Boat Rentals in St Joseph, MI

Rental fleets in St Joseph include Bowriders, Center consoles, Deck boats, Pontoon boats, Wake boats and Waverunners. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

Late July through August is usually the best time to boat from St. Joseph Harbor onto Lake Michigan, especially if warmer water matters. The city’s West Basin Marina season runs from April through October, while the National Weather Service describes typical late-summer surface temperatures in the low 70s.

Choose the day by the New Buffalo-to-St. Joseph nearshore forecast, not the calendar alone. Thunderstorms can quickly increase winds and waves, and persistent offshore winds can produce upwelling along this shore, bringing much colder water to Silver Beach even during summer.

Source: City of St. Joseph (sjcity.com)

From St. Joseph, you can cruise Lake Michigan, explore the lower St. Joseph River and Morrison Channel, or paddle into the Paw Paw River. Lake Michigan beyond the harbor entrance is open water, with Silver Beach and Tiscornia Park marking the river mouth. The lower St. Joseph River offers a more sheltered ride, but the marked stretch from the mouth upstream to Hidden Isle is slow no wake; Morrison Channel is slow no wake too. The Paw Paw River joins the St. Joseph River in Benton Harbor and suits calm paddling. Trailer boats can launch at the City Boat Launch on Marina Island beside West Basin Marina.

Source: City of St. Joseph (sjcity.com)

From St. Joseph, boaters head to New Buffalo Public Marina, South Haven’s South Side Municipal Marina, and the St. Joseph River at Berrien Springs. New Buffalo has transient slips and day-use mooring within walking distance of shops, restaurants, parks and beaches. South Haven offers a floating dock just inside the Black River pier, making it easy to tie up and walk into town. Berrien Springs is an upriver access point for anglers; the St. Joseph River is noted for fishing, and the dam there requires a portage before continuing farther.

Source: NewBuffalo.com (michiganwatertrails.org)

Michigan requires a boating safety certificate rather than a recreational boating license for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, operating a motorboat over 6 horsepower. A child under 12 may operate 6 to 35 horsepower only with a certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16, and may not operate more than 35 horsepower.

For personal watercraft, no one under 14 may operate. Ages 14 and 15 need a certificate plus either accompaniment by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult 21 or older, or operation within 100 feet of one; operators born after December 31, 1978, need a certificate. A renter who completes livery safety training may use the written rental agreement as a certificate only for the listed rental dates. Michigan DNR administers the program.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Michigan boaters should follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources rules on life jackets, sober operation, registration, personal watercraft and invasive species. Carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear a Type I or II jacket on an open deck while underway. Operating with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is illegal. Unless exempt, watercraft must be registered and display a decal. PWC operators must be at least 14, with certificate and supervision rules for ages 14 and 15, and PWCs may not operate from sunset to 8 a.m. Before launching or transporting, remove plants and debris from boat and trailer, and pull drain plugs and drain all water before hauling; local no wake rules may also apply.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, michigan.gov/dnr (michigan.gov)

The legal minimum depends on vessel class and power: Michigan has no minimum operating age for a motorboat of 6 horsepower or less. For more than 6 horsepower, unsupervised operation starts at 12 with a boating safety certificate. Under 12, operation through 35 horsepower requires that certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16; stronger boats are prohibited. Personal watercraft require age 14. Ages 14–15 need a certificate and either a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult 21 or older onboard, or within 100 feet while that adult operates another personal watercraft; independent operation starts at 16. Certificates are compulsory for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996, and PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Rental operators set their minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, St Joseph has 5 boat clubs, 8 marinas and 2 boat dealers.