Jet skis
Governing: RD 259/2002 (BOE-A-2002-4919) as amended by RD 238/2019, RD 339/2021 and RD 1188/2025; Ley 2/2015 (Illes Balears). Builds on: L1.1, L2.1.
Three ways to hire a jet ski
A jet ski is a moto náutica in Spanish law, moto d'aigua in Catalan. RD 259/2002 art. 2 sets out the hire formats.
| Format | Where you go | Title needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly, in a circuit | Inside a circuit marked by at least 4 buoys, set by the Capitanía; all riders go the same way round, 50 m apart | No |
| Hourly, guided group excursion | Behind a monitor, in an arrow formation of up to 4 jet skis in pairs, at least 25 m apart; no overtaking | No |
| Hourly, individual excursion with a monitor driving | You ride as a passenger | No |
| By the day (or hourly outside the circuit) | Anywhere private jet skis may go | Yes: Licencia, PNB or higher (or an accepted foreign title) |
For day hire, the details of your card must be written into the contract (art. 5.3). The Balearic charter decree (Decreto 44/2025) excludes jet skis; they are governed by RD 259/2002 instead.
What the operator must provide
- A briefing by a monitor before you ride, on handling and basic rules. The law sets no minimum length, only "the time necessary" for you to take it in.
- At least 2 monitors, each supervising no more than 4 jet skis, with no more than 2 people per jet ski.
- Circuit and excursion jet skis limited to 60 CV.
- A rescue boat or jet ski, and records of every user's identity and title.
- Jet skis moored or on a platform: hire jet skis may not be parked on the beach, and fuelling on the beach is banned.
Age
18, or 16 with a signed consent from a parent or guardian plus a copy of their ID or passport. The minor must be able to show the consent at all times.
Rules on the water (all jet skis)
- Daylight only: from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset, in good visibility and weather.
- Never inside a buoyed bathing zone. Use the buoyed launch channel at no more than 3 kn.
- Where there is no buoyage, stay out of the 200 m strip along the coast, except to launch or land, straight in or out, at no more than 3 kn.
- Keep at least 50 m from other jet skis, boats and floating objects; keep clear of anchored boats.
- No riding inside commercial harbours (marinas are allowed).
- Life jacket of at least 100 N with a whistle for everyone aboard (50 N buoyancy aids are allowed in circuit hire).
- Every jet ski carries a laminated safety plate with these rules.
WARNING — Towing Only water-skiers or towable inflatables, outside bathing zones, with life jackets for all. The total on the jet ski and in tow must not exceed the jet ski's authorised seats.
The Balearic angle
- Under Ley 2/2015 a Balearic operator that hires out jet skis by the day to someone without the required title commits a grave offence: €2,000.01–20,000, with possible closure for up to 5 years. The directors are jointly liable.
- The Capitán Marítimo can restrict zones and times, or stop use in bad weather.
- A Balearic coast-law bill approved by the Govern in June 2026 would cap jet skis at 10 kn within 1 nm of the coast. It is not law yet.
TIP — Circuit first If you have never ridden one, an hour in a circuit teaches you more about a jet ski's lack of steering without throttle than any leaflet.