Dockside Watersports has been helping guests enjoy unforgettable days on the water in Destin for years, with a friendly, experienced team that makes boating feel easy and approachable. Founded by Bruce Belser, a retired Air Force ...
Dockside Watersports has been helping guests enjoy unforgettable days on the water in Destin for years, with a friendly, experienced team that makes boating feel easy and approachable. Founded by Bruce Belser, a retired Air Force ...
Loyal customers keep coming back year after year, and it's easy to see why. The staff gets consistent praise for being friendly, helpful, and genuinely accommodating. Mike and his crew make the whole process remarkably stress-free, from straightforward online booking to getting you safely in and out of the dock. First-time boat renters especially appreciate how approachable everything feels, with dock hands who clearly know their stuff and make even hesitant newcomers feel comfortable. The pricing stands out as particularly competitive for the Destin area, offering solid value compared to other rental options. Boats with double-decker designs and water slides are a huge hit with families, and the location puts you within minutes of Crab Island and great snorkeling spots. A few reviewers mentioned the boats could use minor maintenance updates, though this doesn't seem to impact the overall experience. The flexibility also deserves mention, with the team willing to make last-minute adjustments when life throws curveballs.
My family of 5 rented a pontoon boat from Dockside. We did the half day which cost about 415$. It could sit up to 10 people. The boat had a bluetooth speaker which was awesome. Boat was in good condition. Easy to drive and easy to check in. Counter gal was helpful and nice. We loaded up all our gear and headed to Crab Island which was about a 15 min ride just bc it's a NO wake zone practically the entire way. Luckily I've had years experience driving all sorts of boats but they do go over the basics of the how tos & how not to's. Jackson was helpful with the introduction. I would recommend Dockside Watersports in the future. Ps dockhands work for tips so make sure to bring some cash and take care of them boys 👏🏼
TravelsAlot
June 15, 2026
My family of 5 rented a pontoon boat from Dockside. We did the half day which cost about 415$. It could sit up to 10 people. The boat had a bluetooth speaker which was awesome. Boat was in good condition. Easy to drive and easy to check in. Counter gal was helpful and nice. We loaded up all our gear and headed to Crab Island which was about a 15 min ride just bc it's a NO wake zone practically the entire way. Luckily I've had years experience driving all sorts of boats but they do go over the basics of the how tos & how not to's. Jackson was helpful with the introduction. I would recommend Dockside Watersports in the future. Ps dockhands work for tips so make sure to bring some cash and take care of them boys 👏🏼
TravelsAlot
June 15, 2026
