1. Eligibility & Boater Certification
All renters must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 25 years of age to rent a boat.
- Renters born on or after January 1, 1988 are required by Florida law to present a valid NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Education card at the time of rental, along with a government-issued photo ID.
- Renters born before January 1, 1988 are exempt from the NASBLA card requirement under current Florida law.
- NASBLA boating safety cards are reciprocal across all U.S. states and are fully accepted.
- Boat rentals are open to the public — you do not need to be a resort guest to rent a boat.
To obtain a temporary boating education card, visit: https://www.boat-ed.com/floridarental/
2. Reservations & Scheduling
To guarantee your preferred date and time, we strongly recommend making a reservation in advance. Walk-in rentals are accepted based on availability but cannot be guaranteed.
We understand that schedules don’t always fit neatly into set time blocks. If availability allows, we are happy to work with your schedule outside of our standard rental windows. Please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.
3. Permitted Activities
The following activities are permitted on all rental boats:
- Fishing from rental skiffs and pontoons is encouraged.
- Beaching the boat at designated areas just prior to Matanzas Inlet for swimming is allowed.
- Coolers with food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome aboard.
- Personal Bluetooth speakers are welcome for music.
- Visiting waterfront restaurants within the approved operating boundaries is permitted, provided boats are docked responsibly.
4. Prohibited Activities
The following are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate termination of your rental without refund:
- Alcohol and narcotics of any kind are not permitted aboard any rental vessel. This policy is enforced per our insurance regulations.
- Towing of any equipment — including but not limited to tubes, wakeboards, skis, or any other devices — is strictly prohibited.
- Operating outside of designated boundaries is not permitted. See Section 5 for boundary details.
- Reckless or unsafe operation of the vessel is prohibited and subject to legal consequences.
5. Operating Boundaries
All rental vessels must remain within the following boundaries at all times:
- Northern Boundary: The Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine.
- Southern Boundary: The Hammock Dunes toll bridge in Palm Coast.
Operating boundaries will be reviewed with every renter during the mandatory pre-departure orientation. Renters found operating outside approved boundaries may be subject to additional fees and/or loss of rental privileges.
Waterfront dining destinations within boundaries include:
- Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing — approximately 7 miles south, with dockage available.
- Grouper Shack, Asado Life, and St. Augustine Fish Camp — approximately 10 miles north, all with dockage available.
6. Required Documentation
At the time of check-in, all renters born on or after January 1, 1988 must present:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Proof of a completed NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Education course (physical card or digital certificate).
Renters unable to provide required documentation will not be permitted to rent.
7. What’s Included With Your Rental
Every rental includes the following at no additional charge:
- A full tank of fuel. You do not need to refuel at the end of your rental. Any fuel used beyond the initial full tank during your trip is the renter’s responsibility to purchase.
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for adults, children, and infants.
- A landing net, a small cooler of ice for bait or catch, and flow troll buckets for live bait (when fishing).
- Bimini top on all pontoon rentals for shade coverage.
Optional add-ons:
- Bimini top for skiff rentals: $20.00 additional fee.
- Rod and reel combo rentals are available when booked with a boat rental.
8. Orientation & Briefing
Prior to departure, all renters will receive a mandatory on-site orientation that includes:
- A map review of the Intracoastal Waterway covering designated fishing spots, swimming areas, local waterfront restaurants, and your approved operating boundaries.
- Basic vessel operation instructions and safety procedures.
Please allow extra time at check-in for your briefing.
9. Fishing Licenses & Bait
Fishing licenses are the sole responsibility of the renter and are not included in the rental fee.
- Florida fishing licenses can be purchased in advance at https://license.gooutdoorsflorida.com/
- Our on-site bait and tackle shop offers a full selection of live and dead baits, including live shrimp, live mud minnows, and live fiddler crabs. Live bait selection changes daily based on supply.
- Rod and reel combos are available to rent when paired with a boat rental.
10. Vessel Equipment
Please note that our rental boats are equipped for basic on-the-water use. The following electronics are NOT included:
- GPS / navigation systems
- Marine radios
- Trolling motors
Renters are encouraged to bring their own handheld GPS devices. Personal Bluetooth speakers are welcome for music on the water.
11. Liability & Agreement
By renting a vessel from Devil’s Elbow Fishing Resort, the renter agrees to:
- Accept full financial responsibility for any damage to the vessel caused by misuse, negligence, or violation of these policies.
- Operate the vessel in a safe and lawful manner at all times.
- Comply with all applicable Florida boating laws and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
- Acknowledge that Devil’s Elbow Fishing Resort is not liable for personal injury, loss of property, or accidents resulting from rental boat use.
Questions? Contact us at 904-471-0398 or visit us at 7507 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080.
