Note AHow much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat for a day?
The median price for an 8-hour pontoon rental is $795 as checked in October 2026. The middle half of 8-hour prices runs from $645 to $1,200.
What is included and extra
Most pontoon boat rentals are priced for the boat only. Out of 84 prices, 13 include a captain in the price, 14 are self-drive only, 7 offer a captain as an option and 4 require a paid captain. The rest do not specify. Captain fees, when listed, are $75 per hour or $220–$420 per trip, depending on the operator.
Fuel is normally not included. Only 6 of the 84 prices include fuel, and 11 charge you for the gallons you use. A typical pontoon running at moderate speed consumes 8 to 15 gallons per hour, so fuel cost can add up—ask the operator how fuel use will be charged.
Security deposits are common. Of 9 listings with a stated deposit, the amount ranges from $200 to $300. Other possible extra fees are not shown in most listings, so ask about cleaning, late return, or pet policies before booking.
Tipping the captain is customary when one is provided, with 10–20% of the charter fee as a guideline. See the full captain guide for more on hiring and tipping.
- Captain, when extra: $75/hour or $220–$420/trip
- Fuel not included in most rentals
- Deposit required: $200–$300 in some listings
- Tipping captain: 10–20% customary
Sizes, capacity and common bookings
The pontoon boats listed are between 11 and 24 feet long. Guest limits are stated at 6 to 13 people, but the comfortable number is often lower. One manufacturer recommends subtracting two from the max to plan a relaxed outing.
Capacity is enforced by law and posted on the boat’s yellow capacity plate. For more on legal and safe group size, read how many people can a rented boat hold?
Rental duration is most commonly 2, 4, or 8 hours. Nightly rentals are rare but appear at $950–$1,150 per night. Pontoon rentals are available at most major lake, river, and coastal rental markets shown in the table above.
- Length: 11–24 ft
- Listed guest limit: 6–13 people
- Most bookings: 2, 4, or 8 hours
Who should pick another type
A pontoon boat rental is not for fast watersports, rough open water, or trips where speed and range matter. Pontoons cruise at moderate speed and suit calm lakes or rivers. Their per-person cost can be higher for small groups due to flat rental rates.
If you want a boat with water-skiing ability, faster travel, or guaranteed on-board amenities, consider a bowrider or deck boat. Groups larger than 13 will need to rent more than one boat; not all pontoons carry maximum capacity comfortably.
- Not for fast watersports or rough water
- May not be the lowest cost per person for small groups
- Groups over 13: need multiple boats