THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Turn a Traverse City lake day into an all-day party or an adrenaline chase—rent everything from kayaks and SUPs to a double-decker pontoon with waterslides, delivered to docks across Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Read on for what to expect, safety rules, and local tips.
Turn a Traverse City lake day into an all-day party or an adrenaline chase—rent everything from kayaks and SUPs to a double-decker pontoon with waterslides, delivered to docks across Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Read on for what to expect, safety rules, and local tips.
Book with Memories Traverse City
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Memories Traverse City · Traverse City, Michigan
On the inland seas of Northern Michigan—Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties—Wilderness Water Experience turns lake days into full-scale summers you’ll tell stories about. Based in Traverse City, this outfitter delivers a fleet of watercraft to docks, public accesses, and vacation homes across Torch Lake, Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau and Crystal Lake, offering everything from mellow kayaks to high-performance Sea‑Doos and a crowd-pleasing double-decker pontoon with waterslides.
The scene is immediate: pale, glacially carved basins rimmed by sandbars and orchards, loons calling from sheltered coves and bald eagles cruising over glassy blue shallows. Key features of the offering are the two-level DoubleDecker Pontoon—ideal for parties and family days with built-in slides—plus a 2022 TAHOE 1950 deck boat for towing and cruising, classic pontoons for relaxed group floats, and a range of jet skis (Sea-Doos RXP 230/300 and GTI 130) for riders craving speed. For quiet mornings, kayaks and SUPs let you nose into narrow coves where the water runs clear enough to count pebbles.
What sets this outfitter apart is access and variety: they deliver to most docks throughout Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, and offer add‑ons like picnic packages, lily pads and towables so you don’t have to plan every detail. Safety gear and a basic operational walkthrough come with every rental; drivers are required to comply with Michigan rules (anyone born after January 1, 1988 must complete aBoater Safety Course) and must submit a photo of their driver’s license to [email protected] before craft are released.
Families will like the visible safety focus and roomy boats; adrenaline seekers will zero in on the RXP race-style machines and Sea-Doo power. Photographers and nature-watchers will find postcard light at sunset and undisturbed shoreline on little-used coves. Pricing varies by craft, season and rental length—there are options from an hour up to multi‑day and even three‑week bookings,—and fuel policies, deposits and optional insurance are clearly outlined at booking.
Rentals include life jackets in sizes, safety briefing, and can include free delivery to many public accesses; a refundable damage deposit may apply on larger craft. Pets are welcome on pontoons and the double‑decker with a cleaning fee. After booking you'll get confirmation email with delivery time, waiver links and operational instructions; staff provide on-water support and emergency contact information to keep your day running smoothly.
This is more than a rental fleet: it's a mobile launchpad for Northern Michigan summers—anchoring you at sandbars beneath cherry orchards, delivering the kid‑friendly chaos of a slide into blue water, or helping you carve a fast, wind-in-your-face route across an inland lake. For anyone visiting Traverse City and its surrounding lakes, Wilderness Water Experience is a practical, playful gateway to what makes this shoreline region uniquely addictive.
Renters must be 21+ to rent motorized vessels; kayaks and SUPs are available to younger participants. Specific age rules are noted at booking.
They deliver to docks, public access sites, and vacation properties throughout Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties; delivery fees may apply for outlying locations.
Motorized craft should be returned with the same fuel level or a refueling fee (for jet skis typically $60) will be charged.
Pets are allowed on pontoons and the double-decker; a cleaning fee may apply—confirm when booking.
Optional damage waivers and insurance are offered at checkout; a refundable deposit may be required for larger craft depending on selection.
Operators will work with you to reschedule in case of severe weather; light rain or clouds typically do not qualify for cancellation.
Memories Traverse City is a recreation and rental company based in Traverse City, Michigan. The business provides a range of water and off‑road experiences designed for families, groups, and individual adventurers. Water options include DoubleDecker pontoon rentals with slides, Sea‑Doo GTI 130 jet ski rentals, and the O'Brien VooDoo knee board for wake sports. Off‑road offerings use a 2025 Polaris UTV and ATV fleet and include one‑hour through six‑hour rentals, multi‑hour guided tours, and four‑day rentals for extended exploration. The 1.5‑hour guided tour features the latest 2025 Polaris fleet for trail discovery, while the **Kalkaska Experience** combines side‑by‑side driving with a meal at Trout Town Tavern & Eatery. Vehicles feature modern technology and climate‑controlled cabins on select models to enhance comfort on scenic routes. Rentals list options for beginners through experienced riders, with several experiences noting no previous off‑road experience required. Night rides are available for select off‑road adventures, and pontoons provide spacious upper decks for relaxation and slides for active fun on the water. Booking options accommodate short excursions and multi‑day trips, enabling customized schedules. By offering both guided tours and self‑guided rentals across watercraft and off‑road vehicles, Memories Traverse City delivers a flexible lineup in Northern Michigan. The business focuses on providing up‑to‑date equipment, a variety of trip lengths, and family‑friendly experiences in and around Traverse City. Sea‑Doo GTI 130 rentals include a learning mode for new riders, while the O'Brien VooDoo knee board offers padded straps and an EVA pad for enhanced comfort, control and stability. Included.
Book with Memories Traverse City