The best floating water mats for 2024 are a ton of fun while you are on the lake or the river. Sometimes called water islands, water platforms, water lounges, floating docks, patio docks, water pads, or lily pad floats, you can tie them up to your boat at the sandbar or to your dock at home, either way, you’re sure to have a good time using them.
Kids love to jump off, play king of the hill, and chase each other around while enjoying the lake. Adults love to kick back on these floating water mats/lily pad floats to enjoy a beverage or two and soak up some rays. In all, the best water island is an excellent addition to your next lake adventure.
Bonus for 2024: Check out our review of the Lily Pad Float on #6 below.
The Bigger the Floating Water Mat, the Better
Here’s the deal though, for max enjoyment, your new floating water mat or lily pad must be at least 10′ x 6′, and it has to be super durable **. Smaller than that, you have a raft **. Less durable, you’ve wasted money **. The water lounges and lily pads listed below are big enough for several adults to lounge and durable enough for rambunctious kids.
If you are looking for other cool pontoon accessories for your next day on the lake, we’ve got you covered. To begin with, you’ve got to check out these incredible floating water trampolines.
Next, we invite you to browse our reviews on Airhead towable tubes, high-rated inflatable stand up paddle boards, insane towable tubes that’ll get you off the wake, pontoon diving boards, and fishing float tubes.
Can you wakeboard behind a pontoon boat? Find out now.
Floating Water Mat | Summary |
Mission Reef Water Pad | Best inflatable water pad, firm, with many size options. |
Yacht Dock Floating Platform | Best inflatable water platform. |
Goplus Water Pad | Best foam water pad and it’s gigantic. |
Driftsun Asana Yoga Mat | Best floating yoga mat. |
Solstice Inflatable Floating Dock | Excellent Floating Water Dock |
Below are our top 5 best floating water mats for 2024 that we consider both big enough and durable enough for your family and friends.
No time for the review? Below is a quick glance at our favorites…
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Top 5 Big and Durable Floating Water Islands and Water Mats For 2024
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1. MISSION Boat Gear REEF Inflatable Floating Mat and Water Lounge
- EXTRA DURABLE: Made with 1000D nylon – the same material used in highly demanding naval applications – and utilizes...
- EXTRA DURABLE: Made with 1000D nylon – the same material used in highly demanding naval applications – and utilizes...
- SUPER RIGID: At four inches thick, you can stand, jump, climb, and play around on it all day long without worrying that...
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What we like:
- A very firm floating water mat.
- It’s BIG; you can purchase sizes as big as 13′ x 6.5′ to 25′ x 5′.
- When deflated you can easily store on your boat.
- Long-lasting material.
- Rash free material.
- The reef includes a pump and storage bag.
- Include reinforced rings for tie off.
Mission makes a great product and is our top pick due to its size options and long-term durability.
REEF inflatable mats for the lake will change the way you and your friends experience hot summer days on the lake, river or bay. Unlike floppy floating foam mats, REEF’s rigid construction won’t bend, flip, or submerge – which means it can handle whatever brand of fun you throw at it. REEF is incredibly stable when inflated but easily packs down into most boat storage lockers.
-Mission Boat Gear
2. Driftsun Mesa Inflatable Floating Water Mat and Lounge
- MAKE IT A PARTY! The Driftsun Mesa portable floating dock is a massive 15ft x 6.5ft inflatable dock platform – perfect for...
- ULTIMATE STABILITY: Our rigid 6” thick inflatable islands make the perfect giant lake inflatable & can support 1,100lbs!...
- QUICK INFLATION: Inflates in less than 20 minutes! The inflatable dock floating platform comes with 1 dual-action pump &...
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What we like:
- A very firm floating water mat.
- You can purchase sizes as big as 15′ x 6.5′.
- When deflated you can easily store on your boat.
- Includes two pumps and two holes for inflation.
- Long-lasting UV protected material.
- Include reinforced rings for tie off.
I did a lot of research before purchasing the floating dock for the lake and I was strongly considering buying a water bouncer due to the fact that there would be 6-10 kids climbing on the thing at one time. I am extremely happy that I skipped the water bounce and purchased the floating dock.
This thing is solid and sturdy. It holds a lot of weight and acts a a great platform to dive off of. It is much easier to get on and it’s small profile doesn’t obstruct the view of the lake! The kids love it and spend a lot of time hanging out on the dock.
-Amazon Review
3. Solstice Inflatable Floating Dock and Water Lounge
- Inflatable Dock:
- Super-Rigid, High Pressure Drop-Stitch Constructed
- Comfortably Supports Standing Adults
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What we like:
- Another very firm floating water mat.
- Super-rigid, high-pressure, drop-stitch construction
- You can purchase sizes as big as 10′ x 10′.
- Capacity: 4-6 Persons
- When deflated you can easily store on your boat.
- Includes a pump and a storage bag.
- Comfortably supports standing adults
- Long-lasting UV protected material.
- 6 stainless steel D-ring tie-downs
- 6 super-strong, reinforced grab handles
- H3 high-pressure valve for quick inflate/deflate
We love this raft for the lake!! Fully inflated, people don’t believe it’s inflatable. They think it’s solid. We use it off our sailboat in the ocean, in harbors and we have also taken it to a lake in Maine. We have a foot pump that takes about 10 minutes for my husband to fill. It’s very very sturdy. Packs up pretty small. We have even added air while it’s sitting on the water.
-Amazon Review
4. Inflatable Sport Boats Yacht Dock Floating Platform
- The Yacht Dock transforms your swim deck into a luxurious 10 foot by 6 foot extended swim platform. Designed to immediately...
- This portable inflatable dock platform is a must have for every captain that needs more room off the side of their boat, with...
- The industry exclusive HEAT WELDED drop stitch platform. UV resistant heavy duty PVC. ¼ inch thick deluxe teak wood EVA foam...
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- Its deck style finish looks awesome.
- Another very firm floating water mat.
- You can purchase sizes as big as 10′ x 6′.
- When deflated you can easily store on your boat.
- Includes one pump and two holes for inflation.
- Long-lasting UV protected material.
- The reef includes a pump and storage bag.
The Yacht Dock transforms your swim deck into a luxurious 10 foot by 6 foot extended swim platform. Designed to immediately give your dock, sailboat, or yacht the additional space off the side that you’ve always wanted. The perfect lounging, swimming, and relaxing inflatable platform sits 6” out of the water providing incredible stability. Max load: 1500 lbs
-Inflatable Sport Boats
5. Island Hopper Patio Dock Inflatable Swimming Water Platform
- Extremely rigid and buoyant commercial drop stitch construction with HEAT-WELDED seams. Island Hopper does not use glue on...
- Connect multiple units to make an extended platfrom configuration. Features 11 side welded stainless d-rings, 6 easy carry...
- INCLUDES: Island Buddy Swim dock 8' x 6' x 4' thick, double action hand pump, stow straps, instruction manual and repair...
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- Who needs a boat? It’s HUGE!
- You can purchase sizes as big as 15′ x 6′.
- When deflated you can easily store on your boat.
- Includes a pump and a storage bag.
- Long-lasting UV protected material.
- Include reinforced rings for tie off.
The Island Hopper Inflatable Patio Dock is a water patio platform extension for your pontoon or sport boat. Perfect size for 10 or more friends and can comfortably handle over 2000 lbs. Used for sunbathing, swim play, wakeboard and tube launching, boat docking, and any number of waters use. Inflates/deflates in 10 minutes and slows down to a manageable 42″ x 22″ size. Includes 12 volt electric 15 PSI Auto-Set Power Pump ($129 value!).
-Island Hopper
6. Lily Pad Float Water Pad By SOWKT
- A FLORIDA COMPANY: Founded in 2015, SOWKT is based in Bay Harbor, Florida. We developed this product for our families, and...
- FUN AND SAFETY: Our newest model of the SOWKT water mats for the lake have lots of room for fun with its 18x6 ft size, and...
- RELAX? FUN? YOU GOT IT! Relax or have a blast with family and friends, you choose. Whether on a pool, the ocean, the river or...
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- This is the newest model of the SOWKT lily pad float for the lake and it has lots of room for fun, with its 18×6 ft size and great colors for high visibility and safety.
- It’s an awesome lily pad float for adults or kids and holds up to 1320 lbs.
- Whether on a pool, the ocean, the river, or any body of water, this lily pad float will provide you with endless memories of fun and time well spent.
- The lily pad float is 1.3 inches thick and made with high-quality XPE foam.
- The pad is developed with a proprietary inner net + heat sealing to ensure the lily pad’s high durability.
- Included in the box are the 18×6 ft lily pad float, heavy-duty carabiner, bungee tether leash, and two extra-long touch fastener straps.
- The lily pad comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty from time of purchase.
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Important Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Floating Water Mat for Your Family
Protection:
The durability of your floating water mat for the lake is an important factor, and the material that’s used determines it. That said, it does not matter how good the material is, if the construction is not efficient, the water mat will not last long and pose many dangers. You should check protective specifications like whether it is worn and tear-proof or not, whether the kids and pets can puncture it or not and likewise. In addition, the joints must be reinforced, and there must be options to lock the mat to the boat or dock.
Stability:
The stability of your new floating water mat for the lake is going to determine the type of activities you can do on it. While some water mats are only for lying down, some of them are suitable for walking, running, and do various watersports comfortably. We will recommend you buy a water mat that is suitable for watersports because they are the most stable and can take extra weight seamlessly.
Capacity:
We believe it is super important to purchase a floating water mat for the lake the is big enough for your family AND guests. The lake is the perfect place to entertain and a mat too small will not accommodate too many people. That said, go BIG.
Learn More and Explore More Water Island and Lily Pad Options
Whatever you call them floating water mats, water islands, water lounges, floating docks, patio docks, lily pads, or lake pads they are all awesome additions to your next lake adventure. We think bigger is better and believe that if you pay a bit more, it’ll make sense in the long run.
** Please note, we do kid around a lot, there are some awesome smaller lake pads that are also very durable too.
Top 5 Big and Durable Floating Water Platforms For 2024
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5 Best Budget-Friendly Floating Water Pads For 2024
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Top 5 Foam Lake Pads For 2024
Please keep in mind that foam water mats for the lake, such as the lily pad float role up and take up a lot of room if you store them on your boat. That is a big downside to these types of mats. Also, double-check shipping prices for this giant lake pads.
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Airhead Lake Floaters
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Top 3 Yoga Lake Mats For 2024
Table could not be displayed.5 Popular Inflatable Pizza Slice Floats
Looking for more options for chilling out on the lake or in the pool? Pizza slice floats are very popular and actually give you plenty of space to max and relax. Below are a few inflatable pizza slice floats that are super fun.
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Popular River Lounges and Water Islands for the Lake
These lounges are great for tieing off of your pontoon boat or simply floating nearby. The cup holders are perfect and a great way to keep cool on a hot day.
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You’ll love chilling with your friends and enjoying a few cocktails on these full-fledged islands.
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Water trampoline. Beer pong. Floating hamster wheel. Check these out…
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Ever throw your life jacket through your legs in order to float in the water and stay cool? That does work, and so do these…
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FAQs
Q. How do I repair a hole in my water mat for lake, ocean, or river?
A. You can buy inexpensive repair kits for vinyl and PVC products that include adhesive and patches. Many manufacturers include ready-to-stick patches.
Q. Can you use a floating mat in saltwater?
A. No, not all mats are suitable for use in saltwater. Most manufacturers will state in their description if the construction material can withstand saltwater. In most cases, a water lounge used in saltwater will tend to have a shorter lifespan. Remember to try to get a mat that has UVA/UVB protection and make sure to rinse it with clean in warm, fresh water after every use.
Q. How many people can fit on my water mat for lake, ocean, or river?
A. The number of people that can fit on your water mat for a lake depends on its size. We recommend the bigger the better.
Q. How long does it take to receive my water mat?
A. That’ll depend on where you order it from. Companies like Amazon guarantee shipping within a set number of days. Companies with Shopify sites like Printeffie can take significantly longer.
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