Everything you need before you take the wheel — rules, tips and trip ideas for the waters around Pompano Beach.
Florida has no boating “license,” but anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must carry a Boating Safety Education ID card (or an accepted equivalent) to drive a boat with 10 horsepower or more. That includes a rented pontoon. If your driver was born before 1988, no card is required.
Driving a pontoon is easier than most people expect: steer with the wheel, control speed with one throttle lever, and move slowly near docks and other boats. Pontoons are wide and stable, so they suit first-time drivers on calm water like the Intracoastal.
Every RoadRunner rental already includes gas, a cooler and a floating mat. Bring sun protection, water, food and drinks for your cooler, towels, a photo ID and the driver's boater card if they were born on or after January 1, 1988.
The shallow, sandy areas around the Hillsboro Inlet are the best-known sandbar spots near Pompano Beach. A pontoon is ideal: it floats in shallow water, anchors easily and gives your group a wide deck to relax on between swims.
The Intracoastal Waterway is the protected inland channel running behind Pompano Beach's barrier island. Its calmer water, waterfront homes and nearby inlet make it the main playground for pontoon renters.
The Hillsboro Inlet connects the Intracoastal to the ocean between Pompano Beach and Hillsboro Beach. It's a great place to watch boats and see the lighthouse, but currents can be strong — pontoons should enjoy the inlet area from the calm inside water, not head out into the ocean.
Several waterfront restaurants along the Intracoastal near Pompano Beach offer docks for customers arriving by boat. Call the restaurant ahead to confirm dock space and hours, and pick a 4- or 8-hour rental so lunch doesn't feel rushed.
Manatee zones are areas where Florida limits boat speed to protect manatees, often more strictly in cooler months. Posted signs tell you the rule: “Slow Speed” means level and minimal wake, and “Idle Speed” means the slowest speed that still lets you steer.
A pontoon is one of the easiest ways to throw a party on the water in Pompano Beach: open deck, shaded seating and room for up to 8 guests. Rentals run 2 hours ($200), 4 hours ($300) or 8 hours ($420), with gas, a cooler and a floating mat included.
The late-afternoon light along the Intracoastal is one of the best parts of a Pompano Beach pontoon day. We're open 9 AM to 5 PM daily, so call 561-629-1108 to plan a rental that ends as close to golden hour as our schedule allows.
Pontoons are a great fit for families: they're stable, have railings all around and hold up to 8 passengers, so kids and grandparents can ride together. Choose 2 hours ($200) for little ones, or 4 to 8 hours ($300–$420) for a full sandbar day — gas, a cooler and a floating mat are always included.
Ready to book? See boat rental Pompano Beach.