CÔTE D’AZUR · JET SKI

Jet skis on the Côte d’Azur: the rules

A jet ski does not play about within the 300 m coastal strip: it crosses it to go out or come back, perpendicular to the shore or through a channel, at 5 knots. It is used by day, no more than 2 miles from shelter (6 miles if it has at least two seats), with the rider in a wetsuit, lifejacket worn and kill cord attached. Above 6 hp, a licence is required, except on a guided ride supervised by an instructor.

The 300 m coastal strip

The French Maritime Prefecture alone has authority over jet skis, including within the 300 m. Its rule: “PWCs are not permitted to move about freely within the 300-metre coastal strip. Only their transit from the shore out to sea (and vice versa) is permitted, on a course perpendicular to the shore, observing the general and permanent speed limit of 5 knots.” In a channel, navigation is “steady, direct and continuous”, at 5 knots (French Maritime Prefecture, memo).

Where it is even stricter

Town	What the order says
Cannes	Jet skis prohibited throughout the buoyed 300 m strip, islands included, including in the channels, and between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat; only the channel at the mouth of the Béal is open (order 251/2026).
Antibes	Prohibited within the buoyed 300 m strip, except via access channels No. 1 and No. 7, at 5 knots (order 211/2024).
Ramatuelle (Pampelonne)	Two channels of 10 m × 300 m reserved for motorised craft and jet skis, at beach lots 7 and 24; jet skis prohibited in the other channels, at Bonporté, L’Escalet and cap Taillat (order 142/2022).
Cogolin	Prohibited within the 300 m strip, except via access channel No. 1 and the daytime anchoring zone (order 13/2025).
Monaco	Licence from 5 hp; by day, outside the zones marked by yellow buoys; 5 knots within 300 m of the shore or of harbour entrances, 3 knots in ports and channels (sovereign ordinance 14.872).

Each area guide details the local buoyage. Orders change: check the one for the current season.

Distance, hours, equipment

By day only; up to 2 miles from shelter for a single-seat jet ski, 6 miles if it has at least two seats (Division 240, art. 240-2.12).
A lifejacket worn at all times, even within 300 m (level 50 up to 2 miles, 100 beyond).
A wetsuit at least 2 mm thick (shorts, shorty or full suit) against injuries from the turbine jet, mandatory for everyone.
The kill cord attached to the wrist or leg whenever the engine is on (French Ministry for the Sea).
A helmet is not mandatory, but the French Maritime Prefecture recommends one for everyone, passengers included (French Maritime Prefecture).

Licence, rental and guided rides

A licence is mandatory once the engine exceeds 4.5 kW (6 hp), and you cannot obtain one before the age of 16 (decree 2007-1167). Without a licence, you may only ride a jet ski on an introductory session or guided ride supervised by a qualified instructor: four jet skis at most per instructor, 75 kW at most, more than 500 m from the shore except when leaving and arriving, with a briefing and a handling session before setting off (order of 1 April 2008).

After a fatal accident in 2024, the French marine accident investigation office notes that these rides “look very much like licence-free rental, a forbidden term but nonetheless widely used”, and recommends a familiarisation phase on the water and wearing a helmet (BEAmer, 2025).

Accidents

In the Mediterranean, over four summer months in 2023: more than forty rescue operations for jet skis, nearly 80 people, one dead and one missing; passengers thrown backwards are injured by the turbine jet (French Maritime Prefecture). The Alpes-Maritimes is the second French department for jet-ski rescues; the craft is towed or assisted in 70% of cases, mostly for breakdowns (SNOSAN, 2024 review).

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride a jet ski near the beach on the Côte d’Azur?

No: within the 300 m coastal strip, a jet ski only passes through, perpendicular to the shore or through a channel, at 5 knots. In Cannes, it is prohibited throughout the buoyed strip, channels included, except at the Béal.

Do you need a licence to rent a jet ski?

Yes, once the engine exceeds 6 hp, which is the case for almost all jet skis. Without a licence, only an introductory session or a guided ride supervised by a qualified instructor is possible.

Is a helmet mandatory on a jet ski?

No, but the French Maritime Prefecture recommends one for the rider and passengers. The lifejacket, the wetsuit at least 2 mm thick and the kill cord, on the other hand, are mandatory.

Official sources

Sources consulted on 26 September 2026. This guide helps you prepare a trip; it replaces neither the texts in force, nor the rental company’s instructions, nor the day’s weather forecast.

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