Nordic Boats

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)

From Lake Havasu City, you can cruise Lake Havasu, pass through Bridgewater Channel, tuck into Copper Canyon or Steamboat Cove, or continue into the Colorado River’s Topock Gorge. Bridgewater Channel is a narrow no wake passage beneath London Bridge, with beaches, shops and restaurants. Copper Canyon is a cliff-ringed cove whose entrance is marked no wake, while Steamboat Cove is protected, with calm water and sandy beaches. Topock Gorge offers a natural, cliff-lined river channel with marked refuge backwaters that are no wake. Public launch choices include Site Six, Lake Havasu State Park and Havasu Riviera Marina.

Source: Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau (golakehavasu.com)

Boaters from Lake Havasu City visit several popular day-trip stops across Lake Havasu and the connected Colorado River. Bridgewater Channel draws slow cruises beneath London Bridge, with waterfront restaurants and sandy beaches; Friendly Island offers sandy shorelines and sheltered boat access; Copper Canyon is a scenic cove with a calmer gathering atmosphere; Steamboat Cove is favored for calm water, sandy beaches and protection from wakes; and Topock Gorge rewards a longer river outing with steep rocky walls and abundant wildlife.

Source: Go Lake Havasu (golakehavasu.com)