Brisbane & Moreton Bay: Guided Jet Ski Safari Tour

Summary

Jet ski adventure from Brisbane city to Moreton Bay with local guide

You’ll start right in Brisbane city, meet your local guide for a quick safety intro, then ride your own jet ski along the river out into Moreton Bay. Expect skyline views, wildlife surprises (maybe dolphins!), laughter with new friends, and that wild feeling of wind and water you won’t shake off soon.

What’s the experience like?

Li handed me the life vest with a grin and asked if I’d ever driven a jet ski before. I just shook my head — honestly, I was more nervous than I let on. There was this faint smell of sunscreen and river water at the dock near the Botanic Gardens, and a couple of locals were already joking about who’d fall in first. Our guide, Matt, ran through the safety stuff with that kind of easy patience you get from someone who’s done this hundreds of times. He made us all laugh by pretending to mix up left and right — “Don’t worry, nobody’s gotten lost yet… well, not for long.”

I didn’t expect how weirdly peaceful it would feel skimming along the Brisbane River, engine humming under me, city skyline sliding past on one side and those wild-looking mangroves on the other. The Story Bridge looked different from down low — sort of more solid somehow? We passed these crazy expensive houses (Matt called them ‘the postcode parade’), and I tried to imagine living there but honestly couldn’t. The wind picked up as we got closer to Moreton Bay, salty and cool. There was this moment where a dolphin surfaced nearby — just for a second — and everyone went quiet except for one guy who let out a surprised “whoa!” that made us all laugh.

I shared my jet ski with my friend (you can split if you want), which was good because steering takes some getting used to. My hands were still buzzing when we stopped in the bay for water; Matt pointed out where turtles sometimes pop up but we didn’t see any that day. Didn’t matter though — just floating out there with the sun reflecting off everything felt like enough. The ride back felt faster somehow; maybe because we knew what we were doing by then or maybe just because I didn’t want it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jet Ski Safari from Brisbane to Moreton Bay

• Attend safety briefing and lesson
• Ride Jet Ski along Brisbane River
• View Brisbane City Skyline and Story Bridge
• Pass Gateway Bridge and riverfront mansions
• Continue to Moreton Bay
• Enjoy wildlife spotting in Moreton Bay
• Return to Brisbane

Top questions

Do I need a license or experience for this Brisbane jet ski tour?

No license or previous experience is required for this tour.

Where does the jet ski safari start in Brisbane?

The tour departs from City Botanic Gardens Riverhub in central Brisbane.

How long does the jet ski safari take?

The whole experience takes about 3 hours including safety briefing.

Can two people share one jet ski?

Yes, you can bring a second person to share your jet ski and split the cost.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

No, you need to make your own way to the departure point at least 15 minutes early.

What’s included in the price of the jet ski safari?

Bottled water, late model Seadoo jet skis, life vests, all fees/taxes, experienced guides.

Are there age restrictions for drivers or passengers?

The minimum age to drive is 16; passengers must be at least 8 years old.

What happens if weather conditions are bad?

If weather is unsafe, you’ll be offered another date or option to reschedule.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water, all fees and taxes covered up front, use of late-model Seadoo jet skis with Jet Pilot life vests provided for safety, plus full guidance from friendly local staff—no license or previous experience needed—before heading out onto Brisbane River and into Moreton Bay together.