Water Sports Rentals
Jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, parasailing, and more. Get out on the water and have some fun.
Get out on the water! The Jersey Shore offers endless opportunities for water sports, from high-speed jet ski adventures to peaceful kayak tours through the back bays. Whether you want adrenaline-pumping parasailing or relaxing paddleboarding, you'll find rentals all along the coast.
Which Water Sport is Right for You?
Not sure which water sport is right for you? Here's an honest breakdown to help you choose the perfect activity for your group.
Jet Ski
Best For:
Thrill-seekers, couples, adrenaline junkies
Not Ideal For:
Young kids (age restrictions), nervous swimmers, those prone to motion sickness
Physical Demand:
Low - mostly sitting, some core engagement
Duration:
30 min - 1 hour
💡 Maximum fun per minute, but the most expensive. Worth it for the "I can't believe I'm doing this" factor.
Kayaking
Best For:
Nature lovers, photographers, families, fitness-minded
Not Ideal For:
Those wanting speed/thrills, limited upper body strength, very young kids
Physical Demand:
Moderate - continuous paddling uses arms, shoulders, core
Duration:
1-3 hours
💡 Best value for time on water. Peaceful, great for wildlife, and you'll actually feel accomplished.
Paddleboarding
Best For:
Balance enthusiasts, yoga fans, Instagram photos, calm mornings
Not Ideal For:
Windy conditions, choppy water, those uncomfortable falling in
Physical Demand:
Moderate - core balance, some paddling
Duration:
1-2 hours
💡 Trendy and photogenic. Harder than it looks on your first try, but very satisfying once you get it.
Parasailing
Best For:
Bucket-listers, photo opportunities, overcoming fear of heights
Not Ideal For:
Fear of heights, heavy winds, those wanting active participation
Physical Demand:
None - you just sit and enjoy the view
Duration:
10-15 min in air (1 hour total experience)
💡 Surprisingly peaceful up there. Less scary than it looks. One of the best views you'll ever get of the shore.
First-Timer's Guide
Never done water sports at the shore? Here's exactly what to expect so you can show up confident.
🚤Your First Jet Ski Experience▼
Before You Go
- ✓Wear swimsuit, not regular clothes (you will get wet)
- ✓Leave jewelry, watches, and phones on shore
- ✓Eat light - no heavy meals beforehand
- ✓Apply sunscreen 30 minutes early (it will come off)
What to Expect
- •5-10 minute safety orientation (required)
- •Instruction on throttle, steering, kill switch
- •You'll wear a life jacket (provided)
- •Practice in slow zone before open water
- •Designated riding area with buoys
Common Mistakes
- ✗Going full throttle immediately (ease into it)
- ✗Sharp turns at high speed (you'll flip)
- ✗Getting too close to other riders or boats
- ✗Forgetting to hold on during waves
💡 Pro Tip
Start slow, build confidence, then gradually increase speed. The kill switch is your friend.
🛶Your First Kayaking Experience▼
Before You Go
- ✓Wear quick-dry clothes or swimsuit
- ✓Bring water bottle (more important than you think)
- ✓Wear hat and sunglasses with strap
- ✓Tell someone your planned route and return time
What to Expect
- •Quick paddle technique instruction
- •Help getting into kayak (the hardest part)
- •Life jacket fitting
- •Map of area with suggested routes
- •Information on tides and currents
Common Mistakes
- ✗Fighting the current instead of working with it
- ✗Paddling with just your arms (use your core)
- ✗Not checking the wind forecast
- ✗Underestimating how far things look on water
💡 Pro Tip
Go with the wind/tide out, against it coming back. You'll thank yourself when you're tired.
🪂Your First Parasailing Experience▼
Before You Go
- ✓Wear comfortable clothes and secure shoes
- ✓Empty pockets completely
- ✓Use bathroom before boarding (no stops up there)
- ✓Bring a small dry bag for wallet/phone on boat
What to Expect
- •Boat ride out to launching area (15-20 min)
- •Harness fitting on deck
- •Gentle takeoff from boat platform
- •Peaceful flight with amazing views
- •Gradual descent, optional "dip" in water
Common Mistakes
- ✗Tensing up during takeoff (relax, the harness does the work)
- ✗Looking down the whole time (look at the horizon, it's beautiful)
- ✗Expecting it to be scary (it's surprisingly calm)
💡 Pro Tip
Request the "dip" where they lower you to touch the water - it's exhilarating and makes for great photos.
Featured Rental Spots
Wildwood Water Sports
Premier jet ski and parasailing operator on the Wildwood beach. Offering jet ski rentals, parasailing flights, and banana boat rides right from the beach. Family-owned and operated with over 20 years of experience.
Activities
Starting from
$25
OC Water Sports
Ocean City's go-to spot for kayak and paddleboard rentals. Located right on the bay with easy launch access. Rentals include a brief safety orientation. Perfect for exploring the back bay and spotting wildlife.
Activities
Starting from
$30
Viking Outfitters
Full-service kayak and SUP rental shop on Long Beach Island. Offering single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, and guided eco-tours through the Barnegat Bay. Also sells gear and offers lessons.
Activities
Starting from
$45
Cape May Kayak
Kayak and paddleboard rentals in historic Cape May. Explore the Cape May Harbor and wetlands. Sunset kayak tours are a specialty. Great for spotting dolphins, horseshoe crabs, and shorebirds.
Activities
Starting from
$50
Jet Ski Rentals
High-speed thrills on the water
Wildwood Water Sports
Jet skis, parasailing, and banana boats on Wildwood beach
From $25
View Details →East Coast Jet Ski
Jet ski rentals and guided bay tours
From $89
View Details →Thundering Surf Water Park & Speedboat
Speedboat rides, jet skis, and parasailing
From $89
View Details →AC Watersports
Jet skis, parasailing with AC skyline views
From $95
View Details →Sea Isle Parasail & Water Sports
Parasailing and jet skis in Sea Isle
From $80
View Details →Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
Explore bays, marshes, and coastline
OC Water Sports
Kayaks and paddleboards on the OC bay
From $30
View Details →Bay Cats
Hobie Cat sailboats and kayaks on the bay
From $25
View Details →Viking Outfitters
Kayaks, SUPs, and eco-tours on Barnegat Bay
From $45
View Details →Point Pleasant Kayak & Canoe
Kayak and canoe rentals on the Manasquan River
From $25
View Details →Cape May Kayak
Kayaking adventures in Cape May Harbor
From $50
View Details →Shark River Kayak
Kayak and SUP on the Shark River
From $28
View Details →Stone Harbor Outfitters
Kayaking through Stone Harbor wetlands
From $55
View Details →Parasailing
Soar above the ocean for stunning views
Wildwood Water Sports
Jet skis, parasailing, and banana boats on Wildwood beach
From $25
View Details →Thundering Surf Water Park & Speedboat
Speedboat rides, jet skis, and parasailing
From $89
View Details →AC Watersports
Jet skis, parasailing with AC skyline views
From $95
View Details →Sea Isle Parasail & Water Sports
Parasailing and jet skis in Sea Isle
From $80
View Details →Booking Strategy
Smart booking can save you money and guarantee availability. Here's the insider timing guide.
📅 Weekend Visits
- Availability: Book 2-3 days ahead for popular activities
- Prices: Often 10-20% higher, fewer discounts
- Crowds: Expect waits even with reservations
📅 Weekday Visits
- Availability: Walk-ups often fine, same-day booking works
- Prices: Ask about weekday specials, often available
- Crowds: Shorter waits, more attention from staff
Best Times of Day
Early Morning (8-10am)
Calmest water, least crowded, best for kayaking/SUP
⚠️ Some places not open yet, need booking
Late Morning (10am-12pm)
Good balance of activity and calm, most rentals open
⚠️ Popular slot, book ahead on weekends
Afternoon (12-4pm)
Peak crowds, wind often picks up, water choppier
⚠️ Hottest, most crowded, longest waits
Late Afternoon (4-6pm)
Crowds thin out, beautiful light for photos
⚠️ Some places close early, limited availability
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- →Ask about multi-hour discounts - renting for 2 hours is often way cheaper per hour than 1 hour
- →Group rates exist but aren't always advertised - ask directly
- →Some places offer "return customer" discounts - mention if you've been before
- →Rainy morning? Call mid-afternoon - they may offer deals to fill empty slots
- →Follow rental companies on social media for flash sales and promo codes
Reading Water Conditions
Water conditions make or break your experience. Here's how to read them like a local.
💨Wind
Under 10 mph - calm and manageable
10-15 mph - choppy, harder for SUP/kayak
Over 15 mph - most rentals will close or restrict activities
💡 Morning is almost always calmer. Wind typically builds through the afternoon.
🌊Tides
Slack tide (between high and low) - least current
Strong incoming/outgoing tide - can push you off course
Spring tides (full/new moon) - extra strong currents
💡 Kayaking at low tide exposes mudflats - good for wildlife, bad for paddling out.
👁️Water Clarity
Clear water - better for seeing marine life, more enjoyable
Murky after storms - visibility reduced
After heavy rain - runoff, debris, potential water quality issues
💡 Wait 48 hours after heavy rain for best water quality, especially in back bays.
🌡️Water Temperature
June-September - warm enough for extended time in water
May/October - cool but manageable, consider rash guard
Outside season - too cold without wetsuit (most rentals closed anyway)
💡 Bay water warms up faster than ocean - back bay kayaking comfortable earlier in season.
Safety Essentials
Water sports are safe when you respect the basics. These aren't just rules - they're how you have fun without incident.
Always Wear Your Life Jacket
Even strong swimmers can be knocked unconscious or exhausted by waves, current, or collision.
It's the law, but more importantly, it's what lets you relax and enjoy yourself.
Know the Kill Switch
On jet skis, the kill switch (attached to your wrist) stops the engine if you fall off.
This prevents runaway jet skis and injuries. Practice finding it before you go fast.
Check Weather Before Going
Conditions can change fast on the water. Lightning is deadly on open water.
If you see dark clouds building, head back immediately. Don't wait for rain.
Stay in Designated Areas
Buoys mark safe zones, boat channels, and restricted areas for a reason.
Straying into boat channels or shallow areas can result in collisions or getting stranded.
Don't Drink and Ride
BUI (Boating Under the Influence) is illegal and dangerous. Same rules as DUI.
Save the drinks for after. Dehydration plus alcohol on the water is a bad combo.
Emergency Numbers
Book Water Sports Online
Reserve activities in advance
🎯 ActivityCape May Beach Yoga
33066
I've taught Beach Yoga for 14 years in our quaint tourist town of Cape May, NJ. I love the opportunity to provide visitors and locals with an...
From $18
per person
via Viator
🚌 Tour90 Minute Sunset Tour
22324
Join Sandbar Joe for an unforgettable Sunset Tour through the back bays of Wildwood, NJ, where the day melts into a golden glow. Departing from our...
From $200
per person
via Viator
🎯 ActivityAlpaca and Llama Encounter with Guided Walk
22324
Our Alpacas & Llamas offer a delightful contrast. Alpacas, with their soft, fine wool, evoke elegance, while Llamas, taller & sturdier, exude rugged...
From $30
per person
via Viator
🚌 Tour90 Minute Scenic Back Bay Cruise
22324
Private, scenic pontoon cruises with wildlife, history and optional onboard brunch—book your adventure today!
From $224.5
per person
via Viator
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Rental Tips
What to Bring
- • Valid ID (required for jet skis)
- • Credit card for security deposit
- • Sunscreen (apply before getting wet!)
- • Waterproof phone case
- • Change of dry clothes
Good to Know
- • Most places require 18+ for jet ski operation
- • Life jackets are provided
- • Book early on weekends and holidays
- • Weather cancellations usually get refunds
- • Kayak instruction usually included
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More Water Activities
Looking for wildlife? Check out whale watching and dolphin cruises, or explore marinas for boat docking and launches.