Hamptons Water Sports Equipment Rentals
Water Sports That Make A Hamptons Day Better
A charter day in the Hamptons gets better the second the equipment hits the water. Wakeboards behind the boat. Paddleboards in the back creeks. Two jet skis for the friend who’s been talking about it all summer. That’s the version of the day people actually remember. We’re Charters in The Hamptons, a family-run charter operation based on Shelter Island, sitting right between the Twin Forks.
We rent water sports gear two ways. Most of it goes out as an add-on to a charter, paired with one of our USCG-licensed captains on a boat we already run. We also offer standalone rentals for renters who want to take a jet ski out on their own — if you have the right credentials. We’ve been chartering out of Shelter Island since 2016. The fleet is now 26+ vessels, including 57' and 62' Pershing yachts, and every captain on the water for us holds a USCG (US Coast Guard) license.
Water Sports Equipment We Offer In The Hamptons
We keep the rental list simple. Everything below can ride along on a charter. Most of it can be rented on its own if you’re set up for it. Snorkeling and floating gear. Masks, fins, and the float setup that turns a swim stop into a real one. Carried on every charter that wants it.
Jet skis.
Fast, fun, and the most-asked-for piece of equipment we carry. New York has specific age and certificate rules — we’ll get to those below. See jet ski rentals for what we run.
Paddleboards.
The quietest way to see the back creeks of Shelter Island. Stable enough for beginners, light enough for kids. Details on paddleboard rentals.
Kayaks.
Single and tandem. Good for shorelines, marshes, and the calmer side of the island. See kayak rentals for sizes and pricing.
Wakeboards and wakesurf boards.
Pulled behind one of our charter boats. Multiple board sizes on hand. Details on wakeboard and wakesurf rentals.
Water skis and tubing gear.
The classic charter add-on for families and groups. Skis, towables, ropes, life jackets. See water ski and tubing rentals for the full list.
Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals — Best In The Back Creeks
Most people picture the Hamptons as Sag Harbor docks and South Fork beaches. The quieter version is the back creeks on the east side of Shelter Island, bordering the Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve. That’s where our paddleboards and kayaks earn their keep.
Flat water. Light wind. Wildlife that’s the reason you came in the first place — osprey, herons, sometimes a deer at the shoreline. We can drop you off with a paddleboard or kayak from a charter, or set you up at one of our pickup locations for a self-guided paddle. Beginners are welcome. The back creeks are about as friendly a place to learn as Long Island has.
Jet Ski Rentals — Captain-Led or Standalone
Jet skis are the most-asked-for water sport in the Hamptons. They’re also the most regulated piece of equipment we rent.
PWC operation in New York is daylight only — sunrise to sunset — and operators must stay at least 500 feet from designated swim areas. We’ll walk you through all of it when you book. The state’s official page on these rules is New York State Parks.
Here’s how we handle them:
-
Captain-led add-on. Jet skis run alongside a charter, with our team supervising from the support boat. No certificate required from your group — the captain holds it.
-
Standalone rental. Available for renters who meet New York’s rules: at least 16 years old to rent, plus a valid New York State Boating Safety Certificate on hand. Under Brianna’s Law, this has been required for every motorized vessel operator in New York since January 1, 2025.
Wakeboard, Wakesurf, Water Ski & Tubing — Charter-Paired Equipment
These four are charter-paired by design. You need a boat and a captain to pull a wakeboard or a tube, and we’ve got both. Our charter boats are rigged for towing. Our captains know how to set the right speed for the right rider. We keep a range of board and tube sizes on hand for different skill levels and ages.
Most families add a tubing run to a half-day or full-day charter. Wakeboarders and wakesurfers usually book with a specific water session in mind. Either way, it’s set up with the boat.
Snorkeling & Floating Gear
For charter customers, we carry masks, snorkels, fins, and floating gear on board for swim stops. Small detail, big difference — it turns a 20-minute anchor into something the group remembers. No extra booking needed. Just ask when you book the charter.
Equipment Add-Ons For Charter Customers
The honest version: the easiest way to use our water sports equipment is to book a charter and add the gear you want. You get a USCG-licensed captain. A boat that’s set up for it. No paperwork. The captain handles the boating safety side. Your group handles the fun side.
Not sure which charter to start with? Our Hamptons boat charter rentals page covers the half-day, full-day, and yacht options.
Service Area & Pickup Locations
We’re based at 63 Menantic Road on Shelter Island, and we cover the East End: Shelter Island, Greenport, Sag Harbor, Montauk, North Fork, and Fishers Island. Custom pickup is available at Greenport on the North Fork and at Sag Harbor on the South Fork.
For NY State boating and PWC laws, the official resource is New York State Parks.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, or anything else — the easiest way to start is a quick call. We’ll match the equipment to the right charter or set up your standalone rental. Call (631) 251-1777 or email captain@chartersinthehamptons.com to check availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you rent jet skis in the Hamptons? We rent jet skis from our Shelter Island base, with pickup also available at Greenport and Sag Harbor. We run them two ways: as captain-led add-ons to a charter (no certificate needed on your end), or as standalone rentals for renters who are at least 16 and hold a valid NY State Boating Safety Certificate.
How much does it cost to rent a paddleboard in the Hamptons? Depends on whether the paddleboard is an add-on to a charter or a standalone rental, and how long you want it. Charter add-ons are the most common and the most affordable per person. Call (631) 251-1777 for a quote based on your group size and the day you’re booking.
Do you need a license to rent a jet ski in New York? You need a New York State Boating Safety Certificate, not a driver’s license. Under Brianna’s Law, every motorized vessel operator in New York has been required to hold one since January 1, 2025. Minimum age to operate a jet ski in New York is 14. Minimum age to rent one is 16.
What water sports can you do in the Hamptons? A lot. Jet skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, water skiing, tubing, snorkeling, and swimming are all on the table out east. Peconic Bay is calm enough for beginners. The back creeks around Shelter Island are some of the quietest paddle water on Long Island.
Where is the best place to paddleboard on Long Island? The back creeks of Shelter Island, bordering the Mashomack Preserve, are hard to beat. Flat water, light wind, plenty of wildlife. Other strong spots nearby include Sag Harbor cove on a calm morning and parts of Peconic Bay. We can set you up at any of them through our pickup locations.
Can you rent water ski equipment with a boat? Yes — that’s how most of our water ski and tubing rentals go out. The boat and captain are part of the rental. Our charter boats are rigged for towing, and the captain handles the speed and the route while you ride. A lot easier than trying to coordinate gear and a tow boat separately.
Do you offer pickup at Greenport on the North Fork? Yes. Greenport is one of our custom pickup locations. Staying on the North Fork — Greenport, Southold, Cutchogue, Mattituck — and we can pick you up from the Greenport waterfront with the equipment ready to go. Just tell us when you book.
