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Where to rent a boat in Chicago

15 easy ways to get out on the water this summer

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Chicago might be known for its world-famous architectural cruises, but there are plenty of other ways to get on the water this summer. Whether you’re interested a kayak, canoe, sailboat, pontoon, motor yacht, or even a paddleboard, here are some of the best places to rent a boat for a couple of hours or the whole day.

There’s an old saying that “a boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money.” But by renting, you’ll leave the costs and headaches of maintenance to someone else. You can cruise up and down Chicago’s lakefront or explore the “second coast” of the Chicago River—or traverse the locks and do both.

When Chicago’s weather is behaving, there’s no better place to be than out on the water.

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Chicago Electric Boat Company

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This popular rental company offers a fleet of small electric boats from its Marina City base. Although the modest electric motors aren’t going to set any sort of speed records, it means the boats are quiet and conversation friendly. Chicago Electric Boat Company is BYO when it comes to food and beverage.

Chicago Cycleboats

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Renting one of these human-powered boats is a fun, social way to get around the river. Similar to a pedal pub on land, the “cycleboat” pontoons can accommodate ten pedalers plus six passengers for 90 minutes at a time. Embark along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Urban Kayaks

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While some Chicago kayak rentals make you paddle a long way to enjoy downtown’s best architecture, Urban Kayaks launches you right in the middle of the action from the Chicago Riverwalk’s recently revamped eastern segment. For lake paddling, Urban Kayaks also operates a second location at Monroe Harbor, just south of the Columbia Yacht Club.

Chicago Tiki Boat

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Also operating from Monroe Harbor is Chicago Tiki Boat, which bills itself as the city’s original party boat operator. The company rents out several tropical-themed pontoons for groups of up to 20 individuals. Each boat includes a grill and its own waterslide.

Island Party Boat

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This Polynesian-themed company operates a fleet of ten boats can that accommodate between two to 90 guests. The party-friendly vessels feature waterslides, bars, TVs, and premium sound systems and depart from both Monroe Harbor and the Chicago Riverwalk.

3rd Coast Charters

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3rd Coast Charters offers guests a chance to take out Latitude Adjustment, Chicago’s largest chartering catamaran. The 38-foot-long, double-hull vessel comes with a captain, crew, and access to onboard amenities including a grill, salon, galley, and private cabins.

Wateriders

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Wateriders has been hosting kayak tours of the Chicago River for more than two decades. Based out of the East Bank Club at 500 N. Kingsbury, the company offers a variety of guided excursions that focus on history and architect, ghosts and gangsters, or simply enjoying the summer fireworks at Navy Pier.

Rent Chicago Boats

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This company, located below the Bertrand Goldberg-designed River City complex in the South Loop, provides its customers with a choice of several yachts and pontoon boats. Two- or three-hour cruises are available on the Chicago River. Longer four-hour, half-day, and full-day excursions let you explore both the river and the lake.

Chicago Boat Rentals

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Just west of Goose Island on the north branch of the Chicago River, the company offers easy to drive pontoon boats that can accommodate eight or twelve passengers. Charters are typically two hours, and firework cruises are also available.

Jet Ski Chicago

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Operating along the popular North Avenue Beach, Jet Ski Chicago provides customers a chance to cruise up and down the lakefront and around Navy Pier. Its Waverunners start at $99 for the first half-hour.

Chicago SUP

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If a jet ski isn’t really your style, consider taking to the water on a relaxing stand-up paddleboard (SUP) at Chicago SUP, also at North Avenue Beach. Though perhaps not a boat, a paddleboard is a low-cost, low-stress way to get out on the water this summer.

BBQ Pontoon

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On the river’s south branch, near the border of Chinatown and Pilsen, is BBQ Pontoon. The company takes a novel approach to boat rental by including a free pizza with each excursion. Able to accommodate groups of up to nine, the boats start at $269 for a two-hour tour.

Chicago River Canoe and Kayak

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Located a healthy paddle away from the glass and steel canyon of the main branch, Chicago River Canoe and Kayak invites you to experience a more natural stretch of the river—complete with wild heron and turtles. Explore on your own or book a guided tour.

Windy City Sailing

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Based in Belmont Harbor, Windy City Sailing offers charters for recreational, romantic, and educational experiences to individuals and groups of up to ten. Its fleet includes a 40-foot sloop-rigged sailboat called the Nebula as well as a 38-foot power yacht.

Chicago Water Sport Rentals

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The South Side’s 31st Street Harbor is home to Chicago Water Sport Rentals which operates a fleet of Yamaha Waverunners. Located at Dock J, the company also offers kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats.

Chicago Electric Boat Company

This popular rental company offers a fleet of small electric boats from its Marina City base. Although the modest electric motors aren’t going to set any sort of speed records, it means the boats are quiet and conversation friendly. Chicago Electric Boat Company is BYO when it comes to food and beverage.

Chicago Cycleboats

Renting one of these human-powered boats is a fun, social way to get around the river. Similar to a pedal pub on land, the “cycleboat” pontoons can accommodate ten pedalers plus six passengers for 90 minutes at a time. Embark along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Urban Kayaks

While some Chicago kayak rentals make you paddle a long way to enjoy downtown’s best architecture, Urban Kayaks launches you right in the middle of the action from the Chicago Riverwalk’s recently revamped eastern segment. For lake paddling, Urban Kayaks also operates a second location at Monroe Harbor, just south of the Columbia Yacht Club.

Chicago Tiki Boat

Also operating from Monroe Harbor is Chicago Tiki Boat, which bills itself as the city’s original party boat operator. The company rents out several tropical-themed pontoons for groups of up to 20 individuals. Each boat includes a grill and its own waterslide.

Island Party Boat

This Polynesian-themed company operates a fleet of ten boats can that accommodate between two to 90 guests. The party-friendly vessels feature waterslides, bars, TVs, and premium sound systems and depart from both Monroe Harbor and the Chicago Riverwalk.

3rd Coast Charters

3rd Coast Charters offers guests a chance to take out Latitude Adjustment, Chicago’s largest chartering catamaran. The 38-foot-long, double-hull vessel comes with a captain, crew, and access to onboard amenities including a grill, salon, galley, and private cabins.

Wateriders

Wateriders has been hosting kayak tours of the Chicago River for more than two decades. Based out of the East Bank Club at 500 N. Kingsbury, the company offers a variety of guided excursions that focus on history and architect, ghosts and gangsters, or simply enjoying the summer fireworks at Navy Pier.

Rent Chicago Boats

This company, located below the Bertrand Goldberg-designed River City complex in the South Loop, provides its customers with a choice of several yachts and pontoon boats. Two- or three-hour cruises are available on the Chicago River. Longer four-hour, half-day, and full-day excursions let you explore both the river and the lake.

Chicago Boat Rentals

Just west of Goose Island on the north branch of the Chicago River, the company offers easy to drive pontoon boats that can accommodate eight or twelve passengers. Charters are typically two hours, and firework cruises are also available.

Jet Ski Chicago

Operating along the popular North Avenue Beach, Jet Ski Chicago provides customers a chance to cruise up and down the lakefront and around Navy Pier. Its Waverunners start at $99 for the first half-hour.

Chicago SUP

If a jet ski isn’t really your style, consider taking to the water on a relaxing stand-up paddleboard (SUP) at Chicago SUP, also at North Avenue Beach. Though perhaps not a boat, a paddleboard is a low-cost, low-stress way to get out on the water this summer.

BBQ Pontoon

On the river’s south branch, near the border of Chinatown and Pilsen, is BBQ Pontoon. The company takes a novel approach to boat rental by including a free pizza with each excursion. Able to accommodate groups of up to nine, the boats start at $269 for a two-hour tour.

Chicago River Canoe and Kayak

Located a healthy paddle away from the glass and steel canyon of the main branch, Chicago River Canoe and Kayak invites you to experience a more natural stretch of the river—complete with wild heron and turtles. Explore on your own or book a guided tour.

Windy City Sailing

Based in Belmont Harbor, Windy City Sailing offers charters for recreational, romantic, and educational experiences to individuals and groups of up to ten. Its fleet includes a 40-foot sloop-rigged sailboat called the Nebula as well as a 38-foot power yacht.

Chicago Water Sport Rentals

The South Side’s 31st Street Harbor is home to Chicago Water Sport Rentals which operates a fleet of Yamaha Waverunners. Located at Dock J, the company also offers kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats.