Though you may be more than comfortable visiting your favorite boating spot for years, sometimes Old Jim’s lake can get a bit humdrum (we still love you, Jim). Maybe you dream of hitting the water out West. Perhaps you just want to see the boating diversity within the Sunshine State itself. We’ve all had wandering daydreams of boating spots that are on our “must-see” lists. Why just dream about it when the U.S. is full of diverse waters and some of the best boating in the world?
If you want to get a taste for boating outside of your normal boating bubble, research these five cities for some of the best boating you’ll find this side of the Pacific.
5 of the Best Boating Towns
- Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida: Featuring Tampa Bay, the largest estuary in Florida, the Tampa/St. Pete area is also rich with rivers and smaller, cruiseable bodies of water. Don’t forget the nearly year-round warm weather that extends boating season far beyond that of our northern friends.
- Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida: OK, we know — you probably think we’re a bit biased, sharing two Florida towns as our picks for best boating, but stick with us. With beautiful, blue waters, fantastic scuba and fishing spots, and a world-renowned boat show, South Florida is simply unmissable on your quest for the best boating in America.
- Austin, Texas: If freshwater boating is more your tempo, look no further than Texas’ inland gem, Austin. This city is home to nearly 5,000 miles of freshwater and nearly 300 lakes. If you’re a fan of Florida’s warm weather, Austin also doesn’t disappoint in this department.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: Sure, the weather in this chilly, midwest town doesn’t lend itself to good year-round boating, but the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is a boater’s paradise in warmer months. There are nearly countless options for some top-tier freshwater fishing here.
- Seattle, Washington: A city that’s often dismissed as a rainy, depressing and drab, the boating and outdoor scene is anything but. Featuring a strong boating community and simply gorgeous views, grab a cup of joe and give this city a try.
There’s nothing like having a secret fishing spot or boating route that you share with only blood relatives and best buds; it’s part of boating culture. However, seeing what the rest of this grand country has to offer is something that can make you grow as a boater, and as a person. The above five picks for best boating are far from the only notable cities to add to your must-see list. We’d love to list every worthwhile boating town, but we’d be updating this post well into next week. However, we encourage you all to take the time to explore something new with the ones you love. Who knows? You may just find your new favorite fishing town or boating bastion.
