Boating/Checked Nov. 1, 2026

Renting a boat or jet ski on the Grand Strand

In South Carolina, anyone born after July 1, 2007, needs an approved boater education course to run a boat or jet ski of 10 hp or more; to rent, a rental safety certificate in their name, valid 30 days, is enough (SCDNR). In North Carolina the course is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 (NCWRC).

Rules checked on Nov. 1, 2026 by our Outdoors Desk against SCDNR: boater education. The agency's page always wins.

28public ramps and landings listed below

July 1, 2007SC: boater card needed if born after this date

Jan. 1, 1988NC: boater card needed if born on or after this date

1boat rental in our directory

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Where will you boat? Driver's date of birth

SC: born after July 1, 2007, motor of 10 hp or more. You need an approved boater education course, or for a rental only, a rental safety certificate in your last name, valid 30 days from issue. Source: SCDNR: boater education
NC: born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, motor of 10 hp or more. You need a NASBLA-approved boating education course before you operate a boat of 10 hp or more. In N.C. you must be 16 to operate a jet ski; 14 and 15-year-olds only with a person 18 or older aboard, or with a boating safety card and proof of age. No jet skis from sunset to sunrise, and everyone aboard wears a life jacket. Source: NCWRC: boating regulations; NCWRC: personal watercraft law

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Rules that get boaters ticketed

Jet skis in North Carolina
No riding between sunset and sunrise. All riders, passengers and anyone being towed wear an approved life jacket. Jet skis rented to the public must carry at least $300,000 in insurance.
Source: NCWRC: personal watercraft law

Boat and jet ski rentals on the Grand Strand

1 rental business in our directory, listed by how complete their information is.

River Island Adventures Longs

See all 1 boat and kayak rentals ›

Also in the directory: Marinas & Boat Slips (3) · Fishing Charters & Tours (1)

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Sources

NCWRC: personal watercraft law checked Nov. 1, 2026
SCDNR: boater education checked Nov. 1, 2026
NCWRC: boating regulations checked Nov. 1, 2026
SCDNR coastal boat landings checked Nov. 1, 2026

Rules change by law and by emergency order; the agency's page always wins. Data for AI and developers: llms.txt and boating.csv.