safety Requirements

Boater Education: All people born on or after January 1, 1988, must have completed an approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel with 10 or more horsepower. You’re also required to carry identification while operating a powerboat. Safety Gear: All boats must carry the safety gear required by the USCG, and children under six must wear an approved Type I, II, or III personal floatation device (life jacket) while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length when underway. For more information on safety requirements visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating regulations webpage.

Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

- Bayside Marina of Panama City Beach - JDF Marina - Pirate’s Cove Marina - Point South Marina Bay Park - Treasure Island Marina - Lighthouse Marina

Weather Conditions

Summer temperatures are relatively mild for Florida, with the average high in July sitting at 89-degrees. It can be quite humid, however. In the fall highs range from the 80s down into the 70s, with lows dipping into the 60s. Winter highs are in the low- to mid-60s, before rising back into the 70s and 80s in the spring. - Avg. Temperature High: 90 degrees in the July peak
- Avg. Temperature Low: The January average low is 45 degrees
- Avg. Water Temperature
-- 69.5 degrees F in the spring (March, April, May)
-- 84.0 degrees F in the summer (June, July, August)
-- 77.6 degrees F in the fall (September, October, November)
-- 66.4 degrees F in the winter (December, January, February)

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Panama City Beach Boat Rentals

Things to do in Panama City Beach

Go Snorkeling and Wildlife Watching

Snorkeling is a very popular activity here, thanks in no small part to the clear waters and abundant wildlife found in the area. Shell Island is an undeveloped barrier island at the southern end of Panama City Beach, and its waters are a prime destination for snorkeling. It’s also a great area to go dolphin-watching, see sea turtles, or pull onto the beach and collect shells.
Pro Tip: St. Andrews Bay behind Shell Island is known as “the kiddie pool” thanks to its usually calm waters, and is a great place to take beginner snorkelers.
Closest marina or docks: Point South Marina Bay Point
Lat/Long: 30.1128N x 85.7166W

Go Fishing in the Lagoons and Bays

The protected waters of the lagoons and bays inside of Panama City Beach are prime territory for hunting down fish like speckled sea trout, red drum, flounder, and more. Fishing in these waters can be hot at any time of year, but spring and fall are the peak seasons. Remember that you’ll need a Florida saltwater fishing license, and be sure to check up on the latest regulations before keeping any fish for dinner.
Pro Tip: For the best fishing, get an early start or stay out late. Fish tend to bite best during periods of low light so sunrise and sunset will often offer the best action. If neither is an option, try to fish during a period of changing tide.
Closest Marina or Docks: Bayside Marina of Panama City Beach; JDF Marina
Lat/Long: 30.1315N x 85.6988W (Saint Andrew Bay); 30.2607N x 85.7784W (Grand Lagoon); 30.2394N x 85.6919W (North Bay)

Go Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

Anglers feeling bold and adventurous may want to head out into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. At certain times of year, you can target fish prowling off the beaches, and there are numerous wreck and reef sites that hold entire ecosystems not far from shore. There may be a huge expanse of water out there, but fortunately, the state of Florida has an excellent interactive reef map that details the locations of all the hotspots you’ll want to hit.
Pro Tip: Consider running a bit to get away from the wrecks and reefs closest to the inlet, especially on weekends during the prime season. The sites that are closest see the most traffic and tend to get picked over by other anglers.
Closest Dock or Marina: Point South Marina Bay Point
Lat/Long: Varies; see the interactive map for exact coordinates of different sites.

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Where to Go Boating in Panama City Beach

St. Andrews State Park

Located on the southern end of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park is just across the inlet from Shell Island (also part of the parkland). In all, it covers over 1,200 acres and is a huge draw for bird watchers. Numerous migratory birds (as well as butterflies) pass through the park, which has dunes and pines bracketed by the Gulf on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other.
Seasonality: Open year-round, 8 AM to sunset
Dockage: Most boats will either anchor up or beach on the north side; portions bordering the inlet may be subject to strong currents at times.
Lat/Long: 30.1310N x 85.7303W
Pro Tip: If the breeze is down, biting flies can be problematic here, so bring along some bug repellent.

Grand Lagoon

Grand Lagoon can be a busy area, as it’s right in the heart of town and lined with private docks and marinas. It’s also prime territory for people-watching and, of course, boat-watching. Anglers cast to the docks and along the channel edges throughout the lagoon, too. This isn’t the place to go when you’re looking for peace and quiet, nor if you’re nervous about handling your boat in crowded waterways. But if you want to hit the social scene, Grand Lagoon is the place to be.
Nearby Marinas: Capt. Anderson’s Marina is just outside the Grand Lagoon Bridge, on the north side. Treasure Island Marina is on the south side.
Speed Zones: Yes, beginning where the channel splits to Treasure Island and Capt. Anderson’s marinas.
Seasonality: Expect spring and fall to be busy here on sunny weekends, summer to be very busy most of the time, and relatively little traffic during the winter months.
Pro Tip: If you see the Sea Dragon pirate ship, don’t taunt the scallywags aboard — they’re armed with a water cannon.

East Bay

If you and your family want to get as far away from the hustle and bustle as possible, going beyond Long Point Park deep into East Bay should be your destination. Featuring lots of flats, marshlands, grassbeds, and bayous, since East Bay is more remote than West Bay and a lot more remote than Grand Lagoon, it sees a fraction of the boat traffic. Laying in peace on your pontoon boat, casting for fish without competition, and swimming in placid waters are all possibilities here — except for days when the nearby Tyndall Air Force Base is busy, and in that case, you might enjoy an impromptu air show of sorts.
Nearby Marinas: None; the marshy shorelines here are mostly undeveloped.
Lat/Long: 30.0729N x 85.5100W
Speed Zones: None, once you’re past the DuPont bridge.
Pro Tip: If you want to try fishing after a cold front has pushed through in the middle of winter, head for the deep holes in East Bay. Off Shoal Point you’ll find depths of 30-plus feet and off Piney Point, down to 20 feet. Often, the fish will concentrate in those deep zones until the chill abates.



Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Panama City Beach Florida?

Boat rentals in Panama City Beach start at $31 per hour. Boats can be rented with or without a captain.

How much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat in Panama City Beach?

The cost to rent a pontoon boat in Panama City Beach for a half-day starts at $250. For a full day on the water prices on average range from $500 and $1,000.

What makes Boatsetter different from other boat rental platforms?

What makes Boatsetter different is peace of mind. Boatsetter is the first and only boat rental marketplace to offer insurance on every peer-to-peer boat rental. We know choosing the right boat rental platform is essential to your experience while on the water. That's why we've gone the extra mile to focus on safety through our exclusive partnership with GEICO Marine and BoatUS. As the first and only boat rental marketplace to offer insurance on every peer-to-peer rental, you are protected during all rentals with insurance coverage and on-water assistance through TowBoatUS.

Can passengers drink on a boat in Florida?

If you operate a boat in Florida while intoxicated, you can face stiff penalties. Someone operating a boat with a BAC could be charged with the more serious offense of boating under the influence (BUI). This can include fines, revoked driver's licenses, and possibly jail time.

How many people can fit on the boat rental?

The number of people who can fit on boat rental largely depends on the boat's size and how many life jackets are on board. Currently the coast guard allows a maximum of 10-12 people on a Boatsetter boat rental.

How old do you have to be to rent a boat?

You must be 18 years old to rent a captained boat and 25 years old if you would like to rent a bareboat charter.

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat?

Boating license requirements vary from state to state. As a renter, you are responsible for understanding local state requirements.

Can you rent a yacht for the day?

Boatsetter allows you to rent a yacht for the day. Single-day yacht rentals are available for a select number of yachts. To chat with a yacht specialist please visit: https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters

Can you rent a yacht for the week?

Boatsetter allows its customers to rent a yacht for the week. Renting a yacht for a week gives you more access to the wide range of yachts available on our platform. You can either book a rental directly through the site or connect with one of our charter specialists to plan your trip here: https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters

Can you rent a yacht for the month?

Booking a month-long yacht rental is a detailed and hands-off process when working with our team of yacht charter specialists. We tailor each yacht charter to our client's specific wants and needs. Our luxury yacht charter specialists can be reached at (954) 715-4114 or by visiting https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters

How to rent a private yacht?

Renting a private yacht is a very detailed experience that caters to your exact needs while onboard one of our luxury yachts. To plan your private yacht rentals experience please visit: https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters

How much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat?

The cost of renting a pontoon boat depends on the size, location, and rental time of the boat. Prices can range anywhere from $200 for a half-day rental or just under a $1,000 for longer rentals.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht?

The cost to charter a yacht varies depending on the boat size and the length of the charter. Prices typically range from less than $1,000 to $5,000 plus if you're wanting to charter the yacht overnight.

How much does it cost to rent a boat for the day?

The cost of renting a boat for the day on average ranges from $200 to $1200. The cost to rent a boat varies depending on the size of the boat and the length of time that you will be using the boat.

How does the boat insurance work?

Boat insurance typically covers loss caused by things such as fire, sinking, storms, and collisions. The extent of the coverage varies depending on the policy.

Does Boatsetter screen renters?

Yes. We use a system called Cognito to ensure that payment information matches the renter's identity. We also require renters taking out a captained boat to be at least 18 years old and on a bareboat to be at least 25 years old.

Is listing my boat on Boatsetter free?

Yes! Listing a boat is completely free. We only take a commission when your boat is rented. We only make money when you do!

What if I'm not comfortable having a renter drive my boat?

If you are not comfortable having a renter drive your boat, we have an expansive network of licensed and experienced captains. Once your boat is listed, you can filter through our network of captains and favorite captains in your area that you would like to operate your boat.

How to rent a boat on Boatsetter?

At Boatsetter, our mission is to make getting out on the water as easy as possible. With our intuitive booking system, you can rent a boat as soon as today. -First, you must determine your budget and the type of boat you want to rent. -Next, decide where you would like to boat and the kind of boat you would like to spend the day on. -Finally, determine if you will be needing a boat captain and reach out to the boat owner. That's it! You're officially on your way to a fantastic day out on the water.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht?

The cost of renting a yacht depends on the boat's size and the amount of time you'll use the yacht. The onboard amenities and luxurious accommodations also dictate the price. You can contact our yacht specialists for a custom quote by visiting https://www.boatsetter.com/luxury-yacht-charters


Boat rentals in Panama City Beach, FL



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