Two hours, one jet ski, big Miami energy. This guided Biscayne Bay adventure pairs high-speed fun with skyline views and a free boat transfer so you get out on the water faster than you might on your own.

I like the simple pacing: a 1-hour Jet Ski rental with an expert instructor, plus a free jet boat ride that takes you to the faster riding zone. I also like that you can ride solo or tandem, which makes it easier to match the trip to your group.

The main thing to watch is time on water and on the transfer. The jet boat ride comes first, so if the operation is running a little behind your scheduled start, you could end up waiting longer than you expected for the jet skis.

Key things to know before you go

• Free jet boat ride included: you get a 30-minute transfer to the riding zone and 30 minutes back
• Solo or tandem options: ride by yourself or ride with a friend, depending on the option you book
• Professional instructor guidance: you’ll have instruction and a guide with you for safety
• Miami skyline views while you speed: you’re not just blasting across open water
• Florida boating license rules apply: drivers born after Jan 1, 1988 need a $9.99 license test online
• Weight limit per ski is real: 300 lb (136 kg) capacity per Jet Ski

Jet Ski on Biscayne Bay: What the 2-Hour Combo Actually Feels Like

This is built as a tight, two-hour block, and that matters in Miami. You’re not signing up for a half-day paddle-through-the-bay situation. You’re getting a short on-the-water experience with real speed, guided by someone who knows the route.

Here’s the flow you can expect. You start at the meeting point (which can vary by option). You check in, get your instructions, then you take a jet boat ride out to the wider riding area. Once you’re there, you’ll have about an hour on a Jet Ski. When your time is up, you hop back onto the jet boat for the return ride and you finish back at the meeting point.

What makes this format smart is the transfer. Biscayne Bay is the playground, but the best riding zone isn’t usually right at the dock. The included boat ride is the “setup” that turns the Jet Ski time into the main event instead of you spending extra time trying to find the right stretch of water.

Small group availability is also a plus. In a small group, you’re less likely to feel lost in a big crowd when it’s time for instructions and boarding. You’ll still want to arrive on time, but the process is designed to keep the experience moving.

Safety and rules that keep the ride fun (not stressful)

Miami Jet Skiing is one of those activities where the safety briefing can feel a little boring right up until you’re cruising at speed. The good news: this experience is explicit about the basics, and it gives you the gear you need to enjoy yourself.

You get a life jacket, and you’ll get comprehensive Jet Ski instructions before you’re out there. You’ll also sign a waiver before the rental. That’s standard for water sports, but it’s worth treating the paperwork moment like part of the trip, not a chore. If you show up flustered, you’ll feel it later.

The biggest rule detail is the Florida boating license for drivers. If you were born after January 1, 1988, you must have that license completed, and it costs $9.99 per driver (non-refundable). The good part is that it’s described as quick and simple and you’ll get a link and study guide after booking. Still, you should handle this right after you reserve so you’re not scrambling.

Age rules are also clear:

• Drivers must be 18+ to drive.
• People 4–17 can ride as a passenger if accompanied by an adult.
• Ages 0–3 can’t ride a Jet Ski.
• It’s not suitable for drivers under 16.

There’s also a weight limit of 300 lb (136 kg) per ski. If you’re sharing a Jet Ski or picking tandem riding, make sure you account for combined weight and comfort, not just the number on the scale.

Parents with minors under 18 must show ID and sign the waiver at check-in. And if a passenger is under 18, they need an adult with them on the Jet Ski.

None of this is meant to spoil the fun. It’s meant to keep you out there riding confidently, with fewer surprises at the dock.

The free jet boat ride: your warm-up on the water

The jet boat ride is included both ways, with 30 minutes to and from the departure point. It’s not just transport. Think of it as a fast, scenic pregame that gets you used to how the water feels in Biscayne Bay.

Why this matters: Jet Ski time is limited to one hour, so anything that reduces your time actually riding is a bummer. By packing the transfer into the ticket, you’re not wasting your day trying to coordinate rides, shuttles, or finding the right launch point.

Also, that free boat ride gets you into the right riding zone. The description is clear that it will transport you to a spacious area where you can unleash speed at your pace. In other words, you’re not just going from point A to point B and then being constrained to small, awkward lanes.

If you’re the kind of person who hates sitting around, this part will help. But if you’re watching the clock, remember the jet boat happens first. Your schedule might feel like it has a slower start because the transfer comes before the Jet Ski time.

Your 1-hour Jet Ski run: solo, tandem, and Miami skyline moments

Once you’re on the Jet Ski, this is the core experience: a guided ride across Biscayne Bay with professional instruction and life jacket support. You’ll be riding at your pace, and you’ll get that classic feeling of speed on open water.

You can ride solo or with a friend, depending on the option you book. If you’re traveling as a couple or a pair, tandem is often the easiest way to keep the experience shared without needing two separate skis. But double-check your option details, because there’s an extra $40 fee at check-in mentioned for the case where you choose a 1 Guest 1 Jet Ski option but need accommodations for 2 guests on one Jet Ski. That’s the kind of detail that can catch people off guard—so it’s worth confirming when you book.

As you move, you’ll see Miami’s iconic skyline views. The description calls this out specifically, and you should expect to get photo moments during the ride, especially when your route puts you where you can look back at the city.

A practical note: there’s no “I’ll just figure it out” energy here. You’ll be given instructions, and a guide is there to ensure safety. That’s valuable because riding on the bay isn’t just about pressing the throttle. You need to understand handling, spacing, and how to keep control on the water.

Price and value: is $12 enough to justify it?

The listed price starts at $12 per person, which feels like a bargain for a guided Jet Ski experience in Miami. But to judge the value fairly, you have to price in the extras that might be triggered by your situation.

Here’s what you should think through:

What’s included:

• 1-hour Jet Ski rental
• Expert instructor
• Complimentary life jacket
• Comprehensive Jet Ski instructions
• 30-minute jet boat ride to and from
• Gas fees if you select the option with gas fees included

Possible additional costs:

• If you need the Florida boating license (for drivers born after Jan 1, 1988), that’s $9.99 per driver
• Optional photos and drinks are available at check-in starting from $30
• If you book a specific guest/Jet Ski configuration, there may be an extra $40 fee at check-in to accommodate 2 guests on 1 Jet Ski (as noted for the 1 Guest 1 Jet Ski option)

So is it a good deal? Usually, yes—especially if:

• You’re flexible about timing,
• Your group matches the ride option you book,
• And you don’t expect photos and drinks as part of the ticket.

If you end up adding the license and an on-site photo package, the total will rise. Still, even then, you’re paying for a full guided experience on water, plus the included transfer that helps maximize Jet Ski time.

The other value point is time efficiency. Two hours is short enough to fit into your Miami schedule without turning the trip into your whole day.

Who this tour fits best (and who should reconsider)

This is a strong match if you want water-based adrenaline with structure. You don’t need to be an expert rider because you get instructions, and you ride with a professional guide.

It also fits well for people who want a shared experience:

• Solo riders get the ride they want.
• Couples or friends can choose solo or tandem options.
• Small groups can mean a more personal experience than a huge lineup.

Where it might not fit:

• If you’re extremely sensitive to waiting around, remember that the jet boat transfer happens before the Jet Ski time. The timing can feel front-loaded, since the “fun” part is later in the sequence.
• If you’re traveling with kids who can’t drive, pay attention to the age rules. Kids under 18 can only ride as passengers with an adult, and the 0–3 range can’t ride at all.
• If you’re expecting a very relaxed, leisurely tour, this is described as a speed-and-waves experience. Even with pacing, it’s about motion.

If you’re wondering about physical access, the experience says it is wheelchair accessible and accessible to people with reduced mobility. It also asks you to contact the provider before booking so they can prepare easier access. That’s worth doing early so you don’t arrive and have to improvise.

What to bring for a smooth check-in and a comfortable ride

Miami water days are simple, but you’ll enjoy it more if you come prepared. Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Passport or ID card
• Water

That’s it for the essentials. Your life jacket is provided, but you still need to be ready to get wet and then dry off afterward.

Also, plan your packing mindset. You’ll be on water, you’ll feel spray, and you’ll want your ID handy for the waiver and license checks.

If you need the Florida boating license, remember it has to be completed online and linked to drivers in your group (with the $9.99 fee for eligible drivers). Doing it early is the best way to avoid the stress that can turn a great trip into a paperwork scramble.

Finally, since the meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, make sure you confirm your exact start location once you reserve. Don’t assume it’s the same place as every other Miami water tour.

Should you book Big Dave Tours in Miami?

I’d book this if you want a guided Jet Ski ride on Biscayne Bay without turning your day into complicated logistics. The included free jet boat ride is a smart value move because it gets you to the better riding zone and protects your one hour on the Jet Ski from being eaten up by extra travel.

You should book with extra awareness if you:

• Need the Florida boating license and might forget it until the last minute,
• Are traveling with minors and need to match the age rules,
• Or you strongly dislike waiting during transfers (since the jet boat ride happens first).

Overall, this looks like a fun, high-energy way to spend two hours in Miami—especially for couples and friends who want speed plus skyline views, with clear safety structure and a guide steering the experience.

FAQ

How long is the Jet Ski and jet boat experience?

The total duration is listed as 2 hours, with Jet Ski time included as 1 hour and a 30-minute jet boat ride to and from the departure point.

What is included in the price?

Included items are a 30-minute jet boat ride to and from, 1-hour Jet Ski rental, an expert instructor, complimentary life jacket, comprehensive Jet Ski instructions, and gas fees if you choose an option that includes gas fees.

Do I need a Florida boating license to drive the Jet Ski?

All Jet Ski drivers must have a Florida boating license to be completed if they were born after January 1, 1988. The cost is $9.99 per driver (non-refundable), and you’ll receive a link and study guide after booking.

Can I ride solo or with a friend?

Yes. The experience offers solo riding or riding with a friend, depending on the option you book.

What’s the age rule for driving or riding as a passenger?

People 18+ can drive. People 4–17 can ride as passengers if accompanied by an adult. Drivers under 16 are not suitable. Ages 0–3 can’t ride a Jet Ski.

Is a life jacket provided?

Yes. A complimentary life jacket is included.

What weight limit applies?

There is a weight capacity limit of 300 lb (about 136 kg) for each ski.

What should I bring with me?

Bring swimwear, a towel, passport or ID card, and water.

Are photos or drinks included?

Photos and drinks are not included. They’re available upon request at check-in starting from $30.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.