Data Report: The Top 10 Boating Cities in Florida (Updated for 2025)

Dive in to see Florida's best boating cities and the maritime culture, amenities, and unique experiences each one offers

Table of Contents

Florida remains one of the premier destinations for boating enthusiasts, with its expansive coastlines, diverse waterways, and world-class amenities. With over 1 million registered boats, the state has the most registered recreational watercraft in the country, and the recreational boating industry contributes an economic impact of over $30 billion annually.

Below is a detailed analysis of Florida's top 10 boating cities for 2025, highlighting why each location is exceptional for boating. This report compares these rankings to the 2024 list and examines Florida's boating industry trends.

About The Report

This report delves into booking data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace. It examines Florida's top 10 boating cities, ranked by rental demand. The Sunshine State has the most registered recreational watercraft in the country and is one of the busiest locations for boat rentals and charters globally.

This report contains proprietary boating data for each location. It discusses the distinct features that make each city a haven for boaters and explores its maritime culture, boating amenities, attractions, and overall boating experience. The data is updated and accurate as of Q1 2025.

Comparison to 2024 Rankings

1. Miami (No change)
2. Miami Beach (No change)
3. Fort Lauderdale (No change)
4. Destin (↓, down from 4th to 7th)
5. Fort Walton Beach (↑, up from 5th to 4th)
6. Clearwater (↓, down from 6th to 9th)
7. Holmes Beach (↓, down from 7th to 8th)
8. Cape Coral (↑, up from 8th to 6th)
9. St. Petersburg (↑, up from 9th to 5th)
10. Madeira Beach (New entry, replacing Sarasota)

Key Points

• Rising Popularity: St. Petersburg and Cape Coral saw significant gains due to their expanding marine infrastructure and increasing tourism.
• New Entrant: Madeira Beach replaced Sarasota, driven by its reputation for fishing and laid-back boating culture.
• Sustained Leadership: Miami, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale continue to dominate due to their comprehensive boating amenities and global appeal.
• Shifts in Demand: Destin and Clearwater experienced slight declines in rankings, possibly due to higher competition and rising demand in other locations.

Florida’s diverse waterways and world-class boating infrastructure ensure its continued status as a top destination for boaters worldwide. These rankings reflect the state’s commitment to enhancing the boating experience for residents and tourists alike.

Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed recent boat rental data in Florida on the Getmyboat platform. The city determines cities where the boat owner registers the boat within their profile on the platform. Data was curated to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates, while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.

The Top 10 Busiest Boating Cities in Florida 2025

1. Miami

Number of Listings: 982

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Average Hourly Rate: $130

Miami, which maintained its ranking from 2024, is Florida's busiest boating city. The boating industry here contributes over $700 million to the local economy. The city is renowned for its vibrant boating culture and proximity to Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Florida Keys. The city boasts dozens of marinas and over 1,300 wet slips, including in notable hubs like Miami Beach Marina, Miami River Point Marina, and Vice City Marina. Miami also hosts the world-famous Miami International Boat Show, which attracts over 100,000 visitors annually.

Key Features: Luxurious yacht charters, easy access to deep-sea fishing, and ample waterfront dining.

2. Miami Beach

Number of Boat Listings: 453

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Average Hourly Rate: $119

Also maintaining its spot at #2, Miami Beach continues to captivate boaters with its stunning skyline, turquoise waters, and bustling nightlife. The area’s location near iconic sandbars like Nixon Sandbar makes it a hotspot for leisure boating, and renting from here can be easier for visitors staying in Miami Beach and looking for easy access to their departure port.

Key Features: Exclusive yacht rentals, sandbar parties, and scenic cruising routes.

3. Fort Lauderdale

Number of Boat Listings: 276

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Average Hourly Rate: $122

Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale’s intricate network of canals and waterways makes it a boating paradise. The boating industry here contributes over $9 billion to Broward County and employs tens of thousands of workers in the city. Fort Lauderdale is home to over 50,000 registered boats and hosts the largest in-water boat show, The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS).

Key Features: Extensive canal system, world-class marinas, and vibrant marine industry.

4. Fort Walton Beach

Number of Boat Listings: 78

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $83

Fort Walton Beach is a gem on Florida’s Emerald Coast, a region of the panhandle renowned for white sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters. The city is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable activities; boating is no exception. Popular activities to enjoy by boat include fishing and exploring nearby islands and sandbars.

Key Features: Crystal-clear waters, access to Crab Island, and excellent fishing spots.

5. St. Petersburg

Number of Boat Listings: 262

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $132

St. Petersburg has climbed in ranking thanks to its growing reputation for boating and watersports. Its proximity to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provides excellent boating experiences, and the area enjoys favorable weather for most of the year. It also hosts the St. Pete Boat Show, the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast. St. Petersburg is in Pinellas County, the second-largest boating community in the state, with over 50,000 registered boats. The city itself has over 10 local marinas, offering boaters the necessary infrastructure to enjoy getting out on the water.

Key Features: Award-winning marinas, vibrant arts scene, and coastal fishing.

6. Cape Coral

Number of Boat Listings: 121

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $95

Cape Coral rose in ranking from 8th place to 6th, indicating the local economy has recovered further from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Nicknamed the "Waterfront Wonderland," Cape Coral boasts over 400 miles of canal systems that can be navigated by boat. You can also explore waterfront restaurants for “dock and dine” experiences and sightseeing of waterfront properties and landmarks. Cape Coral sits in Lee County, which has over 50,000 registered boats and recreational watercraft.

In addition to the canals, boaters in Cape Coral can enjoy access to the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Island, and more.

Key Features: Abundant canals, family-friendly boating, and nearby islands.

7. Destin

Number of Boat Listings: 145

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $164

Destin dropped in the rankings from 4th place in 2024 to 7th, but it still stands strong in Florida's top 10 busiest locations for boating. Thanks to its emerald waters, excellent fishing opportunities, affordable rental rates, and access to destinations like Crab Island, it is popular for boating enthusiasts and anglers alike.

Key Features: Harborwalk Village, renowned fishing charters, and Crab Island.

8. Holmes Beach

Number of Boat Listings: 35

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $85

Dropping one spot from 7th place to 8th, Holmes Beach still holds a place in the top 10. It is a tranquil boating destination for vacationers seeking more relaxation than partying. It offers access to Anna Maria Island and Palma Sola Bay. Holmes Beach contributes nearly 25% of the tourism revenue to Manatee County, and the local boating industry comprises a significant portion of tourism interest.

Key Features: Quiet marinas, pristine beaches, and fishing opportunities.

9. Clearwater

Number of Boat Listings: 257

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $109

Dropping from 6th place to 9th, Clearwater remains a favorite for boaters looking to enjoy sandy beaches and access to the Gulf of Mexico. Pontoons are the most popular vessel here, providing boaters a comfortable, stable ride as they seek fishing and dolphin spotting opportunities.

Key Features: Caladesi Island, dolphin-watching tours, and sunset cruises.

10. Madeira Beach

Number of Boat Listings: 60

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Average Hourly Rate: $85

Madeira Beach makes its debut in the top 10 for 2025. Its nickname is the "Grouper Capital of the World," thanks to the fantastic fishing opportunities. There’s a waterfront boardwalk full of shops and restaurants and many relaxed attractions for visitors and locals alike.

Key Features: John’s Pass Village, fishing charters, and laid-back boating experiences.

About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon , and everything in between.

Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.