10 Holiday Events & Activities That Are More Magical on the Water
Last Updated on November 20, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
The holiday season isn’t limited to snow-covered landscapes and crackling fireplaces. From Miami to San Diego, America’s waterways offer an entirely different kind of seasonal magic. These on-the-water holiday experiences provide an unforgettable way to celebrate the season.
Trending holiday destinations for boating & on-the-water experiences
The shoulder season brings unique opportunities on the waterfront, with several destinations showing particular promise for memorable holiday plans:
- Miami, FL
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- San Diego, CA
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- The Florida Keys
- Gulf Shores, AL
Read more about 2024 Holiday Travel Trends
1. Exploring Festive Coastal Communities
From the world’s largest holiday tree made entirely of sand in West Palm Beach to a cruise along Balboa Island to take in the elaborate holiday home decoration of this jolly waterfront community, a boat rental gives you a unique vantage point to exploring the most festive coastal communities
2. Hot Cocoa Cruise
Book a sunset cruise then prepare hot chocolate at home and pour in a thermos to bring it aboard. Enjoy golden hour with hot cocoa. Lock-in a boat with a grill and bring the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallow for s’mores night on the water.
3. Ugly Sweater Party? Do it on a Boat
Whether you’re looking to kick it with a few of your closest friends on cozy pontoons or you’re looking to jiggle rock on a cabin cruiser, find the right boat for a memorable ugly sweater party. Filter by amenities like WiFi and stereo to get all the right accommodations.
4. “The Greatest Show on H2O”
Fort Lauderdale’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, dubbed “The Greatest Show on H2O,” represents the pinnacle of holiday boat parades. This December tradition transforms Florida’s waterways into a moving festival of lights. The parade, which attracts nearly a million viewers annually, offers participants a chance to be part of South Florida’s signature holiday event.
5. Grinchmas
One thing mister Grinch got right is the importance of quality time with oneself. Whether you’re in need of a quick 2-hr holiday wellness cruise, interested in going for a solo fishing trip, or looking for the ideal space to catch up with a good book, this is your permission to steal away a boat day for yourself.
6. Disconnect to Reconnect
A day on the water naturally encourages us to be present and fosters an environment that gives way to genuine connection – the kind that happens when attention isn’t divided between screens and conversation. Lock-in a boat with a couple of friends, a loved one, or family to reconnect this season.
7. Winter-sun Destinations
Looking to exchange snow for sunshine? You’re not alone. This holiday season, it is estimated that 40% of Americans are planning to travel. Millions of which are headed to South Florida. Whether you’re taking advantage of affordable travel or you live in a winter-sun destination, take advantage of the mild climate and get outside.
8. Lake Havasu’s Desert “Iconic Lights Show”
Every year, for the past 50 years, Arizona’s most famous put on a spectacle for the holiday. The holiday boat parade takes place on Bridge Channel featuring a holiday bejeweled the London Bridge. Lock-in a nighttime cruise during December on Lake Havasu and take in over 500,000 lights set aglow on the water and elaborate holiday decorations.
9. Family Birding Trip at Everglades Park
During the winter months, Everglades Park becomes a major birding spot. With a boat rental, you and the family can enjoy prime views of the roseate spoonbills in their breeding plumage, impressive colonies of wood storks, and the rare snail kite, one of the Everglades’ most sought-after species. They are more active during the colder months.
10. Holiday Wellness Cruise
Sunrise yoga sessions, meditation on the water, or catching up on a good read — a couple hours on the water can do wonders for the mind, body, and soul. According to scientists, just two hours a week can significantly boost mental health. Get on the water to reset and reflect on the year’s end.
About us
Boatsetter is the leading online marketplace for boat rentals and on-water experiences. Download the Boatsetter app (App Store | Google Play) and follow us on Instagram.
Gabriela dos Santos is an experienced Editor known for her insightful and engaging writing. Gabriela has been working in editorial writing for 3 years, with a background in writing for magazines and media outlets. In 2022, she joined the Boatsetter Team, bringing her dedication, passion for storytelling and factual accuracy to the Boatsetter Blog. She is always on the lookout for stories of connection and community; to inform, to entertain, to inspire! In her free time, Gabriela loves traveling and spending time by (or on) the water.
