Paradise Boat Rentals Review

Had a great experience. Cody the manager was great and the boat ran very well.

Must not be interested in being in business. Not even and voicemail. Just rings. Bad business

I just read a review that I think is unfair and would like to add my own experience. I rented a boat from Paradise just a week and a half ago. I thought it was a great and wonderful experience. The staff there is very friendly and knowledgeable. It does take a while from entering their door to getting out on the water but only because there is a lot of information to go over about the channels and charts and markers and safety issues. We covered a lot of very important safety material which I thought was pretty important since I am from the suburbs of Chicago and unfamiliar with the Gulf channels. We went over the charts as well as fuel stations, safe harbors, dicey areas to stay away from, best shell beaches, where best to hang with dolphins, nice restaurants on the water, etc. I thought they were very thorough and showed a genuine concern that our trip be as safe and enjoyable as possible. It took about forty-five minutes to cover everything. This was for OUR safety and enjoyment. Renting a boat and going into unfamiliar waters is not like renting a car and going on a trip. Anybody who thinks you can just hop in a boat in unfamiliar water and take off in 15 minutes without proper instruction is the one who lacks concern for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. We were on the water for eight hours just cruising around and having fun(except for the hour we had to stop). We went up to Captiva in about an hour or so and then back down around Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach. We checked the charts often and didn't have any problems at all. The channels are all really well marked and numbered and I don't understand how they could have gotten lost. There are bridges and light houses and markers everywhere! Look on a map, the distance from PBR to Captiva is only about twenty miles and half of that is in a river channel. There are numerous harbors on the maps to dodge into in case it rains which we did in fact have to do ourselves. We had to sit it out for about an hour. The rain does come in every afternoon but it is hit and miss and is gone in 30-60 minutes. You're on the water in Florida, it's not like you can't see the rain coming in a half hour before it reaches you. If you know how to handle a boat and feel comfortable enough to rent one then I would highly recommend Paradise Boat Rental. If you DON'T know how to handle a boat and you want to go out on one then I would suggest you find a skipper or pilot to take you around. You'll have a lot of fun and no worries. When I go back to Fort Myers Beach on vacation I plan to rent from Paradise again. With the experience I gained on this first trip I expect the next one to be even more fun. As for the bad review I read, it seems to me they were pretty reckless and inexperienced and shouldn't blame the rental company. It was all about how fast they wanted to hit the water and then got lost even though "There are channel markers everywhere".....hmmmmm. So how did they get lost???? I'd also like to mention the boat we rented was very clean, well maintained and ran perfectly, no complaints. If you want a nice boating experience on your vacation I think they they do a great job and plan to use them again.

We've been providing outdrive repair services for Paradise Boat Rentals for many, many years. Thanks again for your business

The price is great for someone who just wants a couple days on the water. Our boat was a little beat up and the registration was expired but the employees were responsive and helpful. I would use them again.

I could not have been happier with our experience! Staff was very knowledgeable about the area - where to do water sports, where to get drinks and food, where to see the dolphins, etc. The boat came with fishing equipment and all water sports equipment FOR FREE upon request. Such an awesome time! Great staff!

Thank you for two great days with your boat. We have never driven a boat before, but the briefing from the captain was easy and we got along well. Complete equipment was on board and our boat had really power. That you really see dolphins we did not expect ...
We would always rent again at Paradise Boat Rentals

english see below
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Contrary to the sometimes very negative entries on the web, I have had very good experiences with boat rental, which I would like to report about here. There is hardly any other provider in Cape Coral for 1-day rentals.
Unfortunately, the Hurrican Irma left visible damage to the office and especially on the jetty (which Julius, the owner, is due to repair soon; as of October 27, 2017).
The instruction and the documentation of the rules and regulations were very good; I was also given a printed version of this, including a nautical chart, for the duration of the trip. The boat was inspected together with me and all existing damage was documented on a form. The $ 500 deposit was noted on a credit card receipt, but was not booked, with the agreement that I would get the receipt back in the evening (and can destroy it) if there was no damage. This was complied with without any problems: after checking again at the evening return, I had the receipt again.
The fact is that the sometimes narrow and flat canals in Cape Coral as well as the necessary maneuvers at the lock (in the southwest) and when refueling are a challenge for inexperienced users. Damage to the boat can easily occur here - which of course must then be reimbursed by the tenant (the deductible of $ 500 is covered with a deposit). There is an exact list in the office of what damage costs how much, and in my view these costs are fairly calculated. It is clear that tenants who have caused damage do not like to admit this - and are therefore annoyed about the burden. Maybe that's one of the reasons for the sometimes very negative criticism on the web.
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In contrast to some very negative entries in the web, my experiences with Paradise boat rental were pretty good; that's what I want to share here. Plus, for 1-day rentals, there is hardly any other provider in Cape Coral.
Upfront: Unfortunately, the Hurricane Irma caused some visible damage to the office and especially to the boat dock (which will soon be repaired, according to Julius, the owner, as of Oct. 27, 2017).
The introduction by the staff members as well as the documentation of the regulations and rules were very good. In addition, a printed version of These documents including a nautical map was handed over to me for the duration of the trip. The boat was inspected jointly with me, and any existing damage was documented on a form sheet. The $ 500 deposit was noted on a credit card receipt but not posted, with the agreement that the voucher will be given back to me in the evening in case of no damages to the boat. This was kept: After the rental, another joint inspection took place, and the receipt was handed over to me.
As a matter of facts, the sometimes narrow and shallow channels in Cape Coral as well as the required maneuvers at the lock (in the southwest) and when refueling pose quite some challenge to inexperienced drivers. Therefore, damages to the boat are pretty likely to occur - which of course have to be reimbursed by the renter (the deductible of $ 500 is covered by deposit). There office holds a detailed list indicating the costs of the most common damages, and these costs are fairly calculated from my point of view. It is obvious that renters who have caused damage do not like to admit this - and are therefore angry about the burden. Maybe that's one of the reasons for the sometimes very negative criticism in the Web.

They left us hung up. We had booked, arrived, no boat available. Was put off for the next day with the promise that a boat would be 100% available to us ... Pustekuchen. Just been left stupid ...

We booked a boat with you last Thursday. The boat was fast and clean, the trip was fun, was a completely different view of SWFL. The instruction by Cody was also good and the operation of the boat was easy. When we come back next year we will definitely rent a boat from you again. And if someone asks us about a good boat rental, I will recommend you.

Friendly guys, good service. However, the boats are very old and worn out. The boat we had was from 1999 and had a very old two stroke engine. For the prices these guys charge you would expect a newer boat with a more modern and fuel economic 4 stroke engine. Also, the fuel meter didn't work, which is ok if you have the boat for one day but if you rent it for more days that could get you into trouble. The briefing was very thorough and you get good maps.

Overall a good experience but for the quality of the boats they're definitely too pricey, hence the 3 stars.

I like it for the offers and its prices and it has a lot of variety of footwear

BEWARE of how this company handle your $500 deposit. They ask for your credit card to make, as they say, just a reservation for the deposit. It is a written reservation on paper. When you return with the boat they give you the piece of paper back and say that everything is ok and you think everything is cleared. Later when you look at your account there is still a reservation for $500. For us the $500 were still locked 6(!!!) days after the rental. Then we called them and asked why. No, we do not make any reservations on your card, it is only a paper reservation .
We were a little hesitatative and trying to find out what this $500 reservation was on our account. THEN, about 2 hours after our call to them, the reservation was gone - the money was available again.
This is not a acceptable behavior for a business.
Now when I have read earlier reservations I can see that this have happened before so I wonder if this is something they try and might get away with some times.
By the way, the boat was clean and nice so nothing to say about that.

This place was perfect; very accommodating and had great suggestions for where we could go for the day. We got a boat that was able to hold all 9 of us. Highly recommend.

I have used this company numerous times super friendly staff boats are always in great condition and they have a great time to return the boat most companies are till 4 or 5 but they let you keep boat till sunset for the same price as the other companies... I highly recommend this A+ company

firstly let me say that we really enjoyed our day on the water and it was definitely one of the highlights of our holiday,
so thank you very much for the excellent service provided on the day. We loved the boat and had plenty of power to wake up for our kids.
My husband really appreciated the GPS and your special Paradise sea charts with all the hot spots. He caught us a few nice snapper which we had for dinner.
Many thanks again for a great day and look forward to visiting you again next summer.

Thank you so much for everything .... We did indeed enjoy our boating. Rest assured when our plans call again for watercraft within your service area, you will be getting a call. Please relay our thanks to Collin & Chris as they were most kind, professional and a world of boating knowledge.

We thoroughly enjoyed the boating experience and thank you for your excellent professional service. In all likelihood, we want to be back! I can not think of any way you can improve your service as it seems first-class. My apologies for the bent antenna! I blame my daughter! My many thanks for not charging for it - very generous. I hope it could be straightened without too much trouble.

We sail very often in all parts of the world and charter sailing boats.
We all very much enjoyed our stay in Florida, which was also helped by the motorboat rented from you. The handover and return was absolutely professional and stress free. The boat was in a decent condition - amazing, considering that in the US anyone over the age of 21 and who has a driver's license even without a license to drive these (not necessarily slow) craft. The free additional equipment on request such as water skiing, etc., we have so far nowhere else so experienced and have surprised us extremely positive.
If we are back in your area, we will gladly refer to your services and recommend them to others!

Great Place. We had so much fun. Great boat, very nice and helpful staff gave us good advice on where to go wake boarding. We'll be back next year. Highly recommended.

Owners are extremely friendly and helpful. Boats are well maintained.

I can fully recommend your company, great boat for the price, transfer by Captain Skip informative and with high entertainment value. Also for experienced boaters were many valuable tips on the local waters here.

We will gladly book with you again at the next Floridaurlaub.

Very Dis-honest people F- rating with BBB paid for a week rental never set foot on a boat. STAY AWAY! They write their positive reviews check with anyone in the business in South Florida and they will advise. STAY AWAY!

rented a boat to take the family to sanibel island & ft myers beach, the boat was older but clean & ran well. we had a great day cruising the ICW saw some dolphins down by sanibel island. price was good the people were great to deal with.

!!Please Read!! RIPOFF ALERT! These are the kinds of people you hear about in the news. The ones that pray on low boat knowledge people! They made us pay for "damaged" property.... Which we were fine to do if we really damaged the item. It's just funny how the only thing we didn't know to check initially before our trip (bc we don't know much about boats) is the one thing thy said we broke. You know it's scamming when you challenge it and they are more then eager to settle with any amount. Save yourself money and time and go a little further down the street for your rental. SCAM!! Wish I could give negative stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great place! The staff is very courteous and accommodating, even for beginner boaters. If you're looking to rent a boat, call this place first!

We were in May / June 2014 in Cape Coral on vacation. We rented a boat for the first time. The instruction was great - especially since it is a German / American family and both father and son speak German. This made the training a lot easier and also gave us the assurance that we really understood everything. Unfortunately on the first day the weather made a dash through the bill. Rare but true, it was very cloudy all day and has rained. We were offered, without further ado, that we should try if it is possible and if not, we could come back and have the boat on another day without further costs. We then used it after a short try. We rented the boat for the next day - the weather was OK but not so much that we really wanted to go boating. So without problems postponed to the next day. Had it not gone there, we would even get a coupon of 2 (or was it 3?) Years is valid. EXCELLENT! The boat was also in good condition. Everything was just right for us and we would rent there again anytime and can absolutely recommend it !!

Jet skis are in an extremely bad condition (optically scratched bumpers partially off and large paint damage) and if the jet ski is inrun during the rental period we, e.g. due to a broken or water entry, no claim to More

Terrible, terrible,TERRIBLE! We rented a boat and it wouldn t even plane. They give you a free tube but the boat won t go fast enough to pull it. We got a free boat rental because the first one wouldn t run and we leaned now or their boat go over 10 miles an hour. Do not rent from them!

Very good contact, also with German language. Boat as ordered delivered to the house and very good briefing by Matthew. Great guy. Boat was in good shape and it was fun. Lovely again.

We were happy with the rental of the boat. Firstly, because the instruction was in German and before we started, everything was explained to us in detail. The boat was clean and in good condition. It seems like we have been dealing with the new owners; because it was on November 2nd, 2017 anyway, we were satisfied and would be happy to recommend it!

They were very helpful at the store. They gave us great advice of where to go on our boat. We were able to see dolphins and manatees. The boat was very clean and in excellent condition. We would rent from them again.

We were for the second time this year in Cape Coral and have this time again a boat for 1 week at Paradise Boat Rentals rented. The boat was again top, enough power and really economical in consumption, as I have had other engines. Thanks also to Collin for the extremely friendly and competent instruction in the boat and many thanks for the "must see" tips. Thanks to the modern GPS navigation was a breeze. See you next year!

Worst Place Ever!!!!... I think they wrote their own reviews, Scam, oldest boat I've ever seen!!!...

nice staff... had some issues with the boats gas but we worked out a deal to make everything better. Will visit again

Had a fantastic weekend of boating and jet-skis with family and friends. Everything went smooth, despite my own lack of knowledge about watercraft. Collin and Julius were great to work with. They will definitely see us again on our next Cape Coral trip! Met some really nice German people there, too. Easy to find, great service, fair pricing. A+++

Rented a pontoon boat for the day.Very professional staff. Good customer service. Gave us lots of tips about navigating the area and great spots to tie up.

Favorable rental price is relativized after refueling

Thank you for the very good instruction of our boat and the many information. The whole thing in German, dreamlike! We rented a boat for the first time and were bloody beginners, but thanks to you and your staff, we felt a whole lot safer and relaxed. Thanks to the good tips for the trips we had a wonderful week on the "River". Our boat was clean, well maintained and equipped with a GPS in German. The return of the boat was also problem-free, our deposit we have returned within 10 days on the credit card and credited. Everything's great, so Florida is much more fun. See you soon. Many greetings from Dusseldorf

Simply mega! Your boats are really great and the service was simply unique. You really take care of everything and we had a lot of fun and a great day.

The boats seats were dirty and falling apart. This place is way over priced!!!!!! I paid much less renting boats in both Naples and Marco island. If you feel like over paying for a boat that is falling apart go to paradise boat rentals in Cape Coral!!!

Here is a review on a business that I am sure is likely at standstill due to the virus. From the beginning I had a great deal on a great boat for last week......which we couldnt make. This company was as receptive with my cancellation as they were in attracting business. Immediate response to my request for refund.

Paradise is a stand up company that is exceeding expectations during this crisis. When I get to Fla for this missed vacation, I for sure will do business here. This is a very good company and the best option for SW Fla boat rental. Thank you!!

It does not get any better. We've rented from several boat rental places here in town, since we're not ready to buy a boat yet, but Paradise is by far the best. Thorough Captains briefing, fast boats, incredible nice staff (they even helped us carrying our stuff from the car to the boat) and a special fishing chart with all the hot spots from their fishing guides. We had a blast every time we've rented from them. The only negative we've experienced so far, was, they ran out of ice & bait because they were so busy. We especially enjoyed their extended rental hours until sunset. Last time we came back, Cpt. Brian even cleaned all the fish for us we caught. What a service...

Haven't seen such a nice & professional boat rental place for years.
Nice and friendly receptionist, pirate theme shop and a very good boat introduction (which was quite necessary, since we're new to the area). We rented one of their mid size deck boats and were surprised how fast the boat was. Our kids enjoyed the tube ride (came with the boat). We went to the beach at Cayo Costa and could not believe there was nobody else. Just us. All in all a perfect day on the water. We'll be back for sure.

Tom

Be very carefull with this company, they withdraw the guarantee of 500 $ on my credit card. They don't respond since two weeks. A complaint has been introduce at me credit card company.

Beautiful boat experience. For the first time we rented a boat in Cape Coral and it was wonderful !!! The boat, which we had already rented together with our holiday home, was broken when we arrived and so we had to look for another boat rental company. The bakery here in Cape Coral then recommended Paradise Boat Rental to us. The instruction by Colin in German was very detailed and easy to understand even for us laymen. The boat was very nice, clean, spacious and easy to drive. Our children went wakeboarding and dolphins jumped in the water on the way to Sanibel (lighthouse). Thank you dear Paradise Team, you saved our vacation. We will definitely be back.

Very bad. The boats are a disaster. Bad service. Rip off on return.

It's great that we had a German contact person for boat rentals in the States! Highly recommended!

What a fun day in the Sun! A couple of buddies of mine from school decided we would go out and rent a boat. I spoke to a nice lady on the phone a week before the scheduled trip and arranged everything ahead of time.

When we arrived, a great captains briefing was given to us, which was more than necessary, even for experienced boaters. Maps, GPS and Charts all go out on the boat with you which is great. Free fishing rods and Wakeboards came along with the Rental which made the entire day even better. The boat was in pretty good shape considering it sits outside in Florida year round. Everything worked fine and the stereo was better than expected. We had perfect weather and caught some nice fish and waves.

Can not recommend this place enough!! Great spot to rent a boat.

Thank you Paradise!!

Paradise Boat Rentals Boat Club Review

Don t be scared off by the negative review, most of them were written about the previous owner. From what I understand the ownership was changed in late 2017.

This will be a review of the Boat Club at Paradise Boat Rentals located on Del Prado Blvd S in Cape Coral, FL. We arrived in late December, 2018 and are here through mid April 2019. We are snowbirds from MN where we live on a lake and boat all summer long.

We looked at various boat clubs that were available in the area and we chose the 10 Rental Package offered by Paradise Boat Rentals. The decision was easy because unlike others, they have no initial buy-in . They keep it simple, you commit to either a 7, 10 or 30 day rental package and you receive a discount from their daily rate. Now here s the nice part the rentals do NOT need to be consecutive days. We were able to schedule 10 days throughout the 3 months we were here. Additionally, rescheduling a rental was NEVER an issue.

After a few rentals you get to know the staff. I d have to say that Eric and his staff (Cody, and both Matt s) were always pleasant to work with. They are mostly a younger staff and I have to say they know how to treat their customers. Always professional!

We were impressed by the condition of the boats. In 10 rentals, there was never an issue that prevented us from having fun. Isn t that what it s all about? We rented pontoons and Hurricane deck boats. Note most of their pontoons are tri-toons, which make for a much drier ride if you encounter wind and a high inland chop.

BOATING TIP If this is your first time boating in Cape Coral and you have a smart phone, do this a couple days before your rental - download the Navionics Boating Marine & Lakes App. If you re only doing a single rental, the app provides a trial period. After the trial period you can upgrade for $15. We found the app invaluable. The biggest issue folks have is getting confused about which side of the channel marker they should be on. This app shows you where you are at on the waters, along with all the channel markers and even provides a centerline in the channel for you to follow so you don t end up grounding the boat on a sandbar or worse yet - an oyster bed. Which we never did BTW, but saw others grounded. Even though their boats come equipped with GPS, having a captain steering and a navigator looking at the Navionics app, works great until you are comfortable with the waters.

FUELING TIP. Paradise is not able to fill the boats with gas before your departure. Initially, we thought this was going to be a huge hassle, but it really wasn t. You simply visit a gas dock right away instead of filling up before you return the boat. You return the boat with approx. the same amount of fuel when you rented it. If you head south toward the Gulf of Mexico you can purchase gas at Marine Max or at the Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill (Redfish Point). If you decide to go north, you can fuel up at Fort Myers Yacht Basin. We found the cheapest fuel at Fort Myers Yacht Basin, followed by Marine Max, then the Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill.

We recommend. We rented a boat in Cape Coral in July 2014 (Sport mid-size). In total, we paid USD 315 for one day with instruction and insurance. The boat was in good condition and very easy to use. We have never driven a boat before. The instruction was in English, but would have been possible in German, since the owners speak German. Class was the nautical chart with the markers, etc., which we had in addition to the on-board GPS. We tanked at the marina in Cape Coral (in front of the restaurant Rumrunners, where the gallon was about 1 USD cheaper than the landlord). The boat had full safety equipment, life vests and pool toys were also available.

Be sure to pay attention to the depth gauge and the markers. The waters have significant shoals. As a precaution, we had a towing insurance for $ 25 but fortunately we did not need it. If you stay on the marked paths, you can do without them.

Good was also the German-speaking detailed instructions, there was the boat, on de marinas, restaurants, etc. were recorded.

My kids (9 and 12) and me have a blast and a perfect day. We have seen countless dolphins, pelicans, manatees and waterfowl. Incredible. And from the boat you could jump directly into the water in front of Sanibel, there were even lifeguards, so you could easily get back on the boat.

Next time we rent the same week :-).

The fuel consumption was limited. Although we often drove around 25 knots and spent a full day traveling, we only had 15 gallons.

Cody the owner was great to work with and very informative. Good prices, definitely will be back

We booked a boat with you last Thursday. The boat was fast and clean, the trip was fun, was a completely different view of SWFL. The instruction by Cody was also good and the operation of the boat was easy. When we come back next year we will definitely rent a boat from you again. And if someone asks us about a good boat rental, I will recommend you.