Dive into the busiest boating destinations across Ohio with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.



Table of Contents



With over 600,000 registered watercraft in the state and lots of lakes and rivers to explore, boating is a beloved pastime in Ohio. From the expansive waters of Lake Erie, offering sailing, fishing, and exploring scenic islands, to numerous inland lakes and reservoirs like Buckeye Lake and Portage Lakes, Ohio offers a fun boating culture during the summer, with boats for all budgets and interests.

The state's central location in the Midwest also makes it accessible to boating enthusiasts from surrounding states, contributing to its popularity as a regional boating hub. Boaters from neighboring states of Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia can easy drive in and access the lakes of Ohio.

Additionally, Ohio's investment in marina infrastructure, boat rental services, and waterfront amenities further enhances its appeal, ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy a rich boating culture throughout the state.


About this Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Ohio.

It contains proprietary boating data for each city or location, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and the overall boating experience they offer.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental bookings and demand data for locations in Ohio. Cities and locations are determined by the city that the boat owner registers the boat in within their profile on the platform. The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.


Ohio Data Map

The Top Boating Cities in Ohio

#1: Toledo

Average Hourly Rate: $81

Average Trip Price: $397

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Ranking in first place, Toledo is the top boating city in Ohio, thanks to its location on the western end of Lake Erie. It boasts many marinas and access points to the lake on Maumee Bay and on the Maumee River. Enjoy a casual cruise, seeing the skyline of Toledo and iconic sights like the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge, or visit the Lake Erie islands like Put-in-Bay and Kelley's Island, known for their scenic boating destinations and recreational activities.


#2: Buckeye Lake

Average Hourly Rate: $79

Average Trip Price: $538

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Buckeye Lake, located near Columbus, is a small but vibrant boating community known for its recreational opportunities. There are no horsepower restrictions on Buckeye Lake, so motorized boats of all levels can enjoy cruising around. It offers a ton of great waterfront dining options along the lake, as well as a winery, golf course, beaches, and more attractions. Check out the Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve or get a bite to eat at the Boat Yard at Buckeye Lake. Enjoy every type of boating experience from water sports to sailing, fishing, kayaking, and more.


#3: Cleveland

Average Hourly Rate: $112

Average Trip Price: $587

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Cleveland, situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, is a major boating destination in Ohio with a rich maritime heritage. There are lots of cool sights to see by boat in Cleveland, including the Metroparks' Lakefront Reservation, Edgewater Park, and access to Lake Erie for sailing and fishing. There is great walleye and steelhead fishing on Lake Erie from the Cleveland area.


#4: Green

Average Hourly Rate: $134

Average Trip Price: $302

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Green, a suburb of Akron, offers access to the Portage Lakes, a popular destination for boaters in Northeast Ohio. Portage Lakes is a state park consisting of several interconnected lakes where you can rent a pontoon and cruise around or drop in a fishing line to reel in a great catch. There are also many boating events, fishing tournaments, and recreational activities on the interconnected lakes around Green and Portage Lakes.


#5: Sandusky

Average Hourly Rate: $225

Average Trip Price: $1500

Most Popular Style of Boat: Motor Yachts

Sandusky, situated on the shores of Lake Erie, is renowned for its maritime heritage and recreational boating opportunities. Nearby you can enjoy Cedar Point Amusement Park, or enjoy a boat cruise on Sandusky Bay. From here you also can access the Lake Erie islands.


In Summary

These cities in Ohio offer great boating opportunities in the summertime. From the mighty waters of Lake Erie to beloved inland waterways like Buckeye Lake, the waves come alive in Ohio with boating and water recreation enthusiasts during the warmer months. These lakes cater to a wide range of boating interests, from motor yachts to sailing, to kayaking and fishing.


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.



Explore Boat Listings in Ohio