Search boat rental Bermuda and you'll picture the Florida version. Turn up at a marina, sign a waiver, grab the keys, drive yourself around for the afternoon. Bermuda doesn't really work like that, and the sooner you know it the easier your day gets to plan. Here's the honest version after twenty plus years running boats on this island.
Can you rent a boat in Bermuda without a captain?
Not with us, and not with most of the bigger boats on the island. Bermuda requires a local commercial licence to operate a boat carrying paying guests, so any boat of real size comes with a licensed captain on board. That is not an upsell, it's the rule. The upside is you don't need a licence, experience or any paperwork of your own. You show up and the boat is handled.
So what are you actually renting?
The whole boat, for your group only. Our charter boat is the Pontune Paradise, a two deck pontoon licensed for up to 25 guests. When you book it, it's yours for the booking. You're never sharing it with another party, never following a fixed tour route, and never being rushed off at a set time so the next group can board.
What comes with a Bermuda boat rental?
Everything you'd otherwise be hunting around the island for. Here's what's on board on every trip.
- ●A licensed captain and fuel, both included, never billed separately at the end
- ●The inflatable water slide that drops off the deck at anchor stops
- ●Two seater kayaks and a stand up paddleboard
- ●Snorkel gear in adult and child sizes
- ●A big cooler kept on ice all day
- ●Shaded upper deck seating, an onboard restroom and a swim ladder
- ●Bluetooth sound and life jackets for every guest
You bring food, drinks and towels. BYOB is welcome, and the only hard rule is no glass on board. If you'd rather not pack, we can point you at a Bermuda caterer who delivers straight to the boat.
How many people can you fit?
Up to 25 guests plus the captain. That covers most birthdays, bachelorette groups, family reunions and work days out. Smaller groups book it too. A group of four or six gets the same boat and the same private buyout, there's just more room to spread out. There's no minimum headcount, only a four hour minimum on time.
How long do you have to book for?
Four hours minimum. We don't do hourly bookings, and that isn't us being difficult. By the time you've loaded up, run out to a decent anchor stop, actually swum and come back, anything shorter feels like you spent the day travelling. Four hours is the sunset cruise or a half day party. Eight hours is the full day with snorkel stops.
What does a boat rental in Bermuda cost?
Rates move with the length of the trip, the size of the group and the time of year, and every quote already has the captain, the fuel and all the gear above baked into it. There's nothing added on at the dock. WhatsApp Sean on +1 (441) 518-7077 with your dates and headcount and you'll get a real number back the same day.
Where does the boat pick you up?
Any major dock on the island. Hamilton Harbour, the Royal Naval Dockyard out west, Grotto Bay in Hamilton Parish, Castle Harbour near St. George's, and plenty of others on request. Tell us where your group is staying and we'll set the closest pickup rather than making you cross the island first. There's a full breakdown of every departure point in the docks piece below.
When is the best time of year?
May through October is the season. The water sits between 75 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and July and August are the peak with the calmest seas. May and September are the quiet secret. Same warm water, fewer people, and the best sunset skies of the year. Book peak weekends two to four weeks out if you can.
What if the weather turns?
Sean makes the call on the day after reading the marine forecast and looking at the water. Light rain or cloud usually doesn't cancel anything, and Bermuda's reef line blocks the open ocean swell so the inshore water stays calm more often than visitors expect. If conditions would actually make your group uncomfortable, we move you to any open slot left in your stay at no charge, or refund every dollar.
Booking it
WhatsApp is the fastest way to get Sean, and he answers 24 hours. Send your dates, your headcount and where you're staying, and he'll come back with availability and a rate. Contact Sean on +1 (441) 518-7077 or email info@bdaboats.com and he'll take it from there.
