Marinas in DC

The District's harbor regulations require a boating safety course of operators under 18. Under DCMR section 1026.5, no one under 18 may operate a vessel 16 feet or longer unless they have completed a course approved by the Harbor Master, or are supervised by someone 18 or older who has completed one. The same condition applies when a vessel that size is rented to someone under 18. The regulation sets no birth date cutoff and states no course requirement for adult operators, though the Metropolitan Police Department's boating page states more broadly that anyone operating on District waters should carry a Boating Safety Certificate, so carrying one is the safer course. There is no published rental customer exemption or temporary certificate. The MPD Harbor Patrol Unit administers the program.

Source: Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit (mpdc.dc.gov)

On District of Columbia waters, carry required life jackets, avoid alcohol, register applicable boats, and follow local speed and personal watercraft rules. MPD Harbor Patrol says every boat needs a properly sized wearable life jacket for each person; boats 16 feet or longer also need a throwable device. If the operator of a vessel 16 feet or longer is under 18, everyone aboard under 18 must wear a life jacket.

A 0.08 blood alcohol concentration qualifies as intoxicated, and operating while under the influence is prohibited; operators under 21 may have no measurable alcohol. Boats principally used on District waters require annual registration. Personal watercraft may not jump another vessel’s wake within 100 yards, and posted no wake zones must be obeyed.

Source: Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit (mpdc.dc.gov)

The best time for boating in the District of Columbia is May through October, with May, June, September and early October as comfortable shoulder periods and July and August as the peak warm season. Potomac River monitoring near the District shows that water temperature changes substantially through the year, so spring and late fall require more preparation for cold water.

Summer brings warmer conditions but also heat and severe weather that can develop suddenly. Heavy rain can produce high, strong currents and changing Potomac levels, so check the weather forecast and river conditions before leaving the dock.

Source: National Park Service (weather.gov)

The best places to go boating in the District are the Potomac River, Anacostia River, Washington Channel and Tidal Basin. The Potomac offers a major river corridor beside Georgetown, while the Anacostia is a freshwater tidal river through southeast Washington where boaters can sail, row, kayak or paddleboard.

In Southwest, the Washington Channel provides urban water access beside The Wharf and connects with the District’s river system. Near the National Mall, the smaller Tidal Basin is suited to pedal boats and swan boats, offering a more contained boating experience than the rivers.

Source: Destination DC and National Park Service, washington.org and nps.gov (washington.org)

The most popular boating destinations in the District of Columbia include Georgetown Waterfront, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Fletchers Cove and the Navy Yard stretch of the Anacostia River. Georgetown is popular for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding with monument and skyline views; Theodore Roosevelt Island adds wildlife scenery; Fletchers Cove provides a small boat launch, fishing access and Potomac River scenery; and Navy Yard offers urban paddling past the U.S. Capitol, Washington Navy Yard and Fort McNair.

Source: Destination DC (washington.org)

District of Columbia law does not set a numeric minimum rental age; under 19 DCMR § 1026.4, a boat rental business may rent any vessel to someone under 18 only if that person completed a Harbor Master approved boating safety course or will be under constant supervision of someone at least 18 who completed the course. For vessels 16 feet or longer, § 1026.5 allows an operator under 18 to operate unsupervised after completing the course; otherwise the same supervision rule applies.

MPD says anyone operating a vessel must have a Boating Safety Certificate. The regulations define vessel to include every description of watercraft, covering personal watercraft. Rental operators may set their own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit (mpdc.dc.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, DC has 13 boat rentals and 9 boat clubs.