Lake Hartwell is a 56,000-acre lake on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers along the Georgia–South Carolina line, with the Georgia side centered on the town of Hartwell.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Lake Hartwell, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
With 962 miles of shoreline and I-85 crossing right over it, it's one of the biggest and easiest-to-reach recreation lakes in the Southeast.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Lake Hartwell
Your rentals are waiting for you at Lake Hartwell, so there's no truck, no trailer and no towing to worry about.
- 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 Hartwell.
- Captained charters – sit back and enjoy Lake Hartwell while our captain drives, or learn to wakesurf with one-on-one coaching.
- Water toy rentals – add tubes, floating lily pads, paddle boards or a water trampoline to your day.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Lake Hartwell at a glance
| Location | Hartwell and Lavonia, GA |
|---|---|
| Size | About 56,000 acres |
| Shoreline | About 962 miles |
| Rivers | Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca |
| Dam | Hartwell Dam, 1962 |
| Also in | South Carolina |
Best things to do on Lake Hartwell
- Wakesurfing – sheltered coves on calm mornings.
- Jet skiing – hundreds of miles of coves.
- Water skiing and tubing – wide open water.
- Fishing – striped bass, hybrids and largemouth.
Where to launch at Lake Hartwell
- Tugaloo State Park – state park with ramps near Lavonia.
- Hart State Park – state park near Hartwell.
- Corps parks – public ramps around the lake.
Holiday weekends are busy, so start early. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Lake Hartwell
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Georgia requires an observer besides the driver when towing, and no towing or wakesurfing between sunset and sunrise.
- Georgia's 100-foot law means idle speed near docks, swimmers and shorelines.
Georgia boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children under 13 must wear one whenever the boat is moving, unless they're inside an enclosed cabin, and everyone on a jet ski must wear one.
- Towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber requires an observer besides the driver, and the person being towed must wear a life jacket. Towing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing aren't allowed between sunset and sunrise.
- Jet skis can't be operated between sunset and sunrise.
- Georgia's 100-foot law: keep to idle speed within 100 feet of docks, piers, bridges, anchored or drifting boats, people in the water and shorelines next to homes, parks, beaches and marinas.
- Lake Hartwell straddles the state line, so South Carolina boating rules apply on the South Carolina side.
Map of Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Lake Hartwell?
Premium MasterCraft surf and ski boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, tubes, lily pads and paddle boards, and captained boat tours with lessons.
Do I have to tow the boat to Lake Hartwell myself?
No. Your rental is ready for you at Lake Hartwell, so you don't need a truck or trailer.
Where is Lake Hartwell?
On the Georgia–South Carolina line, with the Georgia side around Hartwell and Lavonia.
Can you jet ski on Lake Hartwell?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Lake Hartwell.
How big is Lake Hartwell?
About 56,000 acres, with roughly 962 miles of shoreline.
Is Lake Hartwell easy to get to?
Yes. I-85 crosses right over the lake.
Do you rent on the South Carolina side of Lake Hartwell too?
Yes. We can also have your rental ready on the South Carolina side, near Anderson, Clemson and Seneca.