Holly Bluff 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 DeLand, the main boating choice is the connected St. Johns River, Lake Beresford and Hontoon Island waterway system. Launch at Ed Stone Park for direct access to the main river channel, then enter Lake Beresford for broader, more open water.

For a narrower route, follow Hontoon Dead River around Hontoon Island; Snake Creek is another mapped branch, although the state park map warns that it may be impassable. Hontoon Island is accessible only by boat or ferry and offers boat slips for a shoreside stop. French Landing Boat Launch provides another put-in near Blue Spring Run.

Source: Volusia County Parks (volusia.org)

From DeLand’s St. Johns River access, boaters make day trips to Hontoon Island State Park, Blue Spring State Park, the Wekiva River and Silver Glen Springs. Hontoon Island is a picnic stop; Blue Spring draws visitors to its clear spring run and seasonal manatee viewing; the Wekiva offers a nature-focused river excursion with abundant wildlife; and Silver Glen is a popular spring-run gathering destination. Volusia County’s boating study recorded boaters interviewed at DeLand’s Ed Stone Park naming Silver Glen as their destination and identified the other three as major St. Johns River destinations.

Source: Volusia County (volusia.org)