Boat Rentals in Melbourne, FL

Rental fleets in Melbourne include Deck boats, Jet skis and Pontoon boats. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

Late October through May is generally the best time to boat Melbourne’s stretch of the Indian River Lagoon. NWS Melbourne places the local dry season from about mid-October through late May; during the wetter months, sea-breeze thunderstorms make morning outings a better choice than afternoons.

Lagoon water follows air temperature closely, falling into the upper 40s during cold episodes and reaching around 90°F at the hot end. Winter and spring cold fronts can bring gusty northerly winds, so boating does not have a firm opening or closing date: the marine forecast determines the best days.

Source: National Weather Service Melbourne (weather.gov)

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)

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)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules require boaters to carry life jackets, stay sober, use properly registered vessels, follow personal watercraft limits, and obey posted no wake and manatee zones. Every vessel must carry an accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear one while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal; a .08 blood or breath alcohol level creates a presumption of impairment. Most vessels must be registered and carry the certificate aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, wear a noninflatable PFD, and not operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

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

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)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Melbourne has 5 boat clubs, 3 marinas and 6 boat dealers.