10 boat rentals near Charlotte starting at $200
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This tiki-themed boat ride set the vibe with floral leis, Bluetooth speakers, games and a full bar. The large boat seats up to 19 people. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
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 Coast Guard before you hire one.
Here are nine boat rental companies to check out this summer:
Lake Norman
Tiki Time Boat Rentals— A company 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, paddleboards 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.
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 a three-hour ride for $390 or five hours for $590.
- Book online.
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Carolina Cruising Charters — Featured on MTV and Netflix, this company has tritoons and pontoons that can seat up to 15 passengers.
How it works: Carolina Cruising Charters provides the captain.
- Rates start at $259 and vary depending on the type of boat and how far you take it.
- Additional fees vary for add-ons, including paddleboards, wakeboards and a custom video reel.
- 18020 Kings Point Dr., Cornelius
- Book online or call (704) 850-5727.
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Lake Effects — The company offers tritoons, ski boats, surf boats and jet skis for rent year-round.
Details: Tritoons start at $359, ski boats start at $789, surf boats start at $1,299 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.
- Tubes are available to rent for an additional $50.
- 21660 Crown Lake Dr., Cornelius
- Book online
Carolina Tiki — This company has pontoons, tritoons and tiki boat options for 15-20 people.
Details: Boat rental times are available for two-, four- and five-hour time slots.
- The Cabana, which seats 20 people, is $1,300 for four hours and $1,550 for five hours.
- The Hut, which seats up to 15 people, is $1,400 for four hours and $1,700 for five hours.
- The La Cantina, which seats 18 people, is $800 for two hours and $1,300 for four hours.
- 571 Stutts Road
- Book online or email [email protected].
Lake Wylie
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Lake Wylie Boat Rentals — This rental company offers pontoons that fit up to 10 people.
Details: $550-$850 for a full day (eight hours), including gas.
- $325-$625 for a half-day (four hours), including gas.
- 1500 River D., Belmont
- Book online
Tega Cay Marina — Rent a 10-passenger pontoon starting at $425, 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 [email protected].
Boat Rental USA — Rent from a range of pontoons and boats that seat 10 to 12 passengers.
Details: They offer full-day (six to eight-hour) and multi-day specials for vacation renters.
- Prices range from $590-$1,000.
- 15200 Soldier Road
- Book online or call (980) 500-2889
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 $319.99.
- Three-hour rentals start at $439.99.
- Four-hour rentals start at $549.99.
- 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
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Editor’s note: We first published this guide in May 2022. We updated it in June 2025.