How to Go Jet Skiing in GTA V

Last Updated: June 4, 2020

Although cars are the main focus of Grand Theft Auto, be sure to give nautical exploration its fair shot. Jet Skis are a fast and fun way to explore the game’s massive ocean. Despite their diminutive size, Jet Skis pack a lot of power and allow you to skip over the waves with ease.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Learning the Basics of Jet Skiing

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1
Locate a Jet Ski. If you have not unlocked the sea race feature, which allows you to compete against others in Jet Ski races, your best bet to riding a Jet Ski is finding one in the open world. These Jet Skis are available from the very beginning of the game.
- A Seashark Lifeguard model can be found parked in the water at the Del Perro Beach and the Vespucci Beach. Del Perro Beach is located on the left side of the map, and Vespucci is located a bit further down the coast.
- Once on the coast of the beach, the Jet Ski docking area can be found located to the left of the pier; it will appear as a dock with several Jet Skis parked in front of it.
Swim out to the dock. Press the toggle forward (PS3 and Xbox 360) or directional keys (PC) to enter the water. Once in the water, swim by repeatedly tapping the X button (PS3) A button (Xbox 360) or Q key (PC).

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Once adjacent to a Jet Ski, press the Triangle button (PS3), Y button (Xbox 360) or F key (PC) to board the vehicle.
While on the Jet Ski, hold down the R2 button (PS3), RT button (Xbox 360) or W key (PC) to accelerate. Steer by using the left stick (PS3 and Xbox 360) or directional keys (PC).

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Joining Jet Ski Races

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1
Begin the Hood Safari mission. If you want to hone your Jet Ski skills, then consider participating in sea races. Sea races become available to all characters once you have completed the mission “Hood Safari.” This mission occurs after Franklin, Trevor and Michael have completed their first heist together.
- The mission begins at Franklin’s house. A cut scene ensues between Lamar, Denise, and Franklin. Trevor appears, and declares that he wants to join Franklin and Lamar on their drug deal.
2
Follow the yellow line on your minimap. Once the cutscene ends, drive to the mission checkpoint. Make sure to wait for Lamar and Franklin to enter the car before you begin driving. To guide you, there will be a yellow path on your minimap that will lead you to the pick-up spot.
- Once you arrive at the destination, another cutscene will begin. Lamar will knock on the door, which is answered by a stoic man. The man hands over a white package, which Lamar proceeds to cut with a knife. He snorts the cocaine residue on the knife off the blade and declares it to be legitimate. However, right before the transaction is made, Trevor insists to see the back. A brief struggle between Trevor and the dealer ensues, revealing that the back of the package to be drywall.
3
Eliminate the gangsters. The dealer sends out his men to kill the trio, and a violent shootout begins. Luckily, there will be plenty of cover to hide behind, so despite being outnumbered, you’ll have a fighting chance.
- To take cover, press the R1 button (PS3), RB button (Xbox 360), or Q key (PC).
- You can identify enemies on your minimap as red dots. To aim at them, hold down the L2 button (PS3), LT button (Xbox 360), or Right click (PC). To fire, press the R2 button (PS3), RT button (XBox 360), or Left Click (PC).
- You will know that you have successfully killed a gangster when the crosshairs in the center of your screen flash red, while your surroundings briefly flash black and white.
4
Run for it! After you have killed the gangsters, the LSPD will show up to stop the violence. A checkpoint will appear on your map; follow it. You’ll find yourself running through a narrow alley that will lead to open water.
- Once near the water, a cutscene will show 3 Jet Skis being used by a rapper and a few bikini-clad girls. Trevor will throw them off, and everyone will board the Jet Skis.
5
Escape the police. Once on the Jet Ski, you will still need to escape the police. Just head out into open water at a steady speed; this will eventually cause them to give up the chase.
- Once you have escaped the police, the quest will finish, and sea races will be unlocked.
6
Find a sea race to participate in. Once sea races have been unlocked, there will be a total of four different locations on the map where you can compete. These locations will be marked as white boat icons on the world map. You can race in any type of weather; however, sea races are only available during the day (from 8AM to 9PM).
- Open the map by pressing the Start button (PS3 and Xbox 360) or the M key (PC). The four sea race locations are Los Santos Port, Power Station, El Gordo, and Lago Zancudo.
- Once you have decided on a race location, move your cursor to hover over its icon while on the map, then press the X button (PS3), A button (Xbox 360), or Left click (PC) to mark it as your destination.
A purple path will appear on your minimap, follow it to the race location. You will have to swim to where the Jet Ski races have gathered. While in the water, use the left stick (PS3 and Xbox 360) or directional arrow keys (PC) to swim forward. To swim faster repeatedly tap the X button (PS3), A button (Xbox 360) or Q key (PC).
Once at the racing area, you will notice several other racers aboard their Jet Skis. Swim over to an unoccupied Jet Ski, and once near it, an onscreen prompt will appear asking if you wish to participate in the sea race. Select the “Yes” option to board the Jet Ski and begin the race.
9
Race! A countdown will now begin. When it reaches zero, hold down the R2 button (PS3), RT button (Xbox 360) or the W key (PC) to accelerate. You can steer by using the left stick (PS3 and Xbox 360) or directional keys (PC).
- The race consists of yellow checkpoints, which appear on your minimap as yellow dots. Race through these checkpoints alongside your competitors. The race will end when you drive through the checkered checkpoint.
- Racing in sea races will help you practice driving a Jet Ski (in case you need it to escape from the police again later on), but it really doesn’t give you any points or rewards for winning.