BoatUS Florida Service Center

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Jacksonville, you can run the St. Johns River, turn onto the Intracoastal Waterway through Sisters Creek, explore Fort George River, or head for Nassau Sound and the Atlantic. The St. Johns reaches the ocean and is a working deepwater route; Mayport Boat Ramp has strong current and boat traffic. Jim King and Joe Carlucci ramps serve the Intracoastal at Sisters Creek, where shoaling and strong current need attention. Fort George River is also busy and shoal prone. For open coastal water, Big Talbot Island’s deep-water ramp provides access to the Intracoastal, Nassau Sound and the Atlantic.

Source: City of Jacksonville (jacksonville.gov)

From Jacksonville, day-trip choices include Fort George Inlet, Mill Cove, Exchange Club Island and Kingsley Plantation. Fort George Inlet draws boaters to its beaches and long sandbars, while Mill Cove offers a relatively calm St. Johns River anchorage for watersports and backwater fishing. Exchange Club Island is accessible only by water and has a boat dock, picnic shelters and a nature trail. Kingsley Plantation can also be reached by boat for a visit to its historic buildings, grounds and Fort George River waterfront.

Source: Visit Jacksonville (visitjacksonville.com)