Key Aspects:
- A new law in the Bahamas requires jet ski drivers to be at least 18 years old, affecting popular cruise excursions at destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay.
- Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines have updated their policies, restricting 16- and 17-year-olds from driving Wave Jets, even with parental consent.
- The change follows multiple tourist injuries and a fatal accident, prompting Bahamian officials to review water sports regulations and safety enforcement.
Teens in the US may have the right to drive at age 16, but for those visiting the Bahamas, a new law requires drivers of jet skis to be 18 years or older.
The change was brought to the attention of recent guests of Royal Caribbean enjoying the “Wave Jet Driver and Passenger” excursion on the cruise line’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
The recent shift in Bahamian law now raises the minimum age to operate jet skis to 18 years old.
“Due to a recent change in local government regulations in the Bahamas, the minimum age required to operate a Wave Jet is now 18 years old,” the cruise line stated in an email to passengers booked on the excursion.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause and apologize for any disruptions to your plans,” the company continued.
The regulations affect teens ages 16 and 17 who were previously allowed to drive and manage their own jet skis, under the presence of a parent who signed liability forms.
Royal Caribbean reminded passengers that the new regulations do not prevent children under 18 from enjoying jet ski excursions, but that those 16 and 17 must now join as passengers with a driver over the age of 18, as is the case of children under 16.
The minimum age for children to ride as a passenger of a jet ski with Royal Caribbean remains 10 years old.
Although the alert came from Royal Caribbean, other cruise lines that often sail to the Bahamas have updated their policies for jet ski excursions, including Carnival Cruise Line, whose website now states 18 as the legal driving age at its own private destination, Half Moon Cay.
Jet Ski Crackdown
The updated age restriction follows a string of jet ski-related accidents that have raised concerns about water sports safety in the Bahamas.
Since August 2024, at least four American tourists have been hospitalized due to jet ski injuries, according to the US Embassy. Two of those cases were serious enough to require emergency medical evacuations to the US.
In March 2025, a passenger of Holland America Line suffered a fatal accident while jet skiing at Half Moon Cay.
The US government has advised visitors not to rent jet skis in the Bahamas.
In response, the Bahamian government began working with key tourism and transportation officials to address safety lapses and improve oversight of the water sports industry.
The effort included consultations with the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), the Ministry of Transport, the port department, police, and the Ministry of Tourism, according to local media.
Said Robert Sands, president of the BHTA, “We’ve been pressing for improved regulation in the water sports industry for a long time. Safety is the single biggest issue.”
He added that tourists want water sports but said “they must be offered in a way that is safe, professional, and maintains the country’s reputation.”
Additional proposed safety solutions include creating designated operating zones, requiring liability insurance, establishing formal identification for tour operators, and outlying disciplinary procedures for violations.
Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay: Full Guide
For years, water sports operators in the Bahamas have faced criticism for lax enforcement and inconsistent training.
In fact, the US State Department’s travel advisory specifically warns that some jet ski operators may lack safety certification and ignore poor weather conditions, which both increase the likelihood of accidents.
Fines of up to $1,500 will be delivered to any passenger that operates a jet ski in a restricted zone, under the influence of drugs or liquor, or without a life jacket.
