St. Johns River Boat Rentals

Get on the Water with our Reasonably Priced Rentals

With a fleet of skiffs, bass boats, and pontoons for rent, we can set you up for your perfect day on the water — whatever that might look like. Explore our scenic and unspoiled waterways with camera in hand, fill a cooler with tasty panfish, chase trophy bass, visit beautiful natural springs, or grab lunch at a boat-in restaurant.

We’re proud to offer some of the most reasonable rental prices you’ll find anywhere in Florida, starting at just $99/day for a 15-foot fishing skiff with a 15 horsepower outboard. Half days and hourly rentals are also available. Rentals include all required safety gear, a detailed map of the area’s waterways, and we rent rods and reels too!

Rental Fleet

Rates & Details

  • Full-day rentals can leave anytime after safe daylight and must return by 4 p.m.

  • Half-day rentals are 4 hours.

  • Pets and grills are prohibited on rental boats.

  • Rental boats are allowed as far downstream (north) as Marker 15, where Lake Dexter joins the St. Johns River, and as far upstream (south) as Blue Springs State Park.

  • Rentals include all required safety gear.

  • Rental prices do not include fuel. Boats are supplied with a full tank of gas, and renter is responsible for cost of refill when boat is returned.

  • Cash security deposits are required on the day of the rental: $200 for pontoons, $100 for bass boats, $100 for fishing skiffs.

  • Pricing

    • Pontoon boats: full day $225 / half day $195 (weekdays only) / Hourly rates available

    • Bass boats: full day $189 / half day $159

    • Fishing skiffs: full day $99 / half day $89

Boat Trips from the Fish Camp

Although our fishing is great year-round, there are plenty of other things to do on the water in our area of the river. Here are a few of our favorites:

De Leon Springs State Park, accessible by boat from Highland Park Fish Camp.

De Leon Springs

Incredible natural spring with great swimming and picnicking, nature trails, and the famous Old Sugar Mill Pancake House. Visitor docks and free entrance to De Leon Springs State Park when arriving by boat. Sometimes inaccessible at low water levels.

St. Johns River Grille at the Highway 44 bridge near DeLand, Florida.

St. Johns River Grille

Family-friendly boat-in restaurant with cool rooftop tiki bar, just downstream from the Highway 44 bridge. Open seven days with plenty of guest docking. Check the Facebook page for live music, specials, etc.

Playground at Hontoon Island State Park, accessible by boat from Highland Park Fish Camp.

Hontoon Island

Historically and culturally significant island in the river with with a great visitor center plus picnicking, trails, and playground operated by Hontoon Island State Park. Plenty of visitor docking. No entrance fee.

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park, a popular destination for boat trips along the St Johns River.

Blue Spring

Blue Spring State Park, with a historic home, beautiful boardwalks, and a huge picnic area, is known mainly for the manatees that congregate during the winter. In summer and fall, snorkeling is incredible. Boats can be pulled up to shore but space is limited.