Quick picks

Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic.

1. Lake Buena Vista area, near Disney

If you are staying near Disney, Universal or International Drive, this is the easiest place to ride. You can be on the water minutes after leaving your hotel, so a jet ski ride fits between park days or on a morning before dinner reservations.

Ride here with Luxe: new Sea-Doo GTX Pro 130 jet skis, a safety briefing, life jackets and free photos and videos, from $130 per hour per jet ski. Open daily 10am to 6pm. See times and book.

2. Butler Chain of Lakes, Windermere

The Butler Chain is a string of connected lakes in Windermere, southwest of downtown Orlando, with clear water, cypress-lined shores and some of the most impressive lakefront homes in Central Florida. Lake Butler is the largest. Riders love hopping from lake to lake through the connecting canals.

• The canals between lakes are no-wake zones, so plan to idle through them.
• Weekends get busy. Go early in the morning for the calmest water.
• Bringing your own jet ski? R.D. Keene Park and the Lake Down ramp are the public launches.

3. Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee

Locals call it Lake Toho. It is one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, sitting right next to downtown Kissimmee, and it is famous for bass fishing and wildlife. Expect bald eagles, ospreys, herons and alligators along the shoreline.

• Big open water means room to ride, but it can get choppy on windy afternoons.
• Watch for thick vegetation near the shoreline and give fishing boats plenty of space.
• Big Toho Marina, by Kissimmee Lakefront Park, is the main public launch.

4. Clermont Chain of Lakes

West of Orlando, the Clermont Chain links a series of clear, sandy-bottomed lakes. Lake Minneola is the biggest and borders Clermont's downtown waterfront park, with a boardwalk and trail right on the water. It is a great choice if you are staying in Clermont, Four Corners or near Lake Louisa.

With Luxe: private Clermont jet ski tours are available on request. Call or text (407) 955-1667.

5. Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River, Sanford

North of Orlando, Sanford's Riverwalk sits on Lake Monroe, part of the St. Johns River, Florida's longest river. Riding here feels wilder than the city lakes, with marsh, river bends and plenty of birdlife.

• Watch for manatees and obey every posted speed zone.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife can switch on an idle-speed, no-wake zone on Lake Monroe during high water. Check the FWC river restrictions page before you go.

6. Harris Chain and Lake Dora, Tavares

Tavares, known as America's Seaplane City, sits on the Harris Chain of Lakes between Lake Dora, Lake Eustis and Lake Harris. The highlight is the Dora Canal, a roughly 1.2-mile waterway between Lake Dora and Lake Eustis lined with tall bald cypress trees and Spanish moss, with ospreys, egrets and herons overhead. Look for the posted no-wake signs and take it slow.

Coming soon with Luxe: guided Sea-Doo jet ski tours in Tavares. See the Tavares tours.

Rules and tips for riding anywhere in Florida

• Boating education: anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a Florida boating education ID card or, for rentals, a temporary certificate. Here is how it works.
• Age: in Florida you must be 18 to rent a jet ski, and no one under 14 may drive one.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket, and the driver must wear the engine cut-off lanyard.
• Daylight only: jet skis may not be ridden from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
• Slow down near docks, swimmers and canals, and always follow posted no-wake and manatee zones.
• Ride in the morning in summer. The water is calmer and you stay ahead of afternoon thunderstorms.

Frequently asked questions

First time? Read Before You Ride for everything to expect.