FAQs
Question: How do I make a reservation?
Answer: You have two options. You can book online at www.oceanisleboatrentals.com or you can call us at 910-616-4754 and speak to someone (leave a message if we miss your call). When making a reservation you will need a valid Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or Discover.
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Question: Do I need to make a reservation or can I simply walk-up?
Answer: It is STRONGLY encouraged that you make a reservation We are able to accept walk-ups IF there is availability, but customers with reservations will receive priority service
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Question: What is the cancellation policy?
Answer: 7 days cancellation policy for all reservations; reservations cancelled within this 7 day period will be charged 50% of the cost of the rental. Reservations cancelled within 48 hours will be charged 100% the cost of the retal. ** A WEATHER FORECAST DOES NOT WARRANT CANCELLATION OR RESCHEDULE. If it is raining or thundering AT THE TIME of your rental, you may cancel or reschedule at no cost. If you go out and it begins to rain or thunder during you rental, you may come back for a prorated refund.
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Question: What do I need to bring as far as payment and identification?
Answer: You can pay with Visa/Mastercard/AMEX/Discover or Cash at the time of rental. You will need to bring a valid form of ID in order to be an operator.
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Question: What time to morning rentals start?
Answer: Typically morning rentals start at 8am, which means you will need to be at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center to do paperwork and receive orientation at 7:30am.
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Question: What time to afternoon rentals start?
Answer: If you have an afternoon half day rental, the typical start time is 1pm. This means you will need to be at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center by 12:15pm to do paperwork and receive orientation.
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Question: What is a sunset rental and when does it start and end?
Answer: Sunset rentals are offered during "in-season only", roughly June 10-August 20th. They typically start at 6pm and conclude at 8pm+/-, whatever official sunset time is. These are premium hours to experience the beauty and serenity of the area's inland waterway.
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Question: How long is a half day rental? How long is a full day rental?
Answer: Half day rentals are 4 hours. Full day rentals are 8 hours.
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Question: Where am I allowed to go with rental boat?
Answer: You may operate your rental boat in the Intracoastal Waterway between Myrtle Beach, SC and Southport, NC; this is over 50 miles of waterway. You are strongly encouraged to maintain operation to the Intracoastal Waterway which is marked with floating buoys to assist in your safe navigation. It is STRONGLY discouraged that you operate the boat outside of the Intracoastal Waterway, into the adjoining marshes and creeks that feed into the Intracoastal Waterway. These areas are not marked and are very shallow and treacherous. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE are you allowed to operate the boat in the ocean.
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Question: What should I bring for my boat rental?
Answer: Life jackets are available for youth, however if they have their own that they are familiar and comfortable in using, it is encouraged you bring their life jacket as they will be required to wear the life jacket during the rental. If you have an infant you will need to bring a life jacket for the infant as we do not have infant life jackets You should bring a cooler packed with food and drink. Personal items such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen will be helpful. Towels can be useful as well. It is legal for alcoholic beverage to be on board the boat, but any operator is subject to DWI regulations and penalties the exact same as if they were driving a car.
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Question: What should I NOT bring for my boat rental?
Answer: Do not bring any liquor or illegal drugs. Glass containers are discouraged.
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Question: Can I bring a tube and tow people behind the boat?
Answer: Our insurance does not allow for towing of anyone or anything behind the rental boat.
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Question: If I rent a boat for multiple days, can I take it out at night?
Answer: Nightime operation is NOT permitted. The boats do not have navigational lights and thus they are not designed nor legally allowed to be operated at night.
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Question: Do you carry insurance in case I damage the boat?
Answer: NO. We carry insurance to protect us against you sueing us. Per the agreement you will be signing, you acknowledge that any damage that occurs to the boat while in your possession is solely your responsibilty and at your expense.
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Question: I've never operated a boat before. Can I still rent and will you teach me how to drive it?
Answer: You do not need prior experience and NC does not require a boating license in order to operate a rental boat. However, prior to any boat rental, our staff will give all designated operators a complete and thorough orientation on safe operation of the rental boat. You are in control of the steering wheel and the speed. When in doubt, simply slow down!
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Question: How fast does the rental boat go?
Answer: Your rental boat's speed will vary greatly depending on how much weight you add to the boat in number of people and/or coolers or additional belongings that you bring. These are not speed boats and are set to operate at a speed range of 10-25mph. The rental boats are for casual cruising, not for saving time getting from point A to point B.