
I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you about the beautiful beaches and weather in South Padre Island, Texas. It is a great place to spend some time on the water – and there’s no better way to enjoy it than renting a jet ski!
Whether you’re looking for an entertaining afternoon out with friends, or just want to cruise around alone while enjoying the fresh air against your face, there are many great options to rent a jet ski in South Padre Island. This articles covers the best, cheap places to rent a jet ski in South Padre Island, Texas.
Cheapest Jet Ski Rental in South Padre Island
The cheapest place to rent a jet ski in South Padre Island is from Play Watersports, which costs $60 for 30 minutes. The cheapest place for a 1-hour rental is Breakaway Cruises, which charges $95.
Play Watersports- Cheapest Rental for 30 minutes
If you don’t want to spend too much money and just want a quick taste of the water, Play Watersports is a great option. You can rent a jet ski for 30 minutes for only $60. There rate for 1 hour increases to $100. While the cost of gas is not included, you can bring your own.
You can make a reservation on the Play Watersports website, or you can call 254-829-4900.
It is important to note that they will put a $500 hold deposit on your credit card as a deposit. As long as you return the jet ski in the same condition, the hold will be lifted. If you cancel within 24 hours of your rental, you will have to pay a $100 fee.
The jet skis at Play Watersports are top of the line, as they have a fleet of Yamaha Ex Deluxe waverunners. These jet skis have a great display system that shows both speed and fuel level. This jet ski also has a RIDE feature which allows the rider to switch from forward, neutral, and reverse with one pull of the throttle.
The Ex Delux also has great traction with its HYDRO-TURF® MATS, which make it very easy for your feet to stay in place. The powerful TR-1 engine is very fuel efficient and provides a great, smooth ride.
If you want to rent a jet ski for an hour, you might want to look at cheaper options.
Breakaway Cruises- Cheapest Rental for 1 hour
If you want to rent a jet ski for an hour, the best option is Breakaway Cruises. They charge $90 for a one-hour rental and give you the option to have a passenger for an extra $30.
If money is not an issue, I personally recommend doing the 1 hour rental. You will be able to see most of South Padre Island, and you can also check out some cool sites like the Port Isabel Lighthouse.
You can make a reservation on the Breakaway Cruises website, or you can call 956-761-2212. If you are interested in other excursions, Breakaway also offers deep sea fishing, dolphin watching, and snorkeling trips.
While I have never rented a jet ski from Breakaway Cruises, I know that they have a fleet of Yamaha Waverunners, which are great for people of all backgrounds and jet ski experience.
Parrot Eye Water Sports- Best for Jet Ski Tours
If you are interested in site seeing, then a jet ski tour is a great choice. Parrot Eye offers a great, 1.5 hours jet ski tour around South Padre Island. You get to see all of the top sites, including the Queen Isabella Causeway, mansions, Port Isabel, and z haunted casino ship from the 1940s. Best of all, you will make a stop at Dolphin Cove, where if you are lucky you will be able to see dolphins.
While this is one of the best excursions on South Padre Island, it does come with a steep price. The jet ski tour costs $170, but you can bring a passenger for free. If you do bring a passenger, your combined weight cannot be more than 400 lbs.
You can make a reservation for the tour here, or you can call 956-761-9457.
Another option for jet ski tours in South Padre Island is from SPI Excursions. They charge $159 for their 1.5-hour tour, and then an extra $25 per passenger. You can make a reservation for their tour here.
If you find yourself near San Antonio, you should check out the cheapest Canyon Lake jet ski rentals.
How old do you have to be to drive a jet ski in South Padre Island?
In order to rent and drive a jet ski in South Padre Island, you must be at least 18 years old and have a driver’s license. If you were born before September 1, 1993, then you are good to go.
However, if you were born after September 1, 1993, you must take the Texas Boater Safety Course BEFORE you rent the jet ski.
All jet ski rentals in South Padre Island will require you to show your certificate from the course before you can get the jet ski. The course usually takes around 5 hours, and I suggest you take it before you reserve the jet ski. You can sign up and take the course here. At the time of this writing, the course costs $30.
What should you bring if you rent a jet ski on South Padre Island?
If you plan on renting a jet ski, you should bring the following:
- Bathing suit
- Valid id
- Certificate from the boat course
- Waterproof bag
If you ever find yourself in Florida, you should check out my article on the best places to jet ski in Florida.