Boat rental prices in San Diego

Boat types and guest limits

San Diego rentals in the table include sailboats, pontoons, electric boats, yachts, catamarans, jet skis, and wake or ski boats. The table covers local watersports rental businesses and crewed charter operators, including Action Sport Rentals, Triton Charters and Adventure Water Sports.

All sailboat, yacht and catamaran prices in the table include a captain. Mission Bay Sportcenter says its pontoons are self-drive only. For other boats, confirm the arrangement before booking rather than treating an unspecified captain policy as self-drive.

• Sailboats: listed lengths of 31–42 feet and limits of 8–12 guests.
• Yachts: listed lengths of 60–70 feet and limits of 10–16 guests.
• Wake or ski boats: listed lengths of 20–24 feet and limits of 6–11 guests.
• Pontoons: limits of 10–11 guests; the only stated length is 11 feet.
• Catamarans: limits of 40–100 guests.
• Electric boats: limits of 8–10 guests; the jet ski lists 2.

What the rental prices include

The table compares published prices by duration, with medians and the middle half of prices where shown. Prices are as checked on Oct 14, 2026, using operators’ own rate pages rather than platform listings. The category samples contain 8 catamaran prices from 1 operator, 7 pontoon prices from 3 operators, and 2 electric boat prices from 2 operators.

Other samples contain 1 jet ski price from 1 operator. Yacht prices number 3 from 2 operators; wake or ski boat prices number 13 from 2 operators; sailboat prices number 3 from 1 operator. Duration-specific sample sizes can be smaller, so read the count beside each comparison.

Hourly rates and per-person tickets are different purchases: a catamaran ticket is $55 per person, while the catamaran hourly median is $1,650 per hour for the whole boat. Ask whether your quote is for the whole boat, what minimum booking applies, and whether the displayed duration is available as a package. Use the captain rental guide to check what your quote includes.

Mission Bay Sportcenter adds a 10% fuel charge, and Action Sport Rentals adds a 10% fuel surcharge to motorized equipment rentals. Most table entries leave fuel unspecified; wake or ski boat entries list security deposits of $1,000 per rental. Use the calculator after confirming fuel, captain charges, fees, and gratuity, and review deposits and damage terms before signing.

California law and rental policies

California exempts a person operating a rental vessel from the California Boater Card requirement, according to California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. The agency says motorized-vessel operators otherwise need the card unless an exemption applies. Read California’s boating license rules and confirm your situation with the agency.

Mission Bay Sportcenter requires the primary renter to be at least 21, with valid photo ID and a credit card. Its mandatory safety instructions and boat orientation are company policy, separate from the state’s renter exemption. Ask your departure operator about no-wake areas, inspection requirements, and restrictions along your planned route.

Alana Yacht Rental prohibits outside alcohol and sells drinks through its onboard bar. Mission Bay Sportcenter allows snacks and drinks but prohibits glass and requires legal, capable operators. Keep the person operating sober, and confirm applicable boating-under-the-influence rules with the agency.

Rental season and busy months

Mission Bay Sportcenter offers rentals year-round, while Action Sport Rentals publishes a season from May 22 to September 6. Alana Yacht Rental schedules ticketed cruises Wednesday through Sunday and makes private charter dates available on request.

Search demand peaks in June, July, and August, according to Ahrefs search-demand figures—not a published seasonal price schedule. Ask for your date’s rate and any weekend surcharge. Mission Bay Sportcenter says weather and operating conditions can affect departures; confirm cancellation terms using the weather cancellation guide.

Mission Bay and Shelter Island departures

Named departure areas include Mission Bay Sportcenter, Shelter Island, and San Diego Bay marinas. Mission Bay Sportcenter launches from Santa Clara Place; Action Sport Rentals departs from Kona Kai Resort Hotel & Spa on Shelter Island Drive.

Alana Yacht Rental docks on Shelter Island Drive behind Ketch Grill and Taps and operates on San Diego Bay. Mai Tai Yacht Charters names San Diego Bay Marinas as its departure area. Have your booking confirmation identify the exact dock and check-in point.

Direct rentals, platforms, and ticketed cruises

Local operators publish their own rates, captain arrangements, and fuel rules; booking platforms list boats from many owners and add their own service fees and policies. Compare the final quote, not just the advertised rental amount. The table above uses direct operator rates.

A ticketed cruise is an alternative if you do not want to drive or reserve an entire boat. Alana Yacht Rental offers ticketed cruises, and its private yacht rentals include a captain, crew, and bartender. For private groups, the day-rental cost guide helps organize the charges before splitting the total.