When it comes to getting off-road, you can’t do more than going onto the water. And when you want to speed across the surface, jump over waves and kick up a whole lot of spray, there’s nothing better than a jet ski. Also known as Personal Watercrafts, or PWCs, these are the dirt bikes of the sea - powerful, manoeuvrable, and with the bonus that they don’t cover you in dirt! While you can find them around the coastlines of the British Isles, Wales stands out as a premier location for enjoying these machines, whether you want to let off some steam, explore some coastal scenery, or learn how to use one like a pro.

Unlike land based motorbikes, the entry level to riding a jet ski is quite low and you can find yourself zipping through the water on your first time riding one. They also allow you to get up close and personal with the environment in a way that boats can’t. You can launch from the shallows, take on waves and swells, and explore every nook and cranny of Wales’ stunning coastline without worrying about running aground or capsizing. Prepare for a wild ride of splashes, spray, and adrenaline!

Where are the best places to take a jet ski safari in Wales?

• Swansea: Country’s second city sits on the beautiful south coast. Its importance to the production of metals in the country during the industrial revolution earned it the nickname Copperopolis, and steamers and cargo ships laden with the stuff sailed out of the harbour in an almost continuous stream for over a century. The waters are quieter now, which is perfect for enjoying the roar of a jet ski engine when you take it for a spin around the bay. One of the best places to discover is the Gower Peninsula just to the west of the city. It was the first place in the UK to be recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it won’t take you long to understand why. A series of bays alternates with high, rocky cliffs along the length of the peninsula until it culminates in the dramatic Worm’s Head promontory.

• Port Talbot: In the other direction, Port Talbot is an important maritime town in the Swansea Bay area. Although famous for its huge steelworks, in recent years the town has been gaining a reputation as a watersports destination. Aberavon Beach, which faces Atlantic swells, is a popular sport for surfing and kite surfing, but it’s away from the shore that you’ll find jet skis. Part of the old docks have been converted into a huge, 22 acre, freshwater lake, and it’s here that you can enjoy a jet ski ride. The waters are clean and still, with no waves to distract you as you find out what these machines are capable of.

• Anglesey: This is a far flung island, off the northwest coast. It’s bordered by the Irish Sea on three sides and the Menai Straits on the other, giving it 360 degrees of coastal landscape. There are fantastic locations to know all around the island, including around Holyhead, a small island separated from Anglesey by a narrow channel, but it’s the straits that make for the best riding, with cliffs, coves and beaches on either side, and bridges that pass over head. There are other fantastic places around the north coast where you can take your own jet ski and start exploring, including the dramatic LLyn Peninsula in the county of Gwynedd.

What are the options for organising an experience?

- If your goal is to get to know the basics of controlling a jet ski and take one for a spin, the right kind of activity for you is asupervised tour, or jet ski safari. You’ll take to the waters in the company of an experienced instructor, who’ll help you to figure out the controls and make sure that you get the most out of your ride. They’ll also act as a tour guide, taking you to see the highlights of the area that you’re riding in, whether that’s the beautiful Welsh coastline, old docks and harbour installations that are the legacy of this country’s industrial past, or some local wildlife. Seals and otters inhabit the Irish Sea, alongside dolphins which are particularly curious when it comes to jet skis. You can find this kind of experience with a range of durations, usually between 1 and 2 hours.

- A supervised ride is all very well and good - so good that you’ll be desperate to get back on as soon as you finish - but you’ll be wanting to enjoy it on your own terms at some point. To that end, you’ll be happy to learn that there are training courses available in several locations in Wales. The body which oversees training and awards certificates is the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and a one day course is enough for you to get a proficiency qualification.

Requirements to do this activity

The technique for controlling a jet ski is pretty intuitive, so you don’t need experience of driving other vehicles or boats in order to get the hang of it. It’s not essential for you to be a confident swimmer either, because you’ll use a lifejacket. And you don’t need to own your own vehicle - if you’re taking part in a safari or a course, you can use one that belongs to the providers. Of course, there are discounts available for anyone who has their own.

Some providers welcome children as young as 12 years old to take part in a training course, when accompanied at all times by an adult. On safaris, youngsters can also get involved, but only as a passenger. You have to be 16 years old to be guaranteed a turn in the driver’s seat.

Don’t hesitate any more, book the ride of your life today!