Ready to spend a summer day on the water? Whether you’re after a pontoon for the whole family, a ski boat for the teenagers, or a couple of kayaks for a quieter morning, there are plenty of boat rental options within an easy drive of Greenville. We’ve rounded up where to rent on Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, and Lake Hartwell, along with a few tips to help your day go smoothly.
Boat Rentals on Multiple Upstate Lakes
Tri-County Boat Rental
864.617.9187
Rates start around $800 by the day and $1,900 by the week. Serves Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, and Lake Hartwell.
- Ski boats
- Pontoons
- Deck boats
- Tritoons
- Water toys and accessories
Lake Jocassee Boat Rentals
Jocassee Outdoor Center
516 Jocassee Lake Road, Salem
864.944.9016
- Pontoons
- Tritoons
- Ski boats
- Deck boats
- Kayaks
- Water toys
Lake Keowee Boat Rentals
Lake Keowee Boat Rentals
111 Surgical Boulevard, Seneca
864.280.2726
- Tritoons
- Waverunners
- Water toys
Keowee Marina
150 Keowee Marina Drive, Seneca
864.882.2047
- Pontoons
- Tritoons
- Sport-toons
- Canoes and kayaks
- Paddleboards
High Falls Boat Rentals
864.309.8160
- Pontoons
- Ski boats
- Deck boats
Unlimited Outfitters
South Cove County Park
1099 South Cove Road, Seneca
High Falls County Park, 671 High Falls Road, Seneca
- Kayaks
- Paddleboards
- Pontoons
Lake Hartwell Boat Rentals
Big Water Marina
320 Big Water Road, Starr
864.266.3339
- Pontoons
- Kayaks
- Hydrobikes
- Paddleboards
Young Harris Watersports & RV
706.896.0834
- Wakeboats
- Jet skis
- Ski boats
- Tritoons
Before You Head Out Onto The Lake
A little planning goes a long way, especially when you’re loading up the kids and the cooler for a full day on the lake.
Life jackets. Most rental companies require everyone on board to wear a properly fitted life jacket the entire time, and it’s smart practice even when it isn’t required. A few things to keep in mind:
- Visibility: Dark blue, green, and purple life jackets are harder to spot in the water. Choose bright colors so swimmers are easy to see.
- Comfort: Since you’ll be wearing it for hours, fit matters. No life jacket is going to feel like a recliner, but it should sit snugly without digging in.
- USCG certification: Never buy a life jacket without the U.S. Coast Guard stamp inside. There are several classifications of approval, so make sure yours matches how you’ll be using it.
Getting into the park. State and county parks fill up fast on warm-weather weekends, so give yourself plenty of time. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your reservation and have your confirmation handy. If the park hits capacity, that reservation is what gets you waved past the ranger station while everyone else is being turned away. You’ll still owe the entry fee (Devil’s Fork State Park for Lake Jocassee, for example) unless you carry an SC State Park Passport.
Once you’ve parked, head to the pavilion to sign paperwork and get fitted for life jackets. Take your restroom breaks here, since most rental boats don’t have a bathroom on board. With many pontoon rentals, your whole party loads up while the boat is still on the trailer, and the equipment manager drops it into the water for you.
And don’t be shy about asking questions, even if you’ve been boating for years. Every body of water is different, so asking the staff what to watch for can save you trouble later.
Fun Things to Do Once You’re On the Water
- Visit one of the beautiful waterfalls that are only reachable by boat.
- Anchor somewhere quiet and fish. Children under 18 don’t need a fishing license as long as an adult in your group has one.
- Find a calm spot and relax in the water or on the deck. Just note that you can’t beach the boats.
- Rent a water sport toy, or bring your own, to tow behind the boat. Most rentals come with a tow bar made for this.
Safety on the Water: Thunderstorms
A question we asked: What do you do when you’re out in the middle of the lake and an electrical storm comes rolling over the mountains without warning?
He told us to NEVER try to race back to the dock. When you’re out on the lake in a boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, you are the highest thing on the lake. You’re like a lightning rod waiting to get zapped. Plus, if everyone were to race back to the few boat slips on the shores of lakes like Lake Jocassee, there’d be a bottleneck of vessels trying to get out of the water all at once.
Instead, head for the safest, closest place to hug the shore. Keep your eye on the depth finder, so you don’t get stuck, and get as close to the shore as you can until the storm passes.
One last thing: you’re responsible for returning the boat with a full gas tank, so budget for a refill before you head home.
Have you been out on the lakes around Greenville? We’d love to hear your favorite spot and what your family likes to do once you’re on the water.
Have you been out on the lake in a boat? What’s your favorite thing to do?
Want to spend more time at other lakes around the Upstate? Here’s your guide to spending a day at recreational lakes near Greenville, SC.
