Find the perfect boatEnter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of boat, St. Augustine, FL, United States.
2
Select a captainChoose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.
3
Book with easeConnect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.
4
Set sailEnjoy your day on the water with friends and family!
Rent a Boat in St. Augustine
St. Augustine, known as a boating hub, holds the title of the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States since its founding in 1565. The town is steeped in history, featuring a 17th-century stone fort (Castillo de San Marcos) and Spanish architecture in its historic district. Legends of the Fountain of Youth add to its allure, with a park housing a spring believed to be linked to Juan Ponce de Leon. Boaters enjoy various waterways with easy access to the Atlantic and city amenities, including marinas, bars, museums, and shopping areas.Nature enthusiasts find solace in St. Augustine's diverse wildlife despite its development, spotting rare birds like spoonbills and wood storks, dolphins, manatees, and occasional sea turtles. Fishing enthusiasts flock to the rivers and inlet, targeting species such as speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, while deeper waters offer opportunities for king mackerel and sailfish. For deep-sea fishing, booking a fishing charter is recommended due to specific knowledge and equipment required.What to KnowYou’ll find all types of boats for rent in St. Augustine, but some of the most common are:
Center consoles, which are favored by anglers (they usually have livewells, fishing rod holders, and integrated fishboxes), and also make great boats for families day-tripping around town. These boats tend to be relatively sporty, too, with plenty of power and comfy seating.
Pontoon boats are quite popular, too. With large rectangular decks mounted atop a pair of pontoons (or sometimes three), these maximize the amount of available space aboard and often have seating for a dozen or more people. They’re incredibly comfortable, and some have enough power to pull water toys like wakeboards and tubes. Most aren’t appropriate for use in open or rough waters, however, so if you want to go through the inlet, these won’t be the best option.
Safety RequirementsBoater License/Education: In the state of Florida, all people born on or after January 1, 1988, have to complete an approved boater education course prior to operating a powerboat with 10 or more horsepower. You’re also required to carry identification at all times while operating a powerboat.Safety Gear: The United States Coast Guard sets the basic standards for required safety gear. That means carrying an approved life jacket for everyone aboard, having the right fire extinguisher, and more, with applicable regulations depending on the size and type of the boat. And on all powerboats, children under six must wear an approved Type I, II, or III life jacket while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length that’s underway.Proper Lookout: The waters here can be quite crowded and as always when running a boat, maintaining a careful lookout is critical. Also remember that there are many speed zones to watch out for, as well as mooring fields which it’s best to avoid motoring through.For more information on safety requirements, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating regulations webpage.Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:
St. Augustine Marina
Hidden Harbor Marina
Fish Island Marina
St. Augustine Municipal Marina
Rivers Edge Marina
Comachee Cove Yacht Harbor
English Landing Marina
Oasis Boatyard and Marina
Cat’s Paw Marina
Weather ConditionsThis is Florida, so boating is a year-round activity — but it can also get quite toasty. That said, St. Augustine is fairly far north on Florida’s Atlantic coast so it won’t be quite as blazing-hot as some of the more southern ports. Expect plenty of humidity during the summer months, as well as fairly common afternoon thunderstorms. These tend to move through quickly, though, and after they pass, you can usually get right back out on the water.Avg. Temperature High: 91.2 degrees F at the summer peakAvg. Temperature Low: The January average low is 55 degrees FAvg. Water Temperature in and around St. Augustine:
71.6 degrees F in the spring (March, April, May)
82.7 degrees F in the summer (June, July, August)
79.7 degrees F in the fall (September, October, November)
66.0 degrees F in the winter (December, January, February)
Things to do in St. Augustine by boat
Visit the Historic CityPull into a slip in the municipal marina, then walk for just a few minutes, and you’ll be surrounded by this city’s graceful history. Not only will you have your choice of restaurants and bars, you’ll also be just blocks from multiple cultural draws like the Spanish Military Hospital Museum, the Lightner Museum, and the Villa Zorayda Museum. You can set up tours from here or set off on your own temporary land-based voyage of discovery.Pro Tip: Make reservations ahead of time at the municipal marina (which is often booked weeks in advance) as well as everywhere you plan to visit. Many of the museums and attractions have limited availability and should be booked in advance.Location:Google Maps LinkClosest marina or docks: St. Augustine Municipal MarinaLat/Long: 29.8919N x 81.3088W
Enjoy Live MusicSt. Augustine has a lively music scene, and one way to check it out is by boat. You could moor the boat and make your way to the Ocean Pier (or anchor out in the Atlantic if it’s a calm evening), or better yet, reserve a slip in the Conch House Marina. They regularly have live entertainment on the lounge deck, ranging from reggae to folk music. Same goes for the Kingfish Grill.Pro Tip: If you go to Conch House Marina try the Ultimate Bloody Mary — it comes with a steamed shrimp.Location:Google Maps LinkClosest marina or docks: The Conch House has 200 slips on-site.Lat/Long: 29.8939N x 81.2939W
Go FishingBetween the rivers, inlet, and ocean you have plenty of angling options. Ins,hore there are speckled sea trout, redfish, black drum, jacks, ladyfish, and more, but an especially popular event is the summer tarpon run around the inlet and nearby beaches. If deep sea fishing is more your style, head out to one of the wrecks for snappers and grouper or keep heading east and you may encounter the likes of kingfish, cobia, sailfish, wahoo, or even marlin.Pro Tip: Check out Salt Run (the finger of water on the east side of town which cuts behind Anastasia State Park) if you’re on the hunt for redfish.Location:Google Maps LinkClosest marina or docks: St. Augustine Municipal MarinaLat/Long: 29.8919N x 81.3088W
Where to Go Boating in St. Augustine
Matanzas River in St. AugustineThe Matanzas is the main watery artery in town, with the historic district just west of where the river splits off at Hospital Creek and the center of town slightly farther up near the Bridge of Lions. This is the area to head for if you want to access the St. Augustine Municipal Marina (just inside the bridge on the west side) or take a waterfront tour of town.Wake Zone: YesSeasonality: Year-roundDockage: St. Augustine Municipal MarinaLat/Long: 29.8965N x 81.3079WPro Tip: This can be a very crowded waterway, and you’ll want to avoid the large mooring fields on the west side of the river.Google Maps Link
Salt RunThis is the place to head for if you want to try some light-tackle fishing or fly casting. The finger of water cuts into Anastasia Island so it’s well protected from the wind, the currents aren’t quite as extreme as in the rivers and inlet, and most important for anglers it holds plenty of fish. It’s also mostly bordered by Anastasia State Park, which means there’s plenty of undeveloped shoreline, especially on the east side.Wake Zone: YesDockage: Mooring fields; St. Augustine Yacht ClubLat/Long: 29.8917N x 81.2883WPro Tip: Grab some shrimp and fish them under a popping cork to catch speckled sea trout. Redfish will strike at that, too, or you can try casting and retrieving a three- to four-inch gold or copper wobbling spoon.Google Maps Link
Matanzas Inlet SandbarsJust inside the inlet on the west tip of Conch Island there’s a sheltered beach that’s popular with boaters, but for a real treat cruise about 10 miles south of town to the area near Matanzas Inlet. Then you’ll be in one of the best parts of Florida for going into “sandbar mode.” The area is lined with interior beaches and sandbars which are ideal for pulling up and relaxing, going for a swim, or letting the kids play in ankle-deep water.Seasonality: Late spring, summer, early fallDockage: None; anchor or beach your boatLat/Long: 29.7026N x 81.2314Pro Tip: If you beach your boat don’t forget about the tidal swing. The stern may be in a foot or two of water when you arrive but if the tide is flowing out it could be high and dry an hour later. So, it’s always smart to monitor the water level and adjust your boat’s position as necessary. Also, remember that some of the beaches have rather sharp drop-offs and if you have young children you may want to look around until you spot an area with one that’s gradual.Google Maps Link
Dock-and-Dine at St. Augustine Waterfront Restaurants
Own a boat?Boatsetter lets you make money renting out your boat. Peace of mind and insurance is included in every rental, and you choose who rents your boat.