A day on Torch Lake is the highlight of a lot of Bellaire trips, and you don't need to own a boat to have one. Here are the rental companies around the lake and the Chain of Lakes, how renting works, and how to avoid the most common booking surprises.
Boat rentals at a glance
| Company | Where | Rents |
|---|---|---|
| Bellaire Pontoon Rental | Bellaire, on Lake Bellaire | Pontoons |
| Torch Lake Pontoon Rentals | Bellaire (M-88) | Pontoons, at a launch you choose |
| Vacation Water Sports | Alden, near the south end of Torch Lake | Pontoons, speedboats, jet skis |
| Elk Rapids Marina | Elk Rapids, on Elk Lake | Pontoons, tritoons, surf boats, captained cruises |
| Torch River Marine | Rapid City, on the Torch River | Pontoons, ski boats, fishing boats |
| Paddles & Pedals | Bellaire | Kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, with delivery |
| Riverside Marina | Bellaire, on the Intermediate River | Canoes and kayaks |
Fleets, prices and policies change every season, so check with each company directly.
Pontoons and powerboats
Bellaire Pontoon Rental, 204 W. Cayuga St., Bellaire. Pontoons on Lake Bellaire, in the middle of the Chain of Lakes. A good choice if you want a quieter lake than Torch.
Torch Lake Pontoon Rentals, M-88, Bellaire. Pontoons that you can take to the lake and launch site of your choice.
Vacation Water Sports, Helena Road, Alden. Right near the south end of Torch Lake and the sandbar, with pontoons that seat about 10, plus speedboats and jet skis.
Elk Rapids Marina, 118 N. Bridge St., Elk Rapids. A full-service marina on Elk Lake with premium pontoons, tritoons and surf boats, plus captained wakesurf sessions and sunset cruises. Torch Lake is reachable by boat through the Torch River, but plan on about an hour each way.
Torch River Marine, Rapid City. Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats on the Torch River, between Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog. Cruise up the river to Torch Lake and the sandbar.
Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards
Paddles & Pedals, Bellaire. Kayaks (sit-in and sit-on-top) and stand-up paddleboards, from half-day to week-long rentals, with pickup or delivery. They know the local routes, from Torch Lake to the Bellaire-to-Clam Lake stretch of the Grass River.
Riverside Marina, 115 W. Cayuga St., Bellaire. Canoe and kayak rentals right on the Intermediate River in downtown Bellaire.
Planning a paddle? See our guide to the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Guests at White Birch Cabin get two kayaks and a paddleboard with the house from mid-May to mid-October.
When to book
- July and August weekends: book weeks ahead. Pontoons sell out first.
- Fourth of July week: book as early as you can, and expect strict cancellation terms. Some companies don't refund that week at all.
- June and September: much easier to find a boat, often on short notice.
What to know before you rent
Terms vary, but these are common around Torch Lake:
- A security deposit, often several hundred dollars or more, held on a credit card
- Cancellation windows, often a full refund only if you cancel two weeks or more ahead
- Late fees for late pickup or return, and fees if you return the boat to the wrong location
- Weather policies: many companies only refund for dangerous weather, not just a cloudy day
- Fuel may or may not be included
- Pets: policies differ, so ask before you bring the dog
Michigan boater safety rules
- Boater safety certificate: anyone born on or after July 1, 1996 needs one to drive a motorboat over 6 horsepower. For jet skis (personal watercraft), anyone born after December 31, 1978 needs one, and no one under 14 may drive one. Carry the card on board.
- Life jackets: carry one for everyone on board. Children under 6 must wear one on the open deck while the boat is moving.
- No-wake zones: go slow in rivers, marinas, near shore and at the sandbar.
- No overnight mooring on Torch Lake.
- Watch the weather. Torch Lake is big and gets choppy quickly when the wind picks up in the afternoon.
Check Michigan's boating rules for the latest requirements.
Where to stay
Our homes near Schuss Mountain are about 15 minutes from Torch Lake, and White Birch Cabin in Ellsworth is about five minutes from it, with its own kayaks and Lake Michigan shoreline.
Alm Haus
A renovated Northwoods chalet 5 minutes from Schuss Mountain, with a hot tub under the pines, triple-queen bunk room, game room and stargazing dome.
Check dates and book direct →
White Birch Cabin
A newly built log cabin on 100 feet of private Lake Michigan shoreline, with a barrel sauna, kayaks and a paddleboard, and a big lakefront deck.
Check dates and book direct →
Northwoods Treehaus
A 1960s A-frame in the pines at Schuss Mountain Resort, with three kings, a stone fireplace, a bunk room with arcade and a treetop hot tub.
Check dates and book direct →Frequently asked questions
Can you rent a pontoon on Torch Lake?
Yes. Vacation Water Sports in Alden is near the south end of the lake, Torch Lake Pontoon Rentals in Bellaire lets you choose your launch, and Torch River Marine rents on the Torch River leading into the lake.
Where can I rent a kayak in Bellaire?
Paddles & Pedals rents kayaks and paddleboards with delivery, and Riverside Marina rents canoes and kayaks on the river downtown.
Do I need a license to drive a rental boat in Michigan?
You need a boater safety certificate if you were born on or after July 1, 1996 and the boat has more than 6 horsepower. For jet skis, the cutoff is anyone born after December 31, 1978.
How far ahead should I book a boat rental?
For July and August weekends, several weeks ahead. For Fourth of July week, as early as possible.
Sources
Rental companies from their own listings and boat rental directories. Boater safety rules from Michigan boating law summaries. Checked October 2026. Confirm details with each company and the Michigan DNR.