Boating/Checked Nov. 1, 2026
Boating on the Emerald Coast
To rent a boat of 10 hp or more in Florida, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, needs a Boating Safety Education ID Card or a temporary certificate from an FWC-approved online exam, valid up to 90 days. Liveries can't rent a motorboat or jet ski to anyone under 18 (FWC).
What you need to rent a boat or jet ski from Navarre to Panama City Beach, where the public ramps are, the Florida rules that get people ticketed, and whether today is a good day to go out. Rules come from the FWC and Okaloosa County.
119public ramps and landings listed below
Jan. 1, 1988FL: boater card needed if born on or after this date
10boat rentals in our directory
Can I rent or drive a boat? Check in 10 seconds
- FL: born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, motor of 10 hp or more. You need a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card, a NASBLA-approved card from another state, or a temporary certificate from an FWC-approved online exam (valid up to 90 days). Carry it with a photo ID. Liveries can't rent a motorboat or jet ski to anyone under 18. You must be at least 14 to operate a jet ski in Florida, and everyone aboard wears a non-inflatable life jacket.
On the water today
- Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier: Better pick another day. 64% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Navarre Beach Fishing Pier: Better pick another day. 67% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- M.B. Miller County Pier: Better pick another day. 50% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Russell-Fields City Pier & Beach: Better pick another day. 50% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Crab Island: Better pick another day. 61% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Destin Harbor: Better pick another day. 62% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Norriego Point: Better pick another day. NWS Rip Current Statement in effect
- Choctawhatchee Bay: Better pick another day. 58% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
Rules that get boaters ticketed
Kids under 6
A child under 6 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on a boat under 26 feet while it's underway, which means any time it isn't anchored, moored, tied to shore or aground.
Jet skis
No riding from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. Everyone aboard or being towed wears a non-inflatable life jacket. Minimum age to operate: 14.
Alcohol
Operators are presumed impaired at .08. For anyone under 21 operating a boat, the limit is .02.
Crab Island
Crab Island sits in Gulf Islands National Seashore waters over state-owned submerged land. Commercial vendors there need Okaloosa County and National Park Service approval. Okaloosa County rules cover anchoring floating structures, alcohol and an emergency vessel exclusion zone (Ordinances 18-19, 20-03 and 15-14).
Destin Harbor and East Pass
Okaloosa County Ordinance 19-06 sets restricted areas in Destin Harbor, East Pass and Sandpiper Cove.
Public boat ramps and landings
Okaloosa (26)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| Bill Duggan Jr. Park | 5999 Hwy85 S, Crestview · Shoal River |
| Blackwater River - Wilderness Landing Park | 5700 Corduroy Road, Baker · Blackwater River · free |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Bryant Bridge Small Boat Launch | 100 Bryant Bridge Road, Holt · Blackwater River · 24 hours · free |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Hurricane Lake North Recreation Area (No Gas Motors) | North Entrance Road, Baker · Hurricane Lake · Daytime Use Only · $2 fee |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Hurricane Lake South Recreation Area (No Gas Motors) | South Entrance Road, Baker · Hurricane Lake · 24 hours · $2 fee |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Karick Lake North (No Gas Motors) | Upper Karick Lake Road, Baker · Karick Lake · 24 hours · $2 fee |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Karick Lake South (No Gas Motors) | Lower Karick Lake Road, Baker · Karick Lake · Daytime Use Only · $2 fee |
| Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park - Boat Ramp | 4281 East Highway 20, Niceville · Choctawhatchee Bay - Rocky Bayou · 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year · $5 fee |
| Guest Lake Park | 3850 Yellow River log Lake Road, Holt · Yellow River · free |
| Joe's Bayou Boat Launch | 800 Beach Drive, Destin · Choctawhatchee Bay - Joe's Bayou · 24 hours · $25 fee |
| Lincoln Park | North Bayshore Drive & East Washington Avenue, Valparaiso · Choctawhatchee Bay - Boggy Bayou · 24 hours |
| Liza Jackson Park | ~344 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach · Santa Rosa Sound · 24 hours · $5 fee |
| Longwood Poquito Bayou County Park | 4 Bay Street, Shalimar · Choctawhatchee Bay - Garnier Bayou · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Meig's Park and Boat Ramp | Shalimar · Choctawhatchee Bay · free |
| Milligan-Yellow River Park | 5100 Ellis Road, Crestview · Yellow River · 24 hours · free |
| Misty Water Park - Mary Esther Pier (Limited Parking) | end of Misty Water Lane, Mary Esther · Santa Rosa Sound · 24 hours · $10 fee |
| Niceville Lions Park | ~ 950 Bayshore Drive, Niceville · Choctawhatchee Bay - Boggy Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Oak Grove Park | 2751 Hwy 2, Laurel Hill · Yellow River · free |
| Ray Lynn Barnes Public Boat Ramp | 3390 Hwy 90 East, Crestview · Shoal River · free |
| Reedy Landing Gravel Boat Ramp (Small Boats) | off Old River Road, Baker · Yellow River · free |
| Rickey Avenue Public Boat Ramp (Limited Parking) | 165 Rickey Avenue, Fort Walton Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay - Don's Bayou · Sunrise to Sunset · free |
| Ross Marler Park Boat Ramp | off Santa Rosa Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay · free |
| Sea Way Boat Ramp At Cinco Bayou | Seaway Street, Fort Walton Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay - Cinco Bayou · 24 hours · $5 fee |
| Swift Bayou - Edrehi Avenue Boat Ramp | 213 Edrehi Avenue, Niceville · Choctawhatchee Bay - Rocky Bayou |
| Twin Cities Park | off N John Sims Pkwy, Valparaiso · Choctawhatchee Bay - Boggy Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Valparaiso Florida Park | Florida Avenue and Bayshore Drive, Valparaiso · Choctawhatchee Bay - Boggy Bayou · 24 hours |
Walton (28)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| Alaqua Creek Park Public Boat Launch | 16 Johns Lane, Freeport · Choctawhatchee Bay - Alaqua Creek · Sunrise / Sunset · free |
| Berrian Lake Landing I (aka. Coon Bottom Landing) | 1358 Berrian Lake Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Berrian Lake Landing II | 131 Landing Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River - Berry Ann (Berrian) Lake · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Black Creek Landing Public Boat Ramp | County Road 3280 (Black Creek Road) south side of bridge, Freeport · Choctawhatchee River - Black Creek · 24 hours · free |
| Bruce / Ebro Landing Public Boat Ramp (Old - Replaced by Cowford Boat Ramp) | 14160 State Highway 20 East, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · 24 hours · free |
| Bruce Creek Landing Public Boat Ramp (aka Camp House Landing) | 855 Camp House Landing Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River - Bruce Creek · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Cat Island Park (No Gas Motors) | 1357 Cat Island Road, Defuniak Springs · Juniper Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Cedar Log Landing Public Boat Ramp | 28 Cedar Creek Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · fee |
| Charles E Cessna Landing Public Boat Ramp | County Road 393 North, Santa Rosa Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay - Hogtown Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Choctaw Beach Park Public Boat Launch | 12481 State Highway 20, Freeport · Choctawhatchee Bay · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Commander's Landing | 2309 River (McCaskill) Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · 24 hours · free |
| Cow Lake Landing Public Boat Ramp | 1108 Cedar Log Lake Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River - Cow Lake · free |
| Cowford Public Boat Ramp and Park (aka. Ebro / Bruce Landing) | 14160 East Highway 20, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · 24 hours · free |
| Dead River Landing Park | 2356 Dead River Road, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River · 24 hours · free |
| Eastern Lake County Park (No Trailer Parking) | 30 Lakeview Drive, Santa Rosa Beach · Eastern Lake · Daylight Hours · free |
| Grady Brown Bayfield Park - Boat Ramp | 20940 U.S. Highway 331 South, Freeport · Choctawhatchee Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Grayton Boat Ramp (No Trailer Parking) | 101 Banfill Road, Santa Rosa Beach · Western Lake · 24 hours · free |
| Juniper Lake Park (No Gas Motors) | 1615 Juniper Lake Road, Defuniak Springs · Juniper Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Lake Jackson Public Landing | 81 Lake Road, Laurel Hill · Lake Jackson (Walton County) · 24 hours · free |
| Lake Stanley Park Boat Ramp | off Shoemaker Drive, Defuniak Springs · Lake Stanley · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Legion Park Public Boat Ramp | 119 Crest Drive, Miramar Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Marse Landing at Four Mile Creek Park (The Point) | 336 Shipyard Road, Freeport · Choctawhatchee Bay - LaGrange Bayou - Four Mile Creek · 24 hours · free |
| Morrison Springs Park and Public Boat Ramp | 2894 County Highway 181C, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River - Morrison Springs · Sunrise to Sunset · free |
| North County Highway 393 Boat Launch | County Highway 393 North, Santa Rosa Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Point Washington Public Boat Ramp (aka Harbor Island Ferry) | North County Road 395 (Azalea Street), Santa Rosa Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay - Tucker Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Portland Park Public Boat Launch | 3609 Portland Park Road, Freeport · Choctawhatchee Bay - Alaqua Creek · 24 hours · free |
| Thomas Pilcher Park on the Clyde B. Wells Bridge - Boat Ramp | 21987 US Highway 331, Santa Rosa Beach · Choctawhatchee Bay · 24/7 · free |
| Tilley Landing at Lost Lake | 11267 State Road 81, Ponce De Leon · Choctawhatchee River - Lost Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
Santa Rosa (33)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| Archie Glover Park Boat Ramp | 2306 North 14th Avenue, Milton · Pensacola Bay - Escambia Bay - Mulatto Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Avalon Public Boat Ramp #1 - Mulat Boat Ramp | 3120 Bonfire Drive, Milton · Pensacola Bay - Escambia Bay - Mulatto Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Bal Alex Public Boat Ramp | 4180 Sandy Bluff Drive, Gulf Breeze · Pensacola Bay - East Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Big Juniper Creek - Indian Ford Take Out | Indian Ford Road, Milton · Big Juniper Creek · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Blackwater River State Forest - Sweetwater Creek - Sandy Landing | Approximately 2212 Sandy Forest Road (north of the bridge), Milton · Sweetwater Creek · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Blackwater River State Forest- Deaton Bridge Public Boat Ramp (Small Boats) | Off of Deaton Bridge Road just north of State Park entrance, Holt · Blackwater River · 24 hours · free |
| Brown's Fish Camp | South end of Ward Basin Road (County Road 89), Milton · Pensacola Bay - East Bay - Blackwater Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Carpenter's Park North Boat Launch | Munson Highway (County Road 191), Milton · Blackwater River · Sunrise to 10pm · free |
| Carpenter's Park South Boat Launch | Munson Highway (Broad Street), Milton · Blackwater River · Sunrise to 10pm · free |
| Chumuckla Springs Public Boat Ramp | 10501 Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp Road, Jay · Escambia River · 24 hours · free |
| Coldwater Creek - Old Steel Bridge Access | Steel Bridge Road, Milton · Coldwater Creek · free |
| East Bay River Public Boat Ramp | 2955 Highway 87 S, Navarre · Pensacola Bay - East Bay - East Bay River · 24 hours · free |
| Fisher Old Mill Road Boat Ramp (Small Boats) | Fisher Old Mill Road, Milton · Yellow River · free |
| Floridatown Park and Boat Ramp | 3900 Floridatown Road, Milton · Pensacola Bay - Escambia Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Garcon Point Public Boat Ramp | 200 South Garcon Point Road, Milton · Pensacola Bay - Escambia Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Gulf Breeze Shoreline Park Boat Ramp | 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze · Santa Rosa Sound · 24 hours · $10 fee |
| Gulf Breeze Wayside Park West | ~11 Gulf Breeze Highway (U.S. Highway 98), Gulf Breeze · Pensacola Bay · 24 hours · $5 fee |
| Holley Boat Ramp on Live Oak Street | 3100 Live Oak Street, Navarre · Pensacola Bay - East Bay - East Bay River · 24 hours · free |
| Indian Bayou Public Boat Ramp | 2417 South 26th Avenue, Milton · Pensacola Bay - Escambia Bay - Indian Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Keyser Landing Boat Ramp | 737 Keyser Landing Road, Jay · Escambia River · 24 hours · free |
| Mae Lane Public Boat Ramp (Small Boats, Limited Parking) | 4000 Mae Lane, Milton · Pensacola Bay - East Bay - Blackwater Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Marquis Basin Public Boat Ramp | 5199 Gillespie Road, Milton · Blackwater River - Marquis Basin · 24 hours · free |
| Morrell Public Boat Ramp | 7196 Morrell Road, Milton · Blackwater River · 24 hours · free |
| Nantahala Beach Public Access | Nantahla Beach Road, Gulf Breeze · Santa Rosa Sound · Daylight Hours Only · free |
| Navarre Beach Public Boat Ramp | 1453 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre · Santa Rosa Sound · 24 hours · free |
| Oyster Pile Public Boat Ramp | 4566 Waters Street, Milton · Blackwater River · 7am to 10 pm · free |
| Parkerville Boat Ramp (Small Boats Only) | Log Lake Road, Milton · Yellow River · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Quintette Landing Boat Ramp | 1388 Quintette Road (CR 184) on east shore of Escambia River, Milton · Escambia River - Quintette Lake · 24 hours · free |
| Russell Harber Landing Park (Milton) - Boat Ramp | 60165 Old Harbor Road, Milton · Blackwater River · 24 hours · free |
| Terrell Landing - McDavid Public Boat Ramp | 6218 Oil Plant Road, Jay · Escambia River · 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM · free |
| Webb Landing Public Boat Ramp | 0000 Webb Landing Road, Milton · Escambia River · 24 hours · free |
| Williams Lake Boat Ramp | 346 Williams Lake Road, Jay · Escambia River - Williams Lake · 24 hours · free |
| Woodlawn Beach Public Boat Ramp (Shallow Water) | 1422 Woodlawn Beach Road, Gulf Breeze · Santa Rosa Sound · 24 hours · free |
Bay (32)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| B.V. Buchanan Park and Public Boat Ramp | Laird Park Road, Panama City Beach · West Bay - ICW · 24 hours · free |
| Bayhead North Public Boat Ramp | 5195 Cherokee Street, Youngstown · Deer Point Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Bayhead South Public Boat Ramp | 8600 Cherokee Lane, Youngstown · Deer Point Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Bob George Park Public Boat Ramp | 130 Church Avenue, Panama City · Saint Andrew Bay - Watson Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| Burnt Mill Creek Public Boat Ramp | South Burnt Mill Creek Road, Panama City · Burnt Mill Creek - West Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Carl Gray Park Public Boat Ramp | W 22ND ST AND MOODY AVE, Panama City · St. Andrew Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Cherry Street Public Boat Ramp | 4000 Cherry Street, Panama City · Lake Martin · 24 hours · free |
| Crooked Creek Boat Ramp | County Road 388, Panama City Beach · Crooked Creek (Bay County) · 24 hours · free |
| David W. Hutchinson Park Boat Ramp | 10035 Highway 2301, Youngstown · Deer Point Lake · Daytime Use Only · $3 fee |
| Davis Lake Public Boat Ramp (No Gas Motors) | 706 East 9th Street, Lynn Haven · Davis Lake · free |
| Dolphin Drive Public Boat Ramp | north east end of Dolphin Drive, Panama City · Grand Lagoon - St. Andrew Bay · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Donald Penny Public Boat Ramp | Bridge Street (County Road 2302), Panama City · Fanning Bayou - North Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Earl Gilbert Park Public Boat Ramp | 6511 Oak Shore Drive, Panama City · St. Andrew Bay - East Bay · 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM · free |
| Econfina Creek - Bennett Road Primitive Boat Launch | Bennett Road, Youngstown · Econfina Creek · free |
| Ira Hutchinson Park and Public Boat Ramp | 4405 Highway 2321, Panama City · Deer Point Lake · Daytime Use Only · free |
| John B. Gore Park Public Boat Ramp | 600 BEULAH AVENUE, Panama City · St. Andrew Bay - East Bay - Callaway Bayou · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Lake Huntington Park Primitive Boat Launch | 3504 West 15th Street, Panama City · Lake Huntington · free |
| Lake Powell Public Boat Ramp | 23104 Lakeview Drive, Panama City Beach · Lake Powell · Dalyight Hours Only · free |
| Leslie Porter Wayside Park Public Boat Ramp | STATE ROAD 77 AND 3RD STREET ON NORTH BAY, Lynn Haven · North Bay - St Andrew Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Maude Holmes Public Boat Ramp at Sandy Creek | Sandy Creek Road, Panama City · Sandy Creek · 24 hours · free |
| McCall-Everitt Park - Deer Point Lake Draw Down Boat Ramp | 4241 County Road 2321 (State Highway 77A), Panama City · Deer Point Lake · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| McCall-Everitt Park - North Bay Boat Ramp | 4242 County Road 2321 (State Highway 77A), Panama City · Saint Andrew Bay - North Bay · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| McKenzie Road Public Boat Ramp | 1501 McKenzie Road, Panama City · Fanning Bayou - North Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Mexico Beach Public Boat Ramp (City Docks) | U.S. Highway 98, Mexico Beach · Mexico Beach Canal · 24 hours · $25 fee |
| Panama City Marina Public Boat Ramp | 1 Harrison Avenue, Panama City · Saint Andrew Bay · 24 hours · free |
| Parker Environmental Exploratorium Park and Public Boat Ramp | 4630 Lake Drive, Panama City · Lake Martin · Daytime Use Only · free |
| Quail Street Public Boat Ramp | north east end of Quail Street, Panama City · Grand Lagoon - St. Andrew Bay · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Safari Street Public Boat Ramp | north east end of Safari Street, Panama City · Grand Lagoon - St. Andrew Bay · Dawn to Dusk · free |
| Saint Andrews State Park - Boat Ramp | 4607 State Park Lane (Thomas Drive / State Highway 39), Panama City · Grand Lagoon - St. Andrew Bay · 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year · $8 fee |
| Shoreline Circle Public Boat Ramp (Pretty Bayou) | 3718 Shoreline Circle, Panama City · Saint Andrew Bay - Pretty Bayou · 24 hours · free |
| St. Andrews City Marina Public Boat Ramp | 11th Court and Bayview Avenue, Panama City · St. Andrew Bay · 24 hours · free |
| West Hathaway Bridge Wayside Park | West end of Hathaway Bridge (US 98), Panama City Beach · St. Andrew Bay · 24 hours · free |
Boat and jet ski rentals on the Emerald Coast
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Permits for rental businesses
Renting boats in Florida
You need a free FWC Livery Operator Permit, renewed every year, with insurance of at least $500,000 per person and $1 million per event (not required for paddle-only rentals). Renting without one is a first-degree misdemeanor. Every renter gets a pre-rental briefing on FWC forms 313A or 313B, kept for 90 days.
Renting in Okaloosa County
Waterway rental vendors register with the county and attend a mandatory pre-season meeting each February (Ordinance 22-08). Parking standards for liveries are in Ordinance 22-10. Commercial operations at Crab Island also need a National Park Service authorization.
Boaters, help keep this guide right
Questions boaters ask
Do I need a boating license to rent a pontoon in Destin?
If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and the boat has 10 hp or more, yes: a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card, an approved card from another state, or a temporary certificate from an FWC-approved exam (FWC).
How old do you have to be to rent a jet ski in Florida?
18 to rent. You must be at least 14 to operate one (FWC).
Who controls Crab Island?
It's in Gulf Islands National Seashore waters over state-owned submerged land; Okaloosa County and the National Park Service both regulate commercial activity there (Okaloosa County).