Safe Harbor Walden

Rentals from Safe Harbor Walden include life jackets, safety equipment, an anchor, fuel, cooler storage, a bimini top, a swim ladder, a Bluetooth stereo, dockside assistance and on-site parking. Amenities vary by boat and by season, so confirm what comes with the boat you book.

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)

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)

From Montgomery, the main place to boat is Lake Conroe, a reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. The lower lake is the broad, open-water option, with bulkheads and boat docks along much of its shoreline. Scott’s Ridge and Cagle Recreation Area both have concrete ramps for all boat types; Cagle also provides access beside the upper reservoir’s Sam Houston National Forest shoreline.

Stubblefield Lake is the small-boat choice, using a dirt ramp, while FM 830 Ramp is another concrete launch for all boat types. In the upper river reach, standing timber is often slightly submerged, so unfamiliar renters should favor the lower lake for cruising.

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

Boaters from Montgomery can make a Lake Conroe day of Ayers Island, Party Cove, Cagle Recreation Area and Scott’s Ridge. Ayers Island draws crews who want to anchor, picnic and relax; Party Cove is a gathering place for music and socializing from anchored boats; Cagle offers a forested shoreline, boat ramp, lakeside picnic area and trails; and Scott’s Ridge combines a public ramp with picnic tables, fishing areas and seasonal swimming. These stops provide a mix of island time, on-water gatherings and national forest recreation without leaving Lake Conroe.

Source: Visit Conroe (recreation.gov)