Boat Rentals & Charters · Family Activities
Bonita Boat Rentals
About
Bonita Boat Rentals has been putting pontoon boats in the water at Bonita Beach for more than three decades, and the business still describes itself as three generations family owned and operated, which is not a marketing line you hear often in the rental boat business anymore. Located right on Hickory Boulevard near the beach, the dock is a short walk from the sand, making it a natural stop for visitors and locals who want to spend a few hours out on the water without owning a boat themselves.
The fleet centers on 22 foot pontoon boats, which suit families, small groups, and anyone who wants a stable, easy to handle platform for cruising the back bay, fishing, or just anchoring near a sandbar. Rentals run by the hour, from two hour trips up through full six hour outings, with weekday and weekend and holiday rates clearly laid out rather than buried in fine print. Rod rentals, frozen shrimp for bait, and ice are all available on site, so a first time renter does not need to show up with a truck full of gear.
One detail that sets this outfit apart from the bigger rental operations along the coast is the dog policy. Dogs are welcome aboard and do not count against the passenger limit, which matters to a lot of Southwest Florida boat renters who consider a day on the water incomplete without their dog along for the ride. Maximum capacity runs to eight adults or twelve total passengers counting children, enough for a real family outing without overcrowding a 22 footer.
The cancellation policy is refreshingly simple too: cancel up to 24 hours ahead for any reason, or same day if the weather turns, with no charge either way. That kind of flexibility matters in Southwest Florida, where a clear morning can turn into an afternoon thunderstorm without much warning, especially during the summer wet season.
For anyone in Bonita Springs looking to get out on the water without the cost and hassle of boat ownership, this long running, genuinely local operation is one of the more established names on Bonita Beach, and the family ownership shows in details like the dog friendly policy and the straightforward pricing.
Reservations are generally recommended a few days ahead during the busy winter season when snowbirds and vacationers fill up the local calendar, though the dock will often accommodate same day bookings during slower stretches of the summer. The Hickory Boulevard location also makes it an easy add on to a beach day, since renters can walk straight from the sand to the dock without needing to drive to a marina further inland.