7 Best Floating Drink Holders For Small Boats That Declutter Your Deck

There’s nothing better than anchoring in a quiet cove, but on a small boat, every square inch of deck space is prime real estate. Add a few friends, and suddenly your deck is a minefield of kicked-over cans and precariously balanced water bottles. The solution isn’t more cupholders—it’s getting the drinks off the boat entirely with a floating caddy.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing Your Ideal Floating Drink Holder

Your choice in a floating drink holder comes down to how you actually use your boat. Are you typically out for a few hours with a partner, or do you host a half-dozen friends for an all-day raft-up? Capacity isn’t just about the number of drinks; it’s about the type. Some holders are just for cans, while others have larger slots for insulated tumblers or water bottles.

Think about materials and stability. Inflatables are compact for storage, a huge win on a small vessel, but they can be a headache in choppy water or high winds. Closed-cell foam models, on the other hand, are incredibly stable and puncture-proof but eat up precious locker space. There’s a direct tradeoff between at-anchor convenience and underway storage.

Don’t overlook the "other" features. Does it have a central cooler section to keep drinks cold, or just holes to hold what you’ve already opened? Does it include a tie-down point? A tether is non-negotiable; without one, your drinks will be halfway across the lake with the first gust of wind. Consider whether you need space for snacks, sunscreen, or a phone, as some models offer more utility than others.

Intex Mega Chill II: High-Capacity Cooler

The Intex Mega Chill II is less of a simple drink holder and more of a floating beverage station. Its main feature is a large, insulated cooler compartment that can hold dozens of cans plus ice. This is the unit you get when you’re the designated host boat for the day. Six cupholders around the perimeter handle the open drinks, keeping them separate from the main supply.

The sheer size is both its greatest strength and its primary weakness. It’s incredibly convenient when you’re anchored with a group, eliminating the need for people to constantly climb back on board for a refill. But it’s also a big, inflatable object that catches wind easily. You absolutely must keep this tethered securely, or you’ll be chasing it down. When deflated, it packs down reasonably well, but it’s still a significant item to store in a small boat’s limited lazarette.

GoPong Pool Lounge: For Social Gatherings

If your time on the water is as much about the social scene as the scenery, the GoPong Pool Lounge is your floating centerpiece. It’s designed with socializing in mind, featuring numerous cup holders and often a flat central area. Some versions even come marked for floating beer pong, instantly turning a quiet swim into a party.

This is not the most rugged or stable option, but it excels at its intended purpose: fun. It’s built for calm coves and raft-ups, not for open water with a stiff breeze. The vinyl is standard pool-float grade, so be mindful of sharp objects. For the boater who loves to entertain and create a fun atmosphere, the GoPong delivers a lot of utility for a low price and small storage footprint. It’s a specialized tool for a specific job.

Jasonwell Inflatable Holders: Solo Drink Floats

Sometimes, you just need something to hold your drink. That’s where the small, individual inflatable holders from brands like Jasonwell come in. These are often sold in multi-packs of whimsical shapes—flamingos, donuts, unicorns—and are designed to hold a single can or bottle. They take up virtually no space when deflated, fitting easily into a glove box or a dry bag.

The tradeoff for this simplicity is a complete lack of stability and security. They are tippy in even the slightest chop and will float away with the current if you’re not paying attention. These are best used in very calm, protected water when you’re swimming right next to them. Think of them as a temporary, hands-free solution, not a reliable, all-day caddy. They’re cheap, cheerful, and solve a very specific, small-scale problem.

WOW Sports Cooler: Durable Towable Option

The WOW Sports Cooler is built for a more demanding environment. Constructed from heavy-duty PVC with a rugged nylon cover, it’s designed to be towed behind the boat (at slow speeds, of course). This durability translates into excellent stability when you’re just floating at anchor. It’s a fantastic hybrid option for boaters who are active but also want a reliable floating cooler.

This unit typically features a large, insulated cooler compartment and several molded cup holders, making it highly functional. The robust build means it can handle being bumped against the boat or dragged onto a beach without issue. The main consideration is its size and weight. Even when empty, it’s bulkier than a simple inflatable, and its price point reflects its heavy-duty construction. It’s an investment in convenience and durability.

TRC Super Soft Caddy: Puncture-Proof Foam

For the boater who is tired of patching inflatables, the TRC Super Soft Caddy is the answer. Made from solid, closed-cell foam with a vinyl coating, this caddy is literally unsinkable and impossible to puncture. There’s no inflation, no fuss—you just toss it in the water. This makes it incredibly reliable and stable.

The foam construction provides excellent insulation for the central compartment and rigidity for the cupholders, which often fit larger tumblers. The downside is storage. Since it doesn’t deflate, you have to find a permanent home for a fairly bulky object, which is a major challenge on a small boat. This is a "buy it once, cry once" product for those who prioritize ultimate durability over compact storage.

O’Brien Cooler Caddy: Compact and Secure

O’Brien’s Cooler Caddy strikes a great balance between capacity and a manageable footprint. It’s an inflatable made from heavy-gauge PVC, making it more durable than a standard pool float but more compact for storage than a foam or towable model. It typically holds a small 12-pack cooler in the center and has several cup holders around the edge.

This is an excellent all-around choice for the average small boat owner. It’s big enough for a small group but not so large that it becomes a sail in the wind. The inclusion of a tether point and sturdy handles makes it easy to manage in the water. It represents a smart compromise, offering good functionality without demanding too much precious storage space when the day is done.

Airhead Aqua Oasis: Integrated Snack Tray

The Airhead Aqua Oasis understands that sometimes you want more than just a cold drink. This inflatable caddy is designed as a floating refreshment station, featuring dedicated cup holders, an insulated cooler section, and, crucially, a built-in snack tray. It’s perfect for those long afternoons when you want to stay in the water without having to climb back aboard for a bite to eat.

The multi-function design is its biggest selling point. The recessed tray keeps things like chips, fruit, or sandwiches contained and relatively dry. Like any large inflatable, it needs to be tethered, but its lower profile compared to something like the Intex Mega Chill II makes it a bit more manageable in a light breeze. It’s the ideal solution for boaters who see floating as a full-service lounge experience, not just a place to put a can.

Ultimately, clearing your deck is about choosing the right tool for your specific boating style. A floating drink holder isn’t just a novelty; it’s a practical piece of gear that reclaims valuable space and makes your time on the water more relaxing. Pick the one that fits your crew, your boat, and your budget, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.