South Shore Marine Group

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 Ruskin, you can boat Ruskin Inlet, the lower Little Manatee River, Cockroach Bay and lower Tampa Bay. Ruskin Commongood Boat Ramp reaches the inlet, river and bay; start cautiously through posted idle and slow-speed zones, and account for tide and draft. The Little Manatee gives you the river route, while lower Tampa Bay is the open-water option.

For shallower exploring, launch at Cockroach Bay Boat Ramp for tidal water, mangrove islands and creeks within Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve; this is the place to favor a shallow-draft boat and careful tide watching.

Source: Hillsborough County (hcfl.gov)

Boaters leaving Ruskin can make day trips around Tampa Bay to Egmont Key, Shell Key Preserve and Bradenton Beach. Egmont Key draws visitors for swimming, shelling and its historic lighthouse setting on a boat-access-only island. Shell Key offers an undeveloped barrier-island beach, birdwatching and public areas where boating and beach activities are permitted. Bradenton Beach provides a different outing: its City Pier day dock allows temporary stops for pier fishing and visiting the businesses around Bridge Street.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)