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How to rent a boat in Panama City Beach
1
Find the perfect boatEnter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, Panama City Beach, FL, United States.
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Select a captainChoose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.
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Book with easeConnect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.
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Set sailEnjoy your day on the water with friends and family!
Rent a Boat in Panama City BeachPanama 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 KnowYou 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.Safety RequirementsFor 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:Weather ConditionsSummer 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 peakAvg. Temperature Low: The January average low is 45 degreesAvg. Water Temperature
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.
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.
Bayside Marina of Panama City Beach
JDF Marina
Pirate’s Cove Marina
Point South Marina Bay Park
Treasure Island Marina
Lighthouse Marina
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)
Things to do in Panama City Beach
Go Snorkeling and Wildlife WatchingSnorkeling 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.
Location: Google Maps Link
Closest marina or docks: Point South Marina Bay Point
Lat/Long: 30.1128N x 85.7166W
Go Fishing in the Lagoons and BaysThe 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.
Location: Google Map Link
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 MexicoAnglers 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.
Location: Google Maps Link
Closest Dock or Marina: Point South Marina Bay Point
Lat/Long: Varies; see the interactive map for exact coordinates of different sites.
Where to Go Boating in Panama City Beach
St. Andrews State ParkLocated 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 sunsetDockage: 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 85.7303WPro Tip: If the breeze is down, biting flies can be problematic here, so bring along some bug repellent.Google Maps Link
Grand LagoonGrand 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.Google Maps Link
East BayIf 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 85.5100WSpeed 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.Google Maps Link
Dock-and-Dine at Panama City Beach Waterfront Restaurants
The Deckhand SocialPapa Joe’s BaysideBayou Joes Marina & GrillCheck out Additional Panama City Beach, FL Intel:Top 5 Panama City Beach Restaurants on the Water to Visit By Boat4 Best Beaches in Panama City Beach to Visit by BoatThings to do in Panama City, FL by Boat
Hours: Wed – Fri 12PM to 9PM; Sat & Sun 10AM to 9PM
Reservations: Yes
Type of Food: Florida seafood, American
Dockage Available: Complimentary at Pirate’s Cove Marina
Hours: Sun – Thurs, 11AM to 7PM; Fri, Sat 11AM to 9PM
Reservations: No
Type of Food: American, Mexican
Dockage Available: Yes
Address: 112A E 3rd Ct, Panama City, FL 32401
Hours: Wed, Thurs, 11AM to 8PM; Fri – Sun 9AM to 8PM
Reservations: No
Type of Food: “Old Florida” southern style
Dockage Available: Yes
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Top boat rental reviews in Panama City Beach
196,035Customer Reviews
4.94Average Rating
Brand New, Top of...Captain Mark went way and beyond to make our boating venture successful and meaningful. I would highly recommend him....
JudyOct, 2023
Brand New, Top of...Justy was a great captain. He did a tour of the Destin harbor, took us to crab island for a couple hours then we...
TonyOct, 2023
Fun in the sun🌞...Check was so nice and informative. I highly recommend. Great guy and great boat!
TylerOct, 2023
Brand New, Top of...Mark made our boat day absolutely perfect! We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful boat and fun captain! 10/10...
AlexOct, 2023
Fun in the Sun...Chuck and his team are amazing. He goes above and beyond for his renters. He’s accommodating, thoughtful and takes...
LaceeOct, 2023
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