Thunderboat Marine Service Center

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 Dania Beach, you can cruise the Dania Cut-Off Canal into the Intracoastal Waterway, explore Whiskey Creek, follow connected canals to New River, or use Port Everglades Inlet to reach the Atlantic. The Dania Cut-Off is an inland working canal whose first mile carries commercial vessels, while the Intracoastal offers a calmer alternative to open ocean boating.

Whiskey Creek is a sheltered, mangrove-lined waterway with a sandy bottom where boaters can beach. New River is a no-wake option for a slower cruise. For ocean access, trailer boaters can launch at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, the closest launching area to Port Everglades Inlet.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

Three practical day-trip destinations from Dania Beach are Whiskey Creek, downtown Fort Lauderdale’s New River and Hollywood Marina. At Whiskey Creek in Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, boaters can beach on the sandy bottom, picnic or walk to the ocean beach.

New River docking puts shops and sidewalk cafes near Las Olas Boulevard within walking distance. Hollywood Marina provides an Intracoastal Waterway stop close to Hollywood’s beach, downtown area and restaurants.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)