Marinas in Boynton Beach, FL

Late fall through spring is the best time to boat Boynton Beach’s Lake Worth Lagoon, Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic waters because November through April is South Florida’s drier season. There is no climate-driven opening or closing date. Near Lake Worth Pier, average ocean water temperatures stay in the mid-70s in winter, rise through the upper 70s and low 80s in spring, and reach the mid-80s in summer.

From mid-May to mid-October, plan early and watch the forecast because high moisture and sea-breeze interactions support near-daily showers and thunderstorms. At Boynton Inlet, tide and current can decide whether conditions are suitable; NOAA describes the inlet as particularly hazardous to small boats and provides tidal current predictions.

Source: NOAA NCEI (ncei.noaa.gov)

From Boynton Beach, you can cruise the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway through Lake Worth Lagoon, visit Ocean Ridge Natural Area, or use Boynton Inlet to reach the open Atlantic. The lagoon is a brackish estuary, while Ocean Ridge Natural Area offers a quiet stop accessible by small motorboats and paddlecraft. Boynton Inlet is the transition to open water, but NOAA describes it as narrow, unmarked and hazardous, especially for small boats not designed for the sea. Trailer boaters can put in at Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park on the Intracoastal, across from the inlet.

Source: Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (discover.pbc.gov)

Three popular day-trip choices from Boynton Beach are Beer Can Island near Boynton Inlet, Lake Boca Raton, and Peanut Island in Lake Worth Lagoon. Beer Can Island draws boaters to shallow water at low tide and views of inlet traffic; Lake Boca is an Intracoastal anchoring and sandbar gathering spot; Peanut Island offers boat-only access, day-use docks, swimming beaches, a snorkeling lagoon, fishing areas, and picnic facilities.

Source: Discover The Palm Beaches (thepalmbeaches.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules require boaters to carry life jackets, stay sober, use properly registered vessels, follow personal watercraft limits, and obey posted no wake and manatee zones. Every vessel must carry an accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear one while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Operating while impaired is illegal; a .08 blood or breath alcohol level creates a presumption of impairment. Most vessels must be registered and carry the certificate aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, wear a noninflatable PFD, and not operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Boynton Beach has 12 boat rentals and 2 boat dealers.