What you need to know

If you’re a beginner who’s keen to give jet skiing a go, it pays to learn the basics before venturing out. Here we answer common questions about the things you need to know when you’re operating a jet ski in Auckland.

Operating a jet ski for the first time is no different to your first attempt at driving a car. You need to know the basics for both safety and regulatory reasons so you can enjoy the thrills of being out on the water in a versatile craft that allows you to tour, fish or tow a sea biscuit from.

Open the tabs below to reveal answers to FAQs about using a jet ski in and around “The City of Sails”.

There is no requirement to have a separate class of licence to operate a jet ski in New Zealand however there are strict safety regulations that every jet ski operator needs to understand and, for the most part, apply common sense to.

Provided you stick to the rules around speed and safety procedures, riding a jet ski is an exhilarating but safe way to visit remote bays, do some fishing or tow wakeboards from.

Like any powerful craft, the onus is on the driver to operate the jet ski in a safe and considerate manner and, provided you adhere to that, they’re a fantastic way to get out on the water and have some serious fun.

The short answer is yes, provided you meet the minimum age requirement of 15. However, there are rules around where and how a jet ski can be operated and it pays to check the Harbourmaster Bylaws of the Auckland City Council.

You’ll need to be familiar with the speed and safety regulations that anyone riding a jet ski should know before they venture out.

For example, in Auckland there is a 5 knot speed limit within 200m to the shore or within 50m of swimmers and you need to be wearing a lifejacket at all times. And of course, it goes without saying, you shouldn’t be intoxicated.

If you stick to the speed limit and have learnt the basics, then it’s highly unlikely you will get into trouble. Modern jet skis are purpose designed for stability and they don’t take on water if capsized.

For example, the Sea-Doo GTX 155 has an extra wide berth with touring, eco and sports mode options so you can choose the most appropriate mode for what you want to use the jet ski for.

The Hauraki Gulf and surrounding rivers and estuaries is a water playground for jet skiing and offers some amazing scenic and fishing opportunities.

You can pretty much go anywhere in the Auckland region however there are a few areas that you can’t operate a jet ski in. The details can be found on the Harbourmaster website.

We at Jetshare value your safety above all else. Whether you’re backing that nice new Seadoo down the boat ramp or at sea with your fishing line in the water, we have spared no expense in making sure you have all you need to get you and your friends and family home safely. We have fully decked out our entire Seadoo GTX fleet with flares, first aid, charts, VHF radio, PLBs, right down to a super expensive Garmin GPS chart plotter/fish finder to help you find your way home.

Before heading off on your own, you will be taught how to use the PWC, the safety gear, safe boating practices – such as looking at weather – and the rules of the road at sea.

Learn more about what’s included on the Our Fleet page.

Remember, have fun but stay safe when you’re operating a jet ski in Auckland this season!