No Boat? No Problem. Life is too short to waste your time off
It’s rare. You deserve it. And you should make the most of it.
We get it...and we care about your time.
That’s why at Dockside, your unforgettable boating experience is priority one.
Never rented a boat before? Not sure what to do?
Contact us today for a free pre-rental call and feel better prepared and confident with your day on the water!
It's Easy to Rent Boats in Destin
No matter what your idea of adventure is we have watercraft to turn any day into Funday
Choose from a variety of boat classes to suit your perfect day on the water
Here's the thing about renting boats in Destin – the water looks calm from shore, but there's stuff you need to know. The sandbar at Crab Island moves. The no-motor zones change seasonally. And if you're coming from Miramar Beach or 30A, the drive to our dock takes longer than Google Maps says because of beach traffic.
We've been the go-to boat rental service in Destin since 2008. Not because we have the fanciest boats (though ours are pretty great), but because we actually teach you what you're doing before you leave the dock.
Every rental includes a real orientation – not just "here's the key, good luck." We show you how to read the gauges, where the shallow spots are, and what to do when that afternoon thunderstorm rolls in. Because it probably will.
Ready to Rent Boats in Destin? Here's What 15 Years of Local Experience Taught Us
Renting a pontoon boat is the BEST way to explore our beautiful local waters!
When tourists started flooding back to Destin after the last Hurricane, we noticed something weird. Half the calls we got weren't about which boat to rent – they were asking basic stuff like "Can I really drive this myself?" and "What happens if we break down near Crab Island?"
After helping thousands of families rent boats in Destin, we figured out what people actually need to know. And honestly, most boat rental places don't tell you this stuff upfront.
What Makes Us Different from Other Boat Rentals
Most places hand you keys and hope for the best. We give you our cell phone number and tell you to call if anything feels weird. Last month, a family from Birmingham called us at 4 PM because their engine sounded different. Turned out they just hit some seaweed, but they felt better knowing someone was there.
Our fleet includes 10-passenger pontoons perfect for families, 12-passenger boats for bigger groups, and double-decker pontoons when you want to party like you mean it. All maintained by our mechanics, not just cleaned by teenagers making $12 an hour.
Renting a pontoon boat is still the BEST way to explore our beautiful local waters!
The boat fleet at Dockside is kept in tip top shape to ensure your safety and satisfaction - our knowledgable crew inspects and cleans every boat daily to ensure your boating experience with us is nothing less than extraordinary!
Check out our affordable pontoon rentals for a detailed summary of the vessels we have for rent!
Customer experience is number one here at Dockside Watersports; from the moment you reserve your boat to the time you drive away, you will experience a welcoming, friendly, and courteous staff striving to make every moment of your vacation time spent with us memorable!
Your adventure awaits. 🤙🏻
Double Decker Pontoons Available
Boat Rentals for Celebrations That Create Lasting Memories
Whether it's a milestone birthday, retirement party, bridal party or family reunion, boat rental for celebrations creates unique experiences that people remember for years.
Group celebration rentals include flexible timing, custom itineraries*, and extra attention to making sure everything goes perfectly.
The water provides a unique setting that makes any celebration more special. Great photos, beautiful scenery, and the shared experience of being on the Gulf together.
*may require captain
We had an amazing day renting a pontoon for 8 hours. It was very easy and affordable. The kids loved the inflatables, fishing from the pontoon, and the beaches. We would recommend highly!
Christina Caldwell
First time renting a boat and they were extremely helpful with teaching us. The dockmen were very friendly and helpful, if you are looking to book a boat for an afternoon definitely go here.
Marco Gomez
Awesome/friendly staff. Check-in was quick and easy and the dock hands were extremely helpful. We are local and will definitely be using dockside watersports from now on!
Brittany Edwards
They were awesome and worked with us to make sure that our experience would be the best possible- went beyond- actually helping us with water taxi.
