Visiting Lake Wylie, SC is one of the best parts about living in south Charlotte, NC, but it wasn’t easy to find a boat rental on Lake Wylie that included the captain. Keep reading to find out more about how to book a boat rental on Lake Wylie with or without a captain.
Many people in South Carolina have their own boats to sail down Lake Wylie, but others will rent a pontoon for large parties. For this trip, it was just my husband Fernando and I enjoying the weather on Lake Wylie for Mother’s Day.
He kept cool in a white cuban shirt.
This post includes…
- Best Ways to find a boat rental on Lake Wylie
- Where to find a chartered boat with Captain
- What to pack on your boat tour
- Things to do on Lake Wylie SC
- Where to eat on Lake Wylie
Best Ways To Find A Boat Rental on Lake Wylie, SC
Boat rentals are super popular in North and South Carolina so there’s lots of competition for your business. The biggest difference in prices were determined by:
- The size of the boat,
- How many people will be aboard
- Time on the water
- Whether or not the boat comes with a captain
Fernando and I were not interested in driving the boat ourselves. Perhaps we will in the future but we would need to take boating lessons in order to be allowed to drive a rental boat. In most cases you need to be over 27 AND have prior boating experience. Good luck with that! Most places will only allow you to rent and drive their boats if you are over 30.
Pontoon boat Rentals on Lake Wylie
You can book a pontoon for your day on Lake Wylie for $500 to $600 for a full day rental. The good thing is that the prices usually include fuel, but this is without a captain.
Pontoons can seat roughly 8 people comfortably but there are also weight limits to consider. These boats are great for bridal parties, birthdays, romantic afternoons, anniversaries, and more.
Yacht Rentals on Lake Wylie
Large yachts or mega yachts are not so popular on Lake Wylie. These boats are often much more expensive and are taller than pontoons. The most popular boats on Lake Wylie are pontoons, jet skis, canoes, and paddle boats.
Gain access to a variety of lake Wylie boat rentals including sports cruisers at boatsetter.com. Be sure to use the filters to narrow down your search for the perfect boat. You can specify things like the number of passengers or the activity you’ll be doing. If you want to rent a yacht on Lake Wylie, just scroll down their menu and choose your “boat type”.
Mini Yacht on Lake Wylie
The perfect solution to yachting on Lake Wylie is to book a mini yacht like we did!
It has the perfect amount of space for a small group or a romantic rendezvous. It also has quality amenities like a small kitchen, bathroom, lounge area, and cabin.
Check out my video below for a full tour of this area.
The mini yacht was great for cruising but also can travel at great speeds. I felt the breeze in my hair and later drifted with a drink in my hand.
We loved the mini yacht because we were able to retreat to the lower cabin when there was a light sprinkle of rain. There is also full coverage in the event of heavier rain, but in the case of inclement weather, it’s best to reschedule your tour.
Where to find a chartered boat with Captain
We were able to book our 3 hour tour of Lake Wylie on a mini yacht with Crown and Anchor Boating Tours. It took some time to find the perfect boat size for us, but we did a great job because this booking included the captain at a great price. Finally!
All of the booking and payment was done online and there is even an option to make installment payments.
Crown and Anchor Boating Tours
While a mini yacht can fit more than 5 people, it was most comfortable for us to be alone. If I had brought the children, I would have been nervous about Cairo (3) and would need to monitor him constantly. That’s not my idea of a relaxing Mother’s Day.
Check with each boat rental company for current rates because it can fluctuate depending on days of the week and holidays.
What to Pack for Lake Wylie Boat Tour
Sun Protection
Sunglasses! Be sure to pack some shades, or a sun hat. Depending on the type of boat you book, you may or may not have sun cover, and the sun in the south is HOT! You should already be wearing your sunscreen before arriving at the dock, but if you’re going to be out on the sundeck for some time, then you’ll need to reapply it. Be sure to pack it with you to protect yourself from sunburn.
Bring a little nosh
We didn’t want to leave the boat and spend our time in a restaurant, so it made more sense to pack something light and easy to eat while bobbing up and down on the water. Charcuterie and cheese from Publix was perfect for this. We also packed fruit, adult beverages, and champagne glasses.
Motion sickness medicine
You never know if or when you may experience motion sickness on your boat tour. If you’re not used to being on the water for hours, then it’s a good idea to pack this.
Swim Gear
Life jackets are typically provided on these vessels, but make sure by asking the booking company first. For the little ones to swim you can pack their float vest.
Floating devices are not necessarily recommended, but you should pack your swim suit, fins, goggles, or other swim accessories just in case you want to go jump in a lake. Don’t forget your deck shoes or flip flops!
I wore this red swimsuit which was comfortable, flirty, and had nice coverage.
Things to do on Lake Wylie SC
Have a picnic by Lake Wylie!
There are definitely spots where you or your captain can dock your boat and lay out a blanket with a basket of treats. Even if the weather is hot, it will be more pleasant by the water. Find a shaded area and enjoy a nice picnic before you head home.
Canoeing Lake Wylie NC
Canoeing and kayaking on Lake Wylie are very popular because there is plenty of space for it. You can bring your own and sail off the docks or book with a kayak rental company. They will tell you where the best spots on the lake are for this activity and where to return your gear.
Lake Wylie Swimming
Some locations on Lake Wylie are private, but the obvious spots welcoming strangers will become obvious because there will be many boats along the coast. That’s where you can set up camp and take a dip.
Fishing on Lake Wylie, SC
You will find people fishing along Lake Wylie. You can stop on the coast and fish or stay on your boat in the middle of the Lake.
Where to eat on Lake Wylie
There are a variety restaurants in the Lake Wylie area, but you’ll have to leave the lake to get to them. The only place actually on the lake with a dock is Papa Doc’s Shore Club.
There, you can hop off your boat, grab a bite of seafood, and then jump right back in and set sail again. Unfortunately that is the only place like that on the actual Lake Wylie. It’s probably best to make a reservation.
Enjoy!
I hope you have a good idea about how to find your boat rental on Lake Wylie, SC. Keep in mind whether or not you need a full day rental, a captain, or a large pontoon boat rental. Check out my video below that shows all things people do on Lake Wylie!
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