Home / Locations / St. Johns River / Lake Monroe
St. Johns River / Lake Monroe
St. Johns River boat rental delivered to Lake Monroe Park in DeBary. Cruise the historic river, dock and dine at waterfront restaurants and spot manatees.
Lake Monroe Park delivery
Seats up to 12
Four hour minimum
Delivery, fuel and tax included
Old Florida charm, starting from Lake Monroe
Looking for a St. Johns River boat rental? We deliver directly to Lake Monroe Park in DeBary, giving you instant access to miles of scenic river cruising.
Unlike the land-locked lakes, the river offers a sense of adventure, wildlife viewing and true “Old Florida” charm. Cruise the historic St. Johns, visit waterfront restaurants and spot manatees, all starting from Lake Monroe.
Lake Monroe Park is just off I-4, making it an easy drive from Orlando, Sanford or Deltona, with ample parking when you arrive.
Captain Mike’s tip for the St. Johns River
Plan a “dock and dine” stop. Cruise up the river for lunch or drinks at Swamp House Riverfront Grill or Cabana Live at Boat Tree Marina, then head back to Lake Monroe.
Want to go farther? The Hurricane deck boat is built for exploring further upriver, including trips toward Blue Spring State Park.
Where we meet you
We meet you right at the dock. We handle the towing and launching, so you just show up, step on board and head out.
Your meeting point for St. Johns River rentals at Lake Monroe Park. Get directions
Meeting point
Lake Monroe Park
Address
975 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713
Parking
Ample parking is available at Lake Monroe Park, just off I-4.
Waterfront dining by boat
One of the best parts of boating on the St. Johns River is the ability to “dock and dine.” Cruise up the river and stop at Swamp House Riverfront Grill for gator tail and burgers with a view of the river, or Cabana Live at Boat Tree Marina for cold drinks, live music and a great atmosphere.
Swamp House Riverfront Grill
Cabana Live
Gator tail and burgers
Live music
Both are reached by cruising up the river from Lake Monroe.
Why rent on the St. Johns River?
Miles of river
Instant access to miles of scenic river cruising from Lake Monroe.
Dock and dine
Stop for lunch or drinks at waterfront restaurants along the river.
Manatees and wildlife
Spot manatees and enjoy wildlife viewing with true “Old Florida” charm.
Easy public access
Just off I-4, an easy drive from Orlando, Sanford or Deltona.
A sense of adventure
Unlike the land-locked lakes, the St. Johns River gives you room to explore. Take the pontoon for relaxed cruising, manatee spotting and a family picnic, or take the Hurricane deck boat to cover more distance and head toward Blue Spring State Park.
Boating on the St. Johns River
A St. Johns River boat rental gives you miles of historic river to explore. Pick your pace: a relaxed cruise and some manatee spotting, a dock-and-dine lunch, or a longer run upriver.
Planning your day on the river
Manatee spotting
Keep an eye out for manatees as you cruise the river with the pontoon’s Bluetooth stereo playing.
Restaurant hopping
Stop at Swamp House Riverfront Grill or Cabana Live at Boat Tree Marina, with a Bimini top on board for shade out on the water.
Self-drive
Drive it yourself and fill the boat to its standard capacity, up to 11 to 12 people depending on weight.
Family picnics
The pontoon is ideal for relaxed river cruising, nature watching and family picnics.
Captained charters
Want Captain Mike to drive? Due to US Coast Guard regulations, captained charters on the river are strictly limited to 6 passengers, on either boat. If your group is bigger, drive yourself and use the boat’s full capacity.
Prefer lake water? Our Lake Toho boat rentals in Kissimmee are known for bass fishing and wildlife, and our Lake Conway boat rental and Butler Chain of Lakes boat rental offer clear, spring-fed water.
Which boat suits the St. Johns River?
Both boats work well here. The Hurricane deck boat is built for speed and exploring further upriver. If your day is about manatee spotting, a family picnic or restaurant hopping, the pontoon gives you shade, lounge seating and room to spread out.
| Compare | Deck boat “Betty” For watersports | Pontoon “Wilma” |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 20ft Hurricane | 21ft Lowe |
| Seats | 8 to 12 | 8 to 11 |
| Shade | Bimini top | Bimini top |
| Stereo | Kicker Bluetooth | Kicker Bluetooth |
| Engine | 200 HP Mercury | 90 HP Mercury, quiet four-stroke |
| Best for | Covering more distance or visiting Blue Spring State Park | Manatee spotting, family picnics and restaurant hopping |
| From | $550, four hour minimum | $450, four hour minimum |
See the full spec on both boats
Captained charters are limited to 6 passengers
We would rather tell you that now than after you have booked. If you hire Captain Mike to drive, US Coast Guard regulations strictly limit the boat to 6 passengers max. Groups of 7 or more need to self-drive, where the standard capacity applies. For a lake day instead, our Lake Toho boat rentals meet you at the Kissimmee Marina, and our Winter Park boat rental meets you at the Fort Maitland Park ramp.
Who drives, and when we start
Captain Mike, USCG licensed
If you drive, you get the boat’s full capacity: up to 11 on the pontoon and up to 12 on the deck boat, depending on weight. If Captain Mike drives, Coast Guard rules limit you to 6 passengers.
Captain Mike meets you at Lake Monroe Park, launches the boat and gives you the orientation before you leave: throttle and trim, which way to head on the river, and how to reach him if anything comes up. Never driven a pontoon before? That is most of our customers, and the walkthrough is built for them.
On the water with Boats To You
Rates and booking
We bring the boat to you for one flat price. The pontoon starts at $450 and the deck boat at $550 for a four hour minimum, then $50 an hour after that. One flat price includes delivery, launch and pickup at Lake Monroe Park, plus fuel and Florida sales tax. Captain Mike can drive for $150 for the first four hours, then $25 an hour, for up to 6 passengers.
Full rates are on the pricing page.
St. Johns River questions we get asked
Where do we meet you?
At Lake Monroe Park, 975 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713. It is just off I-4, with ample parking.
Can we stop for lunch on the river?
Yes. Swamp House Riverfront Grill serves gator tail and burgers with a river view, and Cabana Live at Boat Tree Marina has cold drinks and live music.
Can Captain Mike drive for us?
Yes, for up to 6 passengers. US Coast Guard regulations strictly limit captained charters to 6 people, on either boat.
Will we see manatees?
Spotting manatees is one of the highlights of the river, and the pontoon is ideal for relaxed cruising and nature watching. They are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed.
Are life jackets on the boat?
Yes, a Coast Guard approved jacket for every seat, sized for adults and kids. Florida law says children under six wear theirs the whole time the boat is moving, so tell us how many little ones are coming when you book and we will have the right sizes aboard.
Is there a bathroom on the boat?
No, neither boat has a head. Plan a dock-and-dine stop or a quick run back to Lake Monroe Park mid-day if you are out for a long day with kids.
Can we bring our dog?
Well behaved dogs are welcome.
What happens if it storms?
Central Florida gets short, hard afternoon storms in summer, and lightning means everyone comes off the water. We try to look at the weather the night before and make the call then. If you lose an hour or so, we can work something out.
Other lakes we deliver to
The St. Johns River is our river trip, with a public handoff at Lake Monroe Park. If your group wants a different kind of day, one of these may be the better fit, and the same flat rate applies. We deliver to 11 lakes and chains in total. Lake Brantley and the Harris Chain are call-only.
See every Orlando lake we deliver to.
Pontoon from
$450
Four hour minimum, then $50 an hour
Deck boat from
$550
Multi-day from
$275 a day
Meeting point
Lake Monroe Park
Capacity
8 to 12
Delivery, launch, pickup, fuel and Florida sales tax are in the price.
Book your boat
Fastest way is a text. Tell me your date, whether you want to drive or book Captain Mike, and how many people. I reply the same day, usually within the hour.
Prefer email? The form works too.
Captain Mike