Big Bear Marina review of boat rentals and lake services

Reviewers describe its rental prices as competitive and the staff as knowledgeable and helpful.

The boats are described as well maintained, and weekends are busy.

The setting and what's there

Big Bear Marina is located at 500 Paine Court in Big Bear Lake, California. It is an open-water destination, meaning its operations are tied to weather and lake conditions. The marina offers a range of services and activities for visitors looking to enjoy the water.

For those interested in boating, the marina provides rental options that include motorized boats, personal watercraft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. If you prefer a guided experience, the Big Bear Cruzer offers a narrated sightseeing tour as an alternative to operating a rental yourself.

How it works and what to expect

Beyond rentals, Big Bear Marina supports watersports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakeskating, and tubing. For anglers, the facility includes a tackle shop, charter guide services, and an official weigh station, catering to fishing enthusiasts.

The marina also provides practical amenities like a launch ramp, boat slips, and services for repairs and winterization. They state that customers with disabilities are welcome at the facility.

The marina's operations are primarily focused on the open water. This means that activities and access can be influenced by the prevailing weather and the state of the lake. Visitors should plan their trip with these conditions in mind.

Score breakdown

Our overall score for Big Bear Marina is 6.8 out of 10. This score is a weighted sum of four different criteria, each measuring a specific aspect of the visitor experience. The total score combines the experience itself, value, crowds and wait, and setting and access.

Criterion scores

The experience itself, which measures what the visit or activity delivers, received a score of 7 out of 10. This criterion accounts for 40% of the total score. Reviewers noted a wide choice of boats available for rent.

Value, measuring what you get for what you spend, scored 8 out of 10, representing 20% of the total score. The rental prices are described as competitive, and the staff is noted as knowledgeable and helpful.

Crowds and wait times, which assesses how busy the marina gets and how long visitors might wait, received a score of 5 out of 10, also accounting for 20% of the total score. A limit noted is that the marina is busy on weekends.

Setting and access, measuring the surroundings and ease of arrival and parking, scored 7 out of 10, making up the final 20% of the total score. A limit mentioned is the plain marina setting.

Our verdict for Big Bear Marina is that it offers competitive prices and helpful staff. It is busy on weekends, which is common for marinas on the lake. The boats are described as well maintained.

Rules for boat renters

When you rent a pontoon boat from Big Bear Marina, there are a few restrictions to keep in mind. Dogs are welcome aboard, but they cannot sit on the seats to prevent damage from their nails. You are also prohibited from beaching the boat, parking it on the shore, or tying it to private docks. Additionally, the rental pontoons are not permitted to tow tubes or other equipment.

For your convenience, coolers with food and drinks are allowed on rental boats. However, barbecues are not permitted.

Safety and requirements

The marina provides the required child life vests for children aged 13 and under who are riding on their pontoons.

For renters of pontoon and fishing boats, a boating license is not required.