Jacksonville Water Sports

JET SKIING by hulagway Licensed by CC 2.0

Nestled along the Atlantic Coast, Jacksonville, Florida, is home to multiple bodies of water to enjoy. This includes beaches, waterways, boat ramps, rivers, and more. As a result, Jacksonville boasts a variety of water sports to enjoy with friends or family. We’ve created this guide to help you learn about some of the boating activities and water sports to try in the area.

Jet Skiing

A jet ski is a personal watercraft. Also called a water scooter, this recreational watercraft accommodates a person to sit or stand on, but not within like you would with a boat. While you can ride alone, jet skis have enough space for two or three people. This watercraft allows you to go at high speeds and move more nimbly than you might with a larger watercraft.

There are a variety of options for renting jet skis in Jacksonville. One option is Jax Jet Ski Rentals is a family-owned business providing jet ski rentals that launch from a private dock. It has easy access to water, and the protected waterways near their docks are nearly always calm, making them an exciting ride for beginners and experienced riders alike. Another option is Legends Jetski Rentals, which is a seasonally operated mobile jet ski rental company. It meets you where you want to go in Jacksonville Beach, giving you more freedom to ride.

It’s important to note that all rental companies may have their own policies regarding rentals and training. However, most follow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s requirements for operating personal watercrafts.

According to these regulations, you must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft and you must be at least 18 years old to rent a personal watercraft in the state of Florida. They must also wear a personal flotation device, and there may be certification requirements to meet.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is an exciting water sport that combines surfing with snowboarding and skateboarding. The wakeboarder keeps their legs attached to the board and holds a cable, which is attached to a jet ski or speedboat.

 As the watercraft navigates through the water, the wakeboarder stands up and glides through the water. More advanced wakeboarders may also try aerial tricks as they ride.

If you’re interested in wakeboarding, consider paying a visit to All Wet Sports. It offers a range of wakeboards and accessories. All Wet Sports also offers all-inclusive wakeboarding lessons, and it recommends you schedule them a few weeks in advance.

Surfing

Jacksonville is home to some of the best surfing spots in Florida. Whether you’re interested in longboarding or skimboarding, there are a variety of beaches for you to enjoy surfing all year long. However, the peak season for most surfing spots in the area is in winter.

Beginning surfers may enjoy Atlantic Beach, which is a long beach with plenty of access for surfers. Huguenot Park may be a good option for mid-level and expert surfers. It’s a bit of a busier beach, but it has a break that affects the incoming tide, creating an exciting challenge for surfers. Another spot for mid-level and expert surfers is the Mayport Poles at Hanna Park. Often referred to simply as “the Poles,” it has a prime break at low tide.

If you’re looking to surf in Jacksonville, head to Jacksonville Surf and Paddle. Located in Neptune Beach, this retail shop also offers rentals for surfboards in a variety of sizes and equipment to complete your beach day, such as beach chairs and umbrellas. It also offers lessons for surfers of all ages and experience levels, and it can provide the supplies you need to learn.

Kayaking

A kayak is another type of personal watercraft. It’s a slim boat similar to a canoe, but it has pointed tips to finish both ends and a covered top with cockpits to accommodate the kayakers.

While most kayaks only feature one cockpit for a single person, there are also tandem kayaks with two cockpits to allow two people per kayak. Kayakers use double-ended paddles to propel the watercraft through the water.

Kayaking can be a fun workout, and it can also allow you to reconnect with nature. Thanks to the variety of waterways in Jacksonville, you may spot manatees and dolphins as you kayak.

Companies like Adventures Up the Creek and Adventure Kayak Florida offer guided tours by kayak. Adventure Kayak Florida also offers kayak lessons to help you learn how to use this watercraft and kayaks for rental and sale.

Paddle Boarding

Paddleboarding combines elements of surfing and swimming. During this water sport, you can kneel, lie down, or stand on a paddleboard or surfboard. Once you’re in position, you use your arms to paddle and propel yourself through the water.

There’s another option related to this water sport called stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). SUP combines traditional paddle boarding with elements of kayaking. With this option, you stand on the paddleboard and use a large paddle to build momentum and move across the water.

Both methods of paddle boarding can provide you with a good workout on the water. If you’re looking to get started, it’s often best to choose an area for calm, still water.

While there are a variety of options for kayak rentals in Jacksonville, one option is East Coast Sports Rentals, which also offers surfboard, kayak, wetsuit, and beach chair rentals. For help learning how to paddleboard or to go on a paddleboarding tour, Kayak Amelia may be a good option for you.

We’ve reached the end of some of our water sports that you can enjoy in Jacksonville, Florida. If you don’t see your favorite water activity included on our list, let us know.

We’re happy to hear your suggestions, and we may even update our list to include your contributions. At Keith Pierson Toyota, we’re proud to be a part of the Jacksonville community, and we hope our list helped you find something new to try out on the water.

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