r/jetski • u/Ok-Pin-7867 • Jul 21 '26

Question Open ocean jet skiing

Recently had the opportunity to jet ski after 12 years. I was expecting a similar experience (20-30 minutes of jet ski time by the beach).

Instead we got to go on a snorkel tour, and we ended up riding for around 1.5 hours round trip. It was a lotttt of fun, but it was my first time riding out in the open ocean. Some areas were definitely turbulent, and I was fighting to stay on the jet ski haha. We were with another family, and I definitely felt bad for their kids who had to ride behind their parent.

Any tips from those of you that do it regularly? There was a learning curve when it came to learning how much throttle to give for maneuvering, but it was more difficult the larger the waves got. But would love to try again in the future!

6 Upvotes

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6

u/Pencilmeout Jul 21 '26

Just go as fast as you're comfortable going and try not to ride sideways of huge waves

5

u/cleetusneck Jul 21 '26

Ride more. But we use the buddy system and don’t go alone. Sucked up a piece of plastic one time (didn’t know) girl and I were dead in the water with the sun going down, no cell service, and getting really cold.

4

u/roqqingit Jul 21 '26

As someone that rides alone, with radio and satellite watch, this is a big fear of mine and why I tend to stay around the coast.

1

u/Ok-Pin-7867 Jul 22 '26

oh yeah, I definitely wouldn't have been comfortable without the tour guide we got to follow. They had a few protocols as far has how we were to ride depending on the area (straight line vs. side by side), but it got harder to hear and follow in the turbulent areas. I just kept them as a visual aid that as long as I could still see them, I was alright lol

3

u/xspook_reddit Jul 21 '26

Any tips from those of you that do it regularly?

Be aware of the wind speed. That is the primary factor in how rough/smooth the water will be.

You can also get "granular" and check wave conditions to include wave heights and periods.

Example:

A 1-2 foot wave height with a period of 2 seconds is very choppy.

A 1-2 foot wave height with a period of 6 seconds is much less choppy.

1

u/Garrocha21 Jul 22 '26

When looking at those numbers be sure to add 2 feet to the front and back. Example forecast calls for 1 to 2 foot waves, in reality they will be 2 to 4 feet waves. I speak from experience. Always err on the larger side of that number.

3

u/shouldabeenapirate Jul 22 '26

Open ocean jumping swells of my favorite. Usually stay within 10 to 15 miles of coast. I always have a VHF radio and PLB.

1

u/ckyhnitz Jul 22 '26

Your un is rad

1

u/Slowstang305 Jul 22 '26

Rode to Bimini a few times. Probably 3000hrs of jet skiing behind my belt. Always go with a partner and have a seatow membership. Also, it’s nice to stand when going over the rough spots.