The first time we rented a boat on a Finnish lake, we were staying at a cottage outside Rovaniemi. The owner pointed us to a small aluminum rowboat pulled up on the shore, handed us the oars, and said “it’s yours for the week.” No paperwork, no licence, no safety briefing beyond pointing at the life jackets. That’s pretty much how boat rental works in Finland — and it’s one of the things we love most about spending summer here.

Finland has over 188,000 lakes. A good chunk of them have boats available to rent, either through cottage rental companies, marinas, kayak clubs, or dedicated boat hire services. If you want to get out on the water — and you absolutely should — this guide covers everything you need to know about renting a boat in Finland.

Do you need a licence to rent a boat in Finland?

This is the question everyone asks first, and the answer is reassuringly simple for most visitors.

The short version on Finnish boat licence rules

Finland does not legally require a boat licence for operating most small boats on inland waters. Specifically:

• Rowing boats and paddle boats — no licence needed, no minimum age for adults.
• Electric motor boats under 5.5 kW — no licence needed. These are increasingly common on Finnish lakes and are perfect for quiet lake exploration.
• Petrol motor boats under 15 horsepower — no Finnish state licence is legally required, though some rental companies set their own rules (usually asking that you’ve driven a motorboat before).
• Petrol motor boats 15 HP and above — a Finnish coastguard-approved licence or equivalent is recommended. Rental companies almost always require proof of competence for larger engines.

What rental companies actually ask for

In practice, most rental companies handling small to mid-sized boats will ask you to read and sign a safety sheet, confirm you know how to operate the engine, and agree to their insurance terms. For rowboats and small electric motors, that’s usually the extent of the admin. For bigger petrol boats, expect to show either a Finnish or international small craft certificate. If you have a boating licence from your home country — Finnish, Swedish, German, UK, or otherwise — bring it: it will almost certainly be accepted.

Types of boats you can rent in Finland

What’s available depends heavily on where you are and who you’re renting from. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll actually encounter.

Rowing boats (soutuvene)

The classic Finnish lake boat. Aluminum or fibreglass, simple to operate, and often included with a cottage rental. If the cottage comes with a rowing boat, it’s almost certainly included in the price. A rowboat is genuinely useful for short trips, fishing, and getting to the sauna dock on the other side of the bay. Speeds are slow — plan on about 4–5 km/h at a comfortable pace — but there’s something very right about rowing across a glassy Finnish lake in the evening light.

Electric motor boats

Increasingly popular across Finland, electric outboards are quiet, require no licence, and are ideal for lake exploration. Range depends on battery size, but most rental units do 3–5 hours on a charge at slow speed — more than enough for a day on a Finnish lake. They’re also allowed on many restricted lakes where petrol engines are banned, which makes them useful in national parks and ecologically sensitive areas.

Petrol outboard motor boats

The workhorse of Finnish lake travel. If you want to cover longer distances, reach remote fishing spots, or tow a tube behind you, you need a petrol outboard. Common rental sizes are 5–30 HP. At 15 HP you can cover most of a mid-size Finnish lake in an afternoon. At 30 HP you’re moving quickly across big open water. Be aware: many Finnish lakes have speed restrictions (often 7 knots / 13 km/h) enforced on environmental grounds.

Kayaks and canoes

Not technically boats in the Finnish legal sense, but widely available for rent, especially near national parks and river routes. The Kymijoki river, the Oulanka river near Kuusamo, and various routes in the Finnish Lakeland are popular paddling destinations. Guided kayak day trips are also common.

Cabin cruisers and larger vessels

Available for charter on larger lakes and the Saimaa canal system. These require a full licence and are usually booked through specialist charter companies. Not the territory of a first-time Finnish lake visitor, but worth knowing exists for a longer trip.

Where to find boat rentals in Finland

Knowing where to look matters — Finland doesn’t have one central booking platform for boat hire.

The 8 best ways to find a boat rental in Finland

• Your cottage rental — if you’re renting a mökki (cottage), check whether a rowing boat or small motorboat is included. It often is, and it’s the easiest option by far.
• Venuu.fi and Visit Finland’s outdoor activity listings — good starting points for organised boat hire near major destinations.
• Local marinas (venesatama) — especially around the Finnish Lakeland (Savonlinna, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Tampere) and coastal towns. Walk up, ask at the office.
• Outdoor activity centres — often attached to national park visitor centres (e.g. at Oulanka, Koli, Linnansaari). Good for kayaks and canoes.
• Himos, Tahko, and other resort areas — summer resorts typically have boat rental desks or partner with nearby companies.
• Airbnb Experiences Finland — some local guides offer half-day or full-day boat experiences including guided fishing or lake picnics.
• Local Facebook groups — smaller lakeside towns often have local rental listings posted in community groups. Useful if you’re staying somewhere off the beaten path.
• Campervan parks near lakes — many lakeside camping areas have a small fleet of rowing boats or canoes for guest hire by the hour.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Finland?

Prices vary a lot depending on the type of boat, the region, and whether you’re at a resort marina or a small lakeside shack. Here’s what we’ve actually paid and what you should expect.

Typical boat rental prices in Finland (summer 2026)

• Rowing boat (included with cottage) — usually free as part of the cottage rental. Ask before you book if this matters to you.
• Rowing boat standalone hire — €15–30 per day. Hourly hire at campsites typically €5–10/hr.
• Electric motor boat — €50–100 per day, depending on battery capacity and location. Some marinas charge €20–30/hr.
• Small petrol outboard (5–10 HP) — €60–120 per day. Good for fishing and relaxed lake cruising.
• Mid-size petrol outboard (15–30 HP) — €100–250 per day. Usually includes fuel deposit or you pay for what you use.
• Kayak / canoe single — €25–50 per day. Guided half-day kayak tours typically €40–70 per person.
• Multi-day discounts — most companies offer 20–30% off for rentals of 3 days or more. Worth asking about even if it’s not advertised.

The Finnish Lake District (Saimaa, Pielinen, Päijänne areas) tends to have the most competitive pricing simply because there are so many providers. Around popular resorts like Levi or Ruka in Lapland, prices can be 30–50% higher due to the captive audience.

What to know before you go out on the water

Finnish lakes are generally very safe, but there are a few things that catch visitors off guard.

• Life jackets are mandatory — Finnish law requires one approved life jacket per person on board. Rental companies always provide them. Wear them; don’t just stow them.
• Speed limits on Finnish lakes — most inland lakes have a 7-knot (13 km/h) limit within 150 metres of shore. Some areas have lower limits or engine bans. Check with your rental company and look for signs at the launch point.
• Right of way rules — watercraft rules apply on Finnish inland waters. Roughly: vessels under sail have priority over motorboats; a vessel being overtaken has right of way; when courses cross, the vessel on the right has priority. In practice on small lakes, common sense and slow speeds prevail.
• Weather changes quickly in Finland — especially in August and September. A calm morning can turn windy by afternoon. Check the FMI (Finnish Meteorological Institute) forecast before going out and turn back if conditions deteriorate. Whitecaps on a Finnish lake mean real waves.
• Everyman’s Right applies on water too — you can moor your rented boat on any public shoreline for a short stay. Private land is marked, but most Finnish lakeshores are not posted. Treat the environment as you’d want others to treat it.
• Fuel for petrol boats — most rental companies top up the tank and ask you to return it full, or charge you for fuel used. Nearest petrol stations to boat launches are not always obvious — ask when you pick up the boat.

Boat rental mistakes we’ve made

• Not checking if a life jacket fitted us. Finnish standard life jackets are sized by weight, and boats often have a mix. Try yours on before you leave the dock. Sounds obvious; we’ve skipped this more than once.
• Underestimating distances on Finnish lakes. What looks like a short hop across the bay on Google Maps can be 4 km of open water. Check the actual distance and account for wind on the return leg.
• Going out without a waterproof bag. Phones, car keys, and wallets don’t like unexpected waves. A dry bag costs €10 and saves a lot of anxiety.
• Not asking about engine-restricted areas. We once rented a petrol motor boat and arrived at a lake section where petrol engines were banned on environmental grounds. Electric only, which we didn’t have. Always ask the rental company if there are restrictions on your planned route.
• Booking peak weekend dates too late. On Midsummer weekend and in early July, boat rentals at popular lakes book out days or weeks in advance. If you have specific dates, book early.
• Forgetting sunscreen for long lake days. The reflection off Finnish lakes is brutal. Long Lapland summer days mean 18–20 hours of sun in June and July — your face will know about it if you don’t protect it.

Frequently asked questions

A final word from Rovaniemi

We’ve done a lot of things in 21 countries, and the simple act of taking a rowing boat out onto a Finnish lake in the long evening light of summer still ranks among our favourite travel experiences anywhere. There’s no rush, no booking confirmation to stress over, no Instagram moment to manufacture. You dip the oars in, the lake gives way, and Finland does the rest.

If you’re spending any amount of time in the Finnish countryside this summer — whether that’s a weekend cottage near Tampere or a week in Lapland — try to get out on the water at least once. The boat rental itself takes ten minutes to organise. The memory takes considerably longer to fade.