About Us

Looking for boat charters in Chicago? Lakeshore Boat Charters offers the best rental experience for various events such as social gatherings, birthdays, bachelorette/bachelor parties, proposals, and corporate events in the Chicagoland area. Our price includes fuel, tax, cleaning, safety training, and all amenities, and we provide a list of credentialed captains who are familiar with our vessels. We dock at the 31st Street Harbor, which offers an exceptional experience for you and your guests. We are dedicated to providing full-service yacht charters that are enjoyable and secure. We also prioritize customer satisfaction.

Lakeshore Boat Charters has two different boat options that are designed to accommodate various preferences and budgets. The Premium tier includes a 40-50′ yacht that is a step up in terms of amenities, with air-conditioned cabins, a full-sized kitchen, and plenty of space for socializing. The Elite tier is the most extravagant choice; it is a 50-70′ yacht with the most up-to-date interior, many staterooms, and cutting-edge audio entertainment systems for the best party experience

 
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Premium Boat
Rental Services

We offer a wide range of rental services to suit your needs! From private boat charters for intimate gatherings to corporate outings and holiday celebrations, we have the perfect boat for any occasion.

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Fireworks
 

Starting from Memorial Day Weekend and continuing until Labor Day Weekend, there will be fireworks at Navy Pier. You can create your ideal summer evening by booking a private charter that promises to be full of enjoyment, stunning sunsets, and the spectacular fireworks display at Navy Pier.

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Holidays
 

Make the holidays and weekends extra eventful with us! Specialty prices and limited availability are provided for the following occasions: Fourth of July Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, Chicago Scene Boat Party, Chicago Air & Water Show.

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Celebration Events
 

Whether you’re planning a birthday party, bachelor/bachelorette party, or graduation celebration, a private boat charter is the perfect way to make your event unforgettable.

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Corporate Outings
 

Treat your team to a unique and memorable experience by chartering a boat for your next corporate outing. Our luxury boats offer a stunning setting for team building events, client meetings, or employee appreciation parties.

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Social Gatherings
 

Make your next social gathering unforgettable by chartering a boat with us! Our private boat charters offer a unique and exciting way to celebrate with your friends and family. Enjoy stunning views of the water and city skyline while sipping on drinks and socializing with your guests.

 

Fleet of Luxury Boats

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Premium

 
DEALER
PRICE$380
Per Hour (3hr min)| MON-FRI
DEALER
PRICE$450
Per Hour (4hr min) | SAT-SUN
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Elite

 
DEALER
PRICE$400
Per Hour (3hr min) | MON-FRI
DEALER
PRICE$525
Per Hour (4hr min) | SAT-SUN


 

Parking

Our address is 3155 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL, and we are situated at 31st Street Harbor. To ensure punctuality, guests should arrive 20 minutes before departure if they are being dropped off, or 30 minutes early if they plan on parking. For those opting for taxi, Uber/Lyft, or vehicle drop offs, the 31st Street Harbor main entrance at 31st & Lake Shore Drive is the designated location.

Directions

Visitors have the option to park their vehicles at two different locations. One is the indoor parking garage at 31st Street Harbor, situated at 3155 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL, and the other is the outdoor parking lot at 641 East 31st Street Chicago, IL. The rates for each location can be found by clicking on the respective links provided. Additionally, there is a public parking lot located on the west side of Lake Shore Drive after exiting 31st Harbor or there is pay to park north of the harbor along side the beach.


 
WEATHER POLICY
Lakeshore Boat Charters has the responsibility to decide if weather conditions are suitable for chartering and they may classify conditions as either “charterable” or “uncharterable”. Uncharterable conditions usually include severe weather conditions like heavy storms, small craft advisory warnings, gale storms, strong winds, and large waves. On the other hand, light rain, passing storms, and cooler temperatures are generally considered acceptable for chartering. If the conditions are deemed uncharterable, the team will collaborate with the charterer to reschedule or temporarily postpone the charter to a later date. If a reschedule is necessary, Lakeshore Boat Charters will give a rescheduling credit to the charterer that can be used for a charter of the same or lesser value within one year.
 
CANCELLATION POLICY
The policy for cancelling a charter involves a non-refundable fee of 5%. If a cancellation request is made at least 14 days before the charter date, a full refund will be given, but the non-refundable fee still applies. If the cancellation request is made within 13 days of the charter date, a 50% refund will be given, less the non-refundable fee. If the cancellation request is made within 3 days of the charter date, there will be no refund. Cancellation requests must be made in writing via email and should include:

  • The Charterer’s name
  • Organization name (if applicable)
  • Scheduled date and time of charter
  • Reason for cancellation
  • A request for cancellation.

Rescheduling a charter does not allow for a full refund as per this policy. For more information, please refer to the company’s Terms & Conditions regarding their weather and cancellation policy.

 

Contact Us

Fill out the form below for any booking inquiries or email us at contact@lakeshoreboatcharters.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

 

Boat Rental FAQ’s

To check availability and make a reservation online, click on the provided link HERE. If you have any special requests, you can reach us at contact@lakeshoreboatcharters.com.

Yes, guests can find ample parking options at 31st Street Harbor. More information about the harbor and nearby parking options can be found by clicking on the provided link HERE.

Each vessel can accommodate up to 12 passengers, not including the hired captain and crew who are not considered passengers.

Of course you can! Please keep in mind that all boats must pass through the Chicago Locks, which can take up to an hour each way during peak traffic periods (usually more busy Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). To ensure a pleasant experience, it’s recommended that you inform Lake Shore Boat Charters and your hired Captain in advance that you want to travel on the river.

Absolutely! All our boats have high-quality Bluetooth sound systems installed.

Lake Shore Boat Charters requires guests to submit a list of all decoration items for written approval prior to the charter date. Please keep in mind that items such as glitter, confetti, feathered boas, or open flame items (fireworks, sparklers, and candles) are not permitted. However, items such as balloons and flowers are always welcome.

Please be aware that depending on other bookings, we may not always be able to guarantee that guests can arrive early to set up decorations before the start time of your charter.

Each yacht has a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, a kitchen, restroom, and cooler on board. Additional amenities, such as lily pads, can be purchased during checkout.

Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages. The boat is equipped with a complimentary cooler, refrigerator, and well-equipped kitchen for guests to use. However, it’s recommended to avoid glass containers and staining liquids, such as red wine or cranberry juice, as they can damage the boat’s interiors and may result in a damage fee.

While docked and plugged into shore power, guests can use the microwave. However, the microwave’s power cannot be guaranteed while the boat is underway or anchored. For safety and fire prevention, its important to note that the stove on each vessel is disconnected and cooking inside the cabins is not allowed.

Here are some things we suggest bringing:

  • Sunscreen
  • Bathing suit & towel (if you plan on swimming)
  • Sunglasses
  • Bottled water
  • Drinks & snacks
  • Ice

The boats are equipped with a cooler, refrigerator, and bathroom for guests to use.

Yes, children are allowed. However, it’s important to note that children are counted towards the total capacity of the vessel. Additionally, children aged 13 years and younger are required to wear a life jacket at all times.

For babies and infants, parents are encouraged to bring their own life jackets suitable for their size. However, if guests prefer to use the boat’s infant sized life jackets, they should inform the Lake Shore Boat Charters team in advance so that they can be placed onboard prior to guest arrival.

Although we cannot directly offer food and beverage catering services, we can suggest third-party vendors. While booking your reservation, please include additional notes requesting catering options and we can certainly help!

Yes, guests are permitted to go swimming during the charter! Please note that captains may not allow swimming after sunset or if water conditions are unfavorable for your safety.

Lake Shore Boat Charters will provide you with a list of approved Captains who are familiar with our vessels after you make a reservation. Please note that Captains are independent contractors and not employees of Lake Shore Boat Charters.

Generally, captains charge between $75-120 per hour before gratuity. It is customary to leave a gratuity for your hired captain or crew, which typically ranges from 15-20% of the total charter price (excluding the captain’s hourly rate). Payment and gratuity can be given directly to your hired captain.

Please keep in mind that the hired captain/crew are separate contractors and not employed or affiliated with Lake Shore Boat Charters. Therefore, we cannot accept payment on their behalf. We suggest contacting your hired captain to discuss their preferred payment method.

Lake Shore Boat Charters accepts all major credit cards. Note that we are unable to accept payment on behalf of your hired captain/crew, as they are separate contractors.

A “bareboat” charter refers to an arrangement in which the client, known as the Charterer, has temporary ownership and use of a vessel for a specific period of time, as defined by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). As part of the agreement, the Charterer assumes responsibility for the vessel, its guests, and the provision of their own food and beverages. Additionally, they must either operate the vessel themselves (if they hold the necessary credentials) or hire their own Captain/Crew. It is important to note that bareboat chartered vessels are limited to carrying a maximum of 12 passengers.

For the comfort and safety of all our guests, smoking is not allowed onboard any of our vessels. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping our boats smoke-free environments.

We recommend arriving at the dock 30 minutes before your scheduled charter time. This will allow enough time for you to park, account for any traffic, and ensure that you are ready to board the vessel on time. Please keep in mind that traffic and parking may vary depending on the location of your charter. Therefore, it is always best to plan ahead and allow extra time for any unforeseen circumstances.

Unfortunately, we do not allow pets onboard any of our vessels. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you understand that our priority is to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests.
 
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