Learn more about boating on the scenic waterways of Arizona and seeing some of the most stunning natural features of the Southwestern United States on the water.

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Arizona, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, offers an array of boating destinations catering to casual boaters and avid enthusiasts. From expansive lakes to winding rivers, Arizona's waterways provide a refreshing escape for boating enthusiasts. Year-round favorable temperatures and consistent sunshine also contribute to the high demand for boating and outdoor activities on the water. There are over 125,000 registered boats in the state, indicating that many more people opt to rent rather than own boats in Arizona.

In this report, we dive into Arizona's top 10 busiest cities for boating, highlighting their unique features and attractions for people who love to get out on the water.



About This Report

This report analyzes booking data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top 10 boating locations in Arizona.

It contains proprietary boating data for each 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 explores the maritime culture, amenities, attractions, and overall boating experience they offer.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, we analyzed recent Getmyboat rental demand data. The cities are determined by where the boat owner registers the boat within their profile on the platform.

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.

Arizona’s Top 10 Boating Cities for 2025

Arizona Data Map 2025

1. Lake Havasu City

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Pontoons

Number of Boats Available: 101

Ranking: #1 in 2024 and 2025 (No Change)

Dubbed the “Personal Watercraft Capital of the World,” Lake Havasu is a paradise for boaters thanks to its massive size and near-constant water levels. The 45-mile lake is ideal for water sports, fishing, and house boating. The iconic London Bridge, originally built across the River Thames in London, now extends across the lake, adding a unique charm and sight to boating.

Other attractions include Lake Havasu State Park, which offers convenient launch ramps and pristine beaches for visitors looking to relax in nature.

2. Peoria

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Pontoons

Number of Boats Available: 77

A large city and a suburb of Phoenix, Peoria is the 2nd busiest city in Arizona for boat rentals for 2025, thanks to nearby Lake Pleasant. Lake Pleasant is a vast reservoir with 10,000 surface acres of water and a maximum depth of 260 feet. Popular activities on Lake Pleasant, in addition to leisure boating, include jet skiing, paddleboarding, and scuba diving. Peoria is on the list in 2025 instead of Lake Pleasant to represent the city where the boat rental companies are registered, but the 2nd busiest waterway in Arizona is Lake Pleasant.

3. Mesa

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Jet Skis

Number of Boats Available: 25

Ranking: New Entrant in 2025 (#3)

Mesa is a gateway to iconic lakes like Apache, Saguaro, and Canyon Lake, as well as access to rivers, including the Salt and Verde Rivers. Boaters here enjoy exploring scenic canyon walls, desert landscapes, and clear waters. Popular activities on the water include bass fishing, tubing, and wildlife spotting. Infrastructure development in recent years has increased the accessibility to the lakes with new boat ramps and other on-water facilities.

4. Page

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Bowrider Powerboats

Number of Boats Available: 16

Ranking: #9 in 2024, #4 in 2025 (Improved Rank)

Thanks to Lake Powell, Page, Arizona, went up to 4th place from 9th the year prior, thanks to the stabilization of water levels in the lake throughout the past year. This expansive reservoir features over 1,900 miles of shoreline, slot canyons, and towering red rock formations. House boating and paddleboarding are top attractions, as are guided Rainbow Bridge National Monument tours.

5. Apache Junction

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Pontoons

Number of Boats Available: 24

Apache Junction maintained its spot at #5 on the list. This city is near Saguaro Lake, famous for its calm waters and beautiful rock mountain surroundings. This lake is perfect for pontoon boats and family outings. Canyon Lake is also nearby, offering dramatic cliff views and secluded coves for exploration.

6. Scottsdale

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Wake Boats

Number of Boats Available: 8

New on the list for 2025, Scottsdale lacks direct lake access, but it is a luxury base for boaters heading to nearby lakes, and is where many boat owners and companies register their watercraft. The proximity of Scottsdale to Saguaro Lake and Bartlett Lake makes it an attractive visitor hub and a jumping-off point for water recreation.

7. Bullhead City

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Pontoons

Number of Boats Available: 8

Dropping from 6th place in 2024, Bullhead City still makes the list of top boating cities in Arizona for 2025. It’s located along the Colorado River and offers 11 miles of boating paradise. Popular for canoeing, tubing, and jet skiing with views of the Mojave Desert.

8. Chandler & Gilbert

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Bowrider Powerboats

Number of Boats Available: 10

These neighboring suburbs tied for 8th on the list, thanks to their easy access to Saguaro and Canyon Lake. Both Chandler and Gilbert are cited as locations that are ideal for families looking for a mix of urban amenities and outdoor adventures.

9. Rio Verde

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Bowrider Powerboats

Number of Boats Available: 24

A new entrant on the list for 2025, Rio Verde ranks as the 9th busiest boating city in Arizona, thanks to nearby Bartlett Lake. This lake is a hidden gem with calm waters and fewer crowds, perfect for a peaceful day on the water. Bartlett Lake is known for excellent fishing, particularly largemouth bass and crappie.

10. Willow Beach

Most Popular Style of Vessel: Pontoons

Number of Boats Available: 5

Thanks to the scenic Black Canyon and the Colorado River, Willow Beach makes the list of the top 10 boating cities in Arizona. Here you can enjoy a relaxing cruise between impressive rock formations, or even venture north to Lake Mead. This area is a part of the greater Lake Mead National Recreation Area, offering excellent boating, fishing, kayaking, and other on-water recreational opportunities.


In Summary

Arizona’s waterways are ideal for cooling off from the hot sun and enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the American Southwest. The 2025 rankings reveal shifts driven by improved facilities and infrastructure investment in 2024 and strategic marketing to meet leisure-seekers' preferences. These locations are ideal for on-water experiences for visitors and locals, and the extensive hot weather season makes Arizona a competitive state at the top for boat and watercraft rentals.


About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers boat rentals and charters, 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.