Top 10 family-friendly U.S. boating destinations
Summer is closing in. For northerners, that means it’s finally time to get the boats on the water. In the South, it means it’s time to get in the water and cool off. But no matter the location, summer is for the kids and the kids at heart. School is out, and the best “what did you do this summer” responses never start with a device—they start with a boat.
There are few outdoor activities as engaging for kids as a boat adventure. They get to become part of the crew, help out and learn new skills and responsibilities. It’s family time like no other. Even for the most technology-addicted youngster, it’s hard to resist the charms of a summer spent aboard.
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What makes a boating destination kid-friendly?
It may be easy to keep kids happy on a boat, but some places will always be on their highlight reels—unique adventures they don’t get to have every day. Maybe that means an extended trip or even a bareboat charter, but the memories will be worth it.
If you ask the kids, the best boating destinations are those that have something new to do, rain or shine, wind or calm. These havens are where kids can roam with some freedom, be it on a paddleboard in nature or during family-friendly shore activities, like amusement parks or arcades. Much of your plans will depend on your tribe’s ages and the sorts of nautical adventures they enjoy.
An argument could be made that the best summer boating destination is the one that’s closest at hand. If your boat is on the water and you don’t feel like charting courses for new horizons, there’s no need to. But if you are looking for some new adventures, here are 10 family-friendly U.S. boating destinations that will fit the bill.
Penobscot Bay and Mount Desert Island, Maine
If you’re looking for an outdoorsy summer vacation, it’s hard to beat Maine. Who doesn’t enjoy a week or two of comfortable 70-degree temperatures in the middle of summer? By boat, the adventure is in exploring the many islands dotting the coast. Some have fishing villages while others offer nothing more than pebble beaches and hiking paths through the towering pines.
For some hiking and mountain time, ports like Northwest Harbor and Bar Harbor provide access to Mount Desert Island and National Park. LL Bean’s Island Explorer bus means that you can take one-way hikes to explore the park’s numerous carriage roads and scope out highlights like Thunder Hole and Sand Beach.
Of course, you’ll want to spend some time comparing lobster rolls and sailing on historic schooners. But there are also work boat adventures where the kids can pull traps with the lobstermen. And they’ll love dropping the hook in secluded places like Buckle Harbor off Swans Island. Tiny Buckle Island has beaches, refreshing swims, and nature trails filled with unique art and fairy houses.
Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Cape Cod and the surrounding islands make for a fabulous summer getaway while the kids are out of school. From clamming along the beaches of the Vineyard to Fourth of July fireworks over Nantucket’s Jetties Beach, countless lazy days can be spent exploring towns, ice cream shops, and attractions.
Adults will appreciate the beautiful homes, plentiful shops, and restaurants, while kids will love exploring by bike and beachcombing on the endless sands. The numerous protected coves and harbors offer opportunities for older kids to try their hand at dinghy sailing or paddling a kayak.
If anything, narrowing down your destination list is the biggest problem you’ll face in the area. From the historic port towns on the Cape, like Provincetown and Hyannis, to the extraordinary shores of Nantucket and the villages on the Vineyard, there are plenty of places to go, lots to see, and many things to do.
If you’re looking for fewer crowds and more natural surroundings, consider heading over to Cuttyhunk for its small village appeal or even set a course for Block Island’s expansive beaches, just across Rhode Island Sound.
Outer Banks: Ocracoke, Manteo, and Beaufort, North Carolina
The Outer Banks (OBX) carve a curving path from Virginia southwest toward Beaufort. Coming by boat gives you a chance to skip the highway traffic and experience more remote locations. The marinas are not in the towns everyone has heard of, like Nags Head or Kitty Hawk. Instead, they’re tucked into quieter corners of the region.
By boat, Ocracoke is the epitome of OBX life. The small village wraps around Silver Lake, the protected harbor. It’s the sort of place where a bicycle or a golf cart will provide all the transportation you need. Spend your days walking the beach, clamming, or crabbing along Pamlico Sound, or soaking up the local pirate history and Blackbeard lore.
For more boating fun, plot your course for Manteo on Roanoke Island. Several marinas around Shallowbag Bay offer an opportunity to see the town, or rent a car and take the bridge to Nags Head. The Beaufort and Cape Lookout areas also offer outstanding boating opportunities, with shopping and dining in town and swimming, shelling, and lighthouse views around Lookout Bight.
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Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and Virginia
The 11,684 miles of wandering rivers, creeks, and bays that make up America’s largest estuary are a playground for water lovers of any age. From sandbar adventures to touring the country’s most historic cities, the Chesapeake Bay provides plenty to explore. At the same time, the bay is also a place where you can find a remote small town and slow your pace for a spell.
The bay allows you to pick your adventure. In its upper reaches, there are hot spots like Annapolis, St. Michaels, and Baltimore, all within easy reach. The Virginia portion of the bay is quieter and rural, with small communities like Urbanna and Cape Charles to check out. In between crab boils, spend some time on the beaches looking for ancient arrowheads and fossilized shark teeth. And while zipping through those beautiful, tranquil creeks, be sure to throw out the tube and see how long the kids can hold on.
Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida
The 40-mile-long crescent of Tampa Bay represents one of the best boating destinations in Florida. The wide-open spaces of the bay allow for long days sailing or tubing. Side trips give you places where you can pull away from the crowd for a bit of wakeboarding or dinghy sailing.
There’s no shortage of towns to explore, from downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg to beach towns along the Gulf Coast. And then there are the countless spots to anchor for a day of playing in the water. Favorites include Fort De Soto and Egmont Key, and don’t miss spending a day at Passage Key. It’s a great spot for dolphin watching, paddleboarding, or just poking around the sandbar. For an extended trip, there are numerous day hops you can make heading north or south.
Michigan Coast and Mackinac Island
Michigan is one of the most underrated boating areas in the country. With coastlines on four of the five Great Lakes, there’s plenty from which to choose: cute harbor towns lined with waterfront shops, dining, beaches, and welcoming marinas.
Few of these ports can match the reputation of the summer resort on Mackinac Island. It’s well-known as the island without cars, where visiting feels like stepping back in time by a century or two. Don’t miss the horse-drawn carriage tours and the island’s famous fudge. There’s plenty to see and do; horseback riding, paddleboarding, and circumnavigating by bicycle are all great ways to see the beautiful island.
As unique family vacations go, it’s hard to beat Mackinac. But a boat trip down any one of Michigan’s coasts reveals lots of other great stops, from charming towns to rural beaches for camping under the stars. Fishing, hunting, wildlife spotting, or counting butterflies—the choices are limitless in the Great Lakes State.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Tahoe is the resort lake for all seasons. Surrounded by the High Sierra’s peaks and pines, it makes for a memorable boating experience during the warm months and a ski destination during winter. Along the 22-by-12-mile lake, there are beaches, bungee jumping, horseback riding, and hiking, all with stunning views of the water and mountains. The south side boasts many resort destinations, while the northern rim is more rural and quiet.
One of the most popular spots for exploring is Emerald Bay State Park. When swimming at the beach and paddleboarding finally wear thin, head to Heavenly Ski Resort and Village in South Tahoe. In the summer, you can enjoy the scenic gondola rides and the Ridge Rider roller coaster, in addition to hiking, rock climbing, movies, and live music in the village. For some time on the water, the kids will never forget an introductory wakeboarding or waterskiing lesson.
Bring your own boat or rent one upon arrival. If you’re trailering your vessel, you’ll need to have the boat inspected for critters and get an in-out pass.
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Gulf Islands, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida
The Gulf Coast is full of fantastic boating opportunities for the whole family, but most notable are the many little barrier islands along the coast that are only accessible by boat. The two hubs for the area are the port towns of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Pensacola, Florida. Beach towns, fishing ports, and undeveloped barrier islands are ripe for exploring. For a bit of history and some outstanding beaches, head to Ship Island off Gulfport, Mississippi, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and home of Fort Massachusetts.
The often calm and clear Gulf is perfect for long days on the water, whether you’re coming by cruiser or a rental pontoon. Dolphins are nearly always spotted along the shoreline and the fishing is second to none. The leeward sides of the islands provide protected waters for swimming and paddleboarding, or even some adrenaline-pumping tow sports. And many of the small, uninhabited islands allow beach camping, should the kids want to spend the evening off the boat.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
It has more than 1,100 miles of shoreline—more waterfront property than some oceanfront states. But this boating gem is located in the heart of the nation. Lake of the Ozarks is a hot spot for Midwest boating, and its family-friendly atmosphere makes it stand out as a boating destination your whole crew will love.
Kids might be especially interested in visiting the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach. Besides the marina, the resort features an indoor water park, an arcade, and bowling. And there are even more diversions around, including go-karts, mini-golf, and parasailing.
That’s all fun, but the memorable times will be the miles of exploring on the 90-mile-long, dragon-shaped lake. There are hiking trails, caves, and caverns to check out, castle ruins in Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and quiet coves for swims or to cast a line and see what’s biting.
If you’re visiting, there are numerous lakefront resorts to choose from, single or multi-day pontoon rentals available, and even crewed yacht charters.
Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
Unless you already own one, your best course of action is not to show the kids any pictures of a houseboat with a rooftop slide. They’re all the rage on Lake Cumberland. Thankfully, you and your tribe could be renting one for a week or so this summer. It is, after all, the “Houseboat Capital of the World” with more rentals available than any other place in the U.S.
Between the houseboat-packed marinas, Cumberland’s 1,255 miles of shoreline have an abundance of natural surroundings perfect for hiking, beachgoing, or camping. Isolated coves offer quiet fishing or swimming holes.
The winding legs of the lake also make perfect places for tow sports like tubing or wakeboarding on smaller boats. The state park features an indoor pool, fishing gear rentals, and mini-golf. The nearby town of Somerset offers numerous activities for youngsters, too, including skating, laser tag, go-karting, and a water park.
-by Matt A. Claiborne
