How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Jet Ski? (Hour/Day/Week)

The average person may not own a jet ski, but countless people want the thrill of tearing through the water while on vacation. However, it’s easy to hesitate to rent a jet ski due to fear of the unknown costs that often come along with renting anything. So, how much does it cost to rent a jet ski?

It typically costs between $50 and $200 per hour to rent a jet ski or $300 to $500 per day. The cost varies based on the size, number of passengers, and location. You can also expect them to charge a $500 to $1,000 deposit to cover damages, but you will get that back if you don’t damage your jet ski.

Parking fees often total $15, and you are also subject to a $50 cleaning fee, or more if you get the jet ski quite dirty. Follow along as we explore how much it costs to rent a jet ski so there are no surprises.

How Much is a Jet Ski Rental?

Per Hour

It costs between $50 and $200 per hour or more to rent a jet ski. The cost depends on the size of the jet ski as well as where you rent it from. For example, it may only cost $70-$80 per hour to rent a jet ski in Missouri, but it can easily cost over $175 per hour in Miami.

Popular destinations in Florida and New York offer the priciest hourly rates. However, you can rent a jet ski for as little as $50 per hour in Madison, Wisconsin.

Per Day

It costs between $300 and $500 to rent a jet ski for a day. The cost varies based on the location you rent from, the model of the jet ski, its size, and how many passengers there are. Daily jet ski rentals are worth the cost if you want to ride around at your leisure throughout the day, despite the high cost.

For example, a $400 daily rental offers great value if the hourly rental rate in Miami is $150.

By Region

West Coast

Long Beach and Marina del Ray in California are the most popular places to rent a jet ski on the West Coast. Beverly Hills is another popular jet ski rental destination in California, and it costs at least $125 per hour. Renting a jet ski in Long Beach typically starts at $90 per hour, whereas you can expect to spend between $60 and $120 per hour to rent a jet ski in Long Beach.

East Coast

There are many places to rent a jet ski on the East Coast, but none are more popular than New York. However, it can be quite pricey. The starting price to rent a jet ski in Queens, New York alone is $200 per hour for two people. In the city itself, jet ski tours typically cost $225 per 90-minute session.

Rhode Island is another expensive jet ski rental location on the East Coast. Rentals typically cost at least $140 per half hour and $200 or more per hour.

Midwest

The cost to rent a jet ski in the Midwest is much cheaper than either coast. That’s because you will be riding on lakes which is quite fun, but they’re less desirable than the ocean for many thrill seekers. For example, you can rent a jet ski for an hour for only $75 at Lake Wisconsin.

However, jet ski rentals in major cities in the Midwest, such as Chicago, are much pricier. You can expect to spend up to $120 per hour or more to rent a jet ski in Chicago.

Southern United States

The south is home to some of the priciest jet ski rental prices because of how sought-after they are. Miami is one of the most popular jet ski spots in the United States, and hourly rental rates often cost up to $150. However, you can find jet ski rentals for as little as $100 per hour in Key West because it’s less of a tourist hub.

Additional Costs

Damage Deposit

Damage deposits are typically minimal for hourly and daily jet ski rentals. However, you can expect to spend between $500 and $1,000 on a damage deposit if you rent a jet ski for two or more days at a time. In some cases, expensive damage deposits are even required for daily jet ski rentals.

Luckily, you will get your damage deposit back once you return your jet ski to the rental service. They will take money from the deposit to repair damages and give you back whatever is left over if you damage the jet ski. Make sure to take pictures of the jet ski before and after you use it in case they claim you damaged it when you didn’t.

License

Depending on where you rent a jet ski, you may need to obtain a temporary license. For example, you must pay a $30 fee for a temporary license in Illinois before you can rent a jet ski. It’s currently much cheaper in Florida where you must only pay a $10 fee for a jet ski permit.

Delivery Fee

In some cases, the delivery fee is included in the cost to rent a jet ski. However, you can expect to spend up to $50 or more on the delivery fee if it isn’t included in the overall cost. The delivery fee is often included, but it can get pricey if they must tow it to a distant dock.

Make sure to rent a jet ski from a service near your hotel or location to avoid inflated delivery fees.

Parking

The parking fee is quite minimal when you rent a jet ski, but it all adds up. You can expect to spend between $15 and $20 per hour in parking fees when you rent a jet ski. However, the parking fee is avoidable if you use a rideshare service to reach your destination, such as Uber or Lyft. Otherwise, you can simply park on a nearby street where there is free parking to avoid the fee.

Cleaning Fee

No reputable jet ski rental service will be happy if you return their jet ski and it’s dirty. That is why they often charge cleaning fees. Cleaning fees typically total $50 when you rent a jet ski, but it could be more if the mess is severe and involves the paint or upholstery.

Late Return Fee

It’s important to return your jet ski rental on time, or you can incur a hefty fee. Late fees often total the cost to rent a jet ski, so you could spend up to $150-$200 or more depending on how much the initial cost was. Make sure to ask the service what time you must return the jet ski so you don’t have to spend a small fortune on late fees.

So, How Much Does a Jet Ski Rental Cost?

It costs between $50 and $200 per hour to rent a jet ski in the United States. Florida, California, and New York are the most expensive places to rent a jet ski in the country. Jet ski rental services often charge a $500-$1,000 deposit to cover damages if something happens, and you are also subject to cleaning fees that cost $50 or more.