Nobody under 14 may drive a jet ski in Florida (F.S. 327.39), and rental shops can't rent motorized craft to anyone under 18 (F.S. 327.54). Even so, Makin' Waves and Beach Jet Ski let 16- and 17-year-olds drive when a parent is present or signs, with photo ID and a boater card. Chute'Em Up parasails from age 5, PADI certifies divers from 10, and we found no teen curfew in the Clearwater or Pinellas codes.
Key takeaways
- Under 14 can't drive a jet ski in Florida. The two Clearwater Beach jet ski outfits we checked let teens drive from 16, with a parent involved.
- A teen driving anything with 10 hp or more needs a boater education card or a 90-day temporary certificate, unless a card-holding adult rides along and takes responsibility. The jet ski shops want the card regardless.
- The rental has to be in an adult's name, and the operators we checked want a parent or adult to sign for minors.
- Parasailing (Chute'Em Up, age 5 and up) and PADI scuba courses (age 10 and up) are open to teens.
- We found no juvenile curfew in the Clearwater or Pinellas County codes.
- The marina, the Transit Center, Mandalay Avenue and the Hyatt end of Beach Walk are each about five minutes on foot from Pier 60.
What can a teenager legally do at Clearwater Beach, age by age?
Read this before you book anything with an engine. Each cell combines Florida law with the named operator's posted policy as of October 2026, and where the two differ, the stricter rule is what you'll run into at the counter.
| Activity | Under 14 | Ages 14-15 | Ages 16-17 | Rule and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive a jet ski (personal watercraft) | No. Illegal in Florida, even with a parent aboard | Legal with a boater card, but no shop we checked rents to this age as a driver | Yes at Makin' Waves and Beach Jet Ski, with photo ID, boater card and a parent present or signing | F.S. 327.39(5); operator policies |
| Ride a jet ski as a passenger | Yes from age 6 at both shops | Yes | Yes | Operator policies; non-inflatable life jacket required (F.S. 327.39(1)) |
| Drive a motorboat or pontoon (10 hp+) | Legal with a boater card, or with a card-holding adult 18+ aboard who is responsible for the boat | Same | Same | F.S. 327.395; FWC says Florida has no minimum age to operate a boat |
| Be the renter on a motorized rental | No | No | No. The contract must be in an adult's name | F.S. 327.54(6) |
| Kayak or paddleboard (Makin' Waves) | From 6, with an adult on their own board or watching from the beach | Same rule up to 16 | 16-year-olds still need the adult; 17-year-olds don't. The waiver signer must be over 18 | Makin' Waves rules page |
| Parasail (Chute'Em Up, Clearwater Beach Marina, 25 Causeway Blvd.) | Yes from age 5 | Yes | Yes | Under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign the waiver; 265 lb maximum per person |
| Banana boat ride | Get Wet runs banana boat rides from its Marriott Sand Key and Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach locations but posts no minimum age. Ask when you book. | Get Wet services page | ||
| Try scuba (PADI Discover Scuba Diving) | From 10 | Yes | Yes | PADI course page |
| Get scuba certified (PADI Open Water) | From 10, as a Junior Open Water Diver | Junior until the 15th birthday, then it converts to Open Water | Full Open Water Diver | PADI course page |
Here's the gap between law and practice. Florida bars a rental business from renting a motorized vessel to anyone under 18, so the adult is always the renter. Makin' Waves (behind Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 S. Gulfview Blvd.) still lets 16- and 17-year-olds drive "with parental presence and proper certification." Beach Jet Ski (Clearwater Beach Marina, slips 29 and 30, 25 Causeway Blvd.) lists "16+ to Drive," wants a natural parent to sign off, runs guided tours only, and its FAQ says drivers need a valid driver's license, so ask before you book a 16-year-old who doesn't have one yet. The two are sister companies, so treat them as one policy rather than two independent opinions. Jet skis can't run from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (F.S. 327.39(3)). Our jet ski rental guide covers tours and pricing.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, which is every teenager, needs proof of boating education plus photo ID to drive a boat or jet ski of 10 hp or more (F.S. 327.395). The law exempts a driver accompanied by a card-holding adult 18 or older who is responsible for the boat, but the jet ski shops above ask every driver for the card. The FWC's temporary certificate is a 25-question online exam, valid for 90 days. The full Boating Safety Education ID card takes an approved course and never expires. A card from another state also counts.
Rules covered on other pages
| Question | One-line answer | Full detail |
|---|---|---|
| Can my teen drive a golf cart or LSV? | Under 18 needs a learner's or driver license for a golf cart on a public road (F.S. 316.212(7)); a street-legal LSV needs a valid driver license (F.S. 316.2122), and rental shops can set their own minimums | Golf cart and LSV rentals |
| Can an 18- or 20-year-old check into a hotel? | Not at every hotel. Sandpearl (500 Mandalay Ave.) requires guests to be 21 to reserve and check in; Palm Pavilion Inn (18 Bay Esplanade) sets its minimum at 25 | Hotel check-in ages |
| What about alcohol? | Under 21 can't possess alcohol in Florida (F.S. 562.111), the city bans alcohol on its public beaches for everyone, and the boating limit for under-21 operators is 0.02 breath alcohol | Alcohol rules on the beach |
Law: the 2026 Florida Statutes on flsenate.gov (327.39, 327.395, 327.54, 316.212, 316.2122, 562.111, 877.22, 877.25) and the FWC's boating regulations summary. Operators: the posted FAQ and policy pages of Chute'Em Up Clearwater, Makin' Waves, Beach Jet Ski and Get Wet, plus PADI's course pages, downloaded October 4 and 5, 2026. Trolley times: the Jolley Trolley's South Beach and North Beach timetable PDFs from its public routes page, where Friday and Saturday trips are the bolded times; we read the bold font from the PDF itself. Walking distances: OpenStreetMap foot routing from the land end of Pier 60, rounded to 0.1 mile, with minutes at 3 mph rounded to the nearest 5. Curfew: full-text searches of Clearwater's code (codified through Ordinance 9859-26, January 15, 2026) and Pinellas County's (through Ordinance 26-13, March 24, 2026) on Municode for "curfew," "juvenile," "minors" and the state curfew section numbers. Scripts and saved pages are archived with our research notes. This is a reading of public records, not legal advice. Confirm operator rules when you book.
Is there a teen curfew at Clearwater Beach?
Not that we could find. Florida has a model juvenile curfew in F.S. 877.22 (11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends and holidays), but F.S. 877.25 says it doesn't apply in a county or city unless the local government adopts it by ordinance. The only curfew provisions we found in the Clearwater and Pinellas County codes are emergency powers and a nighttime limit on aircraft at Clearwater's airport.
One local rule does involve parents: Section 22.27 of Clearwater's code holds parents or guardians "strictly responsible and accountable for the actions of minors" under the city's park and beach rules.
Where can teens walk on their own, and how far is everything?
A sensible solo zone runs from Sandpearl at the north end to Shephard's at the south, with Pier 60 in the middle. Our guide to how safe the beach strip is after dark can help you set the rules. Nothing in that stretch is more than about 15 minutes on foot from the pier, and the marina, Mandalay Avenue and the Transit Center are closer to five. Sand Key is a different story: it's across the bridge and 35 to 40 minutes away on foot. For swimming, the city's beach rules page puts lifeguards on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so set the rule that solo swims happen near a staffed tower during those hours.
| Spot | Walk from Pier 60 | Trolley option | Why it's on the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Beach Marina, 25 Causeway Blvd. | 0.2 mi, about 5 min | North Beach and South Beach routes | Parasail and jet ski departures, dolphin and sunset boats |
| Mandalay Ave. at Papaya St. | 0.2 mi, about 5 min | North Beach route | Shops and casual food on the main strip |
| Hyatt Regency, 301 S. Gulfview Blvd. (Beach Walk) | 0.3 mi, about 5 min | South Beach route | The busy end of the Beach Walk promenade |
| Clearwater Beach Transit Center (Causeway Blvd.) | 0.3 mi, about 5 min | Hub for all beach routes | Where routes connect |
| Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Ave. | 0.5 mi, about 10 min | North Beach route | Marks the quieter north end |
| Shephard's Beach Resort and Makin' Waves, 619 S. Gulfview Blvd. | 0.8 mi, about 15 min | South Beach route | South end of Beach Walk; jet ski and paddleboard rentals |
| Publix, Island Village Shopping Center (Island Way) | 1.2 mi, about 25 min | North Beach route starts here | Snacks and supplies on Island Estates |
| Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage | 1.3 mi, about 25 min | North Beach drop-off on request; return pickup at Windward Passage and Island Way | The main indoor attraction |
| Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd. | 2.0 mi, about 40 min | South Beach route | Across the bridge on Sand Key |
| Sand Key Park, 1060 Gulf Blvd. | 1.8 mi, about 35 min | South Beach route to the Sheraton Sand Key stop | County park, open 7 a.m. to sunset |
Visiting teens should plan on the full $2.25 trolley fare as of October 2026. Riders 8 and under ride free, and the Jolley Trolley lists its $1.10 reduced fare for seniors, riders with disabilities and Pinellas County students with ID. Pay with the same card, phone or Flamingo Fares account each ride and PSTA caps the day at $5. Our Clearwater Beach with kids guide covers younger children.
When does the last trolley leave?
| Last trip | Sun to Thu | Fri and Sat |
|---|---|---|
| South Beach, southbound past Pier 60 (toward Shephard's and Sand Key) | about 9:36 p.m. | about 11:36 p.m. |
| South Beach, northbound from Bay Park on Sand Key | 9:48 p.m. (marina 10 p.m.) | 11:48 p.m. (marina midnight) |
| North Beach loop, last start from Publix | 9:36 p.m. (marina about 10:06 p.m.) | 11:21 p.m. (marina about 11:51 p.m.) |
| Last North Beach to South Beach transfer at the Transit Center | 9 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
These are scheduled times from the Jolley Trolley timetables as of October 2026, and the operator warns they can slip with traffic and weather. The catch: Sunsets at Pier 60 posts hours until 10 p.m., but Sunday through Thursday the last southbound Jolley Trolley passes Pier 60 at about 9:36 p.m. (it leaves Park Street downtown at 9:15). A teen staying south of the pier who stays for the last hour of the festival needs another way home. PSTA's Suncoast Beach Trolley (Route 701) also serves Pier 60 and Sand Key, so check its timetable too.
Where should you stay at Clearwater Beach with teens?
Pick the base by how much independence you plan to give them. For teens who'll come and go alone, stay near Pier 60.
- Around Pier 60 and the Hyatt end of Beach Walk (Hyatt Regency, 301 S. Gulfview Blvd.): the marina, Mandalay Avenue and the Transit Center are about five minutes away, and so are the crowds.
- North Mandalay Avenue (Sandpearl, 500 Mandalay Ave.): about 10 minutes' walk to Pier 60, with the North Beach trolley along Mandalay. Sandpearl guests ride the Jolley Trolley free with a room key, per the operator.
- South Beach Walk (Shephard's, 619 S. Gulfview Blvd.): about 15 minutes to Pier 60, with Makin' Waves rentals on site.
- Sand Key (Sheraton Sand Key, 1160 Gulf Blvd.): about 40 minutes on foot, so teens rely on the trolley and its earlier weeknight cutoff. Sheraton guests also ride free with a room key.
Our where to stay in Clearwater Beach guide compares the areas in more depth.
What do teens actually do at Clearwater Beach?
Mostly water sports, which is why the age rules matter so much here.
- Parasailing. Chute'Em Up flies from the marina daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting, as of October 2026. Flights last about 10 minutes, and two or three people can go up together depending on weight and wind.
- Water parks. For slides and wave pools off the beach, see our guide to water parks near Clearwater Beach.
- Scuba. Most diving here is by boat to offshore artificial reefs. Each dive operator sets its own minimum age, so ask before you book. Our scuba diving guide lists the reefs and shops.
- Sunsets at Pier 60. A free nightly festival in Pier 60 Park from two hours before to two hours after sunset, weather permitting. Posted hours as of October 2026: 6 to 10 p.m.
- Rainy days. For the aquarium, museums and other indoor options, see our rainy day guide.
How much does a teen add to the budget?
Operator prices as of October 2026, before tax. Check before you go.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parasail flight, Chute'Em Up | $89 per person | $79 early-bird rate for the day's first boat, booked and paid a day ahead; ride-along observers $35 to $40 (the FAQ lists both), space permitting |
| Jet ski, Makin' Waves | from $70 per ski | 30 minutes to 1 hour; Makin' Waves posts $10 off before noon |
| Paddleboard or kayak, Makin' Waves | from $30 | 1 hour; adult supervision required through age 16 |
| Jolley Trolley | $2.25 a ride | $5 daily cap with tap-to-pay or Flamingo Fares (PSTA fare rules) |
This page draws on Florida statutes, FWC boating pages, the Clearwater and Pinellas County codes, operator policy pages, PADI, the Jolley Trolley and PSTA, Sunsets at Pier 60, the City of Clearwater, Pinellas County and two hotel policy pages, all checked in October 2026. Walking distances come from OpenStreetMap routing. We didn't ride, book or test anything ourselves. We're an independent guide, and no business named here pays us.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 15-year-old drive a jet ski in Florida?
On the law alone, yes: the state minimum is 14 (F.S. 327.39), and a 15-year-old needs photo ID and a boater card. In practice, rental shops can't rent motorized craft to under-18s, and the two Clearwater Beach jet ski outfits we checked only let teens drive from 16. A 15-year-old can ride as a passenger.
How old do you have to be to rent a jet ski at Clearwater Beach?
18 to be the renter (F.S. 327.54(6)). Makin' Waves and Beach Jet Ski let 16- and 17-year-olds drive with a parent present or signing, photo ID and a boater card (Beach Jet Ski's FAQ also asks drivers for a driver's license). Passengers must be at least 6.
Does my teenager need a boating license in Florida?
Florida has no boating license, but anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, needs a Boating Safety Education ID card or a 90-day temporary certificate, plus photo ID, to drive a boat or jet ski of 10 hp or more (F.S. 327.395). The law exempts a driver accompanied by a card-holding adult 18 or older who is responsible for the vessel, but Clearwater Beach jet ski shops ask every driver for the card.
Is there a curfew for teenagers in Clearwater?
We found none. Florida's model curfew applies only where a city or county adopts it (F.S. 877.25), and we found no such ordinance in the Clearwater or Pinellas County codes.
How old do you have to be to parasail at Clearwater Beach?
Chute'Em Up's minimum is 5. Under-18s need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver, and the maximum is 265 lb per person.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 2026, s. 327.39, Personal watercraft regulated. flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes 2026, s. 327.395, Boating safety education. flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes 2026, s. 327.54, Liveries; safety regulations. flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes 2026, ss. 316.212 and 316.2122, golf carts and low-speed vehicles. flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes 2026, s. 562.111, possession of alcohol by persons under 21. flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes 2026, ss. 877.22 and 877.25, juvenile curfew and local ordinance requirement. flsenate.gov
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating Regulations, Boating Safety Education ID Card and Temporary Certificate Program pages. myfwc.com
- City of Clearwater Code of Ordinances and Pinellas County Code, searched on Municode, October 2026. library.municode.com
- City of Clearwater, Clearwater Beach Rules and Information (lifeguard hours, alcohol rule). myclearwater.com
- Chute'Em Up Clearwater, home page and FAQ (age, waiver, weight, price). proparasail.com
- Makin' Waves, rental policies and rules and regulations. clearwaterbeachjetski.com
- Beach Jet Ski, home page and FAQ. clearwaterbeachwaverunnerrentals.com
- Get Wet (Wet Rentals and Tours), services page. getwetfl.com
- PADI, Open Water Diver and Discover Scuba Diving course pages. padi.com
- Clearwater Jolley Trolley, Public Routes page and South Beach and North Beach timetables. clearwaterjolleytrolley.com
- PSTA, Fares. psta.net
- Sunsets at Pier 60, Hours and Directions and About pages. sunsetsatpier60.com
- Pinellas County, Sand Key Park. pinellas.gov
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (address). cmaquarium.org
- Sandpearl Resort, Policies and Guidelines; Palm Pavilion Inn, Reservation Policies. opalcollection.com, palmpavilioninn.com
- Walking distances: OpenStreetMap data via Nominatim and FOSSGIS OSRM foot routing, October 2026. Estimates only.
Planning a trip with teenagers?
Sort out the boater card and the hotel's check-in age first. Most of the other age rules follow from those two. Traveling with a younger sibling too? See Clearwater Beach with a baby or toddler.
Plan your visit