Cape Marina

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)

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)

From Cape Canaveral, you can boat in Port Canaveral, the Atlantic Ocean, Banana River Lagoon or the Indian River Lagoon’s Intracoastal Waterway. Port Canaveral is a deepwater working harbor, and its inlet opens to exposed ocean water. For sheltered, shallow cruising, Canaveral Lock leads from the port into Banana River, while Canaveral Barge Canal connects the port with the Indian River Intracoastal Waterway. The lagoon system averages only 4 feet deep, so follow marked routes. Public put-ins include Freddie Patrick Park for quick ocean access and Rodney S. Ketcham Park near the lock for lagoon access.

Source: Canaveral Port Authority (portcanaveral.com)

Good day trips from Cape Canaveral include Ski Island, Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands and Historic Cocoa Village. Ski Island is a Banana River stop marked as a campsite on Florida’s Space Coast paddling trail. The Thousand Islands offer boat access to island channels and wildlife habitat. Cocoa Village has short-term docks on the Indian River waterfront, letting crews step ashore for restaurants and shops.

Together, these destinations provide a simple island stop, a nature-focused lagoon outing and a walkable waterfront town within the local Banana River and Indian River Lagoon system.

Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (floridadep.gov)