# Blue Skies Boat Rentals

> Premium Grady White boat rentals in Islamorada, Florida Keys. Bareboat or with a USCG-licensed captain. Founded by Serge Parakhnevich and Robert Garan.

## About
Blue Skies Boat Rentals is a premium boat rental company based at Safe Harbor Marina in Islamorada, FL 33036 — the sport fishing capital of the world. We operate a fleet of Grady White center console boats, which are considered among the finest fishing and cruising boats made. Unlike most Florida Keys rental companies that offer pontoons or basic center consoles, we exclusively run Grady Whites. We serve the area from Key Largo to Marathon.

## Fleet
- **Grady White Freedom 285** — 28ft dual console, up to 10 guests. Twin Yamaha 300HP engines, Garmin GPS & fish finder, Bluetooth sound system, freshwater shower, onboard head, livewell & rod holders, shade top, cooler, snorkeling gear included.
- **Grady White Canyon 306** — 30ft center console, up to 10 guests. Twin Yamaha 300HP engines, Garmin GPS & fish finder, Bluetooth sound system, full tower, outriggers, livewell & rod holders, shade top, cooler, snorkeling gear included.

## Pricing
- Half Day (4 hours): $700–$900
- Full Day (8 hours): $1,000–$1,200
- Multi-Day: $800–$1,000/day
- Captain add-on: $250/half-day, $400/full-day
- Security deposit: $1,000 refundable (returned after post-trip inspection)

## Location
- **Address:** Safe Harbor Marina, 81906 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- **Coordinates:** 24.9234, -80.6273
- **Hours:** Open daily 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

## Service Area (with cruise times from dock)
- **Key Largo** — 20 min north. John Pennekamp State Park, Molasses Reef, Christ of the Abyss, backcountry fishing.
- **Tavernier** — 15 min north. Davis Reef, Harry Harris Park, quiet Upper Keys waters.
- **Islamorada** (Home Base) — 0 min. Alligator Reef, Indian Key, Islamorada Sandbar, Robbie's Tarpon, offshore fishing.
- **Duck Key** — 20 min south. Hawks Cay, Tom's Harbor, calm Gulf-side waters, family-friendly.
- **Marathon** — 45 min south. Sombrero Reef, Seven Mile Bridge, Turtle Hospital, Boot Key Harbor, Bahia Honda.
- **Entire Upper & Middle Keys** — Key Largo to Marathon, Atlantic and Gulf sides.

## Popular Activities
- Sandbar trips (Islamorada sandbar, Indian Key, Snake Creek sandbar)
- Snorkeling (Alligator Reef, Cheeca Rocks, San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve)
- Offshore fishing (mahi-mahi, tuna, sailfish, wahoo)
- Reef fishing (yellowtail snapper, grouper, hogfish)
- Backcountry fishing (tarpon, bonefish, permit)
- Sunset cruises (BYOB, up to 10 guests)
- Island hopping (Indian Key State Park, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park)
- Lobster mini-season trips (last Wednesday of July)

## Booking
- Book online: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/book
- Text or call: (516) 587-0438
- Same-day bookings available when fleet is open
- Loyalty program: 1 point per $1 spent. Captain tier ($5,000+) gets 10% off, First Mate tier ($2,500+) gets 5% off.

## What to Know
- No boating license required in Florida (but boating experience is strongly recommended for bareboat)
- Captain add-on recommended for first-time boaters or fishing trips
- All boats include: GPS, VHF radio, life jackets, first aid kit, cooler, snorkeling gear
- Fuel is not included — boats are returned with same fuel level
- Free parking at the marina
- Pets allowed on board

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Do I need a boating license?**
No. Florida does not require a license to rent a boat. However, boating experience is strongly recommended for bareboat rentals. If you're new to boating, add a captain.

**What's included?**
GPS navigation, VHF radio, life jackets, first aid kit, cooler with ice, snorkeling gear, fishing rod holders. Fishing tackle and bait are not included but available at nearby Robbie's Marina.

**What's the cancellation policy?**
Full refund if cancelled 48+ hours before. 50% refund within 48 hours. Weather cancellations are always fully refunded.

**Where do you launch from?**
Safe Harbor Marina in Islamorada. Easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.

**Can I go to Key West?**
Our boats are best suited for day trips within the Upper and Middle Keys (Key Largo to Marathon). Key West is too far for a comfortable day trip.

## Links
- Website: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com
- Book: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/book
- Experiences: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/experiences
- Blog: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/blog
- Florida Keys Guide: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/guide
- Gallery: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/gallery
- About: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/about
- Key Largo: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/key-largo
- Islamorada: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/islamorada
- Marathon: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/marathon
- Tavernier: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/tavernier
- Duck Key: https://blueskiesboatrentals.com/duck-key
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueskiescharter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueskiesboatrentals
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blueskiescharter
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlueSkiesFloridaKeys
- Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?cid=YOUR_GOOGLE_MAPS_CID