25-02-2025
Planning to enjoy spring break on a boat? Here are the Florida boating laws you need to know
Wild, unrestrained college students are about to descend upon Florida in the hedonistic orgy of spring break where they will... drift lazily on a boat?
Whether it's spring breakers or vacationing families hoping to avoid spring breakers, more people are hoping to "unwind, unplug and reconnect," according to marketplace site Boatsetter. The company said in a release Tuesday that more of their boat rentals and charters over the next month are shifting toward more serene "quietcations."
Vacationers are skipping the partying scene to enjoy paddleboarding, snorkeling, wildlife tours, guided fishing trips, swimming in scenic locations, or just getting on a boat for a long, immersive experience, Boatsetter said.
And Florida is the main destination for lazy days on the water.
"Projections for Spring Break 2025 show nearly half of all Boatsetter bookings happening in Miami and Fort Lauderdale alone," Boatsetter said in a release Tuesday. "But interest is expanding, with Tampa, St. Petersburg, and West Palm Beach seeing significant demand, as travelers look beyond the usual hotspots for quieter, equally stunning coastal escapes."
Other top boating destinations for spring break are California and Texas, Boatsetter said.
You can avoid the hectic areas and still have a great time on the water. Here are some underrated places to enjoy some relaxation, exploration, and possibly seafood, according to Boatsetter:
Sarasota, Florida: A stunning coastal city known for its calm waters, sandbars, and an emerging wellness scene featuring paddleboarding and eco-tours.
Islamorada, Florida: A haven for fishing enthusiasts and those looking to experience the ultimate "catch and cook" seafood adventure.
Catalina Island, California: A picturesque island retreat just off the California coast, perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and yacht charters.
San Diego, California: A premier boating destination with opportunities for sailing, whale-watching, and sunset cruises along the Pacific Coast.
Galveston, Texas: A historic Gulf Coast getaway with easy access to offshore fishing, dolphin-watching, and luxury yacht charters.
Lake Austin, Texas: A hidden gem offering a mix of scenic boat rentals, waterside dining, and relaxed cruising in a laid-back setting.
Federal Navigation Rules apply. Here are some of the notable boating laws that would apply to visitors.
You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida and at least 18 to rent one.
If you are operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more, you must complete an approved boater safety course unless you are on a lake or pond, you have someone 18 or older aboard who has passed the course, or you bought the vessel within the last 90 days.
Operating a vessel, waterskiing or using other aquaplaning devices while impaired by alcohol or other drugs is illegal.
Anyone operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device.
Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Idle Speed - No Wake" must operate at the minimum speed that allows the vessel to maintain headway and steerageway.
Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Slow Speed, Minimum Wake" must operate fully off plane and completely settled in the water.
It is illegal for anyone operating a vessel involved in a boating accident to leave the scene without giving all possible aid to the involved persons and without reporting the accident to the proper authorities.
Reckless operation of a vessel is a first-degree misdemeanor
All operators are responsible for operating their vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner with regard for other vessel traffic, posted restrictions, the presence of a divers-down flag and other circumstances so as not to endanger people outside of the vessel or property.
Anyone convicted of two non-criminal boating safety infractions within a 12-month period, a boating infraction that resulted in a reportable boating accident, or a criminal; boating violation must complete two boating safety courses.
Manatees are protected by state and federal law. It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal, including manatees, and violations are punishable under federal law up to a $100,000 fine, one-year imprisonment, or both.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Spring break: Florida boating laws you need to know
