Yes, Washington requires many recreational operators to carry a Boater Education Card rather than a traditional boating license. Operators age 12 or older who were born after January 1, 1955, must carry it when operating a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft meeting that threshold. The minimum operator age is 12 for these motorboats and 14 for personal watercraft; personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16.

Rental customers may instead complete and carry the State Parks approved safety checklist. Common exemptions cover people born before January 1, 1955, qualifying short term visitors and recent boat purchasers. A course completion certificate serves as a temporary card for 60 days. Washington State Parks administers the program.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (parks.wa.gov)

Washington boaters should carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for everyone; children 12 and younger must wear one while underway in a vessel under 19 feet unless inside a fully enclosed area. The alcohol limit for operating any vessel is 0.08. Boats generally need a Washington title, registration card and decals, with exemptions including human powered craft and certain small boats used only on nonfederal waters. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and rentals cannot be made to anyone under 16. Washington State Parks also advises checking local waterway rules and prohibits transporting aquatic invasive species on boats, trailers or gear.

Source: Washington State Parks (parks.wa.gov)

July and August are usually the best months for boating in Washington. They sit at the center of western Washington’s dry season, while State Parks data show overnight moorage use peaking in those months, so expect the largest crowds at popular destinations.

May, June and September are good shoulder months for quieter trips, but conditions are less consistently dry. Rainier, more vigorous storm systems become more common from October through winter. Washington water can remain cold even when the air is warm, with many waterways staying below 60 degrees most of the year. For lake trips, check current water levels and ramp access before leaving.

Source: Washington State Parks (weather.gov)

The best boating areas in Washington are Puget Sound, Willapa Bay, Lake Roosevelt, the Columbia River, and the Lake Washington corridor. Puget Sound provides interconnected saltwater passages, islands, sheltered estuaries, and bays across western Washington, while Willapa Bay offers a protected estuary on the southwest Pacific coast. Inland, Lake Roosevelt is a large impounded section of the upper Columbia, and the Columbia River provides long routes through Eastern Washington toward the coast. Around Seattle, Lake Washington is part of the Lakes-to-Locks route through connected urban waterways, coves, sloughs, and natural areas.

Source: State of Washington Tourism (stateofwatourism.com)

Some of Washington’s most popular boating destinations are Friday Harbor, with a marina and easy access to San Juan Island’s beaches; Roche Harbor, known for its protected harbor and waterfront village; Anacortes, the coastal gateway to San Juan and Orcas islands; Bellingham Bay, with access to boating, paddling and Whatcom County water trails; and Lake Chelan, where boaters can explore deep mountain waters and reach remote Stehekin.

Source: State of Washington Tourism (stateofwatourism.com)

Alongside the boat dealers on this page, Gig Harbor has 3 boat rentals and 4 marinas.