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Did you know that 84% of parents think their kids would be more likely to unplug on a boat trip versus a road trip?
I have to agree with them!
We recently rented a boat down in Panama City and made the most incredible new memories as we explored Shell Island which just happens to only be accessible by boat! My friends were surprised when I told them how easy it was to find and book an affordable boat rental near me. And while I had never driven a pontoon boat before it ended up being really easy as we explored St. Andrews Bay.
TIP: DiscoverBoating.com has an interactive Go Boating Today tool that helps you find local options for boat rentals, classes, charters & more. You can easily search by city or zip code.
I have to say that there is just something about being on the water that helps improve my mindset. I feel more carefree! Maybe it’s just the forced break from all of the distractions of daily life or the peaceful sounds of the waves but I know it’s 100% good for my soul. I know that Matt agrees along with nearly 142 million other Americans who go boating each year. He has a big dream of retiring and spending the following years boating around the world!
But in the meantime we love to get our feet wet as often as possible.
We loved our visit to Shell Island and this summer we have a short list of a few other places we want to go and boating activities that we want to do this summer!
(1) People tell us that nearby Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Lake) in Southeastern Alabama is so fun! I know that a lot of our friends go up there on weekends to go boating. Our kids have never been tubing and I have the best memories of boating and tubing growing up in Washington State. Those were some fun summers! I swear that we had the best childhoods growing up in the 80s and 90s. I hope my kids can experience that carefree feeling too! Less Tik Tok and more freeze tag, right!?!
(2) We also really want to do some deep sea fishing! I used the Go Boating Today tool and saw that there are a lot of places along the Gulf Coast where we can charter a boat for the day. This is totally out of our comfort zone as none of us have been but I have a feeling that it is something we would enjoy.
(3) And sometime this summer, Matt and I would love to have a beach date day and rent Jet Skis down in Panama City Beach! I haven’t ridden one in years and I feel like it would be such a fun thing to do together. We could grab a bite to eat on the beach afterwards and be home to relieve the babysitter before dinner. This one needs to happen!
(4) And we really want to get to Crab Island in Destin, Florida. Have you heard of it? While it used to be an island today it’s basically a big underwater sandbar where loads of people anchor their boats and have a good old time. It’s shallow and people often wade in the clear water. You’ve heard of Food Trucks right? Well there are food and drink boats out there! There is even a floating restaurant. Kids and grownups can play on inflatable water courses too! Did you know that Destin was named one of the Top 10 Places to Live and Boat in the United States by Boating Magazine.
Stay tuned because I am going to try to do them all before school starts back up!
What are you waiting for?
Summer is here and the water is calling! Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or new to boating, it has never been easier to get your feet wet! Go check out Discover Boating and see what is available near you. Trust me, there is something! Even when we lived in the California desert we had a fun lake to boat on just 45 minutes away.
And if you have never been boating they have a ton of resources for you to learn more so that you can step out of your comfort zone and discover boating.
Seas the day!
Click here to get started!
I love the water! We often go out on my brother’s boat to fish. It would be even more fun to rent our own boat.
So fun! My kids would love this. We always love being on the water. We might have to rent a boat over the summer.
Yes! Do it!
I love the idea of renting a boat for the family to enjoy. Boating is so much fun but I don’t live at the beach so I don’t have a boat.
I want to do this SOOO bad! It would be fun to rent one for the day and just hang out with friends and family!
We totally want to try to do it with friends sometime! I have seen some double decker pontoon boats around here that have slides too!
This looks like such a fun experience. I would love to rent a boat this summer.
I would absolutely love to do this! We aren’t near to the water but I love being out on the lake or the ocean and soaking up the sun.
OK now this is such a fun idea of something to do over the summer. I would love to head out onto the water and spend some time on a boat.
My brother owns a boat and whenever we visit him (out of state), my kids are all out the boat. This would be a great option for us in our home state to Maximize Quality Family Time This Summer and Rent a Boat of our own for a weekend!
I notice my kids do spend more time unplugged when we are on or by the water. I’d love to rent a boat this summer so we can have more quality time and less screen time!
This sounds like so much fun! We went on a swamp boat tour the last time we went to NOLA but I’ve not thought about renting a boat.
I’ve never thought about renting a bout. But I think that my family will love this idea!
We have never tried renting a boat. But I think boating is fun. So we’ll look into that. Thanks for the idea.
Looks like you guys are having great fun . I don’t we are going to rent a boat or not. I will pin this post for my future use.
We love renting boats! Such a fun family time and so many memories to be made.
I think boating is a lot of fun, you’ll have a lot of fun this summer doing all that boating! My husband isn’t really a fan of boats, so we hardly ever go on them. When I was a kid, my dad had a small sailboat that we all loved. Unfortunately, we moved and never relocated to a place where it made sense to have a boat again.
We own a boat and love taking it out on our local lake. These are some great reasons to go out on a boat this summer.
Thanks for mentioning that 84% of parents think their kids are more likely to unplug on a boat trip than on a road trip. My husband and I are trying to plan a last-minute vacation before the kids go back to school. We want to ensure we’re spending quality time together, so we’ll have to look into renting a boat!
Renting a boat is the perfect way to maximize quality family time this summer. From exploring new destinations to trying out fun water activities, a boat rental offers a unique and unforgettable experience that the whole family can enjoy. And with a wide range of boat types and sizes available, you can choose the perfect vessel to suit your family’s needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day on the water or an action-packed adventure, renting a boat is sure to be a highlight of your summer. So why not plan your family’s next boating adventure today? You won’t regret it!