Pedder Bay Marina
Metchosin, BC
Sheltered marina at the entrance to Race Rocks with a fleet of small aluminum boats available for hourly and daily self-drive rental, plus tackle, bait and launch facilities.
Self-driveFishing boatPowerboat
Marine Directory · Victoria, BC
Boat Rentals in Victoria, British Columbia
Independently researched boat rentals listings across Victoria, Greater Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula and southern Vancouver Island.
About this directory
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience Victoria, British Columbia. Whether you want to run your own small powerboat, join a captained harbour cruise or paddle the Inner Harbour by kayak, the Greater Victoria area offers several distinct on-water options across the Inner Harbour, Saanich Inlet, Sooke Basin and the Saanich Peninsula.
This directory separates the different experiences so you can find the right one. Self-drive boat rentals and fishing-boat rentals let experienced boaters operate a small vessel themselves, typically an aluminum runabout with an outboard. Captained private charters and harbour charters put a professional operator at the helm for tours, group outings and private events. Sailing experiences range from skippered day sails to bareboat sailing charters based out of Sidney, and kayak and paddlecraft rentals serve Victoria's protected harbour and Gorge waterway.
Availability is highly seasonal on Vancouver Island and every operator has its own age, licensing, deposit and weather policies. Confirm current details directly with the provider before booking.
8 of 8 verified listings
Brentwood Bay Resort & Marina
Brentwood Bay, BC
Full-service resort marina on Saanich Inlet offering boat rentals, Sea Doo rentals and guided experiences from a protected deep-water bay.
Self-drivePowerboatHarbour charter
Victoria Harbour Ferry
Victoria, BC
Iconic little harbour ferries running Inner Harbour tours, the Gorge waterway route and private group charters departing from Victoria's Inner Harbour docks.
Captained charterHarbour charter
Ocean River Sports
Victoria, BC
Long-established Victoria paddlesports outfitter offering kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, lessons and guided tours on the Gorge and Inner Harbour.
Kayak or paddlecraft
Kelp Reef Adventures
Victoria, BC
Small-group sea-kayak tours and rentals launching from Victoria's Inner Harbour, exploring the working harbour, Fisherman's Wharf and nearby coastline.
Kayak or paddlecraftCaptained charter
Sail Away Yacht Charters
Sidney, BC
Sidney-based skippered and bareboat sailing charters operating out of Van Isle Marina, with day sails and multi-day itineraries through the Southern Gulf Islands.
SailboatCaptained charter
Cooper Boating
Sidney, BC
Bareboat and skippered sail and power charter fleet based at Van Isle Marina serving the Gulf Islands, with sail-training courses recognised across Canada.
SailboatPowerboatCaptained charter
Sooke Coastal Explorations
Sooke, BC
Small-vessel captained wildlife and coastal tours from Sooke Harbour, purpose-built for close-in exploration of the Juan de Fuca coastline.
Captained charterHarbour charter
Local knowledge
What to Know Before Renting a Boat in Victoria
Rental policies vary significantly between operators around Greater Victoria. Before you book, expect the operator to ask a few common questions and confirm the following directly with them.
- Operator requirements. Most self-drive operators require a minimum age (often 19 or higher for the primary renter), photo ID and boating experience.
- Boating licence. Anyone operating a motorised pleasure craft in Canada must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Many rental companies check for this at pickup.
- Deposits and fuel. Damage deposits, fuel policies and return-cleaning fees vary. Ask whether fuel is included or metered.
- Safety equipment. Boats are supplied with Transport Canada-required safety gear. Confirm what is on board and what you must bring, including extra lifejackets for children.
- Weather and area limits. Operators may restrict travel outside a defined area (for example inside Pedder Bay or Saanich Inlet) or cancel bookings for wind and sea-state reasons.
- Passenger limits. Small rental boats have strict passenger limits marked on the vessel capacity plate.
- Fishing licences. Anyone fishing in tidal waters requires a valid tidal-waters licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada; rental operators do not supply this.
- Cancellation policies. Deposits, refund windows and weather-cancellation terms differ by operator.
This information is general and does not represent the policies of any specific operator. Confirm every requirement directly with the provider.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boating licence to rent a boat in Victoria?+
Yes. Anyone operating a motorised pleasure craft in Canadian waters must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Most Victoria-area rental operators verify this at pickup.
What is the difference between a boat rental and a captained charter?+
A self-drive rental means you operate the boat yourself. A captained charter puts a licensed operator at the helm, so no boating card is required and the trip is guided.
Can I rent a fishing boat in Victoria?+
Small self-drive fishing boats are available at Pedder Bay Marina and a small number of other Vancouver Island operators. Availability is seasonal and pre-booking is usually required.
Where do harbour tours leave from in Victoria?+
Victoria Harbour Ferry and captained charter operators depart from the Inner Harbour docks below the Fairmont Empress, near the Legislature buildings.
Can I rent a sailboat in Victoria or Sidney?+
Yes. Sidney is Vancouver Island's main sailing hub, with skippered and bareboat sailing charters operating out of Van Isle Marina and nearby facilities.
Is a fishing licence included with a rental?+
No. Tidal-waters fishing licences are issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and must be purchased separately by each person who fishes.
Are kayak rentals available on Victoria's Inner Harbour?+
Yes. Local paddlesports outfitters offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours on the Gorge waterway and Inner Harbour.
When is the best time of year to rent a boat around Victoria?+
May through September is the main boating season for Greater Victoria, with the calmest conditions typically between June and August. Some operators run outside these months on a limited schedule.
Please note: VictoriaBoatShow.com is an independent local boating and marine-business guide. Business services, hours, availability, prices and policies may change. Confirm details directly with the listed provider before visiting or booking.
Listings are researched from publicly available information including official business websites and municipal or tourism sources. Businesses may submit corrections through our Corrections page. Inclusion does not imply endorsement. Sponsored placements are clearly labelled and paid placement does not influence factual descriptions.