Destin Pontoon Boat Rentals

No, you’re the captain of your pontoon rental! This may sound intimidating, but rest assured the deckhands at your rental location will show you everything you need to know when it comes to driving a pontoon boat, even for first timers! If you are looking for a boat with a captain, however, you may want to consider booking a ticket on the Crab Island Excursion with a TripShock customer service representative. Remember, if you are interested in visiting Crab Island, all Destin pontoon rentals are valid Crab Island boat rentals, giving you the option to reach Crab Island from the Destin Harbor in around 10 minutes.

If you were born before January 1, 1988, you do not need a boater’s license. All that you will need is a valid driver’s license. If you were born on or after that date, then you will need to get a Florida boater’s license. Many rental companies will provide tests and issue Florida boaters certificates on site before your departure time. Some, however, do not have this option. It is recommended to go over the restrictions and cancellation policy before booking your rental, as this will let you know if you need to obtain a license or not, and where to do so. If the rental company you are booking with does not provide boater’s licenses, then you will need to obtain one yourself before your rental by going to https://www.tripshock.com/boaterstest. Please be aware that the person renting the pontoon must be at least 18 years old with a valid picture ID and a valid credit card for incidentals. Most rental companies will also allow children age 16 and 17 to operate the boat, as long as they have a valid driver’s license, and their parent is aboard the boat for the duration. If you want to learn more about whether you need a boating license in Destin, FL, check out our indepth guide.

No, pontoons are not equipped to handle the surf that’s created by the Gulf. If you venture too close to the Gulf of Mexico, you could end up taking on water, which is not a good or safe situation for you, your party, the rental company, and rescue crew. Pontoons are best enjoyed at Crab Island, Choctawhatchee Bay, and Gulf Islands National Seashore, for example. Crab Island pontoon rentals are actually one of the most sought-after boat rentals in Destin, departing from the Harbor and reaching the famous sandbar in minutes, all without needing to venture into the Gulf of Mexico.

Most rental companies have a maximum of 10-12 passengers per pontoon boat. Please check the restrictions and cancellation policy before booking, as it will state the maximum capacity per rental. Please also be aware that pontoon boats cannot be used as a shuttle. This means that you cannot have 10-12 people on a pontoon boat, drop them off at Crab Island, and pick up another group of 10 people, and take them to Crab Island, as well. This is for your safety. In the case of a pop-up thunderstorm, for example, which is typical in Florida, you will not be able to fit all 20 people on the one rental, putting people in danger. If your group is larger than the 10-12-person maximum, then you will want to consider renting another boat, jet ski, kayak, or paddleboard to accommodate. Another important thing to note is that each person on the boat counts towards your grand total, regardless of age. For example, if there is an infant in your group, even though they don’t take up much space, they would still count towards your grand total.

TripShock does not take deposits, as we require the full payment at time of booking. Some rental companies in the Destin area, however, will require either a deposit upon arrival via cash or credit card. The amount and method of payment varies from company to company. Please be sure to review the restrictions and cancellation policy before booking, as it will state if there is a deposit required upon arrival or not. After booking with TripShock, you will receive a voucher that has all of the details of your reservation, including the name, address, and phone number of the rental company you booked with. If you have more specific questions about the deposit they require, it’s best to give them a call directly.