Boat rentals on Hilton Head
The following companies rent various kinds of boats. They are listed in
alphabetical order, and no representation is made regarding them. I have
personally used most of them with very few problems. They
come bareboat.
Commander Zodiac rents small sailboats: Prindle 16' and AMF Sunfish.
843-671-3344.
C-Katz Watersportz 843-681-9008 Jenkins Rd. at the RV Resort.
Harbour Town Power Boat Rentals 843-671-4386
Island Water Sports at South Beach Marina 843-671-7007.
Ocean Watersports 843-842-2566 at Broad Creek Marina.
Palmetto Bay Marina 843-785-7131
Palmetto Bay Watersports 843-785-2345
Shore Beach Services lifeguards rent catamarans and water tricycles on the
beaches. 843-785-3494.
Sky Pirates Watersports 843-842-2566 at the Broad Creek Marina
Jarvis Creek Water Sports rents Hydro-Bikes. 843-681-9260.
For kayak rentals, click here.
For wave runner rentals, click here.
Many types of watercraft are for rent. You can rent a sailboat either with a
captain or bare boat. Power boats for rent vary from small (15 Ft. to 19 Ft.)
runabouts, which have a limited passenger capacity, to Deckliners, which
can hold up to 9 passengers, to pontoon boats, which are floating patios with a
fairly large capacity.
In most cases, you will start with a fresh tank of gas, and when you return
the boat they will fill it up and charge you for the gas you used.
Before you leave, they will give you a nautical chart (like a map) and explain
it to you. It's important you understand the water depth readings. The tide here
can swing 8 to 9 feet, and you can do a lot of damage to a boat on oyster shell
reefs and shallows in general.
Also important are the no-wake zones prevalent in all the estuaries and creeks.
These are enforced by the Beaufort County Sheriff and the US Coast Guard
(minimum $150 fine, plus any damage to property).
In most cases, boat rental companies do not permit their boats in the ocean (too
far to come get you if you get in trouble, water may be rough). Also you may not
beach a boat and you must stay 100 yards offshore in swimming areas . Yes,
there is such a thing as a BUI.
If you get in trouble
Few rental boats have radios, so you might want to take your cell phone. To
signal a need for assistance from another boat, wave both arms (waving one arm
is a greeting). If you loose power, find the anchor, make sure the other end
of the anchor line is tied firmly to the boat, and throw out the anchor.
This will keep you from drifting on the tidal currents, which can sweep you away
at an alarming rate. It is against the law for a boater to ignore a plea for
help, and you will find most to be very helpful, especially the commercial
boats. Your rescuer might not offer a tow - with a rental boat it's not allowed
- but can contact the rental company to come for you.
What to do on a rented boat.
Dolphin watching is a favorite pastime. You can find Dolphins off the
Northern tip of Hilton Head plantation past Skull Creek, in the lower reaches of
Broad Creek, off South Beach, and wherever a shrimp trawler is anchored.
Cruise up Broad Creek and check out the mansions on Bram's Point. Go North in
the Calibogue sound and you can go under the bridge from the mainland. On your
way past Buck island, get close to the dock to see the Statue of Liberty at one
end and the highway patrolman at the other. Go West to Daufuskie island and go
up the Cooper river, which will take you to the public boat landing on Daufuskie
(you can tie up and explore, but it's costing you the hourly rental rate). Go up
the May river and see old Bluffton from the water. Just remember there are no
bathrooms on these boats!
With acknowledgement to Dave Murphy for his suggestion
Updated
06/17/07