Note AHow much does it cost to rent a party boat?
Median prices are $445 for 2 hours, $678 for 4 hours and $735 for 8 hours, from 104 prices checked in October 2026.
What the price usually covers
Captain terms differ by operator: in the price table, 37 party boat prices include a captain, 29 offer one as an option, 6 require a captain paid on top, and 32 do not say. Fuel is included in 14 prices, charged by the gallon in 15 and not stated in 75.
Security deposits of $300 to $400 are listed with 27 prices. Ask the operator whether cleaning, taxes and other fees are added to the quote.
Tipping the captain and crew is customary and not included in the rental price. Tipping guides put it at 10–20% of the charter fee for the captain and 5–15% for crew.
- Captain included in 37 of 104 prices, optional in 29, required and extra in 6
- Fuel included in 14 prices; paid by the gallon in 15
- Security deposits $300–$400 (27 prices)
- Ask about cleaning fees and taxes
- Tip: 10–20% for the captain, 5–15% for crew
Boat sizes, guest limits, and booking durations
Listed party boats in the US take groups from 6 up to 45 people; few operators state the length. Visit the capacity guide to understand guest limits better.
Prices are mostly sold for 2, 4 or 8 hours, and 12 prices are per person for a shared trip rather than for the whole boat.
Party boats are rented in many of the places covered, with the most prices from Lake of the Ozarks, Key West and Lake Travis, as shown in the table above.
- Guest limits from 6 to 45 (57 listings)
- Booking durations mostly 2, 4 or 8 hours
- Most prices: Lake of the Ozarks, Key West, Lake Travis
Who should consider a different boat
Party boats may not be suitable if your group is small and would find the cost per person high; smaller boats might be cheaper for few guests.
They are also not ideal if you want a high-speed or luxury yacht experience, since party boats prioritize capacity and amenities for socializing over speed or cruising range.
If you want a boat without a captain or to handle fuel yourself, confirm with operators as captains are often included or required for party boats, which adds cost and rules. See renting a boat with a captain for details on captain policies.
- Small groups may find cost per person high
- Not suited for high-speed or luxury cruising
- Captain often required, limiting self-driving options