The great sunshine state of Florida is the perfect place to ride jet skis. From lakes to the ocean, the peninsula offers plenty of locations to ride the waves and enjoy a day out on the water. Growing up in Florida, I’ve personally been jet skiing at many of the spots on this list.
Each area offers a different experience on the water with various sights to see and thrills to be had. With thousands of miles of coastline across the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and over 30,000 lakes, there’s loads of space to ride jet skis in this state. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best places to jet ski in Florida.
1. Miami Beach
When you think of a jet ski, one of the first places to come to mind should be Miami Beach. Made famous over the years for its blue waters and sunny weather. The impressive Miami skyline adds to the views in the tropical setting. Let’s just say there’s a reason that Lil Pump calls himself jet ski.
2. Lake Tarpon
Not only does Florida offer its wide array of beaches to jet ski on—but you’ve also got lakes! Lake Tarpon offers miles of freshwater to ride and enjoy the weather. If you plan to own a jet ski, in comparison to saltwater on the coast, lakes do much less wear and tear in the long run. One of my favorite spots out here is the Tarpon Turtle where you can pull right up to the restaurant on the lake, and park your jet ski on the docks.
3. Key West
Beautiful clear waters are plentiful down in the Florida Keys. Jet skis provide transportation to many of local snorkeling spots in the area as well. With their close proximity, you can ride from one Key to another. Crystal clear waters and exotic wildlife in the Keys offers a unique experience to anywhere else in Florida.
4. John’s Pass
One of my personal favorite spots to jet ski is none other than John’s Pass. With the wide-open inlet just south of Madiera Beach, you have plenty of room to hit high speeds. After your ride on the water, you’ve got plenty of restaurants to choose from only one step away.
5. St. Pete Beach
South of Clearwater, John’s Pass, and Tampa Bay, St. Pete Beach brings a unique range of options. From beachline rides to quieter zones close to Dolphins and Manatees in the Shell Key area, there’s plenty to choose from. You can also snorkel out and around Shell Key.
6. Lake Weir
At the Lake Weir boat rentals and jet skiing, this area provides many options for freshwater watersports. Here you can take a step away from the crowded tourist-filled beaches. Similar to Lake Tarpon, you can pull up to restaurants right on the water.
7. Panama City Beach
Located in the Panhandle of Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach comes in as a popular spring break destination. With miles of coastline, PCB has some terrific jet-skiing available throughout the year. If you’re ever close to north Florida, it’s worth stopping by PCB.
8. Tampa Bay
A solid entry point for the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay brings many ships and boats in and out of the bay. You can ride on the wake of larger boats with the jet ski to get some nice air.
9. Fort Myers
The Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers offers 67 miles of water to ride jet skis on. Larger boats and ships ride through the channel with some nice wake to play with on your PWC.
10. Jacksonville
Up in the northeast corner of Florida, Jacksonville hosts a plethora of views. From sea turtles to dolphins and the pier at the beach, it’s a fun area to catch some sights. The surf is typically moderate in the Atlantic with some days high enough to do some jumps. In addition, you can jet ski in the city on the St. Johns River.
Conclusion
Florida is loaded with plenty of choices when looking to ride a jet ski, and it all comes down to personal preference on which waterway may be best. Each different spot has something special and unique to offer.