Steer a Two-Seat Boat Past Davis Islands' Waterfront Mansions
A self-drive mini powerboat for two, up the Hillsborough River or out toward Davis Islands, for an hour or two on your own.
Riverwalk Boating Company hands you the wheel of a two-seat mini powerboat at the docks southeast of the Tampa Convention Center, and nobody rides along to steer. Staff run the safety instructions and an orientation at the slip, then the hour or two is yours. Owner Jason Olewinski writes that the idea came to him in 2014 on Bayshore Boulevard, remembering the little mini powerboats he begged his parents to rent at Disney World resorts as a child.
The driver has to be 18 or older, and the operator's FAQ says no boating license is needed. The operator lists the boats as 9.9 HP; Florida's boating safety card rule, for drivers born on or after January 1, 1988, starts at 10 horsepower. Riders mention being handed a map of the waterway, life vests and an emergency wrist cord before setting off. From the slip, the choice is north up the Hillsborough River past the Riverwalk, or south toward the Davis Islands shoreline.
Select one traveler when booking one boat, even if two people will ride. The price covers the whole boat, which seats up to two. As of October 31, 2026, that was USD 104 for one hour and USD 208 for two.
An infant takes one of the two seats and cannot ride on the driver's lap. The listing also sets a total weight limit of 316 pounds per boat.
2 Person Mini Power Boat Rental at Tampa RiverwalkRiverwalk Boating Company · 1 or 2 hours · Riverwalk docks by the Tampa Convention Centerwww.viator.comNorth on the River or South Toward Davis Islands
The operator's FAQ keeps the rules short. Port areas and shipping channels are off-limits, and on the bay side you stay within 500 yards of Davis Islands. Inside those lines the route is your call.
North, the Hillsborough River runs past the Riverwalk, and the listing names the University of Tampa campus as a point along the way. South, riders single out the waterfront homes. One wrote in June 2025, "The best part is going by the mansions and large houses on the water." The listing mentions dolphin watching on the bay, and a rider in April 2024 called seeing them lucky.
Getting on and off happens only at the launch area by the Convention Center. The operator does not allow stops at any other dock.
Slow, Low and Close to the Water
Each boat runs on a single outboard motor. The operator gives a top speed of 14 mph for one rider under 200 pounds, and up to 10 mph with two aboard or more than 200 pounds. A rider in June 2025 wrote, "The boats are regulated to a slow speed so you can't go very fast."
Spray is the other thing to plan for. Asked whether you will get wet, the operator answers, "Probably not, but maybe," and points to wakes from other boats and sea spray.
- Food and drinks are allowed aboard as long as they are not too messy or alcoholic.
- Fishing, tubing and swimming are not allowed, and everyone stays in the boat.
- One rider's packing advice: bring water and sunscreen.
What the Driver Brings to the Slip
The paperwork falls on the driver, who has to be 18 or older. Bring a government-issued ID such as a driver's license, plus a physical credit card. The operator places a USD 250 hold on that card at check-in, and a card marked debit will not be accepted for it. Any member of your party can put up the card.
The listing requires the driver to speak fluent English. Passengers can be any age, and the operator stocks life jackets from infant to large adult sizes; it adds that a passenger has to be able to sit up safely on their own. The listing does not recommend the ride for travelers with back problems and marks it as not wheelchair accessible.
Weekday Starts and the 24-Hour Cutoff
This listing sells weekday starts only, Monday through Friday. The calendar carries 10:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:45 PM and 3:00 PM. As of October 31, 2026, the 3:00 PM start was closed on every weekday from November 2 to December 30 except December 10, which leaves 1:45 PM as the last start for most of that stretch.
Weekdays can mean quiet water. A rider who went on a Thursday afternoon in September 2026 found hardly any other boaters out.
Cancel at least 24 hours before your start for a full refund; inside 24 hours, no refund is available. The listing does not accept changes inside that window either. It also says the ride needs good weather; a trip canceled for poor weather comes with the offer of a different date or a full refund.
📍 The boats tie up at Boat Slip #26 on the Tampa Riverwalk docks, southeast of the Tampa Convention Center and right by The Sail bar. Arrive 15 minutes before your start for paperwork and orientation; the operator warns that a late arrival may not get the full rental time.
Parking takes planning. There is no dedicated lot at the docks, the few metered spaces by The Sail are not guaranteed, and the operator points drivers to the Pam Iorio (South Regional) garage or the Tampa Convention Center garage.
Then the line comes off the cleat, and downtown Tampa is yours to see from the waterline.