Jet Ski Age Policies

There are a number of laws regarding PWC drivers and we’ve combined them with our own policies, so it’s a little complicated. Reach out to us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Driver Age Policy

All drivers must present a government-issued photo ID at check-in
Ages 14 – 15 can drive a Jet Ski with an adult as a passenger
Ages 16 – 17 can drive their own Jet Ski with a valid ID, Boater’s Safety test, and a guardian present at check-in
All drivers born in 1988 or later must present a boater’s license or take Florida’s Boater’s Safety Course
Drivers born before 1988 do not require a boater’s license or safety test

a person riding on the back of a boat in the water

FAQs

We do not recommend this tour for infants and small toddlers. As the child’s guardian, you know best whether your child will enjoy 90 minutes bouncing around on a Jet Ski. We do take young children out on the Island Jet Ski tour often, and most of them have a blast!

However, this is ultimately at the tour guides’ discretion. At the end of the day, we want to make sure everyone has fun with us (especially the little guys), so they will take the day’s weather and waves as well as the child’s weight into account to decide whether your child will be safe on our Jet Skis.

If you’d rather just play around for a while, we also have half hour and full hour rentals. See our Jet Ski Rentals!
The Boater’s Safety course is a multiple-choice test we give out before our tours. We ask those taking the test to arrive an hour before the tour’s departure to complete this before the standard check-in. You will receive a pamphlet with all the information you’ll need to pass the test. It covers the basic ‘rules of the road’ and what signage means out on the water. The test is open book and typically takes 20-30 minutes.

This test is required by Florida’s FWC Commission for all drivers born in 1988 or later. This requirement can be waived if a passenger on the Jet Ski is over the age cut off. Once completed, the driver will receive a temporary certification to valid anywhere in the State of Florida for 90 days – so you’ll only have to take the test once during your stay.
Florida Temporary Certifications are valid for 90 days after completion.
If you have to take this test, it is typically quick & easy! It just teaches you what the signage means and the common sense “rules of the road” on the water.

We have two options to get this done:

On-Site Testing – $3

We provide the Boater’s Safety Course on-site for our guests for a small fee. The paper test is open-book and just 25 questions long. You will receive an informational packet with your question sheet and can reference the material as you go. Upon completion, you will receive a paper certification.

Please Note: To take the on-site test, you must arrive at least 1 hour before your tour departs. This will allow enough time to finish the test and complete your pre-tour training.

Online Testing – $8.99

You can take the course before you arrive for your tour by visiting our partner site. You can take the test (25 question test that takes 10-20min) or do the study guide.

If you choose to take the course online before your tour, remember to bring your certification either on your phone or printed out.
Maybe. If your license is from a NASBLA-approved boater’s education course, you are exempt from the test. Just remember to bring it with you to check in!

You can find a full list of their approved courses here.
If you’ve completed the test and bring your certification, you won’t have to take it again. Each temporary certificate is valid for 90 days.

The FWC keeps all your information in their own systems (which we don’t have access to) so we’re not able to look you up if you forgot your card. However, if you’ve passed the test before, it should be pretty quick for you the second time around!