Are boats allowed in Delaware River?

Motorboating. Unlimited horsepower motors are permitted on the Delaware River. Many boat launches are along the river. Electric motors (slow, no-wake speed) are permitted on the 50-acre Giving Pond.



Yes, boats are absolutely allowed in the Delaware River in 2026, though the type of boating varies significantly by section. The river is divided into the "Non-Tidal" upper section and the "Tidal" lower section. The Upper Delaware (a National Scenic and Recreational River) is popular for non-motorized vessels like canoes, kayaks, and tubes, though small motorboats are permitted. The Lower Delaware, near Philadelphia and Wilmington, is a major commercial shipping lane, so recreational boaters must share the water with massive cargo ships and tankers, requiring strict adherence to navigation "Rules of the Road." In 2026, all motorized boats (including those with electric motors) must be registered in their state of principal use (PA, NJ, or DE). Additionally, most states bordering the river now require operators to carry a Boating Safety Education Certificate. Boaters should be wary of the river's strong currents and fluctuating water levels; in the upper sections, rocks and rapids can be hazardous, while the lower sections have significant tidal swings that can leave a boat grounded if not carefully monitored.

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You may bring your own boat and equipment and use public river accesses. A valid registration is required for all motorized vessels on the river. Personal watercraft “Jet Skis” are not permitted on the Upper Delaware and use of large motor boats is not feasible.

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The Delaware River is navigable 30 miles upriver from Penn's Landing in Philadelphia to Trenton, the capital of New Jersey. Hospitable ports of call can be found at Burlington (about 7 miles beyond Dredge Harbor) and Bordentown (8 miles farther up and 4 miles short of Trenton) for shoal-draft boats.

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Take a quick canoe or kayak trip down the Delaware River from the Smithfield Beach launch, down to the famous Delaware Water Gap. Rafts are available as well!

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Enjoy a scenic, fun and refreshing 3 - 4 hour tube, raft, canoe or kayak ride down the Delaware River, which is the nation's most historic river and perfect for outdoor water sport activities.

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There are bull shark occasionally in the Delaware river. One was caught in a net in 1908 basically across the river from where the Philly Airport is today.

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On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

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Fish consumption advisories issued in early 2018 show that the concentration of chemical contaminants in fish caught from Delaware waterways continues to decline – which indicates water quality is improving throughout the state and also means that fish caught in many Delaware waters can be eaten with lowered concerns ...

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Crocodiles and alligators, of course, are not native to the Delaware River, preferring much warmer climates. Some locals are theorizing that a local pet is on the loose.

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However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

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While the entire tidal river is part of the estuary, salinity levels vary from the Delaware Bay (saltwater) to Wilmington, Del. (brackish) to Philadelphia, Pa. and Trenton, N.J. (mostly freshwater).

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Here are some of the most important tips for having a safe and fun time on the river: Always wear a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD) in the water. Never drink alcohol and swim. Never try to swim across the river.

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River current is approximately 2 miles per hour.

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