About Santa Cruz Boat Rental
Santa Cruz Boat Rental provides motorised skiff rentals directly from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, giving visitors a unique way to explore Monterey Bay under their own power. Their fleet of 16-foot motorised skiffs — each equipped with an 8-horsepower outboard motor — is ideal for fishing, harbour cruising, and coastal sightseeing without the cost or commitment of a full charter. The wharf-side location at 15 Municipal Wharf puts boaters in the water within minutes of arriving, with no trailering or launching required.
Every rental includes a full tank of fuel, personal flotation devices for all passengers, and a thorough safety and instructional briefing before departure. Fishing rods, tackle, bait, and crab traps are available for hire separately, making it easy to combine a leisurely boat ride with some angling for rockfish, halibut, or Dungeness crab. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for those who prefer a paddle-powered outing. The shop opens early — 6am on most days — catering to anglers who want to hit the water at first light.
Santa Cruz Boat Rental fills a niche that few other operators in town cover: affordable, self-guided boating on Monterey Bay. While charter boats and sailing yachts serve a different market, these small skiffs give visitors the freedom to putter along the coastline, drop a line wherever they choose, and enjoy the bay at their own pace. The friendly, no-fuss operation and the prime wharf location make it one of the most accessible ways to get out on the water in Santa Cruz.
