Have you ever dreamed of living that marina lifestyle? Morning walks along the pontoons, cocktails in ocean view bars, and, of course, fun on the water all make this an attractive idea. Going sailing is great for a relaxing day out, but when you need something a bit more high-octane, there’s nothing like a jet ski to take you for a ride across the water. Southampton is one the most maritime cities in the country, a place where fashionable boating, industrial ports and beautiful waterways meet. It sits on the Solent, a strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the Hampshire coast and the point where the rivers Test, Itchen and Hamble meet the English Channel. There’s plenty to enjoy when you’re riding a jet ski here.

What is it that makes jet skis so popular? Essentially, riding a jet ski is to riding a motorcycle, as travelling by boat is to travelling by car. You might not have so much space for luggage, but you can feel the wind in your hair, hear the roar of the motor, and pull off some cool stunts that leave other water users in your spray. Finally, they're great for touring and exploring, because their small size and manoeuvrability allow them to go places that other watercraft can’t go. In Southampton that means discovering rivers and open water, historic docklands and modern waterside developments, and getting the best view of the coast and islands in the area. Whether you’re hiring a jet ski, taking a tour, or completing a PWC course, you’re in for a treat here that’s well worth the money.

Where are the best places to go jet skiing in Southampton?

• River Itchen: Your jet ski journey might begin at one of the numerous marinas and quays that line the bank of this river which flows through the city of Southampton, marking the eastern edge of the centre. At the rivermouth, where it joins the Solent, the National Oceanography Centre stands in the docklands on the city side, facing a waterfront park on the other side. It’s a busy waterway, where pretty sailing boats glide past and powerboats start the voyages out onto open water.

• The Solent: This channel is 20 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point, providing plenty of space for opening up a jet ski and getting a feel for these machines. It’s a complex waterway, with a narrow opening to the west between the Needles of Isle of Wight and Hurst Point which is just out from the mainland, and a wider opening to the east. This creates a rare “double high tide,” which is one of the secrets behind Southampton’s success as a port. Along its length there are signs of ancient and modern seafaring, as well as military fortifications and natural scenery.

• River Hamble: This river flows through the Hampshire countryside to meet the Solent just outside Southampton city. Grassy, tree lined banks characterise the upper reaches of the river, while lower down there’s a marina that’s perfect for recreational watersports, including yachting, paddleboarding and, you guessed it, jet skiing.

Jet ski launch sites

- Several marinas, harbours and slipways in the area host jet ski venues which offer a variety of services. Near the city centre, the River Itchen hosts part of Southampton Harbour and, further upstream, the Saxon Wharf Marina. Both of these locations are training locations for jet ski enthusiasts, though hire can also be arranged.

- Away from the city streets and the shipping port, Universal Marina lies on the east bank of the River Hamble. This is a more laid back place, perfect for pleasure boating, relaxing and fine dining. When it comes to jet skiing, you’ll find fantastic tours that depart from Universal Marina, and jet ski rentals are an option too.

Options for organising the activity

The most enjoyable way to spend time on the waters that surround the city has to be on the back of a jet ski, and if leisure and fun are your priorities, the best choice is a tour. You’ll leave Universal Marina on the Hamble River on a top of the range Seadoo with an instructor guide, who’ll help you ride the jet ski and take you to see some of the highlights of the area, on the river and the Solent. This is one of the best ways to see the south coast and the Isle of Wight and, in a 2 hour experience that includes 90 minutes on the water, the tour will take in a lot of scenery.

But jet skis aren’t just for messing about and having fun, they’re useful vehicles in many situations and it’s worth learning how to use one correctly. There are a couple of PWC training venues in Southampton, where you can take a 1 day proficiency course that covers everything from launching and planning, to high and low speed riding methods. Longer courses, lasting several days, are on offer as well. If you’re hiring a jet ski, this is usually arranged by the hour.

Who can enjoy this experience?

Tours are designed for 1 instructor for 3 vehicles. These can be ridden by three individuals, but they can be shared too, making a maximum group size of 6 people. If you share it with someone, you can both take a turn at the controls - but be careful not to lose your balance when switching positions! In order to pilot them on these tours in this area, you need to be at least 21 years old, but teens of 14 years old and above can ride as passengers.

Learning to ride one, on the other hand, is an option for younger watersports enthusiasts, because the ratio of instructor to client is lower. Your son or daughter can take part in a training course from the age of 12, so long as you go with them. If they don’t want to be seen hanging around with you, they’ll have to wait until their 16t birthday to do it alone.

This activity isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life! Book with us today to dip your toe into these cool waters.