There are so many options available for pontoon boat lighting, including LED lights, docking lights, navigational lights, seating lights, under deck lighting, and even lighting that will pulse in time to the music on your boat for the ultimate party vibe.
Whether you intend to be on the water at night, need assistance with docking, or just want a pontoon boat lights accessory that will give your boat that added element of style for a party, you will find something below to suit all scenarios.
The Best Pontoon LED Lights & Accessories
Docking and navigation lights are a necessity for most pontooners. In the guide below, I start off with the basics, and then move onto other kits listed further down the page that are lighting accessories designed to make your pontoon life more fun.
All of the recommendations below are good value for money, simple to install and will tick off every box you have with regards to a pontoon boat lighting accessory. Go take a look below, I’ve listed them in order of importance so start there, then scroll down for the more fun items.
#1: Best Pontoon Docking Lights
Docking your pontoon correctly is one of the hardest tasks to master for beginners, and I vividly remember the first time I had to dock in a marina after dark. It was nerve racking.
However, the entire task was made so much easier due to the docking lights I had, with these ones on Amazon being a very close replica to the exact ones that I use.
The Shoreline Marine LEDs come as a pack of two super bright lights with an adjustable mounting bracket for easy installation. You will need to wire them up, but once installed you will wonder how you ever did without them.
Of all the pontoon boat lighting accessories listed on this page, these are probably the most important as they can save you bangs, scrapes, and mishaps that can occur when docking in low light conditions.
If you don’t have any, make this your most essential purchase of the year.
#2: Best Pontoon Boat Navigation Lights
The Attwood LED navigation light is perfect for pontoons, and one of the best rated navigational lighting systems currently available on Amazon. In fact read the Amazon reviews to see for yourself how well rated these are.
This light kit comes as just one per pack and can be placed on your pontoon with a visibility range of up to 2 miles. Other boaters will definitely see you coming with one of these on board.
With a stylish design and a water resistant design, it won’t corrode. It has also been tested to last for up to 50,000 hours, coming in a green or red color.
#3: Best Pontoon LED Stern Light
For that added level of peace of mind and security, I would recommend an LED stern light accessory. It will let you be seen during dusk or night trips and fits upright to the stern of your pontoon.
The recommendation here is the RecPro stern light which comes with a fold-down base letting it swing a full 180 degrees. It’s also bright enough to be seen from two miles away and is advertised in being the most energy efficient of all navigational lights on the pontoon market.
It’s also anti-glare, so shouldn’t impede on your enjoyment or that of other boaters out on the water. As you would expect, it’s made from marine grade materials designed for use with these types of boats.
As with the other pontoon boat lights I have already recommended, it’s said to be good for up to 50,000 hours of continuous use, so should last you every single trip you ever take at night or early in the morning.
#4: Emergency Lights for Your Pontoon
Emergency lights are often overlooked but can be critically important for passengers coming on and off the boat in the dark, particularly younger children or adults with mobility issues.
The premise is pretty simple. You just install them onto the boat’s hand rails or the stern. In fact, anywhere you think people need a visual aid in the dark to help them get on and off.
If you can imagine the scene; your pontoon is docked up at the marina slip, the emergency LED lights are all on. It’s going to look amazing as your guests walk down the dock to come on board for the evening’s boat trip.
To get set-up simply select some of the other pontoon boat lights accessories from this page and figure out where you will be placing them for the maximum effect.
A couple of packs of the Bright Eyes portable marine LEDs are perfect for this. You can clip them onto railings or gates, and they don’t need to be wired up – they are powered by standard watch batteries so no wiring to the battery needed.
#5: Best Pontoon Under Deck Lights
For a really awesome look, you should consider getting under deck lights. I’ve used these on our annual 4th of July pontoon boat party, and it really helps get my passengers and other pontooners on the lake into party spirit.
Most under deck lights are LED strips, and with a little work you can attach under the deck securely. They are waterproof and water resistant. They are just simple underwater lighting that you operate via the boat battery.
This simple kit on Amazon comes with everything that you need including mounting track, harness, and a remote control, with total installation time probably taking around two hours.
The remote control also lets you change the colors depending on the mood and will fit a pontoon boat of up to 28 feet in length. If your boat is bigger than that, it’s not the kit for you, but anything up to that size can use them.
As an alternative product, you might want to consider the RecPro underdeck kit. It’s for pontoons that are 22 to 25 feet in length. At time of publishing this guide, it’s never had a bad review on Amazon and tends to be a little cheaper than the top recommendation.
From speaking to other boat owners who have used this, they like it, but say it’s quite complex to install which is why I prefer the simple kit earlier in this section.
You can also buy LED lights that actually go underwater – ideal for fishing or just looking good. Read my guide to underwater pontoon lighting.
#6: Under Seat Lights
Not an essential lighting accessory, just a very cool one next, with under seat LED lighting strips that you install on deck and under your seats.
Depending on which types you buy, they can either come as strips very similar to the under deck lighting, or can be bought as singular recessed LED puck lights.
Personally, I prefer the strip LED lighting, as it will give a continuous glow under the seats, rather than having separate light units placed in.
Here’s a perfect example of strip LED lights for the interior of your boat, all of which can be easily set-up under your seating. This kit offers a white light effect which looks really atmospheric on a dark night.
They aren’t remoted controlled though and are operated simply by an on and off switch.
#7: Turn Your Boat into a Nightclub!
For something that’s really going to get the party started, there is a pontoon boat lights accessory that will pulse in time to your music, can be controlled via your smartphone, and offers different colors in time to the beat.
It’s the OPT7 boat interior glow LED lighting kit and is insanely innovative in the way that it works. You can turn your pontoon is the party barge you always wanted, almost like a nightclub.
Here’s the specification:
- Plug and Play with Car Charger (12v cigarette outlet) OR to Fuse Box
- Includes four 24″ long lasting, waterproof, and flexible strips and two remotes
- Exclusive SoundSync™ bass-activated technology lets you visualize the beat
- 36 SmartColor™ LEDs per 24-inch strip
- Our SmartColor™ LEDs mixes colors at the micro level that results in a brilliant colors true to the eye
The cabling can be bent and twisted into any configuration or shape, so you can place them under your seats, make them come up onto the railings and Bimini, or position them anywhere you like on your pontoon for the maximum effect.
When the beat drops, the SoundSync technology will change the colors to match the bass and rhythm. Just plug it in and switch it on.
#8: LED Cup Holders
If you’re planning a party on board, or just want something awesome for your next evening’s entertainment, then these stainless-steel LED cup holders will really make a statement… they are definitely going to see you coming into the marina with these on.
Manufactured from marine grade materials, you can install them virtually anywhere on your pontoon, replacing your existing plastic drop-in cup holders.
You can check the prices on Amazon. This recommended light accessory comes in a pack of 4, either in a neon blue or green color depending on your style. They could be the perfect complement to your existing lighting already on your pontoon.
Conclusion
As you can see from the pontoon lighting accessories above, pontoon boat lights aren’t just for decorative or entertainment purposes.
They are also an essential accessory for safety and navigation.
The ideas above are just my recommendations on what I believe to be the best on market. As with any recommendations you find on Pontoonopedia, it also pays to do your own research to make sure that the lights you purchase are the right ones to fit your boat.
You should also make sure to check any local state boating laws to check that there are no considerations you need to keep your pontoon lights legal. Laws can change from state to state depending on where you are.
There’s also the consideration for other boat users. There could be a time and the place to have colorful flashing LEDs coming off your boat, so always think about how you might be respectful of other people using the water, and try not to annoy anyone!
