Boat Rentals in Kemah, TX

Rental fleets in Kemah include Windward Marinas. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

April, May and October are the best all-around months for boating from Kemah on Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. NOAA’s Eagle Point averages show bay water in the low 70s in April, upper 70s in May and mid-70s in October. It reaches the mid-80s from June through August, then falls to the mid-to-upper 50s in winter.

Summer outings are often better early in the day. The coastal sea-breeze front commonly moves inland during the afternoon and can generate showers or thunderstorms, so check the Galveston Bay forecast before departure.

Source: City of Kemah (kemahtx.gov)

From Kemah, you can cruise Clear Lake, follow Clear Creek inland, pass through Clear Lake Channel, or head onto Galveston Bay. Clear Lake is the more enclosed, brackish recreation boating area; Clear Creek is a narrower inland waterway; the channel is the direct connection between the lake and bay; and Galveston Bay is the broad, open water choice.

Nearby launch points shown on Seabrook’s regional waterfront map include the TX-146 Boat Ramp at the channel, Lake Shores Public Boat Ramp on Clear Lake, and FM 270 Boat Ramp on Clear Creek.

Source: City of Kemah (kemahtx.gov)

From Kemah, practical Galveston Bay day trips include Redfish Island, the Texas City Dike and Galveston Harbor. Redfish Island is a restored boating destination for a stop on the bay; the Texas City Dike combines beach time with fishing access and picnic shelters; and Galveston Harbor draws sightseeing crews for dolphin spotting and views of historic waterfront landmarks. Together, they offer anchoring, shore recreation, fishing and harbor cruising.

Source: Port Houston (porthouston.com)

Yes, some recreational operators in Texas need boater education certification, though the state does not call it a boating license. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires certification for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, who operates a PWC, motorboat over 15 horsepower, or sailboat over 14 feet. Covered operators must carry photo ID and proof of certification.

A person must be at least 13 to operate alone; younger operators need an eligible operator age 18 or older onboard. Renters are not exempt. Alternatives include onboard supervision, a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator license, or a one-time 15-day deferral, which is available only to those 18 or over. Approved online courses provide a 60-day temporary certificate.

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (tpwd.texas.gov)

In Texas, know the life jacket, intoxication, registration, personal watercraft and invasive species rules before launching. Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on vessels under 26 feet while underway, and every person aboard needs an approved wearable life jacket. Operating while intoxicated is illegal, meaning loss of normal mental or physical faculties from alcohol or drugs, or a BAC of 0.08% or higher. All motorized vessels require Texas registration regardless of length, as do sailboats 14 feet or longer; canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats and rafts are exempt at any length. Personal watercraft cannot operate from sunset to sunrise; children under 13 may operate only with a lawful operator age 18 or older aboard. When leaving or approaching public fresh water, drain all water and remove attached harmful aquatic plants. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department enforces these rules.

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (tpwd.texas.gov)

For a motorboat over 15 horsepower or a personal watercraft on Texas public waters, the minimum age to operate without supervision is 13, but the rental operator decides the minimum age for renting. Under Parks and Wildlife Code Sections 31.106 and 31.107, an operator under 13 must be supervised by someone at least 18 who can lawfully operate the craft and is on board while it is under way. Boater education is based on birth date: to operate alone, anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 must meet the requirement for a motorboat over 15 horsepower, a windblown vessel over 14 feet, or any personal watercraft, and carry photo ID and the certification card. Confirm the operator’s age policy when booking.

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (tpwd.texas.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Kemah has 2 boat clubs, 6 marinas and 9 boat dealers.