Lake Pontchartrain is a 630-square-mile estuary in southeastern Louisiana, about 40 miles across from west to east and 24 miles from south to north.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Pontchartrain, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
New Orleans sits on its south shore and the Northshore towns on the other side, and the water averages only 12 to 14 feet deep.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Pontchartrain
Everything you rent is ready for you at Pontchartrain — no truck, no trailer and no towing required.
- MasterCraft boat rentals – roomy premium boats with surf boards, wakeboards and tubes, so the whole group can ride at Pontchartrain.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – quick, easy-to-ride watercraft for exploring every cove of Pontchartrain.
- Private boat tours & lessons – a driver-instructor runs the boat and coaches first-timers and experienced riders alike.
- 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.
Pontchartrain at a glance
| Location | New Orleans and the Northshore |
|---|---|
| Size | About 630 square miles |
| Width | About 40 by 24 miles |
| Avg depth | 12 to 14 feet |
| Type | Brackish estuary |
| Named | 1699 |
Best things to do on Pontchartrain
- Water skiing and tubing – open water on the main lake.
- Jet skiing – open water and quiet coves.
- Wakesurfing – calm water on still mornings.
- Sunset cruises – big skies over open water.
Where to launch at Pontchartrain
- Public launches – ramps on the south shore and the Northshore.
The broad, shallow lake gets rough in the wind, so check the forecast and go out on calm days. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Pontchartrain
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Louisiana requires an observer besides the driver when towing, unless the boat has a wide-angle mirror.
- Kids 16 and under must wear a life jacket on boats under 26 feet in Louisiana.
Louisiana boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Anyone 16 or younger must wear one while underway on a boat under 26 feet, and everyone on a jet ski must wear one.
- Towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber requires two competent people on board, the driver and an observer, unless the driver is 16 or older and the boat has a wide-angle rearview mirror. Towing isn't allowed from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- Jet skis can't run between sunset and sunrise unless they carry Coast Guard-approved navigation lights, so plan jet ski time for daylight.
- Keep to idle speed in posted no-wake zones and near docks, marinas and boat ramps, and watch for stumps outside marked boat lanes.
Map of Lake Pontchartrain
Pontchartrain rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Pontchartrain?
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 Pontchartrain myself?
No. Your rental is ready for you at Pontchartrain, so you don't need a truck or trailer.
Where is Lake Pontchartrain?
In southeastern Louisiana, with New Orleans on the south shore and the Northshore towns across the lake.
Can you jet ski on Lake Pontchartrain?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Lake Pontchartrain.
How big is Lake Pontchartrain?
About 630 square miles, roughly 40 miles across and 24 miles north to south.
Does Lake Pontchartrain get rough?
It can. It's broad and shallow, so waves build quickly in the wind. Go out on calm days and stay near shore.