The beaches of Newquay are a place to see and be seen. The British surfing craze began here in the 1960s when a group of Australian lifeguards arrived in town one summer and showed off their skills on the waves. In their wake, it became a national focal point for watersports and beach holidays, and nowadays the town welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Amongst the sunbathers, surf classes and castles, what can you do that will make you stand out? The answer is jet skiing, and we’re going to tell you all about this extreme watersport, as well as the machines themselves.

Despite the name, they don’t have jet engines. Instead the petrol engine creates a water jet that propels the craft forwards and controls the direction. The jet skis that you can find in Newquay are Yamaha Waverunner models of the VX series: powerful, stable and boasting the trademark vertical water spout at the back of the craft. They’re the coolest way of getting around in the water because they look great, they’re super fun, and to top it all off, they can take you to places that no other vehicle can. They sit up on the water’s surface, which means that they can manoeuvre in shallow water with no risk of running aground, so you can explore the rocky coastline or North Cornwall in intimate detail. To make your summer holiday complete, kick it off with an adventure. There are different types of experiences on offer, from initiations to extreme watersports, all of them at attractive prices.

What kind of jet ski experience can you have in Newquay?

• Taster session: If you want to ride a jet ski but you don’t know what to expect, this is the right choice for you. The session will start with some instructions on dry land before you get out onto the water with your instructor and get a feel for these machines. You’ll stay close to the beach at first, but by the end of the session you’ll have the confidence to open up the throttle and let rip! An advanced session is also good for beginners, but you’ll have more time on the water and more to explore.

• Safari: This is a longer experience, where the emphasis is on travelling along the water’s edge and seeing the coastline up close. You’ll jet off from Lusty Glaze beach and soon leave Newquay behind to find tranquillity in beauty spots like Watergate Bay, Fistral Point, Crantock Beach and Perranporth. A jet ski safari is also a great opportunity for wildlife spotting, as the local sea life tends to avoid the busy waters around the town. You might sport seals and dolphins or, in the summer months, glimpse a giant sunfish which are usually only found in the tropics.

• Jet Wing Ride: Now we’re getting into the more out-there jet ski activities! On a jet wing you’ll lie on your front on an inflatable wing attached to the back of a jetski which tows you across the waves. Experience the insane acceleration with your face just inches from the ocean spray! You’ll almost feel like you’re flying while you travel at 30 miles per hour with the water and wind in your face.

• Jet Ski Coasteering: This is the sport of traversing the shoreline by combining climbing, diving and swimming - and now, jet skis are involved too! By using them, your guides can transport you from one location to another and make sure that you get the best of coasteering that Newquay has to offer. But don’t think that you’ll be riding on the jet ski - like in the wing ride you’ll be towed through the water from one challenge to the next, but this time without the inflatable wing.

• Fish: This is a combination activity that starts out like a normal day’s deep sea fishing on an ocean going vessel. But fishing has a reputation for being a bit slow, so halfway through the day you’ll spot a jet ski on the horizon. The rider comes alongside the boat and you jump into the water, to be towed through the sea on an exhilarating ride.

Requirements to do this activity

Travelling at top speeds of 40-50 miles per hour across the sea is an intense, exciting experience, so if you want to captain one, you need to be over 16 years old. But that doesn’t mean that kids and teens under 16 years old have to be left behind on the beach. If they’re older than 8, they can ride as a passenger alongside an adult - and if they’re 12 or over, they might even get a chance to drive one under supervision. In groups made up of adults, you can choose whether to share jet skis, with two riders to a machine taking turns at the controls, or to have one each. You can also go for a one to one session with an instructor if you want some pointers on how to get the most out of these machines.

The wing rides, coasteering excursions and fish and ski activities are best organised as a group. In the first, the inflatable wing is wide enough for four people to lie side by side, and hang on for dear life. Coasteering can be arranged for groups of at least 8 people, and the best size for a fishing trip twist is 10 - 12 people. Don’t worry if you’re a small group, there are always plenty of holidaymakers in Newquay looking for a good time, so it’s possible that you’ll be paired up with other thrill seekers.

How long does an experience last?

The shortest jet ski ride in Newquay is a blast across the waves on a wing ride. If you choose this super soaking adventure you’ll be on the water for 15 minutes - believe us, that’s enough time when you’ve got salt water spraying into your face! Allow some extra time for getting ready and instruction on what to do should the wing capsize. Coasteering and fish trips are longer activities, 3 hrs for the first and 4 hours for the second.

When it comes to riding a jet ski, you can take your pick of a number of options. You can get a good idea of what these machines are capable of with a 20 minute taster session, or a 30 minute one to one session. The longer options are the safaris, which are great for enjoying the coast with your mates. Depending on what else you’ve got planned for your summer in Newquay, you can take a 50 minute or 90 minute tour of this beautiful part of the world.

Ready, jet, go! We’re ready to help organise your dream, just tell us what you fancy and let’s make it happen.