About Bayou Boat Rentals
Family-Owned. Locally Rooted. Built on St. Joseph Bay.
Welcome to Bayou Boat Rentals! We're a family-owned and operated boat rental company located in beautiful Port St. Joe, Florida, proudly serving visitors to Cape San Blas, St. Joseph Bay, and the surrounding Forgotten Coast.
What started in 2019 with just two boats has grown into the largest boat rental fleet in Gulf County, with over 20 vessels! But behind our boats and growing business is something much bigger: a family history deeply rooted in the waters and working waterfront of St. Joseph Bay.
Over Six Generations of Working Waterfront Heritage.
Our family’s connection to St. Joseph Bay stretches back more than six generations, and the very property we operate from today has a history of its own.
Long before Bayou Boat Rentals existed, Bryan’s great-grandmother lived on this same piece of waterfront property, where she operated a fish house. Generations later, we’re still here, making our living on the water, just in a different way!
Mike and Rosa bring years of hands-on experience in commercial shrimping and fishing, having spent much of their lives working on the local waters. Their knowledge of the bay and connection to the working waterfront are a big part of our family’s story.
Bryan grew up with that same love for the water. A pipe welder by trade, he spent years traveling for work before deciding to leave life on the road behind, spend more time with family, and pursue something closer to home.
Laura, who holds a master’s degree in Child and Family Life Studies, balanced her full-time career with helping run the business in the evenings before joining Bayou Boat Rentals full-time in 2024.
Together, Mike, Rosa, Bryan, and Laura have built a business around a place they’ve always called home and a bay they’ve always loved.
From Two Boats to Gulf County’s Largest Rental Fleet
Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael in 2018, we opened Bayou Boat Rentals in 2019 with just two boats and a vision of sharing our beautiful bay with others.
We started on a small piece of family-owned waterfront property with only three dock spaces. As our business grew, so did our fleet, and today we’re proud to offer more than 20 rental vessels, making us the largest boat rental fleet in Gulf County!
While our fleet has certainly grown, our space hasn’t gotten any bigger! We still operate from those same three dock spaces, juggling the daily challenges of running a busy waterfront business. Some days require a little creativity, a lot of teamwork, and a good sense of humor, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
A Family Business Through and Through
Bayou Boat Rentals truly is a family affair, and that includes our youngest crew member, Amelia!
Growing up around the boats and docks, Amelia has developed her own love for the water. She enjoys being part of the family business, helping out when she can, and spending time on the bay.
For us, one of the most special parts of this business is watching another generation grow up with the same appreciation for St. Joseph Bay that has been passed down through our family for so many years.
We also love seeing our customers return year after year, watching their families grow, and knowing that our little piece of the waterfront has become part of their vacation traditions.
More Boats, More Ways to Enjoy the Bay
Today, Bayou Boat Rentals offers a variety of rental options, including classic pontoons, premium tritoons, double-decker slide boats, flat-bottom Carolina Skiffs, and Yamaha VX-C jet skis.
Whether you’re planning a relaxing family day on the water, a fishing trip, or an adventure exploring St. Joseph Bay, we have something for everyone.
We take pride in offering clean, well-maintained vessels, friendly service, and an easy rental experience. Our boats are pet-friendly, fuel is included, and we take the time to make sure our customers feel comfortable and prepared before heading out on the water.
Come Experience St. Joseph Bay With Us!
There’s something special about being able to make a living doing what you love, in a place your family has called home for generations.
We may have grown from two boats to more than 20, but at the end of the day, we’re still the same family working together on the same little piece of waterfront property.
We love our bay, we love what we do, and we’re grateful for the families who choose to spend part of their vacation with us.
Whether you’re visiting Port St. Joe for the first time or returning to Cape San Blas for your annual family vacation, we look forward to welcoming you to Bayou Boat Rentals and helping you make some wonderful memories on St. Joseph Bay!
From our family to yours, we’ll see you on the water!
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