Marinas in Iowa

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

• Boater Education Card

  Iowa requires anyone 12 to 17 years old to successfully complete a state-approved boating safety course to operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 horsepower, unless accompanied on board by a responsible adult at least 18 years old; operators 18 and older are not required to hold the certificate.

  Iowa DNR

• Vessel Registration

  All motorized vessels and all sailboats operating on Iowa waters must be registered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR); non-motorized canoes and kayaks 13 feet or shorter (with no motor or sail) are exempt. Registration must be renewed every three years.

• Age Restrictions for Operation

  Persons under 12 years of age may not operate a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by a person 18 years or older who is authorized to operate the motorboat. There are also specific age restrictions for operating personal watercraft (PWCs).

• Required Safety Equipment

  All vessels must carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) for each person on board, a sound-producing device, and fire extinguishers for most motorized vessels. Navigation lights are required from sunset to sunrise.

1. 01

   Understand Iowa's Boater Education Requirements

   Born after January 1, 1979? Complete an approved boating safety course before running a motorized vessel over 10 horsepower. Handle this first, everything else is easier with the card in hand.

2. 02

   Ensure Your Vessel is Registered

   All motorized boats and sailboats over 13 feet must be registered with the Iowa DNR. Check that your registration is current, or plan to sort it out before your boat touches Iowa water.

3. 03

   Choose Your Boating Destination & Plan Logistics

   River or lake, that's the first fork. The Mississippi means locks and long cruising; the Iowa Great Lakes and Saylorville mean open-water recreation. Either way, scout marinas for transient slips, fuel, and pump-outs, and reserve ahead in peak season.

4. 04

   Outfit Your Boat with Required Safety Gear

   Before launch, confirm you carry all required U.S. Coast Guard-approved equipment: PFDs for everyone aboard, a sound-producing device, and the right fire extinguishers for your vessel.

5. 05

   Check Current Weather and Water Conditions

   Iowa weather turns fast, and river levels and currents move with it. Check marine forecasts and river reports before you leave and keep checking while you're out, a Mississippi pool in high water is a different river.