A Yachtsy 18-foot picnic boat cruising the Navy Yard waterfront in Washington, DC with the Capitol Riverfront skyline behind it

Washington, DC · Navy Yard

Private Boat Rentals in DC's Navy Yard

Looking for a Washington, DC boat rental that's actually private? Step aboard a sleek 18-foot luxury picnic boat and cruise the Navy Yard waterfront your way — no crowded tour boat, no fixed itinerary, just you and up to eight guests. Bring your own food, drinks, and playlist, and take in the Anacostia River, the ballpark lights, and the Capitol Riverfront from the best seat in the city: the water.

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Two guests toasting champagne on a Yachtsy cruise at DC's Navy Yard

The Yachtsy Difference

An afternoon — or evening — on the water, on your terms

Every Yachtsy rental is always private, so the boat is yours for the full two hours — no strangers, no schedule but your own. Our picnic boats are built for comfort and easy cruising, with spacious seating for eight, a built-in Bluetooth sound system so anyone can be the DJ, and plenty of room to spread out a spread.

The whole boat is yours — never shared
Seats up to 8 guests, all ages welcome
BYO food, drinks & playlist — no bar tab, no markups
Built-in Bluetooth sound system on board
No experience needed — add a driver for $25/hr, split with your group
2-hour cruises, departing from Navy Yard

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A Yachtsy boat cruising the Anacostia with the Washington Monument in the background

Along the Anacostia

What you'll see on the water

DC's Navy Yard is one of the capital's most vibrant waterfronts — and there's no better way to take it in than from your own boat. Cruise the Anacostia River past The Yards, the lights of Nationals Park, and the sweeping arc of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

Glide by the Capitol Riverfront's restaurants and parks, or time it for a golden-hour cruise as the skyline lights up. Whether you want a relaxed sightseeing loop or a sunset cruise to cap off the day, you set the course.

Make a Day of It

Nearby in the Navy Yard

The dock sits in the heart of it all — here's where to go before or after your cruise.

The Yards Park & Boardwalk

Waterfront parks and restaurants steps from the dock.

Nationals Park

Catch a ballgame right on the Capitol Riverfront.

Audi Field

DC United's stadium, a short walk from the waterfront.

Capitol Riverfront dining

Buzzing restaurants, breweries, and rooftop bars after your cruise.

Simple, All-In Pricing

One rate. Any day.

$380 / 2 hours

Any day of the week

Always private — the whole boat is yours
Up to 8 guests, all ages welcome
BYO food & drinks · onboard Bluetooth speaker
No experience needed — optional driver, $25/hr (shared among your group)
Free rescheduling up to 48 hours before

Total at checkout: about $426 — the $380 boat rental plus tax and booking fee. Nothing else unless you add extras.

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★★★★★

Rated 4.9 out of 5

Loved by our guests

“I booked it for a friend’s birthday and she kept telling me how much she enjoyed herself… I especially enjoyed getting to see the cherry blossoms from the water. Would highly recommend.”

— Google review

“Me and my husband had a great time doing a two-hour evening ride… the best part is really taking in the views. Everything was great from start to finish.”

— Yelp review

Good to know

Up to 8 guests

All ages welcome. Pets are welcome too — any over 25 lbs counts as one of your eight.

BYO & Bluetooth

Bring your own food and drinks; stream your playlist over the onboard Bluetooth speaker. No smoking of any kind on board.

Life jackets aboard

Life jackets for all ages are stored under the seats. Children 13 and under are required to wear one.

Restrooms at the marina

Restrooms are available in the marina building — we recommend a quick stop before you set sail.

No swimming

For everyone's safety, swimming in the river is not permitted.

Flexible booking

Free rescheduling or cancellation up to 48 hours before your cruise.

How Booking Works

From booked to aboard in minutes

Pick your date & timeChoose the day and the two-hour window that suits your group.
Reserve onlineComplete your booking for instant confirmation — sign waivers ahead of time, too.
Arrive at the Navy Yard dockBring your food, drinks, and playlist, step aboard, and cast off.

Your Dock

Washington, DC — Navy Yard

1492 Fourth St SE
Washington, DC 20003

Get Directions →

Questions

DC boat rental FAQ

Is this a yacht rental?

No. Yachtsy's boat is an 18-ft luxury picnic boat, not a yacht. What you get is what our guests love most: a private experience with your people, where you can take in the views, play your favorite music, and enjoy a drink or two. All for $380, about $426 at checkout, versus $1,200+ for a DC yacht charter. Want the full picture? See how Yachtsy compares to a DC yacht charter.

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in DC?

No experience needed — you can add a driver for $25/hr, easy to split among your group. If you'd like to drive the boat yourself, see the details here.

How many people can the boat hold?

Each private picnic boat seats up to 8 guests of any age. Pets are welcome too — any over 25 lbs counts as one of the eight.

Can we bring our own food and drinks?

Yes — that's the best part. Bring your own food, non-alcoholic drinks, and alcohol to enjoy responsibly, and stream your playlist over the onboard Bluetooth speaker. There's no onboard bar and no markups. Smoking of any kind is not allowed.

How much does a DC boat rental cost?

$380 flat for 2 hours, any day of the week. At checkout the total is about $426 ($380 plus tax and booking fee), shown in full before you pay. Adding a driver is $25/hr.

Where do we depart from?

All DC cruises leave from our Navy Yard dock at 1492 Fourth St SE, Washington, DC 20003. Restrooms are available in the marina building.

What if the weather is bad?

You can reschedule or cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before your cruise. For extra flexibility, add our optional weather-insurance rain check at checkout — it lets you cancel and get your booking price refunded even within 48 hours of your cruise (the rain-check fee itself is non-refundable).

Have more questions? See all FAQs →