Drop anchor and uncork a good bubbly—Fleet Week is upon us.
Every year come October, the Bay Area braces for the thundering flybys of the Blue Angels—who will be buzzing by this Friday, October 11th through Sunday, October 13th. What better vantage point to view the fireworks shows, fighter-jet acrobatics, and other naval shenanigans than from the bow of your very own seagoing vessel?
Here's how to make sure you can rent a boat for Fleet Week.
Passage Nautical's Swift Trawler 34 powerboat.(Courtesy of @passagenautical)
Boatsetter
Think of Boatsetter as Airbnb meets Bass Pro Shops. Fish harborside, cruise the bay, and toast to Fleet Week from your rented yacht of choice. Better yet, you can choose a charter with a captain, in case a seasoned commander doesn't exist among your inner circle. Reservations (starting at $250 per half-day) can be made in advance or same-day, and most Bay Area rentals can host six or more people. // boatsetter.com
Passage Nautical
Whether you'd like to calmly cruise around the Bay atop a sailboat or charge toward the open ocean in a powerboat, Passage Nautical has a charter to suit your fancy, with skipper and crew available for an additional fee. Reservations (starting at $200 per half-day charter) can be booked as late as the day before your outing, depending on availability, with a max of 12 people allowed per reservation. // 423 Water St. (Oakland), passagenautical.com
SF Bay Adventures
This veteran, super-inclusive charter service has been taking both locals and tourists out on the water for more than 20 years. In fact, many tear-jerking same-sex marriage ceremonies have been officiated on board their luxury yachts. Individual reservations (starting at $49 per three-hour charter) can be made on Eventbrite. As of press time, however, Fleet Week tickets were already sold out. Next year! // 1001 Bridgeway, Ste. B2A, (Sausalito), sfbayadventures.comGetMyBoat
Much like Boatsetter, this person-to-person rental service removes the middleman and gets you on the water ASAP. From paddle boards to fishing charters (and even overnight excursions on sleep-aboard yachts), there's little you won't find available to rent for the day on GetMyBoat. But be sure you know the exact times and dates you're planning on chartering; GetMyBoat service fees are pay-by-the-hour as opposed to by the day and usually require a four hour minimum. Reservations (starting at $50 an hour) can be made in advance or same-day, with most Bay Area rentals accommodating at least six people per reservation. // getmyboat.com
This article has been updated for 2019.
