Fort Lauderdale: 2-Person Mini Powerboat Self-Guided Rental

You're Behind the Wheel of Your Own Boat on Fort Lauderdale's Canals

You captain a mini-powerboat through Fort Lauderdale's canal system without prior boating experience: the staff teaches you everything before you leave the dock. Your rental includes safety gear, fuel, and a navigation map with suggested routes. You control the pace and stops across 165 miles of waterways, seeing mangroves, wildlife, and residential waterfront at your own speed. Drivers must be 18+. Those born after 1987 need a temporary boater's license obtained online before arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mini powerboat rental experience

• Arrive at Las Olas Paddle Boards
• Receive boating safety instructions
• Learn to operate mini powerboat
• Captain your own mini powerboat
• Explore Fort Lauderdale waterways

The experience

The water spreads in front of you, narrow and calm between the mangrove banks. You're at the helm of a 1 to 2 person mini-powerboat, and the staff at Las Olas Paddle Boards has just walked you through the controls: throttle, steering, how to read the navigation map they've handed you. No boating license required if you were born before 1987. If you weren't, you'll need to grab a temporary one online before you arrive (takes about 20 minutes). Either way, you're ready to go. Fort Lauderdale calls itself the Venice of America, and right now, with 165 miles of navigable waterways branching out in front of you, that's not marketing.

The boat rental includes everything you need to move safely through the system: life jacket, all safety equipment, fuel, and a map with suggested routes marked out. You can follow the suggestions or ignore them. The point is you're driving, not sitting in a tour group listening to someone else's script. The waterways wind past residential docks, under low bridges, past mangrove tunnels where the light gets strange and green. You'll see herons, maybe a manatee if you're quiet. The pace is yours. Stop where you want, idle where you want, turn around when you've had enough.

The boat fits up to two people and has a 325-pound weight limit total. If you're traveling solo, you're paying for the whole rental. If there are two of you, you split the cost of one boat, not two. Drivers have to be 18 or older, but passengers can be any age. The rental is priced per boat, not per person, which is the kind of detail that matters when you're figuring out whether to bring someone along or go alone.

What’s included

Your rental includes the mini-powerboat for 1 or 2 people, all safety equipment (life jacket and gear), fuel for the duration, a safety briefing and orientation before departure, and a navigation map with suggested sightseeing routes through Fort Lauderdale's waterways.

Information

Lasts 1h, runs every day, 6 start times, from US$ 99 per group, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: 10:15, 11:30, 12:45, 14:00, 15:15 and 16:30

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Las Olas Paddle Boards, Boats & Kayaks

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to explore Fort Lauderdale's canals at their own pace without joining a guided group. The self-guided format means you control where you stop, how long you stay, and which routes you take.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need boating experience to rent the mini-powerboat?

No. The staff will teach you everything you need to know before you leave. No prior experience required.

What's included in the rental?

The boat rental for 1 or 2 people, all safety equipment including life jacket, fuel, safety instructions, and a navigation map with suggested routes.

Do I need a boater's license?

Only if you were born after 1987. If so, you'll need to obtain a temporary license online before arrival. It takes about 20 minutes.

Is the price per person or per boat?

Per boat. One boat rental covers up to 2 people, so if you're going with someone, you split the cost.

What's the weight limit?

The boat has a maximum weight limit of 325 pounds total for up to 2 people.

Can passengers be any age?

Drivers must be 18 or older. Passengers can be any age.

How many miles of waterways can I explore?

Fort Lauderdale has 165+ miles of navigable waterways. The navigation map shows suggested routes, but you can explore as you choose.

Is fuel included?

Yes, fuel is included in the rental.