Our most frequently asked boat rental questions:
Q: What are the boat rental hours?
You have the boat from 8:00am-5:00pm. What time you choose to use the boat inside of those times are up to you.
We only offer full-day boat rentals when making advanced reservation. 1/2 day rentals are available for walk-in rentals only should a boat be available for the same day for a small discount from the daily rate.
Failure to return the boat on time without our approval will result in a rental charge of $500. If you would like to extend your time, you may call us to see if the boat is available. If you wish to extend your reservation, we will make every effort to accommodate you but, please understand someone may be scheduled for the following day.
Q: How old do I need to be to operate a rental boat?
Florida law requires if you were born on or after Jan 1, 1988, you will need a boater education card to operate a boat of 10hp or more. There is no requirement for those born before January 1, 1988. There is an exemption for operators accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement, or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification cards, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs.
The boater safety course is available online at: https://www.boat-ed.com/florida/boating_law.html
You must be 25 years old to rent a boat from Elite Boat Rentals as long as you are qualified and fit the above criteria.
Q: What are Deposit and Cancellation Policies?
One Day Reservations require payment in full at the time of reservation. If not canceled prior to 48 hours before the reservation, the payment will become non-refundable and will be available as a credit towards a future rental within 1 year of the original reservation.
Multi-Day rentals require a 50% deposit at the time of reservation. Cancellation requires two weeks notice or the deposit will become non-refundable and will be available as a credit towards a future rental within 1 year of the original reservation.
There are NO PRO-RATED REFUNDS FOR WEEKLY RENTALS. The weekly rate is the same for 5, 6, or 7 day rentals. Three small craft advisory days would be required to drop the weekly rate to a 4 day rental to receive a refund of the difference in price between a weekly rental and a 4-day rental.
Q: I booked online. Am I all set?
Booking online will hold your reservation. A staff member will call you to discuss and confirm your reservation.
Q: Why am I being charged a convenience fee for booking?
There is a 6% convenience fee for booking online, which is paid to the booking service. That fee is not charged when booking over the phone or in-person at the marina.
Q: Do you have supplies at the marina?
Yes. IslaMarina has a beautiful ship store fully stocked with ice, drinks (including beer & wine), live and frozen bait, tackle, snacks, sunscreen and a great selection of clothing and nautical items.
Q: What should I bring?
The following list is a reminder of what you may need: All are available in the ships store:
Q: Do you offer Insurance on the boats?
We offer third-party insurance compliant with Florida SB 606, also known as the Boating Safety Act of 2022. You may select to accept the insurance policy during the check-in process. If you book online, you may choose the policy at that time, but you will not be charged until check-in.
Q: Is there music on the boat?
All rental boats are equipped with stereos and can also play music from your phone.
Q: Do you have life jackets provided?
Yes. We are required by law to have one life jacket for every person on board our rental boats, and the orange Mae West type jackets are on board for this purpose. In addition, we have vest type jackets that are more comfortable and recommended if they are going to be worn for the trip. Not only more comfortable but definitely more stylish.
Children under 6 are required by law to wear life jackets at all times and we will provide the vest type jackets for them. We strongly recommend that all children and non-swimmers wear life jackets at all times.
Q: What time should I show up for my reservation?
We recommend getting here 20 minutes prior to your boat rental reservation to get checked in and choose any other equipment needed, get coolers iced down etc.
The staff at Elite Boat Rentals will contact you the day prior to your rental to coordinate your expected arrival time.
Q: Can I load the rental boat while I wait for the rest of my party to arrive?
Yes, if it is here and ready to go.
Q: Who in the party can operate the boat?
Only qualified members of the party that have signed the contract are allowed to operate the boat.
Q: Do I pay for fuel?
Yes. You will pay for the amount of fuel that you use. You get the boat full of fuel, and we top it off and charge the card on file and send you a final receipt via email showing all rental fees plus fuel and any additional charges like fishing poles or insurance waivers.
Q: Where do I get a fishing license?
Fishing Licenses can be obtained on-line at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/
From a smart phone, you can download the Fish Hunt FL App for you phone. Inside the app you can buy licenses for fishing, lobsters, and anything else allowed by law. That is the quickest and easiest way and then you have your license on your phone and don't have to worry about losing the plastic one they mail you.
Q: Is there a limit to where I can take the boat?
We have a 25 mile radius from IslaMarina where you are allowed to take the boat. If you are going to want to take the boat beyond 25 miles, are staying somewhere like Marathon, you are required to purchase a TowBoat US membership if you do not already have one. If one is needed, we will send a copy of your reservation to the local TowBoat office. They will contact you to make the arrangements and send us a copy of your membership details.
- The boats are NEVER allowed beyond North Key Largo/Ocean Reef to South Marathon, even with TowBoat insurance -
Q: Do you allow dogs on the boats?
Very small dogs are considered on a case by case basis. You are responsible for any damage to the boat caused by the dog, This includes nails tearing the upholstery. The insurance waiver does not cover pet damage.
Q: What are the boat rental hours?
You have the boat from 8:00am-5:00pm. What time you choose to use the boat inside of those times are up to you.
We only offer full-day boat rentals when making advanced reservation. 1/2 day rentals are available for walk-in rentals only should a boat be available for the same day for a small discount from the daily rate.
Failure to return the boat on time without our approval will result in a rental charge of $500. If you would like to extend your time, you may call us to see if the boat is available. If you wish to extend your reservation, we will make every effort to accommodate you but, please understand someone may be scheduled for the following day.
Q: How old do I need to be to operate a rental boat?
Florida law requires if you were born on or after Jan 1, 1988, you will need a boater education card to operate a boat of 10hp or more. There is no requirement for those born before January 1, 1988. There is an exemption for operators accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement, or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification cards, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs.
The boater safety course is available online at: https://www.boat-ed.com/florida/boating_law.html
You must be 25 years old to rent a boat from Elite Boat Rentals as long as you are qualified and fit the above criteria.
Q: What are Deposit and Cancellation Policies?
One Day Reservations require payment in full at the time of reservation. If not canceled prior to 48 hours before the reservation, the payment will become non-refundable and will be available as a credit towards a future rental within 1 year of the original reservation.
Multi-Day rentals require a 50% deposit at the time of reservation. Cancellation requires two weeks notice or the deposit will become non-refundable and will be available as a credit towards a future rental within 1 year of the original reservation.
There are NO PRO-RATED REFUNDS FOR WEEKLY RENTALS. The weekly rate is the same for 5, 6, or 7 day rentals. Three small craft advisory days would be required to drop the weekly rate to a 4 day rental to receive a refund of the difference in price between a weekly rental and a 4-day rental.
Q: I booked online. Am I all set?
Booking online will hold your reservation. A staff member will call you to discuss and confirm your reservation.
Q: Why am I being charged a convenience fee for booking?
There is a 6% convenience fee for booking online, which is paid to the booking service. That fee is not charged when booking over the phone or in-person at the marina.
Q: Do you have supplies at the marina?
Yes. IslaMarina has a beautiful ship store fully stocked with ice, drinks (including beer & wine), live and frozen bait, tackle, snacks, sunscreen and a great selection of clothing and nautical items.
Q: What should I bring?
The following list is a reminder of what you may need: All are available in the ships store:
- Cooler with drinks
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- Food or snacks
- Fishing poles
- Live and frozen bait and tackle is available in the store (along with free advice)
- Snorkel equipment
Q: Do you offer Insurance on the boats?
We offer third-party insurance compliant with Florida SB 606, also known as the Boating Safety Act of 2022. You may select to accept the insurance policy during the check-in process. If you book online, you may choose the policy at that time, but you will not be charged until check-in.
Q: Is there music on the boat?
All rental boats are equipped with stereos and can also play music from your phone.
Q: Do you have life jackets provided?
Yes. We are required by law to have one life jacket for every person on board our rental boats, and the orange Mae West type jackets are on board for this purpose. In addition, we have vest type jackets that are more comfortable and recommended if they are going to be worn for the trip. Not only more comfortable but definitely more stylish.
Children under 6 are required by law to wear life jackets at all times and we will provide the vest type jackets for them. We strongly recommend that all children and non-swimmers wear life jackets at all times.
Q: What time should I show up for my reservation?
We recommend getting here 20 minutes prior to your boat rental reservation to get checked in and choose any other equipment needed, get coolers iced down etc.
The staff at Elite Boat Rentals will contact you the day prior to your rental to coordinate your expected arrival time.
Q: Can I load the rental boat while I wait for the rest of my party to arrive?
Yes, if it is here and ready to go.
Q: Who in the party can operate the boat?
Only qualified members of the party that have signed the contract are allowed to operate the boat.
Q: Do I pay for fuel?
Yes. You will pay for the amount of fuel that you use. You get the boat full of fuel, and we top it off and charge the card on file and send you a final receipt via email showing all rental fees plus fuel and any additional charges like fishing poles or insurance waivers.
Q: Where do I get a fishing license?
Fishing Licenses can be obtained on-line at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/
From a smart phone, you can download the Fish Hunt FL App for you phone. Inside the app you can buy licenses for fishing, lobsters, and anything else allowed by law. That is the quickest and easiest way and then you have your license on your phone and don't have to worry about losing the plastic one they mail you.
Q: Is there a limit to where I can take the boat?
We have a 25 mile radius from IslaMarina where you are allowed to take the boat. If you are going to want to take the boat beyond 25 miles, are staying somewhere like Marathon, you are required to purchase a TowBoat US membership if you do not already have one. If one is needed, we will send a copy of your reservation to the local TowBoat office. They will contact you to make the arrangements and send us a copy of your membership details.
- The boats are NEVER allowed beyond North Key Largo/Ocean Reef to South Marathon, even with TowBoat insurance -
Q: Do you allow dogs on the boats?
Very small dogs are considered on a case by case basis. You are responsible for any damage to the boat caused by the dog, This includes nails tearing the upholstery. The insurance waiver does not cover pet damage.