Where to launch a jetski in the UK

23 slipways and launch sites around the UK coast that take personal watercraft, grouped by region. Fees, permits and byelaws change every season — always check the harbour authority or council page linked on each site before you travel.

Before you launch

Most harbours require a launch permit or day ticket, and many ask to see third-party insurance and proof of your RYA PWC Proficiency certificate.
Speed limits are enforced. A 6 or 8 knot limit inside harbours and within a set distance of the shore is normal, with fines for breaching it.
Many councils operate PWC byelaws and designated launch-only areas. Some beaches ban PWCs entirely in the summer season.
Check tide state before you go — plenty of slipways dry out and are only usable a few hours either side of high water.

South Coast

Itchenor Hard, Chichester Harbour

Itchenor, West Sussex

Slipway: Public hard within Chichester Harbour, PWC launching from designated points only
Permit / fee: Registration and launch permit required. Chichester Harbour Conservancy publish an annual PWC rate of £200 covering registration, launching and harbour dues

Official launch info

Langstone Harbour public slipway

Hayling Island, Hampshire

Slipway: Harbour slipway with PWC transit lanes and speed limits in force
Permit / fee: PWC licence plus a daily or annual permit (annual runs 1 April to 31 March). Current rates are on the harbour's charges page

Official launch info

Weymouth Town Slipway, Commercial Road

Weymouth, Dorset

Slipway: Concrete town slipway on the inner harbour
Tidal access: Suitable for smaller craft at all states of tide; larger vessels need more water
Permit / fee: Motorised watersports permit plus a slipway permit, both from the harbour office
Parking: Trailer parking is paid for when you buy your permits, opposite the multi-storey car park (DT4 8LY)

Official launch info

Poole Harbour

Poole, Dorset

Slipway: Launching via harbour slipways under Poole Harbour Commissioners' PWC scheme
Permit / fee: A PWC permit from Poole Harbour Commissioners is mandatory before launching

Official launch info

Cowes Harbour slipways

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Slipway: Harbour slipways with a strict 6 knot limit and designated PWC conduct rules
Permit / fee: Check current requirements with Cowes Harbour Commission before launching

Official launch info

South East

Canterbury City Council watercraft slipways

Whitstable and Herne Bay, Kent

Slipway: Council slipways with barrier-controlled ramps
Permit / fee: Watercraft membership registration with the council is required for access

Official launch info

River Crouch and River Roach PWC areas

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Slipway: Designated PWC areas managed by Crouch Harbour Authority
Permit / fee: PWC licence required under the Crouch Harbour Authority PWC Order 2023

Official launch info

Wat Tyler Marina, Pitsea Creek

Pitsea, Basildon, Essex

Slipway: Marina slipway with access to Holehaven Creek and the Thames
Permit / fee: RYA PWC Proficiency certificate required before you can launch

Official launch info

South West

Falmouth Haven Slipway

Falmouth, Cornwall

Slipway: Harbour slipway, launching restricted to marked zones
Permit / fee: A jet ski permit from Falmouth Harbour is required

Official launch info

Newlyn Harbour Slipway

Newlyn, Cornwall

Slipway: Harbour slipway inside Newlyn's breakwaters
Permit / fee: Permit required for every launch — published rate £5 per launch

Official launch info

Hayle Harbour, St Ives Bay

Hayle, Cornwall

Slipway: Harbour launch into St Ives Bay
Permit / fee: You must sign the Hayle Harbour and St Ives Bay PWC code of conduct; RYA PWC course and insurance required

Official launch info

Tor Bay Harbour slipways (Torquay, Paignton, Brixham)

Torbay, Devon

Slipway: Three harbour slipways across the bay
Tidal access: Paignton is a drying harbour — the slipway is usable roughly 2.5 hours either side of high water
Permit / fee: PWC must be registered with Tor Bay Harbour Authority before launching
Parking: Limited trailer parking at all three locations, restricted during maritime events

Official launch info

Knightstone Slipway & Harbour

Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset

Slipway: Gated harbour slipway operated by North Somerset Council
Tidal access: Slipway gate opens for two hours before high tide
Permit / fee: A council permit is required to launch a PWC

Official launch info

Wales

Cyngor Gwynedd public slipways

Various coastal towns, Gwynedd

Slipway: Council-run slipways across the Gwynedd coast
Permit / fee: Register your craft with Cyngor Gwynedd and hold a valid daily or annual permit (annual runs 1 April to 31 March)

Official launch info

Isle of Anglesey council slipways

Various, Isle of Anglesey

Slipway: Council slipways around the island
Permit / fee: Registration plus a valid daily or seasonal launch permit is required for all powered watercraft

Official launch info

Knab Rock Slipways, Mumbles

Swansea, Swansea

Slipway: Slipways at Knab Rock serving Swansea Bay
Permit / fee: Registration with Swansea Council is required for motorised craft before launching
Parking: Boat and trailer storage available on site — check availability with the council

Official launch info

North West

Wirral foreshore slipways

New Brighton and Wirral foreshore, Merseyside

Slipway: Council slipways onto the Mersey and Dee foreshore
Permit / fee: Slipway permit required for launch and recovery, administered by Safewater Training on the council's behalf
Parking: Vehicle access to the foreshore is also permit-controlled

Official launch info

Morecambe Promenade slipways

Morecambe, Lancashire

Slipway: Promenade slipways zoned separately for powered and non-powered craft
Permit / fee: Launching permit required, valid 1 April to 31 March

Official launch info

Whitehaven Marina Slipway

Whitehaven, Cumbria

Slipway: Slipway between the Sugar Tongue and Lime Tongue piers; harbour speed limits apply
Permit / fee: Launch fee payable to the harbour commissioners before launching — a local club lists £10 for up to three skis and £20 for more; confirm the current rate with the harbour
Parking: Parking available near the slip

Official launch info

North East & Yorkshire

East Riding coast licensed launch sites

Bridlington and the East Riding coast, East Yorkshire

Slipway: Two licensed public launch sites operated on the council's behalf
Permit / fee: Launch arrangements are set by the licensed operators — check before travelling

Official launch info

East Anglia

West Norfolk watercraft permit launches

Hunstanton, Norfolk

Slipway: Beach and slipway launching under the borough council's watercraft permit scheme
Permit / fee: Watercraft permit required from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk; rates vary by craft and club membership

Official launch info

North Norfolk coast beach launches

Wells-next-the-Sea and Sheringham, Norfolk

Slipway: Beach launching only
Tidal access: Vehicles may go onto the beach solely to launch and recover craft and must not remain there
Permit / fee: An 8 knot limit applies out to 200 yards from shore; check current rules with North Norfolk District Council

Official launch info

Northern Ireland

Ards and North Down council slipways

Bangor, Groomsport and Donaghadee, County Down

Slipway: Council slipways on the County Down coast, open to PWCs under a pass scheme
Permit / fee: Slipway pass required — the published scheme is £5 for a single-use pass or £50 annually; confirm the current rate with the council

Official launch info