Freedom Boat Club – Melbourne, FL

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Melbourne, start on the Indian River Lagoon, a broad, shallow brackish estuary; launch at Eau Gallie Causeway, Ballard Park or Claude Edge Front Street Park and follow marked channels around shallow flats. Ballard Park also opens onto the Eau Gallie River, a lagoon tributary suited to a shorter river outing. The Intracoastal Waterway provides the main marked route for a longer run through the lagoon toward Sebastian Inlet. At the inlet, ramps on both sides provide access to calmer lagoon water or the open Atlantic Ocean, depending on conditions and whether your rental boat is equipped for offshore use.

Source: Brevard County (brevardfl.gov)

From Melbourne, boaters commonly head to Sebastian Inlet, the Indian River Lagoon spoil islands along the Intracoastal Waterway south of the Melbourne Causeway, and the Dragon Point and Eau Gallie Causeway area. Sebastian Inlet draws anglers and families to its calmer lagoon cove. The spoil islands suit island hopping, with mangrove, salt marsh and seagrass around their shallow edges. Dragon Point makes a local cruise destination at the narrow meeting of the Banana River and Indian River Lagoon.

Source: Brevard County Natural Resources Management (brevardfl.gov)