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 / Website
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.
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).
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Chautauqua Marina
104 West Lake Road, Mayville, NY 14757 / Website
What they offer: These guys are located on Chautauqua Lake and offer a huge variety of rentals including power boats, pontoons, and fishing boats. They rent their boats by the hour and by the day and are relatively affordable.
Mark’s Leisure Time Marine
5364 E Lake Rd, Conesus, New York 14435 / Website
What They Offer: 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 kayaks ans stand up paddle boards.
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Sailboats
Seven Seas Sailing
284 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14203 / Website
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:
- Four half-day rentals
- Unlimited seasonal rental
Make Sail Time
284 Fuhrmann Blvd., (RCR Yachts Boat Dock 49) Buffalo, NY 14203 / Website
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.
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Kayaks
Waterbike and Boat Adventures
11 Young St Tonawanda NY 14150 / Website
What They Offer: Located in Gateway Harbor in Tonawanda, Water Bike and Boat Adventures provides the opportunity to rent kayaks, hydrobikes and paddle boards.
BFLO Harbor Kayak
1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, New York 14202 / Website
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 tours!
Elevator Alley Kayak
65 Vandalia St., Buffalo, NY 14204 / Website
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 / Website
What They Offer: Riverworks has a fleet of single and tandem kayaks, as well as paddleboards for rent. 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.
Blue Water Marina
330 East River Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072 / Website
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 the beauty of the Upper Niagara River on one of their tours.
Longboards Paddle Co.
Multiple Locations / Website
What They Offer: 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.
