Ever dreamed of having a floating island that you could pack up into your backpack? Get an inflatable dock and your dream will become a reality.
Swim platform, extra play space, floating lounge, fishing platform—an inflatable floating dock fulfills all these functions and more. But which one is right for you?
I’ve assessed the best inflatable docks on the market today to find the platform with the best combination of features, capacity, and portability. My top pick is the iRocker Swim Dock. It’s the perfect size for most families, has enough attachment points to satisfy the most demanding fisherman, and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Read on to find out more!
Inflatable Docks Compared
Inflatable Floating Dock Reviews
1) iROCKER Floating Swim Dock—Best Overall Inflatable Dock
The iRocker Floating Swim Dock is constructed from the same military-grade PVC and EVA deck padding that’s used in their stand up paddle boards. It’s tough enough for your whole family to use—including dogs!
Although it’s smaller than many of the docks in this review, I think it’s the perfect size for most families. It’s just over 7 feet square with a weight capacity of 1,100 pounds. That means the dock can carry as many people as can comfortably perch on top. Deflated, it packs down to 35 x 20 inches and weighs 43 pounds.
This dock stands out from the crowd when you look at its features. It comes with 20 grab handles on the side and deck, 8 action mounts which you can use to attach anything from fishing rod holders to a waterproof speaker, and 16 D-rings for anchoring the dock or strapping down a cooler.
The iRocker Swim Dock also comes with a market-leading 2-year warranty and a free electric pump. It’s a fantastic product at a great price – I’d highly recommend it as a fun addition for your paddling excursions.
- Lots of grab handles: 20 handles on the sides and deck make it easy to maneuver the dock and pull yourself aboard.
- 8 action mounts: The action mounts mean that you can customize your dock with entertainment or fishing accessories, which I love! Having 8 mounts means you can use the dock for multiple purposes – attach fishing accessories for a SUP fishing trip, or some speakers for a party on the water.
- Dog friendly: You’ll have no trouble taking your dog out on your adventures – as this dock is tough and durable. Your pup’s sharp claws won’t puncture this inflatable.
- 2-year warranty: The dock’s durability is backed by iRocker’s warranty.
- Electric pump included: Most manufacturers only supply a hand pump, so this is a definite bonus!
- No D-rings underneath the dock: I would love to have a couple of D-rings on the bottom of the dock, as this would make it easier to attach an anchor.
Check Price of the iRocker Dock
2) BOTE Inflatable Dock 10 Classic—Best Large Capacity Dock
BOTE has an impressive reputation for quality. The Dock 10 has 100 square feet of deck space and a huge 1500-pound capacity. It’s constructed using AeroBOTE technology which makes it durable and exceptionally rigid. That means you can pile on the weight without worrying about getting your feet wet.
The Dock 10 has plenty of grab handles for you to haul yourself out of the water with, plus a handy array of D-rings. These can be used to strap down accessories such as BOTE’s Aero Chairs and Kula.
The downside of having such a big platform is that it’s heavy. At 72-pounds, you’re going to need a trolley or some spare hands to move it around. It also doesn’t come with an electric pump (you get a hand pump) which is disappointing given the high price tag.
- Exceptionally strong and rigid: You don’t have to worry about the dock buckling, it’s incredibly strong and rigid, and feels sturdy (which is arguably the most important feature of an inflatable dock).
- Huge deck area: Lie down, throw some yoga poses, play tag, have a party—you have the space to do whatever you want on the Dock 10.
- Compatible with BOTE accessories: I love that you can use BOTE’s inflatable chairs and couches with this dock, as this gives you multiple seating options. Don’t forget the cooler, too!
- 2-year warranty: Another company with a great warranty!
- It’s heavy: The large size and tough construction make the Dock 10 heavy to carry, so it can be cumbersome to transport to the water.
- No electric pump: It would have been nice if BOTE had thrown in an electric pump to help justify the high price tag.
3) BOTE Inflatable Dock Hangout 240 Classic—Best Floating Dock for Parties
BOTE gets top marks for innovation with its Hangout Suite. This is a set of floating platforms that can be used on their own or connected together to form the perfect floating party barge.
The Hangout 240 is the largest of the floats. It’s big enough for four people to sit comfortably, supported by the inflatable pontoon backrests. There’s a dedicated spot to tie down your cooler and magnetic cup holders for you to attach MAGNEPOD drinkware. You’ll never have to worry about losing your drink overboard again!
The Hangout 240 has the same durable construction as the Dock 10 and also comes with a 2-year warranty. You can remove the backrests to give a larger area for kids to play, but really, this dock is designed for hanging out on.
- Designed for sitting: The inflatable backrests make this super comfortable for sitting, so it’s great for leisurely outings on the water.
- Rigid construction: The Hangout is stiff and stable when fully inflated – it feels rigid to sit on, and won’t taco under your weight
- Part of a modular system: I love the fact that the Hangout 240 is modular! you can add the Hangout 120 and BOTE’s Inflatable Hangout Bar module in the center to complete the Hangout Suite (which is basically your own personal, floating bar area!)
- Comfortable deck pad: The textured BVA foam pad is water-resistant, grippy, and plush to sit on.
- No electric pump: You get a hand pump, but an electric pump would have been nice (as we all know inflating by hand can require some effort)
- It’s expensive: The Hangout 240 is pricey, so it might not be suitable for anyone with a small budget. However, it’s durable enough to last many years and hundreds of parties – so that’s something to keep in mind as you weigh up the pros and cons.
Check Price of the BOTE Hangout 240
4) Solstice Inflatable Floating Dock
If you’re buying a swim platform for your kids, the Solstice Floating Dock with its convertible slide should be top of your list.
You have two configuration options. Pop the slide up and let the kids take over or remove the step to create a large 10 x 8-foot rigid deck for adults to lounge on.
The best thing about the Solstice dock (other than the slide) is the traction pad. This is soft and really grippy, which is important if you have kids running around on it. The grab handles are on the edges of the dock rather than the deck, so they won’t be a trip hazard. On the flip side, this means you can’t use them to pull yourself out of the water.
You get four D-rings to anchor the dock or tie-down accessories, and the dock comes with a hand pump, carry bag, and repair kit.
- Convertible slide: This dock is all about the slide! I love that you can switch between having the slide up or down. It means I can get in a sneaky yoga session in the morning before the kids take over the mat for the day!
- Grippy traction pad: The deck is super grippy, so you don’t have to worry about the kids slipping into the water—unless they’re on the slide!
- Colorful design: I really like the bright, colorful design of the Solstice dock. It makes a refreshing change from the usual boring-but-inoffensive color scheme.
- It’s very heavy: The Solstice dock is even heavier than the BOTE Dock 10. If you can’t store it at the water’s edge, I’d recommend getting a trailer or paddle board cart to help you transport it to the water.
Check Price of the Solstice Dock
5) MISSION Boat Gear Inflatable Floating Mat
MISSION’s mats are some of the most lightweight, compact docks on the market. The 8 x 6-foot version packs down to 29 x 16 inches and weighs just 32 pounds. It’s ideal if you’re short on storage or trunk space, or you want to take your mat on a plane.
The reason it’s lighter and packs down smaller than other docks is that it’s only 4 inches thick (most docks are 6 inches thick). This means it may not be quite as rigid as the iRocker and BOTE docks. It feels more of a hybrid between a dock and a floating water mat.
The floating platform has a simple design with a single D-ring underneath the mat for anchoring and 2 grab handles at each end to move it around. This makes it a great mat for yoga as there are no trip hazards, but you can’t secure coolers, chairs, or other accessories.
If you want more room, you can also buy 13-foot and 19-foot MISSION mats.
- Lightweight, portable design: I love how small and light this dock is. You can carry it between your car and the water by yourself and it won’t take up as much space in your trunk as other docks. You could even take it on the plane if you’re going on vacation!
- Good quality carry bag: I really like the storage bag you get with the MISSION mat. It’s big enough that you don’t have to spend ages rerolling the mat to fit it in and it makes it much easier to carry the mat.
- Sturdy and well built: Even though it’s thinner than other inflatable docks, the MISSION mat is very sturdy. You don’t have to worry about it buckling under your weight.
- Limited anchor points: There’s only one anchor ring, on the underside of the mat. This keeps the anchor line out of your way, but the mat will still float around on the water. For extra security, you could attach ropes to the grab handles.
- No tie-down points: You don’t get any attachment points on the deck for a cooler or accessories.
Check Price of the MISSION Mat
6) Island Hopper Buddy
The Island Buddy Water Platform is a 12 x 6-foot dock with a 1,200-pound capacity. The edges and corners are heat-welded for strength and durability. The seams are covered by a 5-year limited warranty, so if they split, you can send the dock back.
11 D-rings on the sides of the mat let you anchor it to a permanent dock or boat. You can also connect multiple docks to create a larger platform or walkway.
On top of the dock, there are 6 carry handles, which you can also use to pull yourself out of the water. You also get 8 webbed loops to use as tie-down points. These are useful for small accessories, but their positioning isn’t ideal for securing a cooler.
The deck can be pretty slippery when wet, which is something to be aware of if you have kids racing around. If you’re more interested in lounging than splashing around in the water, you can purchase Island Hopper’s giant inflatable pillow for back and neck support.
- Modular design: I love that you can connect the mats together. This gives you the flexibility to expand your dock area or give different members of the family their own space.
- Lots of attachment points: The webbed loops are an interesting alternative to the usual D-ring attachment points—softer if you stand on them, but perhaps not as durable. There are D-rings on the sides of the mat for anchoring, plus plenty of grab handles on the deck.
- “No seam blow-out” warranty: The limited warranty only applies to the seams, but it gives me confidence in the dock’s durability!
- Slippery surface: The surface of the dock can get slippery when wet, which is worth bearing in mind if you have young kids running around.
- No carry bag: You don’t get a bag with the dock, so there’s nothing to protect it when deflated. I’d suggest buying a large holdall or a waterproof cover if you’ll be storing it for long periods.
Check Price of the Island Hopper Buddy
7) Happybuy Inflatable Dock Platform—Best Budget Inflatable Dock
The Happybuy Inflatable Dock is an affordable, lightweight dock with lots of features. I’d recommend it as a cheaper alternative to the iRocker, though it is a bit of a gamble. Get lucky and you’ll be floating happily. Unfortunately, Happybuy’s quality control doesn’t seem to be consistent and reports of its customer service are poor.
With those caveats out the way, there’s a lot to like about the Happybuy dock. The smallest model is 7 x 7 feet (larger versions available) and can comfortably hold 4–6 people. It has loads of grab handles and tie-down points on the top and sides of the dock. The deck area has a non-slip coating.
The inflatable floating dock comes with a carry bag, hand pump, and electric pump. Unfortunately, the hand pump’s pretty useless and the electric pump is designed to plug into a wall socket. You also don’t get an instruction manual, so it’s hard to know what the correct inflation pressure is. If you’re not sure, I’d recommend inflating it to 8-10 psi.
- Reasonably priced: The Happybuy dock costs a lot less than most other docks. If you’re not sure whether you’ll get enough use out of a dock to justify a higher-priced model, this is a great option to test it out!
- Lots of tie-down points: I love the Happybuy’s features, particularly the regularly spaced D-rings on the deck. These give you plenty of options for tying down coolers, chairs, and other accessories.
- Non-slip surface: The textured EVA deck pad is grippy, even when wet, so you don’t need to worry about your kids slipping into the water.
- Variable quality: Several users have had issues with seams leaking or splitting. The quality seems to be a bit hit-or-miss, and I’m not convinced as to the long-term durability of the mat. That said, you could buy several of these docks for the price of a more expensive one!
- Poor customer service: You don’t get a warranty with the dock and reports suggest Happybuy’s customer service is poor.
Check Price of the Happybuy Platform
8) Driftsun Mesa Inflatable Floating Dock
The Driftsun Mesa Dock comes in a range of sizes, including this 10 x 6.5-foot model, which is perfect for a large family or group of kids. Its durability is backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
The Mesa has a recommended weight limit of 800 pounds. While this is lower than many platforms, I’d suggest it’s a conservative limit. The 6-inch dropstitch dock is sturdy enough to handle as many kids (and adults) as you can cram onto it.
I like that you get two dual-action pumps. It makes inflation quicker and means you can share the hard work of blowing it up. That said, I’d still recommend investing in an electric pump if you’re going to be using your dock a lot.
The dock has 8 grab handles around the edges and 4 D-rings in the corners of the deck. It’s a no-frills dock that’s good quality but doesn’t stand out from the crowd.
- Quality construction: The Mesa is really sturdy. Although on paper it has a lower weight capacity than other docks, in practice, it’s rigid enough to handle whatever you throw on it. I like that you get a 1-year warranty for extra reassurance.
- 2 pumps included: The dual-action pumps make it easy to split the work of inflating the dock. I prefer using an electric pump, but if I don’t have a power source to hand, I’d much rather get my partner or kids to help with the hard work of pumping it up!
- 4 anchor D-rings: A D-ring in each corner allows you to anchor the dock against a boat or permanent dock.
- No carry bag: Like many other docks, the Mesa doesn’t come with a carry bag. You may want to invest in a bag or waterproof cover to protect it when not in use.
- Limited tie-down options: The Mesa’s simple design may suit your needs, but personally, I prefer having some extra attachment points for versatility.
Check Price of the Driftsun Dock
What Is an Inflatable Dock?
An inflatable dock is a floating inflatable platform that you can use on its own or alongside a boat or permanent dock for extra deck or play space. They’re best used on a lake, large pool, or other calm-water environment.
Inflatable docks are more rigid than floating water mats. That means you don’t have to worry about spreading your weight evenly over the surface to prevent the dock from buckling. Docks also sit on top of the water, so you have more chance of staying dry.
Foam water mats are bulky and heavy. Inflatable docks tend to be more portable once deflated and more compact to transport and store. They can be punctured, though if you buy a high-quality dock, this isn’t likely to be a problem.
What To Look for When Buying an Inflatable Dock
If you want to do your own research, here’s what I recommend looking for when shopping for an inflatable dock.
Optimal Size and Design
What’s the best size for an inflatable dock? Only you can answer that question! For general family use, I think a 7 x 7-foot or 8 x 6-foot dock gives plenty of deck space without being too heavy and cumbersome to transport.
That’s big enough for a couple of beach chairs and a cooler. It gives plenty of space for kids to play or for you to practice yoga.
If you have a large family or your kids want to invite all their friends around to play, then you may want to invest in a larger dock. You can either opt for a square one, such as the BOTE Dock 10, or a more traditional rectangular design.
Some docks have more specialist designs. For example, the BOTE Hangout platforms are perfect for parties, and Soltice’s Convertible Dock lets you transform part of the dock into a slide.
Large Weight Capacity
The total weight capacity you need depends on how many people and how much gear you want to carry. The larger the floating platform, the bigger its capacity. That said, the best inflatable docks, such as the iRocker swim platform and BOTE’s docks, have a high weight capacity relative to their size.
Durable Materials and Construction
Inflatable docks are made from heavy-duty plastic that’s designed to withstand bumps, abrasions, and sharp objects (within reason). The weak point is usually the seams, so look for heat-sealed or double-reinforced seams for extra durability.
Any dock worth your money will have dropstitch construction. This is the same construction that’s used in paddle boards, and it provides the rigidity needed for you to stand and walk on the dock without it buckling.
A good inflatable dock should last you several years. For extra reassurance, look for one with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Deflated Size, Weight, and Portability
If you’re short on trunk space or storage space on your boat, you want to make sure your new water toy will fit! Most manufacturers give you the packed-down measurements of a dock, but it’s worth allowing a bit of extra room as it can take a lot of folding and refolding to get them back to the original packed size!
Weight may also be a consideration if you’re having to carry or fly with your deflated dock. If you want a lightweight option, I’d recommend the MISSION mat. It packs down small and comes in a carry bag for portability.
Attachment Points and Grab Handles
Inflatable docks typically fall into one of two camps: simple, no-frills designs with an unobstructed deck or docks with multiple grab handles and attachment points.
There are pros and cons to both. I prefer to have grab handles on top of the deck, as they can be an important safety feature if you have kids, as well as being useful when pulling yourself out of the water. I also find attachment points useful for securing the million-and-one things I don’t want to lose on the water. Sun hats, water bottles, water toys… Kids come with a lot of stuff.
Attachment and mounting points will also be important if you want to use your dock as a fishing platform. If you’ll be using your dock mostly for lounging or yoga, you may prefer an uncluttered deck with grab handles and anchor points on the side of the dock.
Conclusion
I hope this guide has helped you sort out the floaters from the sinkers in the world of inflatable docks!
I’d recommend the iRocker Floating Swim Dock as the best inflatable floating dock for most people. It’s durable and packed with features. If you want a larger floating platform, then the BOTE Dock 10 is a great alternative, though it is heavy!
Do you have any other questions about inflatable docks? Pop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.
