Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center

You must be at least 12 to operate, without an adult aboard, an Arizona vessel powered by a motor greater than 8 horsepower. Under A.R.S. § 5-341(E), a child under 12 may operate that class of vessel in an emergency or when the child’s parent, legal guardian, or another person at least 18 is on board. Subsection F goes further: it is unlawful to allow anyone under 12 to operate any motor-powered watercraft at all, whatever its horsepower, except on those same terms. The statute speaks of watercraft generally and does not single out personal watercraft. Rental operators set their own minimum ages, so confirm the requirement when booking.

Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department (azleg.gov)

No. Arizona does not require recreational operators to hold a boating license or carry a mandatory boater education card, so there is no birth date cutoff and no special exemption for rental customers or temporary certificates. The Arizona Game and Fish Department administers voluntary boating safety education for boats and personal watercraft.

Arizona does restrict young operators: a person under age 12 may not operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower, including a personal watercraft, unless an emergency exists or a parent, legal guardian, or another person age 18 or older is aboard.

Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department (azgfd.com)

The best boating in Arizona is spread across western Colorado River waters, huge northern reservoirs, and central desert canyon lakes. Along the state’s western edge, Lake Havasu provides river recreation, while Lake Mead combines expansive open water with coves and canyon arms. In northern Arizona near Page, Lake Powell is a vast high desert reservoir with long sandstone lined reaches, sandy beaches, and sheltered coves. Closer to Phoenix, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake sit along the Salt River and offer dramatic canyon scenery, paddling, and scenic cruises.

Source: Arizona Office of Tourism (visitarizona.com)

Some of Arizona’s most popular boating destinations are Lake Havasu City, known for houseboating and lively waterfront recreation; Lake Powell near Page, valued for red rock scenery, houseboats and water sports; Lake Mohave near Bullhead City, favored for boating, water skiing and sandy beaches reachable by boat; and the Parker Strip, where docks and access points accommodate motorized and paddle-powered watercraft. These destinations span Glen Canyon in northern Arizona and the Colorado River corridor along the state’s western border.

Source: Arizona Office of Tourism (visitarizona.com)