Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake is a 15,960-acre lake in northeast Florida, stretching about 13 miles through Putnam and Flagler counties with Crescent City on its western shore. Connected to the St. Johns River by Dunns Creek, it is a big, uncrowded, old-Florida lake for tubing, skiing, jet skiing and a day of wildlife watching on the water. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Crescent Lake, ready and waiting for you right at the lake.

Crescent Lake Boat Rentals

Crescent Lake is about 2 miles wide, so there is plenty of open water for tubing and skiing on calm mornings, and the shoreline is lined with cypress and oaks. Our Crescent Lake boat rentals include:

• MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
• Ski boat rentals for water skiing, slalom and tubing
• Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
• Paddle boards and water trampolines for swimming off the boat and lazy afternoons on the water

Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.

Crescent Lake Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a fun way to cruise the length of Crescent Lake and explore up Dunns Creek toward the St. Johns River. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.

Pontoons, Marinas and Boat Service

Public boat ramps and fish camps are spread around the lake, with Crescent City on the west shore as the main town for supplies, food and lodging. We don't rent pontoons or service boats, but we offer surf boats, jet skis and water toys to go with your pontoon day or lake house stay.

From Dunns Lake to Lake Crescent

The lake was once called Dunns Lake, and it was renamed Lake Crescent in the 1870s for its long, curving shape. Crescent City was laid out on the western shore in 1876, back when orange groves lined the lake, and today the town hosts a catfish festival every spring.

Connected to the St. Johns

At the north end, Dunns Creek winds from Crescent Lake to the St. Johns River, so boaters can head out of the lake and explore one of Florida's great rivers. To the south, the lake connects to Dead Lake and the wild wetlands of Haw Creek.

Fishing on Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake is a popular fishing lake for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish, and alligators and wading birds are common along the shore. Early mornings are the best time to fish and to see wildlife.

Getting to Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake is in northeast Florida, about 35 minutes west of Palm Coast and about an hour and a half south of Jacksonville. US-17 runs through Crescent City on the west side of the lake, and SR-100 runs from the lake east toward Bunnell and Palm Coast. See all of our Florida lakes.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Florida boating rules: anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a Florida boating safety education ID card or a temporary certificate to drive a boat of 10 horsepower or more or a jet ski. No one under 14 may drive a jet ski, you must be 18 to rent one, and jet skis can't be ridden from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Our rental drivers must be 18 or older.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket, and so must children under 6 on boats under 26 feet while underway.
• Shallow water: Crescent Lake is fairly shallow, with most of it about 5 to 10 feet deep, so watch your depth near shore and in the creeks.
• Wildlife: alligators live in Crescent Lake like most Florida lakes, so swim only in safe areas and never feed wildlife.
• Clean, drain and dry: clean, drain and dry your own boat, kayak or paddle board every time you leave the lake.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Crescent Lake

More Florida lakes we service: Lake George and the St. Johns River nearby, plus Lake Monroe and Lake Tohopekaliga.

Crescent Lake Map