Key West boat rental prices

What types you can rent here

You can rent party boats, center consoles, pontoons, fishing charters, yachts, jet skis and sailboats in Key West. Party boats here take 6 to 45 people. Pontoon boats listed for rent are 22 ft to 24 ft, for 6 to 9 guests. Center consoles in listings are 15 ft to 21 ft, with a guest limit of 2 to 8.

All fishing charter prices and most yacht prices in Key West include a captain. For party boats, 3 of 25 prices include a captain, while the rest do not state it; ask before booking. Pontoon boats sometimes include a captain (6 of 12 prices say so) and sometimes do not. Key West Tiki Boat rentals are always operated by a hired driver; self-drive is not offered.

Operators in the price table include Florida Keys Boat Rentals, Key West Tiki Boat, Sunset Watersports Key West, Fun In The Sun Key West, and more. Some specialize in bareboat rentals (self-drive), others in crewed charters.

• Largest group: party boats up to 45 guests.
• Small boat self-drive: pontoons, center consoles.
• All fishing charters and most yachts come with captain.

How Key West boat rental prices work

The prices above are medians or middle ranges from all published prices in the price table, checked Oct 14, 2026. Boats rent by the hour or in half-day and full-day blocks. Some prices are 'from' or starting rates—actual quotes for your date may be higher. Always check what is included.

Captains are included in most yacht and all fishing charter prices, but not always for party boats or pontoons; the table above shows the captain policy for each boat type. Fuel is included in 7 of 13 yacht prices; party boat prices do not state it, and many other categories leave it unstated. The most common policy is fuel charged by the gallon used (pontoons, center consoles), which is paid at return.

Security deposits are listed for pontoons and center consoles ($200), but not for all boats. Other extras may include sales tax, gratuity for captains or crew, and optional damage waivers. For tipping guidelines, see how much to tip a captain and deposit and insurance rules.

• Minimum rental is 2 hours for most types.
• Starting/‘from’ prices mean your rate might be higher in peak times.
• Fuel rarely included; ask about local per-gallon prices.

Key West boating rules and licenses

Florida law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to have a Boating Safety Education Identification Card to operate boats of 10 hp or more. Temporary certificates for visitors are available; details at Florida boating license rules. Rental companies may also require renters to be at least 18 or 21, depending on boat type.

No-wake zones apply within 300 feet of shorelines, vessels, or navigation aids marking reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. You may not anchor on living coral. Discharging anything but cooling water is prohibited in conservation and preservation areas. Operating in a way that harms coral, seagrass or wildlife is forbidden.

Party boats and some charters come with a captain included, so license requirements may not apply to individual guests. Alcohol rules: the operator or captain must remain sober. Policies on guest alcohol are set by each operator; some, like Key West Tiki Boat, allow you to bring your own beverages.

• Florida law bans rentals to anyone under 18.
• Operators may set higher minimum ages (21, 23, or 25 for some boats).
• See sanctuary rules for protected areas and wildlife.

Season, busy months and surcharges

Key West boat rental operators are open year-round; there are no published seasonal closures. This means you can book a boat any month.

The busiest months for rentals are June and July, based on search data. Some operators set higher prices for peak dates or weekends, but most prices above are medians from a range of quotes; ask your chosen company if they charge peak surcharges.

• Year-round rental season.
• Peak demand: June and July.

Where boats depart in Key West

Boats in Key West may depart from Parrot Key Resort, Stock Island Marina, Stock Island Yacht Club, and Cow Key Marina, according to operator pages. Not all listings name an exact dock until booking is confirmed. Some operators may use private slips or change location based on the boat.

For tours and large charters, always confirm the departure location directly when you book.

• Named marinas: Parrot Key Resort, Stock Island Marina, Stock Island Yacht Club, Cow Key Marina.

Local boat operators or booking platform?

Booking directly with a local operator means you see the boat, captain, and fuel rules up front. Local operators set their own deposit, age, and cancellation policies.

Booking through a platform lets you compare options, but platforms add their own service fee and may follow their own booking and cancellation rules. The price table above does not include booking platform fees. Compare by reading captain policy guide and price tables for other cities.

If you do not want to operate a boat, look for fully crewed charters or sightseeing tours, which are also offered in Key West and can be found on tour platforms.

• Operators: local rules, you choose specific boat.
• Platforms: more options, added booking fees and policies.