Jet Ski Rentals in Great Bay, St Maarten: Pilot Your Own

Feel the thrill of the open water, then unwind on the beach with a drink in hand

Jet ski rental in Great Bay, St Maarten, puts you at the helm of your own watercraft for an hour after a brief tutorial. No license is required. You stay within operator-monitored boundaries while exploring the bay, then relax on the beach with optional chair and umbrella rentals and food available on-site.

The experience

What makes this different from a guided tour is that you're the one steering. After a quick briefing on how to operate the jet ski, you get an hour on the water in Great Bay: the wide, sheltered expanse off Philipsburg. The operator keeps you in sight the whole time and sets clear boundaries, so you're free to move around without worrying about straying too far. You'll need a valid government-issued ID and you have to be at least 18 to ride. Check in 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

Each jet ski holds up to two people, so you can bring a friend or family member along. The rental includes the watercraft, life jacket, fuel, and the tutorial. After your hour on the water, the beach is right there. You can rent a chair and umbrella for the afternoon, grab food and drinks from the vendors on-site, and wind down without leaving the spot.

What’s included

• Use of the jet ski, life jacket, and fuel are included.
• an in-depth tutorial on operating the watercraft is provided before you depart.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-Hour Jet Ski Rental7 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 17:00One jet ski per booking, with each jet ski seating up to 2 people.

One-Hour Jet Ski Rental7 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 17:00One jet ski per booking, with each jet ski seating up to 2 people.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1h before

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 18 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Island Life Explorer

Is this one for you?Choose the one-hour rental if you want real time to explore the bay and get comfortable at the helm. The half-hour option works if you're short on time or testing the water before committing to a longer ride.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need a boating license to rent a jet ski in Great Bay?

No license is required. The operator gives you an in-depth tutorial before you head out, and you pilot the jet ski yourself within the monitored boundaries of Great Bay.

Can two people ride on one jet ski?

Yes, each jet ski accommodates up to two participants, subject to a combined weight limit of 350 pounds per watercraft.

What happens after my hour on the water ends?

You can stay on the beach and relax with a rented chair and umbrella. Food and drinks are available on-site, so you don't need to leave to eat or refresh.

What do I need to bring to rent a jet ski?

You must present a valid government-issued photo ID: photos on phones are not accepted. You also need to be at least 18 years old and cannot have consumed alcohol or drugs before your rental.

How much time should I allow for the whole experience?

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time for check-in. Your jet ski time is one hour, and you can extend your beach time as long as you'd like afterward.