Lake Santa Fe is a clear, spring-fed lake of about 5,850 acres at Melrose, northeast of Gainesville, made up of Santa Fe Lake and Little Santa Fe Lake.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Lake Santa Fe, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
The two basins are connected and easy to cruise between, and the lake is one of the clearest and steadiest in Florida, feeding the Santa Fe River.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Lake Santa Fe
No truck or trailer needed: everything you rent is ready and waiting at Lake Santa Fe.
- MasterCraft wakesurf & wakeboard boat rentals – premium surf boats seating 12 to 18, with surf boards, wakeboards, skis and tubes available.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – quick, easy-to-ride watercraft for exploring every cove of Lake Santa Fe.
- Boat tours with a driver – great for celebrations, families and anyone who wants surf or ski lessons on Lake Santa Fe.
- Tubes, paddle boards and floats – extras that turn a boat day at Lake Santa Fe into a full beach party.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Lake Santa Fe at a glance
| Location | Melrose |
|---|---|
| Size | About 5,850 acres |
| Basins | Santa Fe and Little Santa Fe |
| Water | Clear and spring-fed |
| Counties | Alachua and Bradford |
| Nearby | Gainesville, Keystone Heights |
Best things to do on Lake Santa Fe
- Water skiing and tubing – open water on the main lake.
- Wakesurfing – calm water on still mornings.
- Jet skiing – open water and quiet coves.
- Swimming – clear, sandy-bottomed water.
Where to launch at Lake Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Lake Park – the main public ramp, off SR 26 just west of Melrose.
Melrose Bay is no-wake, so keep to idle speed there and save the fun for the open lake. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Lake Santa Fe
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Florida requires an observer or a wide-angle mirror when towing.
- Jet skis can't run from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise in Florida.
Florida boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children under 6 must wear one on boats under 26 feet whenever the boat is underway, and everyone on a jet ski or being towed must wear one.
- Towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber requires an observer besides the driver or a wide-angle rear-view mirror, and the person being towed must wear a life jacket. Towing isn't allowed from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
- Jet skis can't be operated from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and the engine cut-off lanyard must be attached to the driver.
- Follow posted idle-speed and slow-speed zones, including manatee zones where they're marked, and slow down near docks, marinas and swimmers.
Map of Lake Santa Fe
Lake Santa Fe rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Lake Santa Fe?
Wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, water toys, and private charters with a driver-instructor — everything for a full day on the water.
Do I have to tow the boat to Lake Santa Fe myself?
No. Your rental is ready for you at Lake Santa Fe, so you don't need a truck or trailer.
Where is Lake Santa Fe?
At Melrose in north-central Florida, about 30 minutes northeast of Gainesville.
Can you jet ski on Lake Santa Fe?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Lake Santa Fe.
How big is Lake Santa Fe?
About 5,850 acres across Santa Fe Lake and Little Santa Fe Lake.
Is Lake Santa Fe good for skiing?
Yes. The open water on the big basin is popular for skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing.