Turks and Caicos Jet Cars

If you’ve seen what looks like a Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, or Lamborghini coasting above the waves in Turks and Caicos, it’s not your imagination. Jet car tours, or water sports car tours, are one of the newest water sports activities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Designed to resemble luxury cars, jet cars come in a range of colors and styles and seat between two and four people.

Typically, you’ll see jet cars in the same areas as jet skis. These include the La Famille Express shipwreck in Long Bay, the Blue Haven Marina in Leeward, the floating bars, and the uninhabited cays off northeastern Providenciales. Currently, Providenciales is the only island that offers jet car tours and rentals. It’s best to book well in advance.

Jet Car Tours

Jet cars are rented by the hour versus by the day, with the shortest rides starting at 15 minutes. It's common to see rentals offered for 30-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour rides.

Tours typically include the jet car rental, life jackets, a tour guide who follows closely by jet ski to show you the various attractions, and a preliminary safety briefing and tutorial on driving the jet car.

While jet cars tend to offer a more comfortable (and drier) ride than a jet ski, it's best to wear a bathing suit or clothes that you don't mind getting wet. Sunglasses are helpful for protecting your eyes from the salt spray and ocean glare.

The restrictions and safety precautions for jet cars—such as a minimum age for drivers and weight limits—are similar to those for jet skis. The minimum age to operate a jet car in Turks and Caicos is 18, and a valid driver's license is required before you can rent the watercraft.

Jet Car Drone Photoshoots

Jet car drone photo shoots and video sessions are becoming a popular way to document the jet car experience. Drone photo and video packages are typically sold separately by the Providenciales jet car companies, or are offered as an optional add-on for a tour.

On average, a 15-minute drone video shoot with one of the local jet car companies costs between $250 and $300 (2025 price).

How Jet Cars Work

Jet cars are essentially jet ski-like boats that are outfitted to look like cars. Most of the exterior features, like the tires and car doors, are decorative.

The jet cars you’ll find in the Turks and Caicos Islands work similarly to a jet ski. They are propelled by a jet propulsion system that pushes the car along the ocean’s surface via a high-powered stream.

Operating the boat, however, is more similar to driving a small boat or car. The driver navigates the jet car using a steering wheel, a gas pedal, and a reverse pedal.

Left: Onyx Charters at Noah's Ark.   Right:  Jet cars exploring the picturesque waters near Pine Cay. Photo provided by Jet Cars Turks.

Jet Cars vs. Jet Skis

While jet cars and jet skis both offer riders the opportunity to drive a high-speed watercraft in the Turks and Caicos Islands, there are a few notable differences.

Firstly, jet skis are smaller and quicker to maneuver than jet cars. Jet cars, on the other hand, provide a more comfortable ride than a jet ski, with a backrest, semi-closed interior, and a far lower risk of falling into the water.

Price is another notable difference. Jet cars are significantly more expensive than jet skis. The cost of a jet car rental for one hour can be between $400 and $600 (double or triple the cost of a typical one-hour jet ski rental).

Weather Conditions and Safety

The Turks and Caicos Islands boasts typically calm waters that make the surrounding ocean enjoyable for using jet cars and jet skis. However, certain conditions can make a ride uncomfortable or dangerous.

Jet cars are designed to be used on flat and calm water. Large wakes or rough conditions can potentially capsize the watercraft. As such, tours are only offered on calm, clear days without rain.

Here in the Turks and Caicos, wind speeds under 10 mph (16 km/h) usually result in perfect flat water. With speeds over 16 mph (26 km/h), you’ll be contending with 1–3 foot (0.3–1 m) waves. Check the wind forecast ahead of time and consider scheduling accordingly.

Note that rain can also interrupt a jet car tour. Most companies have forgiving bad weather policies, and will either refund your tour or reschedule it for a clear day in case of bad weather.