Jet ski in Rio de Janeiro

At a glance

Who can drive a jet ski in Brazil

Jet ski rules come from the Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) in NORMAM-212, whose current version was approved on 27 February 2026. Port authority offices (Capitania dos Portos) enforce them on the water. What matters for a visitor:

• drivers must be at least 18 and hold at least a Motonauta (MTA) licence;
• the MTA covers inland waters only;
• the Arrais-Amador, Mestre-Amador and Capitão-Amador boat licences all exclude jet skis;
• every jet ski must be registered with a Navy port office.

Getting an MTA means practical classes at a registered training centre, which does not fit a short holiday. Here is what works without one.

Jet ski rental in Rio without a licence: your options

Guided tours on rented jet skis have been allowed since 1 April 2024. The rental business plans the route, briefs the riders and stays with the group: one guide for up to three jet skis, two guides (front and rear) for four to six. It must check that every driver’s MTA or MTA-E is genuine and valid, and a rental that hands a jet ski to someone without one can be warned, suspended or lose its accreditation. Whether a foreign visitor can get an MTA-E at a given rental, we confirm before booking.

Rules on the water

The Navy’s guidance for jet skis is short:

• everyone on board wears a jet ski life jacket approved by the Navy (class II, III or V);
• the safety key cord is tied to the driver’s wrist or life jacket, so the engine cuts out if the driver falls off;
• the Angra dos Reis office tells drivers to stay more than 200 m from the beach;
• never drive after alcohol or drugs.

On clothing, the Angra office warns that a regular swimsuit does not protect against the strong water jet from the turbine and suggests a wetsuit, shoes, gloves and goggles.

Where to ride

Guanabara Bay is a working harbour with ports and ferries, so part of the water is closed to jet skis and the provider sets the route. Angra dos Reis, with its many islands, pairs well with a full boat day: Angra dos Reis boat trip. If you want a jet ski on the same day as a private boat, tell us upfront and we ask whether the boat carries one or it can be booked separately: yacht charter in Rio.

Weather and waves

Wind and waves decide whether you go out. The Navy’s Centro de Hidrografia publishes a 24-hour marine forecast of wind and waves. We read it the day before and confirm with the provider on the day. If the weather cancels the ride, you get a new date or a full deposit refund.

What we check before booking

We book only providers working legally. Before booking we check the jet ski’s registration, the licence of whoever drives or leads the group, life jackets for every size, including children, and the route. Bring your passport and, if you have one, your home jet ski licence.

What to tell us in your request

• Date and preferred time
• Where: around Rio or Angra dos Reis
• How many people and the ages of any children
• Whether anyone holds a jet ski licence
• Format: passenger ride, guided tour, or combined with a boat

Terms

We sell a single ride at no more than the same provider charges on booking platforms, and our fee is already included in the price. Terms and payment are set out in the proposal; you pay nothing before you confirm. Cancel at no cost up to 48 hours before, one date change with 48 hours’ notice if the provider has another date, a new date or full deposit refund for weather, and a replacement or full refund if the provider fails. Check entry requirements on official websites. More options on water and in the air: adventure activities in Rio and helicopter tours.