A boarding aid assists a person in embarking on and disembarking from a deployed inflatable dinghy over the bow of the dinghy. A handgrip bar is supported by a support structure selectively coupled with the dinghy so as to be placed over the bow of the dinghy, with the handgrip bar spaced above the bow at an elevated position which renders the handgrip accessible for ready grasping by a person remaining essentially erect as the person steps aboard or leaves the dinghy. Upon selective uncoupling of the support structure from the dinghy, the support structure and the handgrip bar will be released for stowing apart from the dinghy.