Boston is a wonderful and exciting location for boaters, with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean as well as numerous protected rivers, lakes, and ponds. You can find boats for rent in many places near the harbor, t the Charles River, and a number of ponds. The rental fleet consists primarily of kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, rowboats, sailboats, powerboats, and pedal boats. Most boats can be rented by the hour, half-hour, half-day, or full-day, but a few rental places require some form of membership. Discounts for children and families are available in some places.

Please be aware that renting a boat in the harbour requires more skills as you are dealing with the possibility of stronger tides, waves, and wind. Always wear life vests and follow the instructions of the rental office. 

Community Boating Boston This popular nonprofit has been offering affordable sailing programs and boat rentals in the Boston area since 1949. They offer 30-day, 60-day and yearly memberships as well as full-day rentals for kayaks and sailboats. Features: Rentals, Membership, Lessons, Sailboats, Kayaks, Paddleboards, Kids Price: $34 - two hours kayaks, $85 - two hour daysailers Address: 21 David G Mugar Way Boston, MA 02114 (617)523-1038

Charles River Canoe and Kayak Offers 6 locations in Cambridge, Allston/Brighton, Waltham, Newton, Somerville and Waltham. Rentals are available for canoes, kayaks and paddle-boards. Besides rentals, the company offers classes, guided tours, one-way rentals and a shuttled 10-mile trip from the upper reaches of the Charles River. Features: Rentals, Guided Tours, Lessons, Kayaks, Paddleboards, OneWay Rentals , Racong, Kids Price: $30 per 1.5 hours kayaks, $30 per 1.5 hours paddleboards Address: 160 Riverview Ave Waltham, MA 02453 (617) 965-5110

Boston Harbor Boat Rentals Powerboat rentals on Boston harbor. Boats available from 12' to 42'. Features: Rentals, Powerboats, Ocean Price: $150.- half day 12' powerboats, $275.- half day 20' powerboats Address: 70 E India Row Boston, MA 02109 (617) 240-2900

Boston University Sailing Center The BU Sailing Pavilion offers boat rentals and lessons to the public in addition to their own community. Their sailing program offers sailing instructions at different levels and is also available to the public. The sailing pavilion is located right behind the BU campus at the footbridge and can also be reached via the Esplanade. Features: Rentals, Sailboats, Kayak, Paddleboards, Lessons Price: $30.- day pass, $220.- season pass Address: 735 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 (617)353-9307

Boston Harbor Sailing Club This club offers yearly memberships and daily rentals for a wide range of sailboats including Solings, J29, Person 36 and Cal39. In addition, the club offers sailing courses and racing in Boston harbor. Features: Membership, Rentals, Lessons, Sailboats Price: $75.-  one day Solings, $225.- one day Pearson 26s Address: 65 E India Row Boston, MA 02110 (617)720-0049

Boston Sailing Center The Boston Sailing Center is a popular sailing club located in downtown Boston. It offers memberships with boats starting from daysailer to large cruising boats. A number of membership options are available such as full season, weekend only, weekday only, etc... Features: Club, Lessons, Rentals Price: $510.- 30 days daysailers, $1275.- full seasen daysailers Address: 54 Lewis Wharf Boston, MA 02110 (617)227-4198

Jamaica Pond Boathouse Jamaica Pond offers rentals of kayaks, rowboats and sailboats. Sailing lessons are also available. The program at the pond is run by Courageous Sailing. Features: Rentals, Lessons, Parking , Kayaks, Rowboats, Sailboats, Fishing Price: $20,-  per hour kayaks or sailboats, $10,- per hour rowboats Address: 507 Jamaica Way Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617.522.5061

Spot Pond Boathouse, Stoneham Offers boat rentals and lessons. Boats available for rent are canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats. Kayaking and sailing lessons are available. The program is run by Boating In Boston. Features: Rentals, Memberships, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Lessons, Parking Price: $20.- per hour single kayaks, $30.- per hour canoes Address: 4 Woodland Rd Stoneham, MA 02180 617-299-3392

Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton State Park with more than 1,500 acres of natural forest and open fields and a 175-acre spring-fed lake that features 3 islands, 2 swimming beaches. Rentals include kayaks, canoes, sailboats, paddleboards, windsurfers. Facility is operated by Boating In Boston. Features: Rentals, Memberships, Workshops, Kayaks, Canoes, Sailboats, Windsurfers, Paddleboards, Parking Price: $20.- per hour single kayaks, $30.-  per hour canoes Address: 164 Cedar St Hopkinton, MA 01748 (617)299-3392

Lake Cochituate State Park, Natick Part of Lake Cochituate in Cochituate State Park, this facility rents kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and sailboats. Workshops are also available. The facility is operated by Boating in Boston. Features: Rentals, Memberships, Workshops, Kayaks, Canoes, Sailboats,, Paddleboards, Parking Price: $20.- per hour single kayaks, $30.- per hour canoes Address: 43 Commonwealth Rd Natick, MA 01760 (508)653-9641

Courageous Sailing, Charlestown Community sailing and youth development center offering sailing memberships, free after-school sailing programs and many other programs. Fleet includes a broad range of sailboats including Rhodes 16, J22, J24 etc.. Sailing lessons are available. Features: Membership, Sailing, Lessons, Racing, After School, Camp, Parking Price: $745.- yearly core membership for adults, $300 Monthly core memebership for adults Address: Pier 4 Charlestown Navy Yard One First Avenue Boston, MA 02129 (617)242-3821

Lake Quannapowitt , Wakefield Discovery Wakefield’s picturesque Lake Quannapowitt. There’s a 3.5-mile loop around the lake and plenty of open space for jogging, Frisbee, or a relaxing picnic on or along the lake. Boat rentals available include kayaks, paddleboards and quad pedal boats. Features: Rentals, Memberships, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Quad Pedla Boats, Parking Price: $16.- per hour kayaks, $22.- per hour paddleboards Address: Lake Ave Wakefield, MA 01880 (617)299-3392