Best Boat Rentals Near Dallas, TX

Bass Tracker Fishing Boat

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

The boat was perfect for our situation, and Tom was a great renter to work with!

Darin

Mar 2026
Beautiful and spacious to wow family and friends.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

We had a great time on the boat! One of the nicest boats we’ve ever rented

Marissa

Aug 2025
Have fun today on Lake Ray Hubbard!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

All good. Guillermo was friendly and took time to explain the controls and point out a few hazards (trees, bridge...

Ron

Mar 2025
2025 PARTY BARGE® 16 DLX – Ultimate Fun at Joe...

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

Excellent service by the owner! Couldn’t have asked for a better boat!

Jesse

Jul 2025
2021 Monterey M-225 Ski/Leisure Boat (Lake...

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

Frank and his son met us at the boat ramp and couldn’t have been nicer. They gave me a thorough tour of the boat...

Joel

Jul 2025
"Yamaha 212x Surfing Adventure Awaits!"

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 stars

Amazing Host and Boat, dual engines with plenty of power and all the toys on board (tubes, wakeboards, upgraded...

Kalee

Mar 2025

How to rent a boat in Dallas?

Find the perfect boat

Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, Dallas, TX, United Statess.

Select a captain

Choose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.

Book with ease

Connect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.

Set sail

Enjoy your day on the water with friends and family!

Rent a Boat in Dallas

Dallas, Texas provides boaters with a gateway to exploring the best that North Texas has to offer. You can find lakes perfect for city boating as well as lakes for scenic, nature getaways. While here, make sure to carve out a day, or two, to explore Lewisville Lake and Grapevine Lake (both located northwest of downtown), and Lake Ray Hubbard and White Rock Lake (both located northeast of downtown).

What to Know

Popular boat types to enhance your experience on the water in Dallas include:

Pontoon boats make for the perfect ride on any of the surrounding Dallas lakes or rivers. With plenty of deck space, many pontoons can accommodate large families or groups of friends of up to 12 people.
One of the best parts of lake life happens behind the boat and in the wake—yep, we’re talking about watersports. Book a ski boat or wake boat if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush. These boats create the perfect wave for water skiers, wakeboarders, and wakesurfers of all skill levels.

Safety Requirements:

Boating License/Education Rules: Texas has a mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercrafts (PWCs), including a 16-year old minimum age to operate a vessel with horsepower greater than 15 HP (including PWCs).
Life Jacket Requirements: 13 years and under must wear a PFD.

For more information, visit Texas Parks & Wildlife website.

Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:

Captain’s Cove Marina
Chandler’s Landing Marina
Safe Harbor Pier 121
Lynn Creek Marina
Hidden Cove Park and Marina

Weather Conditions

Peak boating season in Dallas takes place from June to September. The hot, muggy climate throughout the summer months makes the nearby waterway a great, quick weekend or even weekday escape from the city and the perfect place to cool off. Most boaters will want to take to the water before cooler months roll in between November and February.

Avg. Temperature High: Peaks around 95°F in July and August.

Avg. Temperature Low: Daily high is 57°F; drops as low as 39°F in January.

Avg. Water Temperatures in Dallas during the Summer:

84°F in May
92°F in June
96°F in July
96°F in August
89°F in September

Explore the 12 Best Lakes in Texas for Boating.

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Things to Do in Dallas by Boat

Explore the Scenic Beaches of Isle du Bois

Isle du Bois is located in the Ray Roberts Lake State Park, which is just a quick one-hour drive north of downtown Dallas. Here families with small children can find some of the best white sandy beaches in all of North Central Texas—200 miles of beach to be exact! Park hours are 6 am to 10 pm, but you’ll want to get to the area early (especially on the weekends) to secure your spot on the beach.

Pro Tips: Anglers interested in wetting their hook should head towards the Greenbelt Corridor area in the southern end of the lake, close by to the Ray Roberts dam that is ideal for fishing. Some of the top target species include largemouth bass, crappie, and white bass.

Location: Google Maps Link
Closest dockage and boat ramps: Ray Roberts Marina, Lone Star Lodge & Marina, and Boat Ramp (Isle du Bois State Park Rd)
Lat/Long: 33.429802 N, -97.056449 W

Take in the City Views on White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is a city-centric lake, allowing for a quick escape to the water while staying close to downtown attractions like the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This is an ideal spot for renters traveling with large groups looking to make a quick boating trip that doesn’t force them to venture too far from the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Only 15 minutes away from downtown, you and your crew can get on a jet boat, pontoon, or cruiser for a brief but memorable boating excursion. While swimming is not allowed, there’s still plenty to do on the water.

Pro Tips: At the North end of the lake is a White Rock Dog Park. If you’ve booked a pet-friendly boat rental (be sure to double check your boat’s listing or inquire with the boat’s owner), then this is a great pitstop to allow your furry-first mate to have a potty break.

Location: Google Maps Link
Boat ramps: West Lawther Ramp, Big Thicket, East Lawther Ramp, Corinthian Sailing Club Ramp, Filter Building Ramp
Lat/Long: 32.8281° N, 96.7253° W

Fish, Ski, or Lounge on Joe Pool Lake

Joe Pool Lake is special because it brings together so many fun parks located just 30 minutes south of the DFW metroplex, including Cedar Hill State Park, Loyd Park, Lynn Creek Park, and more. Besides barbecuing, camping, and hiking, boaters can book a pontoon for a lazy day of leisurely cruising, or opt for a more adventurous outing with a jet ski, jet boat, or watersports boat. Anglers, we didn’t forget about you, either—this lake is also a great place to fish for crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill

Pro Tips: When fishing for bass here, drop your hook near underwater structural features or pondweed. Crappie can be caught under the bridges, while catfish lurk near the creek channels.

Location: Google Maps Link
Boat ramps: Launch Point (Loyd Park), Lynn Creek Marina Boat Ramp, Cedar Hill State Park Boat Ramp
Lat/Long: 32.6303° N, 97.0015° W

Explore

Where to Go Boating in Dallas

Lewisville Lake

Lewisville Lake (29,000 acres) is located northwest of Dallas and is known as the largest lake in North Texas—meaning, you’ll have plenty of room to play! There are numerous parks surrounding this lake, like the LLELA Nature Preserve, Hidden Cove Park, and Greenbelt Park Denton. One of the popular spots at Lewisville Lake is the Party Cove near Westlake Park. This is the place-to-be if you’re looking for a raft-up party; however, be sure to double check with your boat’s owner that they allow raft ups, as it is a skill that requires some previous boating experience. You can also opt for a captained rental, which allows you to sit back and relax, while a trusted professional mans the helm.

Pro Tips: Rent a boat for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday if you’re interested in the party cove. The lake is at its busiest on the weekends, so keep an eye out for other boats as you cross from one part of the lake to another. Again, if you don’t feel comfortable operating a boat yourself, look into rentals with captains.

For the anglers of the group, target fish species in Lewisville Lake include: White bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and spotted bass.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental at Lewisville Lake

Hidden Cove Marina
Lakeview Marina
Pier 121

Boat ramps

There are several places to launch your boat along the shores of Lewisville Lake

Little Elm Boat Ramp
Big Sandy Boat Ramp
Lake Park Boat Ramp #1

Joe Pool Lake Beach (Grand Prairie)

Joe Pool Lake offers something for everyone. For the nature lover, plan an excursion checking out scenic views of Cedar Hill State Park. For the adventurer, try wakeboarding or water skiing for the first time, or just hang out in a local party cover. For the romantics, talk to your boat’s owner about setting up a sunset cruise or picnic on the lake.

Pro Tips: Joe Pool Lake offers something for everyone. For the nature lover, plan an excursion checking out scenic views of Cedar Hill State Park. For the ad

Target fish species in Joe Pool Lake include: Largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, and channel catfish.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental on Joe Pool Lake:

Lynn Creek Marina
Joe Pool Marina

Boat ramps

There are several launch ramps available:

Lynn Creek Marina Boat Ramp
Britton Park Boat Ramp
Cedar Hill State Park Boat Ramp

Grapevine Lake

Grapevine Lake is a 40-minute drive from Downtown Dallas, and as its city name alludes, is a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the world. Historic downtown Grapevine, located on the southern end of the lake, holds all the amenities and attractions that both families and couples will enjoy during their break from on-water fun.

Pro Tips: You won’t find a much better location for sailing, especially for first-timers who are ready to learn. Other sailing rentals can be booked with a captain if you’re interested in a romantic sunset sail.

Target fish species at Grapevine Lake include: white bass, white crappie, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, and channel and blue catfish.

Where to dock

There are a number of places to dock your boat or meet your rental along the coast of Grapevine Lake:

Scott’s Landing Marina
Silver Lake Marina
Twin Coves Marina

Boat ramps

There are several places to launch your boat:

Sand Bass Point Boat Ramp
Katie’s Woods Boat Ramp
Dove Loop Boat Ramp

Dallas Boating Guides

Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

How much is it to rent a boat in Dallas?

Boat Rentals start at $89 per hour. The cost to rent a Yacht starts at $200 per hour and the cost to rent a sailboat starts at $175 per hour.

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

You must be at least 18 years old to drive a boat without supervision in Texas.

What are the top destinations to explore with a Dallas boat rental?

With a Dallas boat rental, Lake Lewisville is a top destination for party coves, watersports, and lively weekends on the water. White Rock Lake offers a calmer, more local experience near the city, great for paddling or light cruising. Joe Pool Lake and Grapevine Lake both offer fishing, scenic spots for anchoring, and lakeside parks. Many lakes also feature marinas with restaurants and bars for a full day out. Dallas may be inland, but its lakes provide plenty of options for fun and relaxation on the water.

Do you need a Licence to drive a boat in Dallas?

Texas law requires all boat operators born on or after September 1, 1993 to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card while operating the vehicle. If you are from out of state and have completed an approved boater education course from your home state you can operate a boat in Texas.

How many people can fit on a Dallas boat rental?

The number of people who can fit on a Dallas 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.