Jet skis are the coolest watercraft around, and we know that many Londoners, or visitors to the capital, would love to climb aboard one and take it for a spin. If you’re dreaming of jetting down the Thames with all the pomp and ceremony of a royal flotilla, you might have to think again. But London is a maritime city, well connected to the North Sea and the English Channel, so these aquatic adventures are never far away.

There’s no better way to explore coastal waters. Apart from their speed and style, they’re very manoeuvrable and, sitting up high in the water, can take you to places that boats just can’t. Nowadays, training is becoming more popular as well, and this is a great option for anyone who wants to know how to get the best out of these machines (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) and hire them in different parts of the world. The good news is that jet ski safaris and training courses are available at fantastic seaside locations in all directions from London - read on to find out more!

Where are the best places to go jet skiing around London?

• Essex: In fact, you don’t need to go all the way to the coast in order to enjoy jet skiing, because the closest location to the capital is on the River Crouch in Essex. At North Fambridge, the river is wide and navigable, and there’s a marina here with it’s own jet ski training academy. This is a great place to take a course, especially if you’re a beginner, because the water isn’t agitated by waves. You can focus on the PWC technique, and enjoy speeding between the tree lined banks of the river.

• Kent: Another good option to the East of the capital is Whitstable in Kent. This resort town sits at the point where the waters of the River Thames mix with those of the North Sea. You can get onto a jet ski here and take it for a spin along the promenade, or explore the nature reserves around the Swale Estuary. Training is also offered here, and, at just 90 minutes drive from the centre of London, it could hardly be more convenient.

• Newhaven: The rest of the jet skiing destinations within easy reach of London are on the South Coast - where the English Channel separates Great Britain from the continent. Newhaven is a small town in East Sussex, at the point where the hills of the South Downs National Park meet the sea. The highlight of the jet ski activities on offer here has to be a tour from the marina, past Cuckmere Valley, to the natural wonder of the Seven Sisters cliffs. These are high cliff faces that are brilliant white, especially on a sunny day. There can be no better way to enjoy them than from a jet ski.

• Brighton: Directly south of central London, and just an hour’s train ride away, Brighton truly deserves its nickname of London-by-the-Sea. That makes it a perfect destination for anyone from the capital who wants to enjoy the thrills of jet skiing. There’s a lot to see as well. Once you’ve left the fashionable marina, you can take your PWC along the city’s famous beach, passing landmarks such as the Palace Pier, the ruins of the old West Pier and the i360 observation tower. Or you can go in the opposite direction and reach the picturesque fishing village of Rottingdean in just a couple of minutes.

• Portsmouth: One of the country’s great naval cities, Portsmouth harbour is a formidable installation. But jet skiing here takes place on a natural harbour - Langstone Harbour. Protected from the sea by Hayling Island, the large expanse of flat water is ideal for learning how to use a jet ski properly, and the colourful sails of dinghies and yachts add a vibrant touch to the surroundings.

• Southampton: This is the furthest place from London on our list, but it’s well worth the journey. Water surrounds this city, and you could spend a lifetime exploring the waterways, shorefront installations and hidden natural beauty spots in the area. Some of the best options for jet skiing are the River Itchen that goes right through the city, the River Hamble which cuts through the charming Hampshire countryside, and of course the Solent. This channel separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland, and there are fantastic views on both sides of the water. Training courses and tours are available here.

Options for organising a this experience

As we’ve mentioned above, a lot of people are choosing to complete jet ski training courses nowadays. Unlike other watersports training, these don’t last for months or put a strain on your wallet, in fact, you can get proficiency qualification in just 1 day. Add to that the valuable knowledge and skills that you’ll gain, not to mention the fun of spending a whole day on the water, and you’ll find it difficult to say no! Watersports operators that offer PWC training can be found in numerous locations within reach of London.

Training is great, but focussing on the fun is valid too. So you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to go far from London to take a jet ski safari, or guided tour. Some of the best are found along the English Channel coast, for example of the Seven Sisters cliffs in East Sussex, or down the Solent from Southampton. These tend to last between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Requirements to do this activity

In general, the minimum age is 16 years old. However, there are ways to get younger thrill seekers on board in the London area. The first option is to take them as a passenger on a PWC that’s big enough for two, and the second is to sign up alongside them for a training course. In these situations, children as young as 12 years old can enjoy the ride.

When it comes to the size of the group that you can take on a day trip from London, the maximum is 8 people on some tours. This will involve getting two passengers on each of the 4 - if both riders are over 16 years old, they can swap places during the tour and both enjoy a turn at the controls. In general, training courses are also limited to 4 vehicles, but in this case they can’t be shared, so the maximum group size is 4.

Hold on tight and leave the spray in your wake - book now!