Bushkill Water Activities: Luxury lake days, fishing & scuba near the Poconos

If your ideal day on the water means wide decks, stable footing and room for a picnic, this new 2024 Harris pontoon is built for comfort. The operator supplies lifejackets and safety equipment; fuel is included so you can leave logistics at pickup and focus on cruising coves, anchoring for a swim, or setting up a lakeside lunch. Rental rules require an experienced driver and certain certification for drivers born after 1982, so factor that into your planning.

Rates are listed for half-day (four hours) and full-day (eight hours) use, and the boat fits up to ten passengers for social days or family gatherings. The operator’s terms prohibit tubing and waterskiing for insurance reasons, and returns must be on time to avoid late fees—clear policies that protect the boat and the rest of the lake traffic. For travelers based in Bushkill, the pontoon offers an accessible, high-comfort way to spend a sun-soaked day on a large Pocono lake.

Though based outside Bushkill, this small-boat charter brings experienced captains and a hands-on approach that suits all ages. The crew provides rods, reels, lures and life jackets in sizes from infant to adult, letting families and first-timers focus on the day instead of gear. Trips are built around catching fish and include photo-ready passages past skyline icons; the operator notes both daytime and night-fishing options.

The boat carries up to five people and offers flexible durations from short outings to extended trips. Captains Captain Joe and Captain Hunter combine long local experience with patient instruction, a helpful blend for guests who value both comfort and the chance to learn new skills. If you have a mixed group—kids, novice anglers and seasoned fishermen—this is the kind of private, high-attention outing that makes the water day memorable.

For groups that want a day of play—tubing, loud music and plenty of deck space—this sport pontoon offers the performance to match a social agenda. The operator positions the boat as an affordable, crowd-pleasing option with a powerful engine and roomy layout that fits up to ten adults or a larger group of kids. It’s the practical choice when you need both muscle for tow sports and space for picnics and shade.

Selection and exact layout may vary by boat, and operators emphasize following crew safety briefings. If your party values high-energy watersports balanced with comfortable lounging, this option delivers a straightforward, social lake day that’s easy to coordinate from nearby launch points around the Poconos and northern New Jersey lakes.

Lake Hydra hosts open-water checkout dives that finalize your PADI Open Water certification across a two-day schedule. The in-water portion follows eLearning and confined-pool sessions; instructors supervise four open-water dives that build the skills to dive to 60 feet. The operator supplies two-tank fills per day and a full rental kit—regulator, BC, wetsuit, fins and more—so newcomers arrive ready to focus on training.

Certification opens the door to worldwide diving and is presented here as a supportive, instructor-led experience. Travelers from Bushkill who want a skill-focused weekend can pair the course with local lodging and treat the certification itself as an active, memorable component of a luxury short break in the region.

The SDI Open Water option mirrors the PADI workflow but follows SDI standards and includes certification when requirements are met. The program requires eLearning and confined-pool work before two days of open-water training and four checkout dives. The published course price is $499 per diver and the operator supplies a full kit for the in-water weekend.

Minimum student counts can affect scheduling, and not all dates run without sufficient registration. For luxury-minded travelers who want a structured, instructor-led certification weekend, SDI provides a reliable pathway: train in controlled conditions, complete checkout dives at Lake Hydra, and leave certified to rent equipment and plan dive travel.

A full-day guided float on the Lower Lehigh focuses on species that test technique and patience—smallmouth bass are noted for their fight, and the operator highlights musky as an exciting local target. Guides run trips with a maximum of two anglers, which suits high-attention, trophy-oriented outings where casting lanes and strategic presentation matter.

This format works well for anglers who want instruction and local knowledge without a crowded boat. For guests in Bushkill who want a technical freshwater day, a guided Lehigh River trip pairs concentrated angling with the kind of private attention that elevates a single day into a memorable, skill-driven experience.