The East Sussex coast is a place to see and be seen. There are the fashionable seafront piers and promenades of Brighton and Eastbourne, the yachting clubs and marinas, and the golden sandy beaches in the east of the county. But away from these hotspots you’ll find stunning coastal scenery, secluded beaches and open water to enjoy and explore. If only there were vehicles that were both effortlessly cool and endlessly practical that could take you on a tour from port to picturesque! Well, there are - jet skis.

Jet skis, also known as personal watercraft (PWC), are the perfect way to get around on the waves. They’re powerful and manoeuvrable on water like a motorbike is on land, but they have the advantages of being stable even when not moving, and having easy to use, handlebar mounted controls. And don’t let the name fool you, they are large and comfortable enough to carry two people, a driver and a passenger, in style. East Sussex boasts several launch sites, generally in protected harbours where still waters provide an opportunity to get used to the jet ski. Then it’s off along the coast, to enjoy views of some of the most impressive shoreline landmarks on the English Channel Coast. And, on top of that, the jet ski operators in East Sussex take care of all the licensing and equipment, so you can just sit back, or stand up, and enjoy the ride!

Meeting points

Brighton Marina is located at the eastern extreme of the famous beach. Once you’ve navigated the piers and docks where pleasure boats and fancy yachts are moored, and passed the onshore leisure facilities which include a cinema and a casino, you take your jet ski out onto open water. Now there are two choices available to you - turn right and speed along Brighton seafront, or turn left and traverse the coast until arriving at the quaint fishing village of Rottingdean.

Away from the bright lights of Brighton Newhaven is a quieter port town with a small, wellkept marina. This is the perfect place to start a jet ski tour to the most famous natural landmarks on the East Sussex coast. Passing the neighbouring town of Seaford and crossing the Cuckmere Valley, the shoreline rears up in a series of spectacular white cliffs - the Seven Sisters.

There are two additional launch sites in East Sussex. One is in Eastbourne, a Victorian seaside resort that sits below Beachy Head, the highest chalk cliff in the British Isles. The other is in Rye Harbour, at the mouth of the River Rother near the border with Kent. There aren’t any tour operators based at these harbours, but it’s possible for jet ski owners to launch their craft here.

Where are the best places to go jet skiing in East Sussex?

• Brighton: For two hundred years, Brighton has been a favourite destination for Londoner’s who need a break at the sea - a status which has earned the city the nickname London-by-the-Sea. A jet ski ride is the best way to take advantage of a day in Brighton. You’ll feel the sea breeze in your hair and the spray on your skin as you bound across the waves to enjoy sights of the Palace Pier, the ruined West Pier, the grand seafront hotels, and the jealous beachgoers fighting for space on the sand!

• Seven Sisters: The inland geography of East Sussex is characterised by the green rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. As they approach the English Channel, they fall away as cliffs, revealing the bright white chalk that they are made of. The most dramatic cliffs are the Seven Sisters, where changes in elevation create a group of seven cliffy peaks in quick succession that stand proud above the breaking waves - the perfect backdrop for a jet ski ride.

• Beachy Head: Between the Seven Sisters and Eastbourne, one section of cliffs rises higher than all others - not just in East Sussex, but the whole of the United Kingdom if we’re talking about chalk cliffs. From the vantage point of a jet ski, you can admire the towering cliffs from their base, and get up close to the red and white lighthouse at the bottom.

• Camber Sands: This beach is at the eastern end of the East Sussex coast, where the River Rother meets the sea. It’s a wide expanse of golden sands that descends slowly into a clam, shallow sea. This is a popular spot for kite-powered sports, both land and water based, so brightly coloured kites are just one of the sights to enjoy if you take a jet ski for a spin in this area.

What are the options for organising an experience?

If you have your own jet ski, all you need to do is take your PWC to one of the launch sites mentioned above and let rip. But don’t worry if you don’t, because there are tour operators based in Brighton and Newhaven. They’ll take you on a jet ski safari, to enjoy the best that East Sussex has to offer. In an activity that lasts an hour or 90 minutes, you’ll get a lot of time on a jet ski to enjoy the sensation of speeding around the East Sussex coast, and enjoy the scenery too.

The other option is perfect for those looking to take jet skiing seriously. It’s a full day course that takes place in the biggest recreational harbour in East Sussex, Brighton Marina, and provides you with the knowledge and skill set necessary to enjoy jet skiing safely and effectively when you don’t have the company of a guide.

Who can ride them?

Gone are the days when this activity was the play things of the super rich! Getting your hands on it is something that’s affordable and accessible to all kinds of people. In fact, even children as young as 12 years old can enjoy a ride on a jet ski, but they’ll have to be a passenger. To take control of the craft, you need to be over 18 years of age. But the fact that two people can ride on each jet ski means that groups of up to 6 people are welcome on safaris, or even larger groups too, with the help of a powerful rib that allows members of the groups to swap on and off the PWCs.

Be the coolest person on the beach by jetting across the water on one of these vehicles. Reserve today!