Lake Travis and Austin boat rental prices

Boat types and guest limits

Lake Travis rentals in the table include party boats, pontoons, wake or ski boats, jet skis, and a bowrider or deck boat. Party boat listings state guest limits of 10–30 people; the stated pontoon limit is 10 people, and the stated jet ski limit is 2 people. The party boats with published lengths are 25 feet long; confirm dimensions and capacity for your booking.

A captain is included or required at an extra charge on many party boat and pontoon entries; some party boat entries make the captain optional. Most wake or ski boat entries include a captain, while most jet ski entries are self-drive. Tide Up Boat Rentals says every rental includes a licensed captain, while Float On offers rentals with or without one and reserves self-drive rentals for seasoned boaters.

• For a larger group, compare the specific capacity rather than relying on the label “party boat.”
• For self-drive plans, confirm eligibility before paying; a pontoon listing does not automatically mean you can operate it.

Base prices and extra charges

The table uses operators’ published rate pages, with prices as checked on Oct 14, 2026. It contains 17 party boat prices from 4 operators, 4 wake or ski boat prices from 3 operators, 9 pontoon prices from 5 operators, 4 jet ski prices from 2 operators, and 1 bowrider or deck boat price from 1 operator. Operator counts overlap across categories.

Hourly pontoon rates range from $115–$150 per hour, while wake or ski boat rates range from $175–$225 per hour. Lake Travis Boat Rentals publishes 4-hour booking slots; ask other operators about minimum rental time. The median and middle-half range describe entries for each duration, not different durations on an identical boat.

Captain and fuel charges can change the comparison. Lake Travis Boat Rentals says a captain is required and costs 20% of the booking total, while a fuel tank is included. Tide Up includes captain and fuel, but says a 20% captain tip is customary and expected in cash; ATX Boat Rentals applies a 20% gratuity for groups of 10 or more and/or water sports.

Centex excludes taxes and fees, and Lake Travis Boat Rentals excludes tax. Lakeside’s deposit notice refers to 2024 bookings without stating an amount, so request the applicable deposit and refund terms. Use the calculator with your written quote, and review rental deposits and damage terms before signing.

Texas law and Lake Travis rules

Texas law requires anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 to complete a Boater Education Certification Course before operating a personal watercraft, a motorboat with more than 15 horsepower, or a sailboat over 14 feet, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The agency also offers a one-time 15-day boater education deferral for $10 to residents and nonresidents. See Texas boating license requirements and confirm eligibility with the department.

LCRA requires a sober operator to be designated before leaving the dock on the Highland Lakes. Its controlled areas marked by buoys prohibit fishing and anchoring and instruct boaters to slow down to avoid creating wake. LCRA also prohibits attaching a watercraft to a buoy or marker, or moving or tampering with those markers.

LCRA prohibits swimming within 50 feet of a public boat ramp and recommends US Coast Guard-approved life jackets for boaters and swimmers. Company policies are separate: Float On describes self-drive rentals as being for seasoned boaters, and Centex permits guests of all ages. That guest policy does not replace the state’s operator requirements; ask about renter age, identification, and any inspection requirements.

Year-round availability and summer demand

Centex says rentals are available throughout the year. Lakeside also describes year-round service, although its availability notice refers to 2024 slots, so confirm the calendar before arranging your group.

June and July are the peak months for Lake Travis rental searches in Ahrefs search-demand figures covering October 2025 through September 2026. That measures search interest, not prices or availability. Ask for your date’s rate, including any weekend or holiday adjustment.

Marinas and departure areas

Lake Travis departures include Float On’s private marina near Lakeway and Lakeside’s own marina on the lake. Centex names Rocky Ridge Road, Tide Up names Stewart Road in Lakeway, and the Lago Vista rental operator names American Drive.

Confirm the dock, parking instructions, and meeting point with your booking. Float On offers rentals on both Lake Austin and Lake Travis, so confirm which lake your reservation names.

Direct operators versus booking platforms

Booking directly lets you compare the local operator’s published rates and its own captain and fuel rules. The table includes Centex Boat Rentals, Lake Travis Boat Rentals, Lakeway Marina, Liquid Thrillz and ATX Boat Rentals. Request an itemized total before comparing offers.

Booking platforms list boats from multiple owners and add their own service fees and policies. Compare those terms with the direct quote, especially captain charges, fuel, and cancellation conditions. If you do not want to drive, a captained rental is an alternative; the captain rental guide explains what to confirm.