family on new fishing boat

Smith Mountain Lake Boat Rentals Directory

Renting a boat at Smith Mountain Lake is easy, and there are plenty of marinas and boat rental companies to help you find the perfect fit for you and your crew.

Whether you’re looking for pontoon boats, fishing boats, jet skis or something in between, you’ll find it at here. Dive into the SML Insiders’ comprehensive directory of Smith Mountain Lake marina and boat rental companies.

Bernard’s Boat Rentals

Located at Bernards Landing, 775 Ashmeade Road, Moneta, Virginia (Franklin County; on SML west of Marker R-8). Call 540-721-7800. Operated by Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals. Visit Bernard’s Boat Rentals.

Bridgewater Marina Boat Rentals

Located at Hales Ford Bridge, 16410 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta, Virginia (Franklin County; on SML northwest of Marker R-28). Call 540-721-1639. Pontoons, tritoons, deck boats, wakeboarding and ski boats, PWCs. In the summer, Bridgewater offers several conveniently located satellite spots around the lake. Visit Bridgewater Marina & Boat Rentals.

Captain’s Quarters

Located at Hales Ford Bridge, 16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy, Moneta, Virginia (Franklin County; on SML northwest of Marker R-28). Call 540-721-1175. Pontoon boats, deck boats, PWCs, fishing boats. Visit Captain’s Quarters.

Crazy Horse Boat Rentals

Located at Crazy Horse Marina, 400 Crazy Horse Drive, Moneta, VA (Franklin County; on SML at marker B-10A). Call 540-721-1639. Wide array of rental boats. Operated by Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals. Visit Crazy Horse Boat Rentals.

Gills Creek Marina

Located at 790 Fox Chase Road, Wirtz, VA (Franklin County, on SML west of Marker G-2). Call 540-721-2451. Tritoons and pontoons. Visit Gills Creek Marina.

A pontoon glides across Smith Mountain Lake at Sunset
Photo by Jayson Firebaugh | Star City SkyCams

Halesford Harbor Boat Rentals

Located at Halesford Harbor, 1043 Campers Paradise Trail, Moneta, VA (Bedford County; on SML northwest of Marker R-28). Call 540-238-5606. Operated by Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals. Visit Halesford Harbor Boat Rentals.

Mariners Landing Boat Rentals

Located at 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston, VA (Bedford County; on SML near Marker C-6). Call 540-238-7726. Operated by Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals. Visit Mariners Landing Boat Rentals.

Parkway Marina Boat Rentals

Located at Parkway Marina, 16918 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA (Bedford County; on SML north of Markers R-8 & R-6). Call 540-297-4412. Tritoons and pontoons. Visit Parkway Marina Boat Rentals.

Parrot Cove Boat Rentals

Located at Hales Ford Bridge, 16441 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta, VA (Franklin County; on SML northwest of Marker R-28). Call 540-721-5363. Pontoon boats, tritoons, deck boats, fishing boats, PWCs and houseboat rental on Smith Mountain Lake. Visit Parrot Cove Boat Rentals.

Smith Mountain Boat Rentals

Dockside delivery and pickup only (anywhere at SML). Call 540-915-6569. Pontoon boats, speedboats, PWCs, and private charter tours with captain. Visit Smith Mountain Boat Rentals.

Sailboat gliding in front of Smith Mountain
Photo by Andie Gibson

Smith Mountain Lake Sailing School & Sailing Charters

Located at 108 Hill Crest Drive, Moneta, Virginia. (Franklin County; on SML near Marker G-4). Call 540-719-0009. Offering 3-4 hour sailing adventures with a licensed captain. Visit SML Sailing School & Sailing Charters.

SML Boat Rentals

Located at Mitchell’s Point Marina, 3553 Trading Post Road, Huddleston, Virginia (Bedford County; on SML between Markers C-2 and C-3). Call 540-484-3980. Pontoon boats, deck boats. Visit SML Boat Rentals.

State Park Boat Rentals

Located at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, Virginia (Bedford County; on SML northeast of Marker R-19). Call 540-297-3642. Operated by Bridgewater Marina and Boat Rentals. Visit State Park Boat Rentals.

The Dock at SML

Located at 188 Locust Lane, Penhook, Virginia (Pittsylvania County; on SML southwest of Marker R-6). Pontoons and tritoons. Visit The Dock at SML Boat Rentals.

Westlake Boat Rentals

Located in Westlake Waterfront Inn, 2050 Morewood Road, Hardy, Virginia (Franklin County; on SML southwest of Marker R-37). Call 540-721-1159. Pontoons and deck boats. Visit Westlake Boat Rentals.

Are Boats Allowed on Smith Mountain Lake?

Boats are allowed on Smith Mountain Lake with pontoons, tritoons, runabouts, deck boats, wake surfing boats and fishing boats all popular choices. You may also bring or rent personal watercraft — commonly known as Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners and PWCs. Houseboat rentals are also available at Smith Mountain Lake.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the most beautiful scenery at Smith Mountain Lake (and have fun while doing it!), boating definitely should be high on your to-do list.

Many local boat rental companies also sell marine gas and rent kayaks, standup paddleboards (SUPs), fun pull-behind tubes, water skis, wake boards, canoes, kneeboards and other water sports equipment.

Jet Ski Rental Smith Mountain Lake

A Smith Mountain Lake jet ski zips along the water
Photo by Jayson Firebaugh | Star City SkyCams

Jet skis may be rented at most SML marinas. Also known as personal watercraft (PWC), they may only be operated from dawn to dusk. Drivers, passengers and all people being towed by a PWC, are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

All PWC operators age 14 and older are required to take the Virginia boating safety course, which is available in person or online. However, exceptions apply for renters 16 and older who complete a dockside safety checklist at a marina.

Find more information on boating safety requirements from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Houseboat Rental on Smith Mountain Lake

Currently only Parrot Cove Boat Rental offers house boats for rent Smith Mountain Lake. Find out more about the advantages of this fun option in our SML Vacation Rentals and Lodging Guide.

Can You Kayak on Smith Mountain Lake?

Kayaking is popular year-round on Smith Mountain Lake, which has a multitude of quiet coves. The best time to kayak at Smith Mountain Lake is in the early morning when boat traffic is light and you can enjoy smooth-as-glass water and peaceful solitude.

Do You Need a Boat License to Rent a Boat at Smith Mountain Lake?

No. Under Virginia law, you may operate a boat on Smith Mountain Lake without a license if you have a rental or lease agreement from a boat rental company and complete a dockside safety checklist.

Once you complete the training program, the boat or jet ski rental business will provide documentation that proves you are in compliance with Virginia’s education requirement.

Another exception to the boating license requirement is for those under onboard direct supervision of a person who already meets the education requirement. This allows licensed captains to teach family members or friends how to safely operate a boat.

How Do I Get a Virginia Boating License?

We highly recommend you take and pass the Virginia Boating Safety Course or another safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Doing so keeps you, your crew and others on the water safer.

Virginia’s Class, called Boat Virginia, is available in a classroom setting or online. Learn more about Virginia’s Boating Safety and Education Requirement.

How Much Are Boat Slips at Smith Mountain Lake?

Boat slips at Smith Mountain Lake start around $1,300 and can go as high as $5,700 per year. Local companies offer covered and uncovered slips, which accounts for the range in pricing. Costs also vary on the size of your boat. As the lake’s popularity has grown in recent years, so has the demand for boat rental slips at Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake Boat Rental Tips

We highly recommend you make reservations well in advance, especially if you’re visiting SML between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated, you’re more likely to secure your preferred type of boat rental or jet skis when you book in advance.

We also suggest using a company that’s a member of the Smith Mountain Lake Boat and Watersports Rental Association. Doing so means you’ll get a well-maintained, safety-inspected watercraft and proper training in how to operate it.

Enjoy your Smith Mountain Lake vacation!

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