--- title: Policies - Destin Vacation Boat Rentals description: Destin boat rental information based on frequently asked questions. image: https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hubfs/DVBR/Images/Updated%20LDV%20Pontoon_1-2.jpeg --- # FAQs ###### Do I need a reservation to rent a boat? Yes, our [Destin, FL boat rentals](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/faq/#) are available by reservation only.** Please visit our [Reservation page](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/boat-rentals?hsLang=en) to check availability and book online,** or give us a call at [(850) 650-2628](tel:8506502628). ###### What is your boat rental cancellation policy? Should your boat rental reservation need to be canceled, please contact us at least 48 hours prior to your rental. Cancellations made prior to 48 hours will receive a full refund. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice and “no-shows” will be charged the rental rate plus sales tax. **The cancellation policy will be waived if the rental is cancelled by management due to inclement weather *at the time of departure*** (see weather policy below, and please note weather cancellations cannot be made prior to the date of the rental). ###### What if the weather is bad on the day I reserved my boat? If the weather is unsuitable for boating on the day of your rental and you are unable to use the boat, we will do our best to reschedule you, or you may cancel. Your reservation deposit or payment is fully refundable if you are unable to use the boat due to weather conditions. Weather decisions **will be made by management** on the day of your scheduled rental. If you suspect poor weather, please call us before assuming that you will be unable to go, as it is not unusual to have a chance of rain on any given day. ###### How far in advance do I need to reserve my boat? During the off-season (mid-September through early May), we usually still have availability a day or two before. This may vary during peak Spring or Fall Break weeks, in which case we recommend securing your boat at least a week in advance. During peak season (mid-May through Labor Day), we often have a waiting list and book out 2-3 weeks in advance. Please reserve early if you wish to rent a boat during your stay. If we do not have any boats left on the day that you would like to rent your boat, you can ask to be added to our waiting list and you will be given first priority in the event that we have a cancellation. ###### What is the difference between a half day and full day rental? A half day rental is 4 hours, and can be morning (9am-1pm) or afternoon (1:30-5:30 or 2pm-6pm). A full day rental gives you use of the boat between 9am and 5pm (8 hours). ###### What about holiday weekends? Do your rates change? Yes, rates do vary for holiday weekends including Memorial Day weekend, Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, July 4th weekend, and Labor Day weekend. Please verify rates before booking. ###### What is included in a pontoon rental? All of the pontoon boats listed on our site are US Coast Guard safety inspected and equipped (life jackets, anchor, and safety equipment) and come with 10-foot bimini tops for shade and a full tank of fuel for the day.  ###### Are there any additional fees? Florida law requires Boat and Jet Ski operators born on or after January 1, 1988 to possess a Florida boater’s safety card. The quick multiple-choice test is available online for $14.53 here: [Florida Boater's Safety Card](https://takemyboattest.com/course/florida-temporary-boaters-certificate-license/operator/236) ###### What if I've never driven a boat before? If you are new to boating, you will be provided with the instruction you need to make sure that you have a safe boating experience. If you can drive a car, we can generally get you comfortable with the boat in 10-15 minutes. You can also check out our video about[ how to drive a pontoon boat](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9ZZN2NpOqU&uid=XSUet8Sf93RdpWgSL6YXFQ&lr=1). If you still aren’t comfortable with operating a boat, we also offer the [Crab Island Shuttle Boat](https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/crab-island-shuttle-boat/?hsLang=en). Florida law requires Boat and Jet Ski operators born on or after January 1, 1988 to possess a Florida boater’s safety card. The quick multiple-choice test is available online here: [Florida Boater's Safety Card](https://takemyboattest.com/course/florida-temporary-boaters-certificate-license/operator/236) ###### Do small childern/infants count as passengers on the boat? Yes, the US Coast Guard considers every person that has a heartbeat as a passenger on a boat. If a boat says it seats 12, that means a total of 12 passengers will be allowed on that boat (including children). You will be ticketed and forced to end your rental if you have more than the allowed amount of passengers on a boat. The Coast Guard and Marine Patrol are very strict on this. ###### Where can I take the boat? Pontoon boat rentals are allowed anywhere within the Choctawhatchee Bay as far east as the Mid-Bay Bridge and as far west as the Brooks Bridge. Use in the Gulf of Mexico is prohibited. Center console rentals are allowed in the Gulf up to 15 miles offshore (weather permitting), in addition to the previously mentioned areas. ###### Where are you located? Our [Destin boat rental](https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/boat-rentals/?hsLang=en)s are available from several different locations along the Destin Harbor and Choctawhatchee Bay. **You will receive address and directions to the rental facility in your confirmation email once you make your reservation.**  ###### Are your pontoon boats nice? We pride ourselves on having the most diverse rental options in Destin. Pontoon rentals listed with Destin Vacation Boat Rentals are newer models (2020-2025) with vinyl flooring, bimini tops, swim ladders, and quiet four-stroke engines. We have photos of each of the different models that we offer on our [Boats & Rates](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/boat-rentals?hsLang=en) page so that you can see the features of each of our boats for yourself and decide on the boat that best suits your family’s individual needs. ###### What is there to do on a boat in Destin? There are many activities that the whole family can enjoy! We suggest starting with this list of [Destin watersports ](https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/blog-post/destin-watersports/?hsLang=en)activities. ###### Is alcohol allowed on the boat? Alcohol is allowed on the boat. As with driving a car, please choose a designated driver as it is against Florida law to drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol. ###### Are pets allowed on the boat? We do have pet-friendly boats available! Please inquire when making your reservation, as pets are not allowed on some boats. Note that there may be a $25-$50 per pet cleaning fee (depending on the boat, and stated in the individual boat description and the confirmation email). ###### Where can I get a Florida fishing license? Florida fishing licenses are now available online or through the FWC app for iPhone and Android! [Click here ](http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/how-to-order/)for more information. Cost is $17 for non-Florida residents for a 3-day pass. ###### I've heard there are fireworks over Destin harbor on Thursday nights. Can I rent a boat to see the fireworks? Yes, every Thursday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day we offer [Fireworks Cruises & Boat Rentals](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/fireworks-cruises/?hsLang=en) for the nighttime air show and fireworks display over the Destin Harbor. Give us a call for more details! ###### I'm bringing my own boat to Destin. Do you know where I can keep it during my stay? Yes, we have a large selection of [boat slips for rent in Destin](https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/boat-slip-rentals/?hsLang=en) as well as [Boat Trailer Storage](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/destin-boat-trailer-storage/?hsLang=en). Give us a call for details! ##### as seen on ![em-cost](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/em-cost.png?width=157&height=65&name=em-cost.png) ![hot](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/hot.png?width=86&height=86&name=hot.png) ![daily-news](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/daily-news.png?width=80&height=70&name=daily-news.png) ![2012-best](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/2012-best.png?width=99&height=107&name=2012-best.png) ![fox4](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/fox4.png?width=72&height=71&name=fox4.png) ![hgtv](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/hgtv.png?width=98&height=50&name=hgtv.png) ![southern-living](https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DVBR/Images/southern-living.png?width=149&height=32&name=southern-living.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : 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Should your reservation need to be canceled, please contact us at least 48 hours prior.", "image" : "https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/hubfs/DVBR/Images/Updated%20LDV%20Pontoon_1-2.jpeg", "inLanguage" : "en-US", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, our Destin, FL boat rentals are available by reservation only. Please visit our Reservation page to check availability and book online, or give us a call at (850) 650-2628." }, "name" : "Do I need a reservation to rent a boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Should your boat rental reservation need to be canceled, please contact us at least 48 hours prior to your rental. Cancellations made prior to 48 hours will receive a full refund. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice and “no-shows” will be charged the rental rate plus sales tax. The cancellation policy will be waived if the rental is cancelled by management due to inclement weather at the time of departure (see weather policy below, and please note weather cancellations cannot be made prior to the date of the rental)." }, "name" : "What is your boat rental cancellation policy?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "If the weather is unsuitable for boating on the day of your rental and you are unable to use the boat, we will do our best to reschedule you, or you may cancel. Your reservation deposit or payment is fully refundable if you are unable to use the boat due to weather conditions. Weather decisions will be made by management on the day of your scheduled rental. If you suspect poor weather, please call us before assuming that you will be unable to go, as it is not unusual to have a chance of rain on any given day." }, "name" : "What if the weather is bad on the day I reserved my boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "During the off-season (mid-September through early May), we usually still have availability a day or two before. This may vary during peak Spring or Fall Break weeks, in which case we recommend securing your boat at least a week in advance. During peak season (mid-May through Labor Day), we often have a waiting list and book out 2-3 weeks in advance. Please reserve early if you wish to rent a boat during your stay. If we do not have any boats left on the day that you would like to rent your boat, you can ask to be added to our waiting list and you will be given first priority in the event that we have a cancellation." }, "name" : "How far in advance do I need to reserve my boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "A half day rental is 4 hours, and can be morning (9am-1pm) or afternoon (1:30-5:30 or 2pm-6pm). A full day rental gives you use of the boat between 9am and 5pm (8 hours)." }, "name" : "What is the difference between a half day and full day rental?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, rates do vary for holiday weekends including Memorial Day weekend, Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, July 4th weekend, and Labor Day weekend. Please verify rates before booking." }, "name" : "What about holiday weekends? Do your rates change?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "All of the pontoon boats listed on our site are US Coast Guard safety inspected and equipped (life jackets, anchor, and safety equipment) and come with 10-foot bimini tops for shade and a full tank of fuel for the day." }, "name" : "What is included in a pontoon rental?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Florida law requires Boat and Jet Ski operators born on or after January 1, 1988 to possess a Florida boater’s safety card. The quick multiple-choice test is available online for $14.53 here: Florida Boater's Safety Card" }, "name" : "Are there any additional fees?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "If you are new to boating, you will be provided with the instruction you need to make sure that you have a safe boating experience. If you can drive a car, we can generally get you comfortable with the boat in 10-15 minutes. You can also check out our video about how to drive a pontoon boat. If you still aren’t comfortable with operating a boat, we also offer the Crab Island Shuttle Boat. Florida law requires Boat and Jet Ski operators born on or after January 1, 1988 to possess a Florida boater’s safety card. The quick multiple-choice test is available online here: Florida Boater's Safety Card" }, "name" : "What if I've never driven a boat before?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, the US Coast Guard considers every person that has a heartbeat as a passenger on a boat. If a boat says it seats 12, that means a total of 12 passengers will be allowed on that boat (including children). You will be ticketed and forced to end your rental if you have more than the allowed amount of passengers on a boat. The Coast Guard and Marine Patrol are very strict on this." }, "name" : "Do small childern/infants count as passengers on the boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pontoon boat rentals are allowed anywhere within the Choctawhatchee Bay as far east as the Mid-Bay Bridge and as far west as the Brooks Bridge. Use in the Gulf of Mexico is prohibited. Center console rentals are allowed in the Gulf up to 15 miles offshore (weather permitting), in addition to the previously mentioned areas." }, "name" : "Where can I take the boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Our Destin boat rentals are available from several different locations along the Destin Harbor and Choctawhatchee Bay. You will receive address and directions to the rental facility in your confirmation email once you make your reservation." }, "name" : "Where are you located?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "We pride ourselves on having the most diverse rental options in Destin. Pontoon rentals listed with Destin Vacation Boat Rentals are newer models (2020-2025) with vinyl flooring, bimini tops, swim ladders, and quiet four-stroke engines. We have photos of each of the different models that we offer on our Boats & Rates page so that you can see the features of each of our boats for yourself and decide on the boat that best suits your family’s individual needs." }, "name" : "Are your pontoon boats nice?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "There are many activities that the whole family can enjoy! We suggest starting with this list of Destin watersports activities." }, "name" : "What is there to do on a boat in Destin?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Alcohol is allowed on the boat. As with driving a car, please choose a designated driver as it is against Florida law to drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol." }, "name" : "Is alcohol allowed on the boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "We do have pet-friendly boats available! Please inquire when making your reservation, as pets are not allowed on some boats. Note that there may be a $25-$50 per pet cleaning fee (depending on the boat, and stated in the individual boat description and the confirmation email)." }, "name" : "Are pets allowed on the boat?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Florida fishing licenses are now available online or through the FWC app for iPhone and Android! Click here for more information. Cost is $17 for non-Florida residents for a 3-day pass." }, "name" : "Where can I get a Florida fishing license?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, every Thursday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day we offer Fireworks Cruises & Boat Rentals for the nighttime air show and fireworks display over the Destin Harbor. Give us a call for more details!" }, "name" : "I've heard there are fireworks over Destin harbor on Thursday nights. Can I rent a boat to see the fireworks?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, we have a large selection of boat slips for rent in Destin as well as Boat Trailer Storage. Give us a call for details!" }, "name" : "I'm bringing my own boat to Destin. Do you know where I can keep it during my stay?" } ], "name" : "Frequently Asked Questions", "url" : "https://destinvacationboatrentals.com/faq/" } ```