Boat Rentals in Charleston, SC

Rental fleets in Charleston include Center consoles, Jet skis, Pontoon boats, Sailboats and Waverunners. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

May and October are usually the best bets for boating on Charleston Harbor, combining comfortable water with fewer midsummer weather concerns. At the Cooper River entrance, average water temperatures rise from the low-to-mid 50s in winter to the mid-70s in May, reach the mid-80s in July and August, and return to the mid-70s in October. Summer requires closer weather watching because the sea-breeze boundary can trigger showers and thunderstorms. Check the tide before launching: Charleston County says tides and currents affect ramp use, with serious drop-offs possible at low tide, and popular ramps are busiest on weekends and holidays.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (ncei.noaa.gov)

From Charleston, you can boat Charleston Harbor, the Ashley and Cooper rivers, Shem Creek, or the Intracoastal route through Wappoo Creek and Elliott Cut to the Stono River. The harbor offers sheltered water but also carries oceangoing traffic through its jettied entrance. The Ashley has a marked slow, no-wake zone near the municipal marina. Shem Creek is narrower and entered through a marked dredged channel. Wappoo Creek and Elliott Cut are current-sensitive connectors.

Public put-ins include Remley’s Point on the Wando River, Shem Creek, Wappoo Cut, Riverland Terrace on Wappoo Creek, and Folly River.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Charleston, boaters go to Morris Island, Capers Island Heritage Preserve and Shem Creek. Morris Island is reachable only by boat and pairs a beach stop with views of its historic lighthouse. Capers Island is an undeveloped barrier island with beach and salt marsh, making it the nature-focused choice. Shem Creek offers a different outing: a working harbor for recreational and shrimp boats, with public docks plus waterfront restaurants and bars.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (jamesislandsc.us)

Yes, some recreational operators need a South Carolina boating safety certificate rather than a traditional boating license. Anyone born after July 1, 2007 must have one before operating a vessel with an engine of 10 horsepower or more, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft. The rule states no separate minimum operator age; an uncertified person may operate when accompanied by a qualified adult at least 18.

Exemptions include people born on or before the cutoff, nonresidents with another state's equivalent certificate, and holders of qualifying Coast Guard credentials. Renters may use an SCDNR approved rental safety certificate, valid for 30 days and only on rented craft. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources administers the program.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

South Carolina boaters should carry safety gear, avoid alcohol, use registered vessels, and follow operator and speed rules enforced by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for everyone; children under 12 must wear one on boats under 16 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal, and at 0.08% BAC or higher impairment may be inferred. Public water vessels generally need registration and decals. Boaters born after July 1, 2007 generally need approved education for boats of 10 horsepower or more or personal watercraft. Personal watercraft cannot operate from sunset to sunrise; stay at idle speed within 50 feet on most waters, with a 100 foot dock setback on specified lakes.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

South Carolina law does not set a numeric minimum age to operate a rented motorboat or personal watercraft. Under S.C. Code Section 50-21-95, a person born after July 1, 2007, must meet one of the law's qualifications before operating a vessel powered by an engine of 10 horsepower or more, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft. For a rental, a valid boat rental safety certificate issued in the operator's name qualifies. SCDNR says the rental certificate is valid for 30 days. The rental operator sets its own minimum age, so confirm it when booking.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (dnr.sc.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Charleston has 12 boat clubs, 8 marinas and 18 boat dealers.