The Best Places to Try Water Sports in Miami, FL

See Miami from a different vantage point on a jet ski tour through the waters. Climb onto a Yamaha wave runner and catch glimpses of friendly dolphins as you ski past Bayside Marketplace, the Port of Miami and the iconic Star Island. Jet Ski Tours of Miami offer hourly tours throughout the day, and ticket prices are available from $139.50 (if you book online).

Aqua Jet Miami’s jetpack excursion is the closest you’ll get to magical flying powers. The hydro-engineering system catapults you 60 feet above the water, giving you the ultimate adrenaline rush. The water sport experience begins aboard a boat that navigates towards a private island with stunning vistas of the city to boot. Clients receive 15 minutes of flight training to learn how to control the jetpack as well as tips and tricks, and each trip varies from $230 for first-timers to $139 for returning clients. (However, like all rides that are just too awesome, there’s a height and limit requirement to ride.)

Similar to the latter, Miami Flyboard offers you a flying experience but on a Flyboard. The personal jetboard mounts on your feet and flies you up to 40 feet above water. Water pressure is redirected from a 60-foot hose connected to the mount, and the feeling as well as the views from up top are pretty wild. Rates start at $129 for 30 minutes.

Check off parasailing in Miami Beach off your bucket list by booking an adventure here. Drift off several hundred feet above the water with eye-catching views of South Beach skyline. You can fly with a friend and enjoy the breeze as the boat and the wind take you through an epic ride across the water. Parasail flights are $85 per person with Miami Beach Parasail.

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Ideal for 2-4 people, wakeboarding is relatively affordable – $200 for up to four people on the boat for one hour. The package includes a water sports boat, an instructor and captain, and of course the wakeboards. Riding the choppy waves without losing your balance or letting go of the handle bar is the perfect challenge for adrenaline-seeking travelers.

A comical and fun excursion, riding on a banana boat is what every tourist should do at least once in Miami. Departing from Sea Isle Marina, the banana boat is pulled by a jet ski driven by a captain who will do all kinds of twists and spins to make the ride even more challenging! You are guaranteed to fall in the water, so dress accordingly. Riders must be at least 10 years old. Rides are $19 for adults, $12 for children and last 20 minutes.

If you’re seeking a more placid activity in the water, kayaking in Matheson Hammock Park is your best bet. Kayak rentals are available on-site, and offer exceptional views of the Miami skyline. Paddle through the waterways flanked by mangroves and million-dollar homes while spotting manatees and jumping fish lurking in the waters. Grab a friend and rent a two-person kayak for $30 an hour.

One of the most epic sights in Miami is catching a sunset on the water. Neon Tours offers a paddle board excursion with boards equipped with LED lights that illuminate up to five feet underwater and 15 feet around the board. Watch the sun dip beneath the horizon while enjoying a tranquil paddle through the Sunset Island channels and Miami Beach for $65 per person. There are also regular paddleboard rentals for $30 per hour.

Too lazy to drive to the Florida Keys to go snorkeling in the Florida Reef? Head to the rock jetty of South Beach by South Pointe Park where you can spot fish, eels and maybe a stray dolphin nearby. It’s still better to make it to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo – home to the sunken statue of Christ of the Abyss – but when you don’t want to travel too far, Miami Beach will do.

Canoe through the mangrove forests of Key Biscayne and enjoy spotting manatees and herons in the barrier island. Crandon Park offers one of the most scenic views of Miami’s skyline, landscape and wildlife for visitors to explore and is also home to a nature center. Visitors will canoe through the calm waters of Biscayne Bay while enjoying the sights.