This article will help you find the right Alaskan boat rental to match your needs. Whether you are traveling to Alaska with a captain’s license but need a boat for the week or want to charter a yacht, we have found the best places in Alaska to rent boats. So dream big and keep reading to find your Alaska rental boat!
Article Overview: Alaska Boat Rentals
Alaska Boat Rentals: Set Sail in Style
Alaska has many navigatable waters to explore with a boat, whether you want to kayak in the bays, canoe the rivers, or commercial fish in the ocean. There are plenty of waters and boat rentals in Alaska for every maritime adventure.
There are many ways to explore the vastness of Alaska, but by far, one of the most epic ways to navigate the Last Frontier is in a rental boat. If you’ve had the opportunity to explore Alaska in a boat, you know the thrill of discovering unique places and having new adventures on the water. Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline (for more fun facts on just how big Alaska is, check out this article), so you’ll never run out of fresh places to explore in a boat.
Why Trust Us On Alaska Boat Rentals
AlaskaExplored is THE DESTINATION for all things Alaska. Whether you’re planning your next great Alaskan boating adventure ,or you’re just curious about the last frontier in general, we have you covered. You’ll find expert tips, detailed guides, stunning photographs, and more here.
Together AlaskaExplored has more than twenty years of experience traveling, working, and exploring the beautifully rugged 49th state. Working in television has taken us all around the world, and no place more than Alaska. During our time here, we’ve documented countless stories from every corner and crevasse of the state. We’ve helped showcase the grandeur of this wild place for National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, and Animal Planet. Now we want to share our knowledge and real-life experiences with you!
AlaskaExplored combines years of firsthand experience with extensive research to deliver YOU with the best knowledge to help plan your next great Alaskan adventure.
My Experience with Alaska Boat Rentals
I have organized dozens of rental boats in Alaska over the years. Usually renting landing crafts to haul camera gear and crews to remote locations and kayaks and skiffs for recreation or fishing with friends.
I’ve had the joy of kayaking in Kachemak Bay, sleeping on a catamaran off the coast of Prince of Wales Island, and navigating icebergs in a commercial troller in LeConte Bay. Working in television has given me great opportunities to explore Alaska on board some pretty awesome rental boats. Hopefully, reading this article helps you navigate your way to renting a boat for your next Alaskan adventure.
Alaska Boat Rentals
Alaska is a massive place with endless opportunities for various boating adventures. In creating this list, I’ve tried my best to showcase boat rentals in multiple regions of Alaska, covering oceans, rivers, lakes, and fjords. I’ve also done my best to showcase the variety of crafts you can rent, from jet skis and canoes to 100+ foot fully crewed yachts. As I travel around Alaska and work on different projects in different regions, I will update this list with newly found boat rentals.
What is the Right Alaska Boat Rental For You?
Choosing the right type of rental boat is essential before setting out on your Alaska boating adventure. What kind of Alaskan waterway will you be navigating? Oceans, rivers, lakes, or fjords? And what activities do you have planned? Here is a list of rental boats, potential activities, and places you could explore in Alaska. Hopefully, this will motivate you to plan your maritime adventure and pick the right boat.
- Fishing Boats: One of the most common reasons people visit Alaska is to go fishing. Alaska offers world-class fishing opportunities in its oceans, rivers, and lakes. While fishing from land is fine, getting out on the water is better. Renting a fishing boat lets you bring home some of the most sought-after catches. You can rent a skiff from most outfitters offering self-guided fishing trips. You can also fish in the lakes and rivers with a rented kayak.
- Kayaks and Canoes: Perfect for the nature lover wanting to explore calmer waters, these smaller boats allow you to get up close and personal with Alaska’s nature. Kayaks also offer a great way to access some of the hard-to-reach trails. Kachemak Bay has some excellent kayaking and several rental spots on the spit.
- Pontoon Boats: If you want to cruise around with friends but don’t have much boating experience, a pontoon boat (sometimes referred to as a party barge) can be a good choice. While it is rare to see a pontoon boat in Alaksa, they do exist. They can offer a relaxing journey on a lake.
- Sailboats: Sailing in Alaska is not for the inexperienced. Sailing the fjords and bays of Alaska will surely be an adventure, but not for those without real sailing experience.
- Yachts: I have seen some fantastic yachts floating in the Alaskan waters. While most of us will never have the funds to charter a yacht with a crew, they are available and are as impressive as you can imagine. The yachts available for rent come in all levels of size and luxury, but none come cheap.
Alaska Boat Rental Outfitters
Expedition Broker
If you’re more interested in yachts than trawlers or kayaks, Expedition Broker has the goods. This company offers an impressive roster of luxury yachts outfitted for some pretty epic Alaska adventuring. Think of it as going on a cruise but only with the people you want to hang out with and dictating where you go and what epic activities you want to do. These rentals are nothing more than fantasy for most people, including myself. But, much like looking at real estate sites for properties I could never afford, it’s fun to look and dream.
For those of you that can afford to rent your own yacht in Alaska, Expedition Broker has some gorgeous boats available. When chartering a yacht, it comes with the crew, including the captain, engineer, naturalist, deckhands, chef, etc. All you need to do is show up with wanderlust and a wad of cash.
ADDRESS: 110 N Front Street PO Box 1567, Haines, AK 99827 PHONE: (877) 670-4393 HOURS: 9:30AM to 6:00PM PST
Big Lake Boat Rental Adventure Co
Located about an hour north of Anchorage and an hour south of Talkeetna, Big Lake Boat Rental Adventure Co has plenty of boats to offer you. They have everything from party barges to jet skis. When thinking about boats in Alaska, most of us imagine rustic commercial vessels in the sea, but with a state as big as Alaska, it has everything. Alaska has lakes too, perfect for smaller rental boats!
Big Lake Boat Rental Adventure Co has an impressive inventory to choose from. They have rental pontoon boats from 2 hours to 5 days; depending on how epic you want your Alaska adventure, prices start at $100. Jet skis, kayaks, and board rentals are for 1-10 hours, starting at $125 for jet skis and $35 for kayaks and boards.
They also offer campsites and cabins for rent and snow machines in the winter.
ADDRESS: 2890 S Buoyant Dr, Big Lake, AK 99652, US PHONE: (907) 947-9601
Alaska Boat Rental
Alaska Boat Rental serves the entire Kenai River with fishing boats. Based in Soldotna, they have power boats, drift boats, ocean boats & fishing equipment to rent. The 18′ powerboats rents for $399/day, and the 20′ powerboats rents for $449/day. In Homer, Alaska Boat Rental rents a C-Dory 22’ conveniently docked at the Homer Harbor. You can rent the C-Dory 22’ for $499/day.
ADDRESS: 241 N.Aspen Drive, Soldotna AK 99669 PHONE: (907) 308-2692
Bayes Boat Rental
Bayes Boat Rental, located in Homer, Alaska, has an impressive number of boats for rent. All their vessels are permanently docked in their slips at Homer Harbor. No need to mess around with renting a boat and a trailer and launching it yourself.
ADDRESS: Bayes Boat Rental PHONE: (907) 299-6065 HOURS: Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Canoe Alaska
Canoe Alaska offers rental options for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. They can be rented for 8 hours, 24 works, 3 days, or by the week. An 8-hour booking will cost you $55/ per canoe/kayak/board. One unique rental available at Canoe Alaska is their 6-Person Stand-Up Paddle Board. I can’t imagine six people paddling in harmony on one board, but they have a board to rent, just in case you want to try.
ADDRESS: 1101 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 PHONE: (907) 457-2453 HOURS: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daily
Denali Southside Guides
Denali Southside Guides is primarily a guiding service, but they also offer plenty of canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals in the Byers Lake and Talkeetna Lakes Park area. Be sure to show up in person early to rent your boat. They don’t take reservations and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. They also offer multiple guided tours if that’s more your speed.
ADDRESS: PO Box 455 Talkeetna, Alaska 99676 PHONE: (907) 733-7238 HOURS: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM 7 days a week
Sitka Jetski Rentals
Sitka Jetski Rentals offers half and full-day rentals. A half-day rental (4 hours) is $250/per jet ski, and a full-day rental (8 hours) is $500/per jet ski. Sitka Jet Ski Rentals is the only jet ski rental agent in the area, and they have eight skis available for rent. You must be 21 years old to rent their jet skis, and a security deposit of $1000/per ski is required to make your booking.
ADDRESS: 2016 Cascade Creek Rd. Sitka, AK 99835 PHONE: (907) 318-9010 HOURS: 9am – 7pm seasonally
Booking Your Boat Rental in Alaska
One lesson I have learned when booking rental boats in Alaska is to book as early as you can, and when booking, be as specific about your needs as possible. I’ve rented several boats in the Homer area, and it can be difficult to get what you need on short notice in the summer months. Planning is essential and will save you money.
Booking a boat rental in Alaska can be done through various means, through a charter agent, directly with the boat owner, or through a rental shop. Some offer online booking options, but I recommend calling to make your booking. When making your reservation, consider the following:
- Duration: Your Alaska outfitter will first ask how long you want your boat rental. Decide on the duration of your boat rental before calling the rental agent. Whether planning a day trip, a weekend excursion, or a multi-week adventure, knowing your exact timeframe will help you secure a suitable rental.
- License and Experience: Obviously, you don’t need a license to rent a canoe or a kayak, but some sailboat rentals require a certain level of experience before renting, and larger boats may require a license to operate. Some boat rental companies provide training sessions if you’re new to boating.
- Safety Equipment: Most canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rental boats will have a PFD (life vest). If they don’t, they will usually offer one for rent. With large ships, you may require more equipment to ensure your safety, such as navigation tools and communication devices (SAT or VHF Radio).
- Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the local boating regulations, fishing permits, and wildlife protection guidelines to ensure a responsible adventure.
Rental boats in Alaska will set you on a path of adventure and discovery, allowing you to experience the beauty of this remarkable state. Boats enable you to access a whole world unattainable to most. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, an avid fisherman, or a nature enthusiast, renting a boat in Alaska will create lasting memories and not disappoint. Good luck on your maritime journey.
Map of Alaska Boat Rentals
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[…] I’ve spent many nights sitting on my porch in Southeast Alaska, watching the yachts go by. These pleasure crafts come in all shapes and sizes, some are practical, and others are obscenely luxurious. Most are personal yachts owned and operated by individuals, while others are fully crewed private cruise ships. Believe it or not you can acutally charter many of these gems if you have the cash. […]