Go Boating & Sailing in Williamsburg, VA

A: Pedal boat rentals at Waller Mill Park offer an easy way to find family-friendly fun on the water. While motorized boat rentals are limited, paddlecraft rentals are common – find those options on the Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddleboarding page. If you’re fishing and boating, be sure to get a fishing license.

A: The Williamsburg area is full of scenic lakes and tidal creeks, and it’s also bordered by two famous rivers: the York River and James River. The James City County Marina offers access to Powhatan Creek and the James River beyond; it has a boat ramp, marina store, and more. Nearby, Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway provides access to the James River at Jamestown Island. This park offers a small non-motorized boat launch and five fishing piers. The popular Waller Mill Park offers boating, kayaking, canoeing, and pedal boating on a 360-acre lake surrounded by lush woods.

A: Touring the area by boat is a fun and enlightening experience. Narrated sightseeing cruises are offered through providers like Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours, which explores the James River and surrounding historic waterways. The James City County Marina on Powhatan Creek offers pontoon boat tours on the scenic, biodiverse waterway. For a memorable experience, sail the York River aboard a traditional schooner with Yorktown Sailing Charters – while these sails aren’t narrated tours, the crew points out sights along the river and talks about local history in the beginning of the sail. View the listings above to explore guided and chartered experiences.

A: Boat ramp locations abound. At Chickahominy Riverfront Park, the boat ramp and paddlecraft launch area are open 24 hours/day (launch fees apply at the boat ramp). View the listings above to find boat ramps, launches, and landings across the area.

A:  The area’s larger, full-service marinas include Yorktown’s Riverwalk Landing Piers and the James City County Marina near Jamestown. View the listings above to find marinas across the area.