Shallow Rivers
Jet Boats
Best suited for many shallow rivers, braided channels, backcountry access, river fishing, and hunting transportation.
Alaska Wild Rentals
Find answers about boat rentals, booking, payments, delivery, safety equipment, towing, approved destinations, cancellations, fishing trips, hunting trips, and remote Alaska adventures.
Start Here
The right rental depends on where you are going, how many people are traveling, how much equipment you are carrying, and how much boating experience you have.
Review the questions below, then contact Alaska Wild Rentals with your dates, destination, passenger count, towing vehicle, and planned activities.
Reservations
You can reserve through the Alaska Wild Rentals website or contact us directly. For boat rentals, we recommend providing your dates, destination, passenger count, boating experience, towing vehicle, and planned activities.
Yes. Full payment is generally required to confirm the reservation unless Alaska Wild Rentals approves another written payment arrangement.
A refundable security deposit may be required depending on the boat, equipment, rental length, destination, and reservation. The applicable deposit will be shown during booking or included in the renter-specific agreement.
The primary renter and authorized operator must generally be at least 21 years old and provide a valid government-issued photo ID.
Only authorized operators may operate or tow the rental. Additional operators should be disclosed before pickup and may need to meet the same age and experience requirements.
Yes. Daily, multi-day, weekly, and extended rentals may be available depending on the equipment and current schedule.
Boat Selection
Shallow Rivers
Best suited for many shallow rivers, braided channels, backcountry access, river fishing, and hunting transportation.
Lakes and Coastal Water
Best suited for many lakes, deeper rivers, protected coastal trips, fishing, sightseeing, and family recreation.
Portable Adventures
Useful for smaller lakes, portable transportation, camping, protected water, and destinations where a trailer boat may not be practical.
Tell us your destination, waterway, passenger count, cargo, towing vehicle, experience, and planned activities. We will help identify which available boats may be appropriate.
A jet boat is generally the best choice for suitable shallow rivers. Jet propulsion removes the exposed propeller, but the boat still requires enough water to float and feed clean water into the jet intake.
Aluminum fishing boats are generally a good choice for larger lakes. Smaller inflatables and Kaboats may work well for protected lakes and customers who want a more portable option.
An approved aluminum fishing boat is generally the best option from our fleet for suitable coastal trips. Approval depends on the route, forecast, operator experience, load, and specific boat.
Capacity varies by boat. Passenger count is only part of the calculation. Fuel, coolers, camping equipment, hunting gear, harvested game, and other cargo must also be included.
Operating the Equipment
Some boats are straightforward to operate, but not every destination is suitable for a beginner. New operators should choose a conservative lake or protected route rather than a braided river, remote waterway, or exposed marine destination.
Yes. We review the basic controls, starting procedure, fuel system, steering, safety equipment, launching, loading, and equipment-specific instructions at pickup.
The controls are relatively simple, but safely reading shallow water, braided channels, gravel bars, sweepers, and changing river conditions requires judgment and experience.
Depending on the rental, location, and schedule, we may be able to review controls and procedures before departure. Renters are still responsible for selecting a route appropriate for their experience.
No. Operating rental equipment while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or any impairing substance is strictly prohibited.
Rental Logistics
Pickup location depends on the equipment and reservation. Confirmed pickup instructions will be provided before the rental begins.
Delivery may be available throughout Southcentral Alaska, Interior Alaska, and other approved road-system destinations. Pricing depends on distance, equipment, dates, and scheduling.
Delivery may be available depending on the boat, dates, and schedule. Contact us for availability and a delivery quote.
Fairbanks and Interior Alaska delivery may be available. Longer-distance delivery is priced separately and must be arranged in advance.
Many boats are supplied on trailers and can be transported to approved road-system destinations. The intended location must be disclosed and approved before departure.
Tow Vehicles
Most larger boats are supplied on road-ready trailers. Portable inflatables and some smaller packages may be transported differently.
Your vehicle must have adequate towing capacity, a compatible hitch, working trailer-light connection, and any braking equipment required for the trailer.
Possibly. It depends on the boat, trailer weight, vehicle towing rating, hitch rating, passengers, cargo, and route. Provide your vehicle year, make, model, and towing capacity before pickup.
Yes. We can review the coupler, safety chains, electrical connection, winch strap, transom straps, and general launching procedure.
Yes. The renter is responsible for the boat, motor, trailer, and included equipment during the rental period.
Boating Responsibly
Included equipment depends on the boat and rental package. Confirm the equipment checklist before pickup and provide the sizes needed for every adult and child.
Bring warm waterproof clothing, food, drinking water, navigation, communication, first-aid supplies, dry clothing, and any route-specific survival equipment.
Yes. Alaska’s cold water and changing conditions make wearing a properly fitted life jacket one of the most important boating precautions.
It is strongly recommended for remote trips and areas without dependable cell coverage. Garmin GPSMAP 67i rentals with active inReach service are available separately.
Review our Alaska Boating Safety Guide before your trip for information about life jackets, cold water, weather, river hazards, marine travel, emergencies, fuel, and float plans.
Read the Alaska Boating Safety GuideWhere You Can Go
Yes. The intended destination and waterway must be disclosed before pickup. Boat approval may be limited to a specific route, region, or type of water.
No. Alaska rivers range from calm waterways to technical whitewater, extremely shallow streams, tidal channels, and large glacial rivers. The route must be appropriate for the boat and operator.
Approved boats may be used in suitable portions of Resurrection Bay when conditions and operator experience are appropriate.
Approved aluminum boats may be used for suitable Prince William Sound routes. Approval depends on the specific destination, forecast, operator, passenger load, and boat.
Approved jet boats may be used for suitable Susitna drainage trips. Long-distance and remote routes require experience, fuel planning, navigation, and emergency communication.
No. The renter is responsible for evaluating current weather, water levels, tides, waves, visibility, hazards, and whether conditions remain within their abilities.
Outdoor Adventures
Yes. Many of our boats are suitable for fishing. Anglers are responsible for current licenses, seasons, emergency orders, bag limits, and equipment restrictions.
Some boats may be approved for hunting trips. Passenger weight, fuel, camp equipment, hunting gear, expected meat weight, water conditions, and experience must all be considered.
Yes, when the boat is approved for the trip and the total load remains within safe limits. Meat must be contained and loaded so it does not block drainage, controls, emergency equipment, or safe passenger seating.
Certain approved boats may be used for shrimping in Prince William Sound. Renters must obtain current permits and follow all pot, buoy, season, and reporting requirements.
Unless specifically listed in the rental package, personal fishing and hunting equipment is not included.
Beyond the Road System
Some portable boats may be suitable for fly-in trips. The air transporter must approve the packed weight, dimensions, motor, fuel containers, and total passenger and cargo load.
Transportation may be possible through road delivery, air freight, barge, or an approved third-party transporter. Availability and cost depend on the equipment, destination, and rental length.
Bring emergency shelter, extra food, water purification, navigation backups, satellite communication, repair supplies, first aid, warm clothing, and enough fuel for delays and changes.
Yes. Extended rentals may be available and are often a good fit for hunting camps, fly-in trips, and remote expeditions.
Visit our Remote Alaska Adventures page for information about portable boats, hunting trips, fishing trips, fly-in logistics, navigation, fuel, and communication.
View Remote Alaska AdventuresChanging Plans
Cancellations made at least 30 days before the rental start date are generally eligible for a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations made less than 30 days before the rental are generally non-refundable.
Eligible reservations may be moved to available dates within the same calendar year. Requests should be made at least seven days before pickup, delivery, or shipment.
Weather is part of boating in Alaska. Refunds are generally not issued for poor weather, road conditions, flight delays, tunnel delays, fish conditions, or early returns.
Delay departure, choose a more protected destination, reschedule when eligible, or cancel the trip. Never operate simply because the equipment has already been rented.
If we cancel because of equipment failure, safety concerns, or logistical problems, the renter may receive a refund or eligible future-booking credit according to the rental agreement.
Renter Responsibility
Yes. The renter is responsible for loss, theft, damage, missing equipment, excessive cleaning, unauthorized use, and recovery costs during the rental period.
Stop operating when continued use may worsen the damage or create a safety risk. Move to a safe location when possible and contact Alaska Wild Rentals with your coordinates and a description of the issue.
Do not modify or perform permanent repairs without approval. Emergency temporary repairs may be necessary for safety, but contact Alaska Wild Rentals whenever communication is available.
Return the boat reasonably clean and free of garbage, loose bait, fish remains, blood, excessive mud, personal belongings, and fuel spills.
Late returns may be charged at the full daily rental rate for each day or portion of a day the equipment is late. Additional costs may apply when another reservation is disrupted.
Add-On Equipment
Yes. Garmin GPSMAP 67i handheld GPS and satellite communicator rentals are available with an active inReach subscription.
View Garmin GPSMAP 67i RentalStarlink rentals may be available for camps, cabins, remote work sites, and extended Alaska trips.
Portable power options may be available as add-ons for camping, communication equipment, Starlink, refrigeration, and charging.
Yes. Certain GPS units, satellite communicators, Starlink equipment, and outdoor gear may be rented separately.
Yes. The Garmin GPSMAP 67i subscription is active and the unit is ready for GPS navigation, two-way satellite messaging, tracking, location sharing, and interactive SOS communication.
Still Have Questions?
Include your dates, destination, number of passengers, boating experience, towing vehicle, planned activities, and whether you need delivery.
The fastest option for availability, boat selection, and trip-specific questions.
Use our trip-planning contact form to send dates, destination, passenger count, and delivery information.
Ready to Explore Alaska?
Explore shallow rivers, mountain lakes, coastal waters, fishing destinations, hunting areas, remote camps, and Alaska’s backcountry with equipment from Alaska Wild Rentals.