Boat Rentals in South Carolina

Rental fleets in South Carolina include Center consoles, Deck boats, Jet skis, Pontoon boats, Sailboats, Ski 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.

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)

May and June, plus October, offer the best balance for boating in South Carolina. July and August are the peak summer period for lake vacations and swimming, while October brings fewer summer crowds and relatively warm ocean water along the coast. September can also be pleasant, but it falls within South Carolina’s most likely period for tropical cyclone impacts. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Winter boating remains possible, with some lake tours offering seasonal wildlife viewing, but summer is the primary swimming season.

Source: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (discoversouthcarolina.com)

South Carolina’s best boating areas range from tidal coastal waterways to large reservoirs, mountain lakes and free flowing rivers. On the coast, Charleston Harbor connects boaters with the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby saltwater routes. Lake Murray in the Midlands is a major reservoir used for boating and water sports, while Upstate Lake Jocassee offers clear water and mountain scenery.

The Santee Cooper Lakes provide an expansive connected lake system, and the Edisto River offers a quieter river option with access from Colleton State Park.

Source: South Carolina State Parks (southcarolinaparks.com)

Popular boating destinations in South Carolina include Charleston Harbor, for sailing, fishing, sightseeing and kayaking where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet; Hilton Head Island’s Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound, for protected marsh paddling and dolphin viewing; Lake Murray, for summer water sports and striped bass fishing; Lake Jocassee, for clear water, mountain scenery and waterfalls; and Lake Hartwell, for expansive reservoir boating and access from public ramps and state parks.

Source: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, discoversouthcarolina.com and southcarolinaparks.com (discoversouthcarolina.com)

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, South Carolina has 48 boat clubs, 97 marinas and 146 boat dealers.