Have you seen those jet ski riders out there having the time of their life and wanted to join in on the action? Well, access to a PWC is significantly cheaper than outright buying one!

In most states, it costs between $90 and $350 to rent a jet ski. You’ll get to experience more if you pay more. A $90 hire is typically shorter, around 30-minutes, while paying $300 will get 2 to 3 hours of riding time on an organized tour where you can open the throttle up to 40-knots.

There are also restrictions on their use, but on the flip side, opportunities to decrease that price further than advertised. In this guide, we’ll look at ways you can get out there riding, even if you’re on a very tight budget.

Jet Ski Rental Prices

The price you pay is based on supply and demand as well as local area conditions. For instance, it’s typically much cheaper to hire a jet ski in Thailand than in most other countries, but you’ll have to watch out for the Thailand Jet Ski Scam!

In the United States and Australia, $90 is the bare minimum that you’ll pay. This is generally just a small circuit where you go around in circles and don’t really get to experience much fun.

My recommendation is to book a proper tour which is at least $200. Sometimes you’ll find discounts on the popular deal websites instead of booking directly or even score some discounts from the tours desk of popular hotel chains.

Why pay up? Because you’ll get to experience so much more. Often the induction time for jet ski tours is at least 20 minutes so you’ll spend almost as long listening to a lecture as you do riding! Plus you get to go so much further, potentially knocking over some waves in the ocean too!

What You Get

When you hire a jet ski, not only are you given a brief introduction on how to ride it, but a life jacket and sometimes a dry bag to put your gear.

Most commonly, the 2021 Yamaha VX or Sea-Doo GTI will be your ride for the day. These are a step up from the entry-level series and provide good control without the arm-pulling power of a supercharged engine. There is no need to restrict these engines and you’ll be able to achieve up to 40 miles or 60 kilometres per hour if you are riding solo.

In addition, you can often take a pillion passengers with you. Keep in mind that this will slow your jet ski down considerably and you’ll feel some pressure in your midsection while your passenger holds on! The jet ski tour organizer will ask you to ride at the back of the group since you’ll be slower.

How To Save Money

The best way to save money on a jet ski rental is by looking for package deals. Often if you combine jet ski rental with sky diving and para-sailing, then you’ll save 10% or more on the combined value than if you were to choose ala carte.

Some jet ski rental businesses also give discounts if you’re over the age of 25 and if you have a jet ski licence already. You might have to show your insurance documentation and proof of vaccination before you go riding, depending on your location and rules in force at the time.

In Conclusion

While it’s often far cheaper to buy a jet ski outright than rent one over the long term, it does remain a fantastic way to get into the hobby to see whether it’s worth you buying a brand new toy. And of course, that experience is best had when you hire for at least an hour, if not two, so you can really get out there and explore on your local waterways!

So you’re keen to head up to Noosa this weekend and hire a jet ski? Well, I’ve got you covered!

I’ve researched some of the best options in town with the best hire businesses around.

Let’s begin.

Cheapest Jet Ski Hire in Noosa

Here are the best options if you’re seeking to hire a jet ski today

Note: This is all for the river circuit only and does not include an ocean tour. If you are seeking an ocean tour, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for up to 2 hours of riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

I figured as a local, it would be a great idea to answer some regular questions.

1. Is Noosa a great place to ride jet skis?

Yes and no. The Noosa River isn’t really catered for high-speed jet ski riding and jet skis CANNOT go west of the Noosa Waters Inlet (by the yacht club) and you can only travel at 6-knots when you’re within 30 metres of other vessels. Tewantin is really out-of-bounds.

There is a Commercial PWC Area that you can access and ride on, though it’s a short loop and gets boring after 30 mins. For the best experience, you have to head out into the ocean which may be troublesome on a wet and windy day.

If you want a calm river system where you can ride for longer, I’d recommend the Maroochy River instead.

2. Will I Need A Licence?

No. Most people who hire a jet ski don’t have a licence and you’ll still be covered for insurance purposes. You need to be at least 16 to ride solo, though kids 12 years and old can ride as a pillion passenger.

3. Can I Ride On My Own?

You may only ride solo on the defined Commercial PWC Area. All tours require you to have a tour leader and yes, this is even if you have a jet ski licence. If you’re seeking to instead ride at your own leisure in the opean ocean, I’d recommend Breakwater Jet Ski Hire down in Brisbane. Only drawback is that you’ll have to tow the jet ski up on the Bruce Highway.

4. Is a 30-Min Ride Worth It?

Not really. While it’s good to get some quick fun on the water, the ride will be over before you know it. I’d instead recommend you go for 60-minutes or longer ride which will cost around the $150 mark which includes fuel, life jacket and induction.

5. What type of Jet Skis can I hire?

I previously wrote two guides on this subject:

1. Best PWCs for rental businesses
2. How to Start a Rental Business

What I’ve learned is that you’ll typically get a recreational jet ski which isn’t supercharged. It’s more than ideal for beginners but often not the best jet ski I’d recommend to buy afterwards as you’ll be wishing you had a little more power.

People who are new to jet ski riding often ask me what they should be wearing and naturally, I give them some good advice. Surprisingly, so few actually ask what they shouldn’t be wearing.

Bikinis and Jet Skis

Women often come along as pillion passengers on jet skis, whether as a date idea or some fun with friends. Some choose to take the controls which is seriously fun. If this is your first time, then heed this warning:

It’s dangerous to ride a jet ski wearing just a bikini. While it looks atheistic in brochures, marketing materials and on Instagram reels, it isn’t realistic or safe to wear such little protection. At high speeds, you can severely damage your skin if you were to crash or simply fall off.

Let’s not forget that wearing so little puts you at risk of skin cancer, especially in Australia where I live. Essentially, you’d be crazy to go almost naked on a jet ski at high speeds.

What You Should Wear

Well then, what should women wear while riding along as a passenger on a jet ski?

In an ideal world, I’d recommend a full-size wetsuit but this may not be practical where you live. For instance, it may be too hot or you may not have access to one. Likewise, they can cost upwards of $300 and probably not something you’ll be wearing often.

Aim to wear a rashie at a minimum to cover your chest area. You’ll find these at most sports stores for under $50. This O’Neill rashie on Amazon will give some basic protection for women riding jet skis.

You can also dig up an old pair of yoga pants to protect your legs. You’ll need to wear underwear with these in case they split. This can happen as the material can become quite wet and salt water and sand can make the material brittle.

You might also want to wear a helmet and jet ski shoes too to make your day our riding so much better. These not only offer UV protection but take away any potential ‘sting’ if you crash.

What Could Happen

Falling off at high speeds means that you’ll get a nasty sting as you make contact with the water. Sure – your life jacket will give some protection to your chest and back area, but your legs, arms and hands will be exposed. Trust me – it’s gonna hurt!

That said, if you’re traveling at under 20 knots, then it’s reasonable to wear just a bikini. Even for just some Insta-glam shots. You’re unlikely to fall off unless it’s really choppy and any contact with the water will be mild.

Under 40-knots and you can get away with normal beach attire on a jet ski such as shorts, t-shirt or rashie. Not preferred but if you rarely go out riding, it’s a good start at least.

The jet ski hire businesses near me are often happy to take people on tours wearing normal beach clothing. They always stick to under 40 knots and rarely have an issue, provided the waterways are calm.

In Summary

It doesn’t cost a fortune to give yourself some protection out there on the water. Shorts and a T-shirt aren’t quite adequate and might irritate your skin. For novice riders/owners, a normal rashie is reasonable while a full-size wetsuit is preferred once you start going beyond 40-knots.