Jet Ski at Key West?

[MFan]

I have read people talking about jet skiing at Key West. Is there a recommended rental shop? What is the typical rental rate? Do any of the shops offer any kind of jet ski tours, or do people just rent them and jet around the harbor/beach? Is there an age limit to the riders? Thanks!

 

[MFan]

Bump, I can't believe no one has rented a jet ski at Key West?!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hi this is Shirley and I am an ol' conch from Key West - if you will call my shop next week, I will be more than glad to help you not only with the jet skis but a conch discount to boot -
You can call me at 800-950-4559.
always
Shirley

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by MFan
I have read people talking about jet skiing at Key West. Is there a recommended rental shop? What is the typical rental rate? Do any of the shops offer any kind of jet ski tours, or do people just rent them and jet around the harbor/beach? Is there an age limit to the riders? Thanks!

I had a very, very bad experience renting jet skis in Key West. My brother and I are very experienced riders and were renting a 2-person watercraft in some bay on the north side of the island (across from a shopping center is all I recall). Anyway, my brother and I were idling waiting to go in (the signal had been given) when the surpervisor ran over our bow with his ski. He side swiped my brother's face and knocked us both in the water. I scooped up my brother and headed full speed (at least as fast as my now-wrecked jet ski would go) to the dock because he was seriously bleeding. The supervisor ran me down yelling I was breaking the rules and to stop immediately! To make matters worse, he passed me yelling as he was approaching the dock that "that man cut in front of me and ran me over" demonstrating absolutely no regard for my injured brother. Same story at the dock... the supervisor was making excuse after excuse without regard for my brother's safety or health.

The owner surveyed the damage (my ski's hull was pretty much destroyed), heard what I had to say, heard what his supervisor had to say, decided we were not liable for damage and fired his supervisor on the spot. My brother went to the hospital and got stitches. Pretty much ruined our vacation. A further downer was the owner wouldn't pay the hospital bill, though I think he was definitely liable. Dad opted not to push the issue. We were just happy to get by without more serious injuries. Another few inches towards us and I would've lost my hand or arm and my brother his head.

I don't recall the name of the place, but I do recall where is was located, and I will never go back, obviously.

Ride safely.

Regards,
Sam

 

[MFan]

Wow, sorry to hear about your bad experience!! I hope rest of your trip was safe and fun.

 

[KimDisFan]

We had done a tour from the Jet Ski place right there on the dock. We had a blast. They have 3 tour guides that go with a group of 10. IF memory serves me right, it was about $100 for two of us on one jet bike and the tour lasted about 2 hrs. They stop at areas around the island and give info about the area. WE also went to a sand bar in the Atlantic and did a little swimming.

The guide did mention the risk of other jet skiers and boater not yielding, so to keep your guard up when leaving and coming into the dock area, and my BIL had a close call with another jet ski (not part of the tour).

Hope this info helps. Also if you chose to do this, the guides are tipped, and in our case it was well deserved, I just wish I would have had a little more $$$ with me to tip them, they were awesome.

 

[MFan]

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking of taking my DS6 with me on the tour. Do you think it might be too dangerous given all the traffic on the water? Between KimDisFan and smchan, it sounds like there may be too many water vehicles there...

 

[KimDisFan]

I personnally chose to leave DD7 back on the ship with my In laws. One reason was on a previous cruise DH took DD on jet ski at Nassau and I was a nervous wreck the whole time they were out. So this time I wanted to enjoy myself without having to worry about her. But if memory serves me right there were a couple of kids on with their parents, but they were approx 12.

Another thing to consider, if you do the tour, it is about 2 hours and I got tired holding on and I am 35. You may want to consider not doing the tour and just a 30 min rental where you can let him off if he get tired.

Hope this helps.