Lake Lanier is a 38,000-acre lake on the Chattahoochee and Chestatee rivers, formed by Buford Dam in 1956, about an hour north of downtown Atlanta.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Lake Lanier, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
Its 692 miles of shoreline wrap around Buford, Cumming and Gainesville, with islands, sandy coves and big marinas, making it the busiest boating lake in Georgia.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Lake Lanier
Just show up and ride — your boat, jet skis and gear are ready at Lake Lanier with no towing required.
- Wakesurf and ski boat rentals – MasterCraft boats seating 12 to 18, set up for a full day of surfing, skiing and tubing on Lake Lanier.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – quick, easy-to-ride watercraft for exploring every cove of Lake Lanier.
- Captained charters – sit back and enjoy Lake Lanier while our captain drives, or learn to wakesurf with one-on-one coaching.
- Tubes, paddle boards and floats – extras that turn a boat day at Lake Lanier 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 Lanier at a glance
| Location | Buford, Cumming and Gainesville |
|---|---|
| Size | About 38,000 acres |
| Shoreline | About 692 miles |
| Rivers | Chattahoochee and Chestatee |
| Dam | Buford Dam, 1956 |
| From Atlanta | About an hour |
Best things to do on Lake Lanier
- Wakesurfing – calm coves on early mornings.
- Jet skiing – islands and open water to explore.
- Water skiing and tubing – the wide main lake.
- Island hopping – sandy coves and beaches.
Where to launch at Lake Lanier
- Corps parks – public ramps and day-use parks around the lake.
- Marinas – large marinas near Buford, Cumming and Gainesville.
Summer weekends are some of the busiest in the South, so start early. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Lake Lanier
- 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.
Map of Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Lake Lanier?
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 Lanier myself?
No. Your rental is ready for you at Lake Lanier, so you don't need a truck or trailer.
Where is Lake Lanier?
About an hour north of Atlanta, around Buford, Cumming and Gainesville.
Can you jet ski on Lake Lanier?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Lake Lanier.
How big is Lake Lanier?
About 38,000 acres, with roughly 692 miles of shoreline.
When is Lake Lanier busiest?
Summer weekends and holidays. Weekday mornings are the calmest time on the water.