Here in Buffalo, we are fortunate to be surrounded by two Great Lakes and several of the Finger Lakes, which pretty much guarantees that you’ll see an Insta story of someone on a boat Every. Single. Weekend. The FOMO is real.
Don’t have a boat? You’re not outta luck, as there are plenty of places to rent all kinds of boats to satisfy your need for speed doing absolutely nothing. The time to lounge in the hot sun with the ability to jump in the water whenever you please is here. These are your boat rental options around WNY:
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
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Pontoon Boats
Collins Marine
4444 River Road, Tonawanda, NY 14150 / More Info
What They Offer: Enjoy a nice day of fishing or relaxation on the beautiful Niagara River courtesy of Collins Marine. You can rent either a 24′ 60HP pontoon or 24′ 115HP pontoon. Their handy dandy chart makes it easy to select the perfect option for your outing.
Safe Harbor Marinas
1111 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14203 / More Info
What They Offer: Safe Harbor Marinas offer rentals for a 30’ single level pontoon. Pricing depends on the day and hours of operation. Each pontoon comes fully equipped with safety gear so you and your friends are simultaneously able to hit the water and remain safe.
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Buffalo Cycleboats
301 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14204 / More Info
What They Offer: Although this is not technically a pontoon, you could sail and enjoy a few beverages so we obviously had to include it on this list. You can book by the seat or book the entire boat, which holds 15 people. This adventure is BYOB for beer and wine so head to your nearest Consumer Beverage and pick up some beer (in cans) or wine (bring plastic cups).
Chautauqua Marina
104 West Lake Road, Mayville, NY 14757 / chautauquamarina.com/rentals
What they offer: These guys are located on Chautauqua Lake and offer a huge variety of rentals including power boats, pontoons, fishing boats, pedal boats, and kayaks. They rent power and pontoon boats by the hour, and the others by the day and are relatively affordable. Plus, you can rent skis and tubes here too. Into it.
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Mark’s Leisure Time Marine
5364 E Lake Rd, Conesus, New York 14435 / marksleisuretimemarine.com
Looking to head out on a smaller lake for the day? This Conesus Lake Boat Rental has a few different sized pontoon boats available for daily rental as well as a 20′ Fiberglass Bowrider Bayliner, and kayaks.
Sailboats
Seven Seas Sailing
284 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14203 / More Info
What They Offer: In order to rent a boat from Seven Seas Sailing, you must complete one of their sailing courses. Once completed, there are several options to choose from, which really allow you to get the most out of your completed course and make the summer your own:
- One (1) four-hour rental
- Four (4) half-day rentals
- Unlimited seasonal rental
Make Sail Time
284 Fuhrmann Blvd., (RCR Yachts Boat Dock 49) Buffalo, NY 14203 / More info
What They Offer: Make Sail offers private charters with licensed captains and owners Rich and Mary Bennett. They offer a standard informational tour or a personalized sailing experience with no experience required. Call or email to book:
Daily Sail:
- Up to 2 Hours – First option
- Up to 3 Hours – Second option
- Up to 4 Hours – Third option
Private Sail:
- Up to 2 Hours – First option
- Up to 3 Hours – Second option
- Up to 4 Hours – Third option
Youngstown Yacht Club
491 Water St, Youngstown, NY 14174 / yyc.org
What they offer: They have 2 sailing options available for non-members of the YYC
Intro to Sailing – You will be taken out by a professional captain for a two hour sail. Ideal for someone who is interested in learning to sail but doesn’t know where to start.
Three hour charters – This is designed for anybody who would like to enjoy three hours of sailing out of the Youngstown Yacht Club with a professional captain. Each charter can accommodate up to 6 people. Great for a sunset cruise in Youngstown! General public.
Kayaks
Waterbike and Boat Adventures
11 Young St Tonawanda NY 14150 / More Info
What They Offer: Located in Gateway Harbor in Tonawanda, Water Bike and Boat Adventures provides the opportunity to rent kayaks and paddle board. There will be no availability of boat rentals during the 2021 season due to construction. Life jackets provided for all.
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BFLO Harbor Kayak
1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, New York 14202 / More Info
What They Offer: BLFO Harbor Kayak is all about options. Choose from a single kayak, a tandem, or a stand-up paddle board. Depending on which one you choose and the duration of your excursion pricing may vary. You can also book a guided tour here.
Elevator Alley Kayak
65 Vandalia St., Buffalo, NY 14204 / elevatoralleykayak.com
What They Offer: Head to the Mutual Riverfront Park at the Corner of South and Hamburg St. where either your single kayak rental for two hours, or tandem kayak for two hours will be waiting for you. If guided tours are your thing, Elevator Alley Kayak’s staff is ready to teach you about the historic Buffalo River.
Buffalo Riverworks
359 Ganson Street, Buffalo, NY / More Info
What They Offer: Riverworks has a fleet of single and tandem kayaks, as well as paddleboards for rent (Independent Health members receive a discount). Pro tip: The Riverworks launch docks are part of the new Buffalo Blueway system and are free for any paddler to use whether you are renting or bringing your own kayak, canoe or paddle board. Don’t forget there is a drive up boat drop off if you decide to bring your own.
Waterbike and Boat Adventures
11 Young St. Tonawanda, NY 14150 / (716) 316-3905 / More Info
What They Offer: Located in Gateway Harbor in Tonawanda, Waterbike and Boat Adventures provides rental of:
- Kayaks – Can not reserve but seldom a long wait.
- Double Kayaks – Can not reserve but seldom a long wait.
No refueling fees! Life jackets provided for all.
Blue Water Marina
330 East River Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072 / (716) 773-7884 / More Info
What They Offer: Located on Grand Island, they offer individual or tandem sit-in or sit-on kayaks, and stand up paddle boards for a minimum of 2 hour rentals. Explore on your own the beauty of the Upper Niagara River.
- Single kayak for 2 hours – First option
- Tandem kayak for 2 hours – Second option
Longboards Paddle Co.
Locations:
- Hamburg Town Beach – 4420 Lakeshore Road, Hamburg, NY 14075 – More Info
- Woodlawn Beach and State Park – S-3580 Lakeshore Road Blasdell, NY 14219 – More Info
- Wilkeson Point on the Outer Harbor – 225 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14203
- Buffalo River Launch (By reservation) – 301 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY – More Info
- Lake Erie Seaway Trail – 4968 Lake Shore Rd, Hamburg NY 14075 – More Info
This company has established itself at several different locations from Hamburg to the Outer Harbor. Plus, they have tons of rental options like single and tandem Kayak rentals, Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals, Hydro-bikes – single and tandem, and Turbo Paddle Boats for kids.
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated.