Siesta Key for Spring Break March 9-14, Boat Rental Suggestions?

[SkiPharmer]

Hello,

My family and I (3 and a 6 year old) are going to Siesta Key in a couple weeks. We want to rent a boat for a half day. Any suggestions? Easy to navigate? I have never been on the ocean before! but I have a 330 DA on freshwater. We just want a small runabout to cruise for a half day, anchor and swim somewhere. How far in advance do I need to make reservations?

THANKS!

 

[370Dancer]

Siesta Key marine rents pontoon boats.
Marina Jack rents a lot of different boats.
No oceans around Sarasota. Nice bays, Intercoastal waterway, and beaches without having to go into the Gulf of Mexico. I would imagine that reserving one day out is pretty safe, except maybe for Saturday and Sunday. LOTS of shallow water, nothing like lake boating. You'll have tide current, and some wind in the afternoon. From Siesta, all recreational areas will be North anyways, so I'd rent from Marina Jack. It's in the middle. South Lido for beaching (beware of strong currents). I'd beach up around the Eastern tip to avoid the pass current. New Pass has a few places to anchor mainly on sandbars, or go out the pass a little and head South to get to North Lido Beach. Good until the wind picks up if coming from the West.
The rental places will have lots of dos and don'ts information.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Siesta Key Watersports. Right by the Stickney Point Bridge 941-921-3030

 

[370Dancer]

Siesta Key Watersports. Right by the Stickney Point Bridge 941-921-3030

Forgot about them. Old Freedom Boat Club location once upon a time. If you go from that far South, then head South to Snake island at Venice Inlet. Pop's Sunset Grill is great if you can find dockspace.

 

[SkiPharmer]

Siesta Key Watersports. Right by the Stickney Point Bridge 941-921-3030

that place looks to have good prices, thanks!

 

[SkiPharmer]

Forgot about them. Old Freedom Boat Club location once upon a time. If you go from that far South, then head South to Snake island at Venice Inlet. Pop's Sunset Grill is great if you can find dockspace.

I can't rent a boat for the day there it looks like....

 

[Creekwood]

I have rented boats along that coast but not in that area. I highly recommend you download the Navionics Boating app to your phone or tablet to supplement whatever crappy chartplotter that they give you on the boat. I bring a Ram Mount suction mount with me too when I go and a long power cord and cigarette lighter charger.

 

[370Dancer]

This looks like a good deal.
https://www.getmyboat.com/trips/RKddM63K/

 

[Mikemapva]

I can't rent a boat for the day there it looks like....

CBs is in the same general location as this place. You can rent for 1/2 or full days there. We have rented from them multiple times and have had no problems.

https://cbsoutfitters.com/boat-rentals/

 

[SkiPharmer]

Forgot to post this earlier, we were in Siesta Key March 9-14 (before the crap hit the fan)Rented a boat from Siesta Water Sports. Great company! We have never boated in saltwater/ocean. We had a blast! Had dolphins swimming around us (kids went nuts), and pulled up on a beach and hungout. Thanks for all the recommendations!

 

[chuck1]

Awesome thanks for posting.

 

[Mikemapva]

Forgot to post this earlier, we were in Siesta Key March 9-14 (before the crap hit the fan)Rented a boat from Siesta Water Sports. Great company! We have never boated in saltwater/ocean. We had a blast! Had dolphins swimming around us (kids went nuts), and pulled up on a beach and hungout. Thanks for all the recommendations!

Awesome, glad you had a great time! We love boating down there when we are on vacation.