How long is a half-day boat rental in Boca Raton?

About four hours. On weekends we run 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Weekday times are more flexible.

Can we add an extra hour on the water?

Ask when you book. If the boat is free after your slot, your captain can tell you what's possible. Weekend slots are tight because the next group is often waiting.

Is a half day enough time for the Lake Boca sandbar?

Yes. The sandbar is close to Waterstone, so most of a half day can be swim time. Weekend afternoons are the busiest.

Are you open on weekends and holidays?

We run trips 7 days a week, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, all year. Holidays book early, so lock your date ahead.

What should we bring?

Bring towels, sunscreen, and your own food and drinks. Skip red wine. Snorkel gear is already on board.

We don't sail in rain or during a small craft advisory. If your captain calls it off, you get a credit good for 28 months.

Half-Day Boat Rental Boca Raton | 4-Hour Captained Trips

Four hours on the water goes fast. A half-day boat rental in Boca Raton is long enough for a cruise, a swim at the Lake Boca sandbar, and a slow ride back past the waterfront homes. It's short enough to fit around lunch, a nap, or dinner plans. Every trip boards at Waterstone Resort & Marina, and a USCG-licensed captain runs the boat. We've run charters here since 2008, and the biggest mistake we see on short trips is a plan that tries to do too much. This page shows you how to pick the right four hours.

What a Half-Day Boat Rental Includes

A half-day boat rental is usually about four hours. On weekends, our trips run in set slots:

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

On weekdays we have more room to move start times. Just ask.

You get the whole boat for your group, plus a captain who handles the driving, the route, and the anchor. Snorkel gear comes with every charter. You can bring your own food and drinks. Skip red wine, since it stains.

The Sandbar Half Day

Cruise out, anchor at Lake Boca, and spend most of your four hours in the water. This is the easiest plan, and it's the one we suggest for first-timers.

The Waterfront Homes Half Day

Stay underway and cruise the Intracoastal past the homes along the water. You'll spend more time moving and less time swimming. Good for older guests or anyone who'd rather stay dry.

The Snorkel and Swim Half Day

Pick one swim spot and bring the snorkel gear we keep on board. Your captain picks the spot based on the tide and the crowd that day.

Half Day vs. Full Day

In our experience, a half day works best when you have one main goal. That might be the sandbar, a sunset, or a cruise to look at homes. If you want two or three stops, a full-day boat rental gives you room to slow down.

Compare Prices the Right Way

Watch for one thing when you compare prices online. Some listings quote the boat but make you pay the captain or fuel on the day. Ask any company for the all-in number before you book.

What matters	Morning (10 AM to 2 PM)	Afternoon (2:30 to 6:30 PM)
Summer weather	The safer bet from May 15 to October 15	Afternoon storms are common in summer
Lake Boca sandbar	Quieter before lunch	Busy and social on weekends
Kids	Beats the hottest part of the day	Hotter hours on the water
Photos	Calm water	Golden light late in the slot
Your group's pace	Good for early risers	Good if you need the morning to recover

Why the Clock Runs Faster Than You Think

Here's what most rental pages leave out. Not every minute of a Boca trip is cruising time.

Slow Zones Near the Dock

All of Lake Boca Raton is a slow speed, minimum wake zone. The water around the inlet is slow too. That's the first and last stretch of every trip from Waterstone, so plan on easing out and easing back in.

Bridge Openings

Heading south means passing the Camino Real bridge. It opens on the hour, 20 past, and 40 past. Heading north means the Palmetto Park bridge, which opens on the hour and half hour. Smaller boats slide under. Taller boats wait for an opening. Miss one and you wait up to 20 minutes at Camino Real or 30 at Palmetto Park.

Winter Manatee Zones

From November 15 to March 31, extra manatee speed zones kick in along the Intracoastal in Palm Beach County. Your captain follows them, which means slower stretches in winter.

The fix is simple. Pick one or two stops close to the dock, and let your captain plan the route around the slow water.

How Booking Works

Call or text (561) 464-5749 with your date, group size, and the slot you want.
We match the boat. We have 30+ boats, from 22 to 122 feet.
Pick one main stop. Sandbar, home tour, or a swim spot.
We watch the weather. We don't sail in rain or a small craft advisory, and we make the call about 2 hours before you board.
Meet your captain at Waterstone. Park, board, and go.

Why Book Your Half Day With Us

No Driving, No Boater Card

Florida requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to carry a boating safety ID to drive most boats. With a captain at the wheel, nobody in your group needs one.

One Easy Boarding Spot

Every Boca Raton trip leaves from Waterstone Resort & Marina at 999 E Camino Real. You're on the water minutes after you park.

Boats for Every Group Size

A couple, a family of five, or a group of 12 all fit somewhere in our fleet. Boats 36 feet and up also carry 1 crew member.

How Much Does a Half-Day Boat Rental Cost?

The price of a half-day boat rental depends on the boat you pick. Captained boat rentals start at $690. Luxury yachts start at $2,999. Fuel, crew, and gratuity are extra, so ask for the full total before you book. We'll walk you through it.

Your price depends on:

Boat size. A 25-foot boat costs far less than a 60-foot yacht.
Weekend vs. weekday. Weekends book first.
Season. Winter and spring are busy months.
Extras. Ask what photo or drone video adds.

Where a Half Day Can Take You

From Waterstone, most half days stay within a short run of Lake Boca. That's the wide part of the Intracoastal with the shallow sandbar. You can cruise past the homes along the water, anchor for a swim, and still be back with time to spare.

A run north toward Delray Beach is possible in a half day, but it leaves less time to swim. Ask your captain what fits. Heading out the Boca Raton Inlet to the ocean is possible on calm days, but the inlet gets shallow at low tide, and your captain makes that call. See our Lake Boca sandbar boat trip page if the sandbar is your main goal.

Half-Day Boat Rental in Boca Raton: Make 4 Hours Count