Riding a jet ski is such a unique experience that stands alone among other motorsports and watersports. Some people compare it to flying, others to riding a motorcycle and there are even those who say it gives you the sensation of skimming like a stone across the water’s surface. All of these comparisons give you an idea of what’s in store for you, but the only way to truly know how it feels is to get on one yourself and let rip. Jet skis work better than other watercraft in shallow water and so they’re perfect for exploring coastlines, so why not enjoy a jet ski experience in the waters around the largest island in England, the Isle of Wight?

The coast of the island is characterised by sandy beaches, chalk cliffs and steep valleys known as Chines. To the East, seaside resorts and tourist developments are common, but the South and West coasts, which are more exposed to the wind and waves of the Atlantic, are wilder. You can get an aquatic view of the scenery on the back of a jet ski, and you might share the waters - and the views - with bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and two species of seal. Jet skiing is an intuitive activity, and you don’t need to be a salty sea dog or have a licence in order to enjoy the thrills of a ride.

Where are the best places to go jet skiing in the Isle of Wight?

If you have your own jet ski, you can take to the water at any point on the island’s coast. If not, you’ll find jet skiing experiences at Bembridge Harbour and Sandown Beach, both on the Eastern point of the island. In general, we don’t recommend entering the Solent which separates the island from the mainland to the North, as it’s a busy shipping channel. Instead, there’s a lot to enjoy on the English Channel coast, or even just in the harbour!

• Ryde: a popular seaside resort at the mouth of the Solent, Ryde was the first seaside town in the country to have a purpose built pleasure pier. From the water you can enjoy views of the Victorian castle and pavilion on the Esplanade, and the town behind, rising up on a hill. The hovercraft to Portsmouth runs throughout the day, so be aware of traffic!

• Sandown and Shanklin: these two towns are strung along sandy beaches on the Southeast coast. As well as enjoying more hours of sunshine than almost anywhere else in the country, this part of the coast is sheltered from Atlantic swells and weather systems. That’s why it’s a great place to go jet skiing, giving you plenty of space to go full throttle and see what these machines are capable of. As it’s a popular spot for swimming, keep an eye out for people in the water.

• Ventnor: the highest hill on the Isle of Wight is St Boniface Down on the southern point, and the town of Ventnor sits on its slopes above the sea. It’s been compared to a Mediterranean fishing village and so it makes a picturesque backdrop for a jet ski ride. It’s also possible to observe bottlenose dolphins in this area, and even basking sharks - gentle, filter-feeding giants.

• Southwest Coast: fewer holidaymakers travel to the coastline around the southern headland of the island. This is a rougher environment, which takes the brunt of the wind and waves which travel up the English Channel. If you’re handy on a jet ski you brave the waves to see a wilder side of the island, and if you plan your fuel consumption carefully you might make it as fire as the rocky pinnacles, called the Needles, that extend into the sea on the Western tip, before returning to port on the East coast.

What kind of experiences are available?

According to availability (including the weather and time of year), you can find jet skis for hire on Sandown beach. This is a great place to experiment on the craft and play around in the water. The bay on the Southeast coast of the island has slam waters so you don’t need to worry about getting tipped over by a wave - the only thing to bear in mind is that you’ll be sharing the water with swimmers. Give them a wide berth!

First timers who want some guidance, or anyone who wants to take a PWC (Personal Watercraft) Proficiency Course should set coordinates for Bembridge Harbour. You can choose a jet ski adventure for one or two people in the company of an instructor, to get to grips with the ski and take it for a spin. Or you can book in for a one day course which will include tuition on land and water, and result in a certificate.

Requirements to do this activity

The aquatic adventure is yours for the taking so long as you’re older than 12 years of age! That’s right, you can ride a jet ski before you can drive a car, and you’ll have much more fun speeding around the Isle of Wight on the water than on the roads. If you’re under 16, you’ll need to be in the company of an adult so it’s a good excuse to have some adrenaline fueled fun as a family.

You can treat your partner to a jet ski adventure from Bembridge harbour, or go solo. In either case you’ll be in the good hands of a watersports instructor who’ll show you how to ride the craft and take you to some of the best spots around. Jet ski instruction can be organised individually or in a group of no more than 6 people to each instructor.

What do you need to take with you for a safari?

The sunny Isle of Wight is famous for its good summer weather, and if you go at the height of summer you’d be a fool to forget to put on sunscreen before getting on a jet ski - there’s no shade in open water! At other times of the year a wetsuit is highly recommended as even experienced riders can fall off sometimes. For this same reason, you have to wear a life jacket for the duration which will help you get back to the craft if you fall off.

You can bring a camera or a phone with you on the jet ski to take some beautiful photos of the island, but please put it in a waterproof case!

You won’t find any ski slopes on the hills of this county, but you can still go skiing! Make a reservation for an experience today.