It’s boat season, and local companies recommend you book in advance if you want to spend time on the water this summer.
Why it matters: Charlotte may be landlocked, but hydrophiles will find a way to be near water — whether it's a pool, lake, ocean or puddle.
Know before you go: You can’t just pull up to the lake, rent a boat and drive off into the sunset.
- Before you drive, you need to take a free boat safety class online.
- If you don’t have your boat safety certificate, or you don’t have a designated driver, many companies offer captains for an additional fee. Just make sure they’re properly licensed by the US Coast Guard before you hire one.
Here are nine boat rental companies to check out this summer:
Lake Norman
Tiki Time Boat Rentals — One of the only boat companies with a tiki-themed boat cruising on the lake with room for 19 passengers.
How it works: The hourly tiki boat ride starts at $200 and comes with a Bluetooth speaker, grill, seated bar, bathroom, karaoke, water mat, paddle boards and a cooler.
- Tiki Time also has other tritoon and pontoon boats starting at $300.
- Pick up is at Hagers Creek Access Area in Mooresville.
- Book online or call (704) 900-3567.
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Black Boat Club — This operator sells out every weekend. Reservations are typically needed a month in advance.
How it works: Black Boat Club has tritoon, pontoon and sports boats.
- They'll bring the boat to you — it's anchored primarily on Lake Norman, but they will also travel to Lake Wylie.
- You can book an eight-hour ride for $1,100 or four hours for $550.
- Book online .
Black Boat Club. Photo: Courtesy of Corinna DeWitt
Carolina Cruising Charters — Featured on MTV and Netflix , this company has two tritoon pontoons that can seat 10 to 13 passengers.
How it works: Carolina Cruising Charters provides the captain.
- Rates start at $269 and vary depending on the type of boat and how far you take it.
- Additional fees vary for add-ons, including paddle boards, wakeboards and a custom video reel.
- Rides can be booked for one, two, three, and four-hour durations daily from 8am-8:30pm.
- 18020 Kings Point Dr., Cornelius
- Book online or call (704) 850-5727.
Photo: Courtesy of Carolina Cruising Charters
Lake Effects — The company offers tritoons, ski boats, surf boats and jet skis for rent.
Details: Tritoons start at $319, ski boats start at $649, surf boats start at $1,649 and jet ski rentals start at $219.
Morningstar Marina — This company has a 10-seater tritoon available to rent.
Details: $450-$575 not including taxes and fees.
Lake Wylie
Photo: Courtesy of Ebenezer Park
Lake Wylie Boat Rentals — This rental company offers pontoons that fit up to 10 people.
Details: $500-$600 for a full day (eight hours), including gas.
Tega Cay Marina — Rent a 12-passenger pontoon starting at $375, including the first full tank of gas.
Details: They offer full-day (eight-hour), half-day (four-hour) and two-hour rentals.
- Monday – Thursday half-day: $425.
- Monday – Thursday full-day: $495.
- Friday – Sunday full-day: $545.
- Holiday weekends/weekdays full-day $675 or half-day: $475.
- Evening rentals from May 1 – Sept. 30: Thursday – Sunday two hours, $250.00.
- 28000 Marina Drive Tega Cay, S.C.
- Book by phone at 803-371-6913 or email danielle@dentonmarinagroup.com.
Boat Rental USA — Rent from a range of pontoons and boats that seat eight to 14 passengers.
Details: They offer full-day (six to eight-hour) and multi-day specials for vacation renters.
Wave Kings Watercraft and Adventures — A Black-owned boat company with tritoon boats that seat up to 12 people.
Details: They offer two-hour, three-hour and four-hour rentals.
- Two-hour rentals start at $269.99.
- Three-hour rentals start at $389.99.
- Four-hour rentals start at $499.99.
- Every other Wednesday, the company hosts "wine down Wednesday" rides. Tickets are $35 per person, which includes complimentary wine and snacks.
- Book online
- 1000 Mariana Village Dr. in Mt. Holly
Wine down Wednesdays with Wave Kings. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Editor’s note: We first published this guide in May 2022. We updated it in June 2024.
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