Marinas in Nevada

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

• Boater Education Card

  Operators born on or after January 1, 1983, must carry a Nevada Boater Education Card to run a vessel over 15 hp on Nevada's interstate waters: which is where nearly all of the state's boating happens (Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Tahoe, and the Colorado River). This card is obtained by completing an approved boating safety course. Out-of-state equivalencies may be accepted; verify with the state agency.

• Vessel Registration

  All motorized vessels operating on Nevada waters must be registered with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW); non-motorized vessels (sailboats without a motor, canoes, and kayaks), do not require registration. Registration must be renewed annually. Non-resident vessels registered in their home state are generally exempt for up to 90 consecutive days.

• Mandatory Safety Equipment

  Vessels must carry specific safety equipment as required by federal and state regulations, including U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for all occupants, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, and visual distress signals. Requirements vary by vessel size and type, so consult official guidelines.

• Age Restrictions for Operation

  Nevada sets no minimum age to operate a motorboat. Personal watercraft (PWC) operators, however, must be at least 14 years old. Towing a skier or wakeboarder requires an operator at least 16, or at least 14 with an adult 18 or older aboard to supervise.

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Decal and Inspection

  Any vessel launching into Lake Tahoe must display an intact AIS decal and pass a mandatory inspection to prevent the spread of invasive species. Other Nevada waters may also require AIS prevention measures or inspections. Plan for inspection times if visiting Lake Tahoe.

1. 01

   1. Choose Your Waterway

   Desert lake, alpine lake, or river: Lake Mead and Mohave, Tahoe, or the lower Colorado each demand a different kind of trip. Pick based on the environment you want and the conditions you're comfortable handling.

2. 02

   2. Check Boater Education Requirements

   Anyone born after January 1, 1983 needs Nevada's boater education card to run a motorized vessel. Take an approved course if you're short one, or confirm that your out-of-state certification is recognized before you travel.

3. 03

   3. Secure Vessel Registration/Charters

   Bringing your own boat? Make sure the registration, Nevada or home state, is squared away. Chartering? Book early; the popular vessels are spoken for long before peak-season weekends arrive.

4. 04

   4. Plan for Marina Access and Amenities

   Check your target marinas for slip availability, fuel, pump-out, and transient-dockage reservation policies. Hours and services shift with the season and the location, so confirm for your actual dates.

5. 05

   5. Review Safety Gear and AIS Regulations

   Count the life jackets and run through the rest of the mandatory equipment before launch. Headed to Tahoe? Build the AIS inspection and decal into your plan, skipping it means delays or penalties at the ramp.