Second year in a row renting a pontoon for the 4th. The whole DWS team is fantastic! Christian helped us get our stuff into the boat, explained everything in detail. At the end of the day, he helped us remove all of our things and insisted on carrying our bags to the car for us. Not to mention, the boat was beautiful!!! Basically brand new!! Becky who is one of the owners is the sweetest lady! We will continue to go back, year after year! read more

The staff is amazing! We look forward to coming here every single year. They are kind accommodating, and give us the best experience. We truly enjoy Dockside and all their services every single year! read more

It's actually comical that this place has any negative reviews. This is the absolute best rental experience we've ever had and we are coming back to rent from them for our third year in a row. They are incredibly well organized, polite, kind and helpful. It's wonderful to experience. The boats are beautiful clean and high quality, they even have floats, towels, sunscreen for purchase, coolers to use for your trip, complimentary ice, and more. They have rules to protect their property -- and you can tell from the quality of the rentals that they truly care about providing a high quality product. We love dockside water sports -- and the owners are so kind. Don't listen to the negative reviews. read more

Dockside Water Sports - Boating Near Me - Bellaire, Michigan

This was by far the best boat rental experience I've ever had. My family and I rent boats several times a year in and around NY. This was our 1st time in MI. The quality of the safety presentation, maps of the lake and connected water ways, also explaining about all the features of the boat. Making sure that we would have a fun and safe experience on the water. Also an explanation of the no go zones, for our safety. Safety texts about possible weather changes and conditions on the lake, with plenty of time to change course, or button down everything. First class all the way. The boats were very new, up kept, clean, powerful, and a blast to pilot. All of the staff was AWESOME, polite, informative, & very helpful. Loading and unloading our gear, coolers, etc from our car in the parking lot directly to boat, and a complimentary cooler filled up with ice. I would not hesitate to use them again. Much better than our NY boat rental experiences. We had such a wonderful experience that we looked into renting again later in the week. Good customer service is hard to find. Great customer service is very rare. This company goes WAY BEYOND GREAT!!!!! Would absolutely recommend this company to anyone looking to have a great experience on the water. A 300hp Tri-Tune that's basically brand new, can be loaded with people, pulling a 3 person tube on the water all day long. The bluetooth audio, cooler full of ice, awesome staff, & great customer service. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.. read more

We didn't go to the restaurant next door so can't review them, but water sports side provided good service. We rented Jet ski, fully fueled, gave a good tutorial, and off our way. Because water is shallow by the dock, and jet ski can suck up sand in shallow water, we have to call them when we are ready to return and someone will push the jet ski back. No hassle in booking, if they have rentals available, especially on a non-busy day, you can just walk in. they have clean bathrooms too if you need to remove some water weight before you enjoy some time on the lake. read more

Dockside Water Sports - Boating Near Me - Bellaire, Michigan

See all

This was the best boat renting experience I've ever had! It was the nicest boat I've ever rented, and the CLEANEST! Also, they gave us the most thorough tour of the boat I've ever had. Not to mention, everyone on the staff was extremely friendly and courteous. And to cap it off, they even carted all our boat gear to and from the boat for us! I couldn't recommend them higher. read more

Dockside Water Sports - Boating Near Me - Bellaire, Michigan

I have been here on three different occasions. Have been on the jet skis twice and a tritoon / pontoon once. Both the workers and staff were exceptional in all aspects of mine and my wife's experience. We will definitely return again to enjoy all that the beautiful Torch Lake area has to offer! read more

Book your trip early! They do get busy closer you get to summer!! We had the chance to rent some jet ski's from Dockside this past summer. Super fun. Staff was great explaining everything to us and where to go. Met the owners and they were very nice. Looking to book our pontoon boat in July! Highly recommend Dockside Water Sports. read more

Being a senior citizen and so wanted to experience a ride on a Jet ski. Well I got it at Dockside. It was so easy, a nice young man brought it me, was able to get on by steps off the ramp. Gave me full instructions before I left, rode beautiful Torch Lake for about a hour (not getting wet at all, had street clothes on.) The young man was waiting when I returned, guided me to steps, so easy. The staff was friendly, polite and very helpful. read more

Had the best experience renting a pontoon from Dockside Water Sport! From the staff to the boats. Everything was top notch! We would highly recommend Dockside to anyone wanting rent a boat and experience Torch Lake! We can't wait to come back! read more

I rented a boat from Becke and Jason at Dockside water sports and it was the best experience I have had renting boats. I was truly surprised when I got there. Their employees come out to your car, got everything you wanted to take on the boat, and then put it on there for you. They were all so helpful and friendly and it just made the day much more enjoyable. They even supply ice for you, which I was not expecting. The boat was very clean and luxurious. I would highly recommend renting from them and I will be back in the summer! read more

nice boat, but... Lots of strange rules and limitations. For instance you are not allowed to go to another dock. Whats that about? Are you not allowed to spend money elsewhere? Additionally, owner extremely curt when asked questions and one dock hand unbelievably rude. Other staff were nice and helpful though. Finally, never rented a boat where refueling is done after the rental and you have no idea what you are going to be charged. I suggest trying a different boat rental company. read more

Simply put, STAY AWAY!!!!!! This place has the rudest staff--young adults ordering you around as if you intend to trash the boat. The owner is even worse. NO RESPECT, NO UNDERSTANDING OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. They will ruin your day. read more

Wow!!! What a day. This is the first review I've written regarding my experience with any business. First I deeply respect any business owner as they deal multiple tasks employees business risks and of course both good and bad customers. I am a 66 year old business owner and also an experienced boat owner from master craft ski boats to 40 foot twin engine cruiser to currently a simple 25 foot tritoon All of which carry a different skill set to operate properly. The final straw today was the end of outing while docking the tritoon First there were 4 people greeting us at the dock of which 3 were though hand signals and shouting were giving conflicting instructions how to dock. I truely believe the 3 young employees have liitle to no experience as they were probably 23 years old or younger Without paying attention to any of their chaotic instructions I docked perfectly in windy conditions. The incident started at this point apparently because I wasn't listening to the absurd instructions and was called as an obnoxious boaters This is when I lost my cool and the situation accelerated to being threatened physically and verbally by unprofessional security and of course I did respond with the same lack of class and composure The business owners are completely paranoid about people docking and are very defensive in all their actions stemming from this paranoia. This paranoia has been taught to employees and they act with arrogance in performing their duties and it's UGLY I do wish every business success but recommend one thing to potential customers and also to the owners To the owners 1) set up a funnel system with bumpers which filter to the hoist and completely prevent the boat from getting close to the dock and idiot proof To potential renters 2) Do not renter from this place if your not completely confident in your boating skills or your day will be ruined read more

I have 24 of us renting a place up at Shanty for a few days of golf. We hoped to come down and rent 3 Pontoons, 8 of us on each (4 pontoons if we needed). I simply walked out onto the dock and some blonde lady was so rude and gave me such an attitude..."excuse me, this is a private dock and we're working here so please leave"....before I could even get two words out. So, I left. Guess we'll look for another pontoon rental place. Not the Northern MI hospitality I heard about. Any suggestions on boats for a big group? Thank you! read more

I can't believe this place hasn't been reviewed. I had such a great experience. They are quick to respond, friendly, and understanding. We texted them out in the water wondering if we could extend our trip and they texted back right away. It's a small place and not overrun. I very much appreciated this place. 5 stars! read more