Bareboat Rental · You're The Captain

Rent the boat.
Drive it yourself.

No guide standing over your shoulder, no tour group setting the pace. An 18-foot RIB with a 50 HP outboard, docked in Squamish, handed to you for the block of time you book — you pick the route, you hold the throttle, you decide when to turn back toward Howe Sound.

Book The RIB See The Boat

Questions before you book? Call or text (604) 849-8898.

18-foot RIB boat rental on Howe Sound near Squamish, BC
The Boat

Small enough to feel like yours, big enough to actually cover ground.

This is the same style of inflatable RIB coast guards and dive operators run — stable underway, forgiving if you're newer to the helm, and quick enough to make Howe Sound feel a lot smaller than it is. Full tank, full safety kit, no surprises when you cast off.

  • Length18 ft
  • Engine50 HP outboard
  • HullInflatable RIB
  • FuelTopped up before you leave the dock
  • Safety gearLife jackets & nav equipment included
  • BaseSquamish, Howe Sound
Check Availability
Self-Drive, Start To Finish

What a bareboat rental actually means.

Bareboat just means the boat is handed to you, empty of a crew — no captain, no itinerary set by someone else. Here's exactly how that goes from booking to backing away from the dock.

01

You bring the license

Because you're the one driving, Canadian law requires proof of boating competency — a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or a recognized equivalent. No PCOC, no shame: book a skippered trip instead and a licensed captain drives.

02

We prep the boat

The RIB is fuelled, life jackets are aboard for everyone in your group, and all Transport Canada–required safety and navigation gear is packed before you get anywhere near the dock.

03

You get a local briefing

A proper walkthrough on the dock — current conditions, fuel range, and where locals actually go — then the boat is yours until your time's up. No rush, no hand-holding once you're out there.

Where To Point The Bow

Your route, your call.

That's the whole appeal of driving yourself — nobody else's itinerary, nobody else's pace. Howe Sound is North America's southernmost fjord, and the whole thing opens up from the Squamish launch. A few favorites other renters come back with stories about:

Britannia Beach

The easiest first leg south of Squamish — usually calm water, and a good stretch to get comfortable at the helm before pushing further out.

Porteau Cove

Marine park and popular dive site partway down the Sound. Cut the engine here and just sit with the view for a while.

Anvil Island

The landmark you can see from town. Quiet water around its bays, and a solid chance of seals or eagles if you go slow.

The coves with no road

Howe Sound has beaches and inlets a car simply can't reach. With the boat in your hands, that's not a problem — it's the point.

Before You Book

Self-drive rental FAQ

Do I need a license to drive it myself?

Yes. Because you're behind the wheel, Canadian law requires proof of boating competency — most commonly a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or a recognized equivalent from your home country. Don't have one? Ask about a skippered trip instead, where a licensed captain drives for you.

What's included with the rental?

The 18-ft RIB and its 50 HP outboard, life jackets for your whole group, all required navigation and safety equipment, and a dock-side walkthrough before you cast off.

How is this different from a boat tour?

On a tour, a licensed captain drives and you ride along for a set route. Here, the boat is yours for the time you book — you set the course.

How much does it cost?

Rates vary by season and rental length — check live availability when you book online, or call (604) 849-8898 for a quote.

How do I book?

Straight online at squamishwatertaxi.com/boat-rentals.html, or call or text (604) 849-8898 and a local answers.

The Boat's Waiting

Go be the captain for a day.

Book online in a couple of minutes, or call ahead with questions about routes, weather, or your PCOC.

Book The RIB Call (604) 849-8898