In this article, we have prepared 50 most profitable and attractive lake business ideas. Almost every lake provides an opportunity to attract tourists and make money, especially during the holiday season. It doesn’t matter if you have large or small capital. Below you will find many profitable business ideas for everyone, including small business ideas.

MOST PROFITABLE AND ATTRACTIVE LAKE BUSINESS IDEAS

1. CAMPING & RV
Setting up a campground is definitely one of the cheapest and most profitable lake business ideas. To start this business you will need a piece of land, a bathroom and toilet, and electricity where guests can charge their phones and accessories. It is very important that the campsite is close to the water, or in a place near a lake with a really nice view. The advantage of this business is that you can literally start it with a piece of land, only to buy up amenities over time and build developments such as a beach merchandise store, beach chair rentals (like those on Amazon), or building a hotel or restaurant.

2. BAR, RESTAURANT OR CAFE ON A WATER BARGE
A barge moored at the lake shore is a unique and great place to make a bar, club or restaurant. Partying or eating at such a place is certainly unique and most people have not had the opportunity to try this before in their lives so this type of business should attract a lot of interest. Theme parties, discos, mini concerts, shows and stand-ups can be held on such a barge, and many different interesting types of venues and services can be opened there.

3. FISH FARMING (IN FLOATING CAGES)
As long as it complies with local laws, lakes make attractive places to raise fish. You just need to have the right cages or nets to fence off such fish. Depending on the species being raised, such farming can be very profitable.

4. FOOD TRUCK
Food truck is a great business idea in the lake area as well as in most places popular among tourists. You can serve different types of food like fries, burgers, sushi, toasts with ham, cold drinks, garlic bread and many more. Keep track of local events and see when and where the most tourists are, and bring your food truck in at those times.

5. MOTORBOAT, JET SKIING AND YACHT RENTAL
Also water skiing, wakeboarding, flying kite tube, sub wing (ideal if the water is clear and clean), parasailing.

6. FISHING SHOP
A lake that is a popular tourist destination can be a very good place to open a fishing shop. Many people like to spend time fishing, but they often need a fishing store to buy the necessary accessories, hooks, lures, or whole rods and reels. Such a business should be especially profitable if you observe many anglers around the lake where you could open such a store.

7. CONVENTION & BUSINESS CENTER
Many companies need to organize conferences, business meetings or corporate events. The nice area near the lake can provide the perfect venue for such events. The cost to build large convention centers (with a theater and stage, event and meeting space, and a lobby and kitchen) is typically around $30-40 million. You can also start with just a stage and theater, or meeting space if you have a smaller budget, and then add more.

8. KITE SURFING
Kite surfing is an especially good idea on large lakes. Business related to this extreme sport includes teaching how to kite surf, renting equipment (boards, kite and wetsuit and other accessories), organizing kite surfing competitions and events, and running kite surfing schools and kite surfing learning camps. A good idea, especially in areas where there is a lot of traffic can be to open a store with accessories for kite surfing.

9. WIND SURFING
Wind surfing is an attractive sport ideal for lake or calm sea water. Similarly to kitesurfing, the kitesurfing business is primarily about teaching the sport (popular among both children and adults) and renting and selling equipment and organizing events.

10. JET SURF & UNDERWATER SEA SCOOTERS RENTAL
This is the perfect solution for having fun on lakes or rivers. With jet surf you can surf on flat water, without waves. A jet surf business can primarily boil down to teaching jet surfing, renting jet surf and organizing events and selling accessories. Similarly for the underwater sea scooter. With it, you can dive and swim underwater like a dolphin. This attraction will also attract and interest many tourists. A version of the underwater sea scooter with a built-in camera is available here on Amazon.

11. HOTEL, HOSTEL OR BED & BREAKFAST
Many people need a break from city life and want to get away to somewhere nice and pleasant. Therefore, if you have a house, a plot of land or a vacant apartment on the lake offer to rent it out to guests. If you have the capital, you can also build a hotel or a whole resort with attractions. Such business should be promoted on the Internet, you should also prepare attractive, inviting pictures of your hotel and rooms.

12. HOUSEBOAT FOR RENT OR FOR SALE
Staying on a houseboat is an interesting and unique way to spend your vacation, to get away from work and relax, and to enjoy a few days with friends. For this business, barges large enough to allow you to build a small house on top of them will suffice, which will be perfect for relaxing and holiday relaxation. Such barges can be moored on the lake but can also cruise and travel on the lake or rivers.

13. FLYBOARD FLYING
Flyboard is a unique device that allows you to float above water, almost fly, thanks to a tube that sucks water and floats a person in the air using a water jetting mechanism.

14. EVENT ORGANIZATIONS
The lake and its surroundings are a great place to host a variety of events. The best examples of events that you can host at the lake to make money are: thriatlon, concert on water (can be on a boat or barge), swimming competition, water sports competitions and various festivals and group meetings.

15. RENTAL OF KAYAKS, CANOES AND PADDLE BOATS
Kayak and paddle board and related services are definitely some of the most profitable lake business ideas. To start such a business, all you need is a few kayaks, paddles and life jackets. You can gradually develop such a business and offer more and more new services (e.g. taking tourists with kayaks to a chosen place on a lake or river, or picking them up from a given place). It is also worth offering drinks, snacks and food.

16. SOUVENIR SHOP
A gift store is a good idea for a small business in any place where there are many tourists. You can sell there fridge magnets, postcards, chocolates and many different products related to the region. It is also good to sell goods necessary for the beach.

17. BOAT RENTAL
Boat rental is one of the most distinctive lake business ideas. Depending on the number of tourists and their needs, you can offer small boat rentals, sailboats or even yachts and many more.
You can also offer guided or unguided cruise and various other activities.

18. BOAT CLEANING
If there are already many boats or yachts on any lake a good small business idea might be a boat cleaning business.

19. BOAT REPAIRS
One of the best lake business ideas that is really a good idea for large lakes with lots of boats is the business of repairing, restoring, refurbishing and rebuilding boats yachts and any floating vessels. Wherever there are many boats damage is done and repairs are needed.

20. STALL WITH NATURAL REGIONAL FOOD & GOODS
A good idea for a small business near the lake could be a stand selling natural honeys, cheeses, jams and preserves and all natural and regional food. People who go to the lake like to try new flavors and also sometimes want to bring back tasty souvenirs.

21. SAILING SCHOOL
Many people, especially young people want to learn to sail. A great idea to fulfill this dream can be sailing courses under the supervision of professional instructors and experienced teachers. Learning to sail is also quite a profitable business. Many people are willing to pay a lot to learn how to sail.

22. GLAMPING
Glamping is a combination of “glamorous” and “camping”. It’s a business aimed at rich people who are interested in relaxing in nature, but expect luxurious conditions at the same time. To meet their needs, you can create a “glamping campground” with luxury tents, furniture and various attractive accessories. You can create such luxury glamping accessories yourself, or you can purchase them like this large glamping tent or inflatable furniture on Amazon.

23. SWIMMING SCHOOL
A nice clean and safe lake can also provide a great opportunity to earn money from swimming lessons. Summer swimming courses, swimming camps, water camps and private swimming lessons can be organized at such a lake.

24.  CREATE A SMALL HARBOR
An ambitious and one of the most profitable lake business ideas is to create a marina or harbor on a lake. Such a place can generate money by renting space for boats and yachts and providing security and boat washing services. Apart from that, you can offer many services in such a harbor, rent out the space, set up different businesses, hotels, restaurants, stores or boat repair stores. Harbour construction can start with small investments like building a small pier, grooming and improving the beach or installing electricity and boat hooks etc. Over time you can raise funds or partners and sponsors (e.g. local businessmen) and such business can be gradually developed.

25. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Transportation services are a profitable business idea in almost any place that attracts tourists. Tourists need to get around, sometimes they don’t want or can’t use their own car so they need someone to transport them. Businesses in this niche to consider are cabs, mini buses, and transportation that is friendly to: children, seniors ,people with disabilities or pets.

26. DINNER CRUISES
Many people are looking for a unique way to spend time with loved ones. They are looking for an idea how to impress a girl on a date, want to experience something new, or spend an afternoon in an interesting way. A cruise with dinner on board is a unique idea that can meet such expectations. Whole lunches, snacks, wine, drinks and various delicacies can be served on board. Great music can also be played to make the time more enjoyable for the tourists. Moreover, you can also take breaks for swimming or exploring uninhabited islands.

27. TOURISTIC CRUISES
Even the smallest boat is enough to start a touristic cruises business. Many people on the lake are looking for an interesting way to spend their time. Boat, raft or yacht offer many possibilities to satisfy such tourists. You can offer sightseeing cruises, fishing cruises, relaxation cruises, photography cruises (so that the tourist can take pictures). You should also offer basic drinks and snacks on board. You can also sell meals and swimming accessories to maximize your income.

28. BEACH SHOP
There are certain commodities that are essential on any beach and near any water. Offer them in your store and you are sure to enjoy many customers and great interest during the season. Such beach essentials include sunscreen, towels, flip-flops, sunglasses, cold drinks, snacks, inflatable air mattresses, and many other items that are necessary while relaxing at the lake.

29. COLD DRINKS & LEMONADE AND SNACKS STAND
If you are wondering what are the best of small budget lake business ideas, then you should pay more attention to this idea. People who come to the lake usually go there when it is warm and the weather is nice. While sightseeing or relaxing, they get thirsty or start getting hungry. Therefore, this kind of small business is a very good solution, especially if you are able to sell such cold drinks and snacks near a beach full of tourists or near another crowded spot.

30. GOLF COURSE
The area surrounding the lake is an excellent place to build a golf course. Playing near the lake will certainly be very enjoyable and will allow you to relax more thanks to the nice views and the closeness to nature.

31. SUN LOUNGERS RENTAL
A simple and profitable business idea near popular lakes. This kind of business makes particular sense near swimming areas and popular beaches, as well as near hotels. If you think that deck chairs and relaxation areas are boring then you are very wrong. You can rent not only simple or premium sunbeds, but even very comfortable and luxurious patio gazebos, and beach hammocks (you can see them on Amazon by clicking on the links).

32. DAY AND NIGHT KIDS CARE SERVICE
Parents who go on vacation or vacation with their children sometimes want to be alone for a while and leave the children to go to a restaurant or canoeing together. In places where there are many tourists this business can be very profitable. Just organize some interesting and safe activities for children for a few hours, provide them with food, drink and fun.It should be noted that this is a business that requires a lot of responsibility, in which you need to ensure the safety of children and friendly conditions.

33. PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE
The lakes create favorable circumstances for exceptional photos. The lake with its beautiful scenery is ideal for photography courses.

34. SPA & MASSAGE
Many people who choose to relax by the water are looking for relaxation, solace and a break from work and stress. Therefore, one of the most ideal lake business ideas is to open a spa and massage center near the lake. It is important that such a spa is located in a pleasant and nice area. To maximize the popularity of such a business, it is worth promoting and advertising it over the Internet.

35. ROCK CLIMBING OR GYM
The lake is a place that attracts many active people. Such people are often interested in sports or want to try interesting challenges. A climbing wall, climbing natural mountains or a gym can be very good business ideas in an area popular among tourists.

36. APARTMENTS FOR RENT
Some tourists instead of renting a room in a hotel look for an apartment, or a whole house for rent. This is an especially good business idea in popular tourist areas near water.

37. HUTS AND CABINS RENTAL
A great and inexpensive business, you might say a more advanced version of camping, is to create a complex with small huts for rent. Such huts are quite inexpensive and simple in construction and are often a greater attraction for tourists than a regular campground.

38. SUMMER CAMP
The lake is a great place to hold a summer camp for kids. Many parents often want their children to have an interesting time in nature and give their parents some freedom during this time. During such camps it is a good idea to provide children with various attractions and opportunities to learn and play, e.g. theater workshops, painting lessons, basketball matches or swimming in the lake under the supervision of a lifeguard

39. FOOD TOUR
Food tour is a very attractive way to do business in a popular tourist destination. Contact local restaurant owners, make a business plan and purchase equipment and advertise your business well. With this kind of business, it’s a good idea to maintain good relationships with surrounding businesses so you can offer customers many interesting and tasty options. Regional food is something worth including in this kind of business.

40. RESTAURANT
A restaurant is one of the most obvious lake business ideas. Depending on the popularity of an area, even multiple restaurants can often operate successfully and make money on a single lake. It is important to offer the tourists’ favorite food that is in demand, for example different food than the competitors offer.

41. FLOATING WATER PARK
A floating water park is a great business idea anywhere there are lots of kids. A simple business idea, especially profitable if there are not many other attractions for children at a particular lake.

42. SELLING DESIGNER MINI COTTAGE HOUSES WITH BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEWS
Many people would like to buy a small house overlooking the lake. This is ideal for weekend getaways or small getaways with friends. The cost of building such tiny designer homes is not high, and you can sell them at a high profit.

43. WINE TOUR
Wine tour is an interesting waterfront business idea that targets tourists and people who want to relax and experience something interesting. When organizing a wine tour it is worth establishing contact with local restaurants, and above all with wine producers from the regions in which the wine tour is held. A good addition to wines will be original cheeses and delicacies.

44. BIKE RENTAL & TOURS
It’s hard to imagine a beautiful and popular tourist waterfront destination where you can’t rent bikes. Tourists love to ride bikes, especially if the area is really beautiful.

45. SCOOTER, ESCOOTER & SEGWAY RENTAL
The area around the lake is often beautiful terrain that is pleasant to walk around. If there are a lot of tourists in an area it might be a good business idea to open a small segwey, escooter or escoter rental shop. Many people are looking for some sort of attraction during their vacation and would love to go for a mini ride in a nice beautiful area.

Read also: TOP 50 Water Business Ideas to Start in 2022

46. ECOTOURISM
Many people who go to the lake want to get away from city life and want to get in closer contact with nature. Offer them eco tours, show them valuable species of plants fungi mosses and lichens, and let them see the most beautiful and unique places around the lake.

47. LIFEGUARD & SCOUTS TRAINING OR SAILING SCHOOL
This is a business that you can start even with not much capital. Both water rescuers and scouts need to get in the water to learn new skills. For this reason, a lake can be the perfect place to host such camps where participants will learn swimming, lifeguarding, and even sailing.

48. SCUBA DIVING
As long as there is clear and clean water in the lake, this idea can be very profitable and can attract many tourists. Such a business can offer: diving courses, diving equipment rentals, boat cruises to the best dive sites and dive breaks at such sites.

49. ICE SWIMMING & ICE SKATING
The lake is a tourist attraction and can generate money in the winter too! The basic attractions at the lake in winter are the possibility of walrus bathing (in groups or with a trainer), ice skating (you can rent them and teach how to skate), winter fishing or winter feeding and photographing birds on the lake. In addition, many people or also in winter choose to relax in a hotel on the lake. Such a hotel may also offer a sauna, a restaurant and hot drinks ideal for enjoying the winter days.

50. FOILBOARD
Foilboard is an amazing innovation on the waters. It works well not only on the seas, but also on lakes and rivers. Foilboard rentals, courses and events can be one of the best lake business ideas. This sport attracts attention and makes many people who see someone on the horizon riding a foilboard want to try this amazing sport too.

Read also: 150 The Most Promising Ideas for a Business of the Future

OTHER IDEAS

• theme park
• production and sale of boats, yachts or kayaks
• aerobic and fitness in water
• fishing competition