Need for Speed? Check Out these Caribbean Speed Boat Tours
Ride a Speed Boat in a Breathtaking Location
By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on March 14, 2022 | Updated: Februrary 17, 2026
I was sitting by the water in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, having a delicious lunch of Arroz Mamposteao when a group of mini-speed boats raced by on their way to a tiny island off the coast. I asked the waiter about the peculiar little vessels, and he told me that speed boat tours are the best way to explore the coast. Speed boats are a favorite pastime of the locals here, and a unique way to party with friends or celebrate a milestone with family.Intrigued, I found myself at the helm of my own little boat the very next day, surrounded by the deep turquoise open sea and feeling the saltwater splashing on my face. It was such a thrill as I zipped around the coast, with magnificent views on all sides, giving me a new perspective of this relaxing oasis. It was the highlight of my entire Caribbean travel vacation. Now, as a result, I make sure to seek out speed boat tours whenever I find myself on one of its many tropical islands. Here are some of my favorite Caribbean destination recommendations.
Key Takeaways
- ● Speed boat tours in the Caribbean offer year-round excitement, from high-speed thrills to leisurely snorkel stops on pristine beaches.
- ● Most tours welcome small groups, with boats typically seating 2–4 people, allowing you to share the adventure with friends or family.
- ● You don’t need a boating license — guides provide quick safety demos, and a lead captain usually escorts your group for added peace of mind.
- ● Each island brings unique highlights: Anticipate Curaçao’s hidden lagoons, Cozumel’s Isla Pasión, Puerto Rico’s coral reefs, St. Maarten’s shipwrecks and St. Thomas’s jet-powered stunts.
- ● Before each speed boat excursion, pack smart by taking towels, biodegradable sunscreen, dry bags and a change of clothes that caters to sudden temperature changes or spontaneous explorations.
- ● Find your perfect Caribbean cruise and plan a speed boat tour today.
What To Expect On A Caribbean Speed Boat Tour
Speed boating is a truly unique experience that lets you discover untouched travel destinations from an exciting perspective. Speed boats come in different shapes and sizes, from jet boats to fast dinghies, and you can command your own boat or have an expert captain guide you along. The best part: Due to the Caribbean's constant warm weather and mild waters close to shore, you can enjoy speed boating all year long.
In the Caribbean, speed boats are a way of life. Locals and visitors alike go speed boating to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and you can rent one to celebrate a bachelor or bachelorette party. Some guides will even help you organize an event on the shore if you want to make a stop to surprise a loved one.
The More, the Merrier
Families can enjoy speed boats, too, as long as everyone follows the basic safety rules, wears a life jacket, can swim and abides by the captain's direction. If you are captaining your own boat, you'll first go through a quick demonstration on how to safely start, stop and maneuver the vessel. It’s vital to understand how to signal for help out at sea and isn’t as daunting as it may initially sound. There's usually a leading captain on another boat guiding your group.
You’ll get wet, so don't forget a towel and biodegradable sunscreen. Also bring a camera, your SeaPass, cash or credit cards, and a change of clothes Always come in handy and carry a dry bag if you want to bring your belongings on the boat.That way, you can protect your items from the rejuvenating sea splashes. As soon as you're packed and ready, it's time to zoom through the Caribbean.
Travel to Curacao: Experience Vibrant Island Charm
The dreamy coastline vacation destination of Curacao became my playground with a speed boat adventure and snorkel tour. I was traversing pool-like beaches, hidden mangroves and magical, tiny islands. I saw so much of the area over the course of a few hours.
One of my favorite stops was Devil's Corner, an exhilarating and bumpy ride by the shore. I also headed to a natural harbor called Spaanse Water Lagoon for a placid tour between tiny isles. I passed by elegant yachts and got up close to magnificent mansions in this part of the island. My tour also made a stop by the Fuik Baai Lagoon — a shallow water body and cove where you can swim, snorkel and watch wild pelicans.
Finally, our guide took us to Santa Barbara, a white sand beach on the southeast part of the island, where I had a chance to let loose and run on the beach. I grabbed some seafood for lunch and did a little sunbathing.
Cast a Spell in Cozumel: Breakthrough Island Views
With some of the most picture-perfect water views in the Caribbean, impressive blue holes and remote islands like Isla Pasión, I had the adventure of a lifetime while speed boating in Cozumel. Tours here offer high-speed acceleration and maneuvers, along with 360-degree turns.
I was nervous in the beginning; once I was out there on the water, going at speeds I could not comprehend, it felt like pure freedom. It's not just about the fast acceleration with these tours. I was also able to catch my breath once I got to beautiful Isla Pasión, where my speed boat tour guide gave the cue to note that it was time to kick back and relax on a hammock. And that's exactly what I did!
With that, I requested a frozen margarita and watched the waves slowly curl back and forth on the shore. A buffet awaited me when I got hungry, and it featured some of my favorite dishes — fresh fish, a salad bar and tropical drinks (all included with the tour).
High-Speed Adventures: Speed Boat Tours in Puerto Rico
The enchanting island of Puerto Rico is an ideal adventure vacation destination in the Caribbean, offering some of the best speed boat tours in all the islands. Puerto Rico is also known as one of the most popular island-hopping options, as locals host private mini boat trips where you are at the helm. This is very different from having a guide maneuver a boat for you. Here, you get to be in control and play in the water like a kid with a new toy. I was joyfully exploring the coast, on my own terms, reaching different islands off the shore. Icacos is perhaps the most popular and my personal favorite.
Besides Puerto Rico boat rides, this is also a fantastic snorkeling destination with what many call the best coral reefs of La Cordillera Nature Reserve. We got to spend most of our time there. Everything you need is included with tours like these: snorkeling gear, snacks, drinks and a tour guide on a different boat to help you spot the best places. You don't need a boating license and will get to captain your own mini speed boat around jaw-dropping locations.
Speed Boating in Historical St. Maarten: Discover Underwater Gardens
I knew St. Maarten for its impressive underwater life and impossibly soft sand from previous trips. I learned that it can be best explored on a high-speed boat. I made several stops for snorkeling and diving here, discovering shipwrecks, underwater creatures and vivid coral reefs where brightly colored fish lived and thrived.
If you are like me, always looking for the mysterious, I recommend heading to Simpson Bay and looking for the old sunken boats filled with tropical fish. I didn't even have to go in the water; my speed boat had a glass bottom, and I was able to easily see all the sea treasures underneath. To spice things up a bit, my tour guide also took me to Maho Beach to witness the low-flying airliners, all incredibly close to the threshold of the airport runway.
Then, my last stop was Mullet Bay. Here, I took a break from all the excitement and relaxed by the crystalline waters with a good book.
The Promise of St. Thomas Thrills: Sun-Soaked Speed Boating
In St. Thomas, I had one of the most exhilarating adventures, this time on a super-fast jet boat. These boats are suitable for families and offer 180-degree spins, fishtails and power-brake stops at turbo-jet speeds. The guide on this tour was an experienced skydiver. He told us that zipping along the shore on this high-speed boat is just as inspiring as jumping from a plane, feeling the wind stretch your face. I was sold on the idea and joined the other adventurers, all of us looking at the vessel with childlike wonder.
On our journey, we reached secret cays and islands. We swam in the waters of otherworldly beaches and hiked in the forest. By the end of the tour, I had to agree with the skydiver; it was intoxicating. I had never jumped from a plane, and the high-octane experience was like zipping along like a roller coaster. It made for a perfect end to my thrill-seeking Caribbean trip and ignited a new sense of adventure in me.
Speed Boat Tours in Other Destinations: Beyond the Caribbean
While the Caribbean is famous for its turquoise waters and tropical backdrops, you’ll also find exciting speed boat adventures in other ports where Royal Caribbean sails. The Bahamas, Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay offer quick rides across shallow waters, letting you zip between private beaches, snorkeling coves, and sandbars that look like they belong on a postcard.
Over in Bermuda, speed boat tours often combine sightseeing with history, cruising past pastel-colored homes and hidden limestone caves before stopping for a swim in aquamarine bays. In the Mediterranean, a speed boat ride off the coast of Santorini or Mykonos delivers unforgettable views of whitewashed villages clinging to cliffs.
The Aegean Sea’s calm waters make for a smooth ride, with plenty of chances to pause for photos or a quick dip. If your cruise takes you to Alaska, you’ll find a very different kind of speed boat tour: high-speed zodiacs that weave through fjords and bring you close to towering glaciers, sea lions and bald eagles.
No matter where you sail, these tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience your destination from the water, adding a high-energy twist to your cruise itinerary.
Quench Your Thirst for Speed: Enjoy Speed Boat Tours This Year
From the laid-back lagoons of Curaçao to the adrenaline-pumping spins of St. Thomas, speed boat tours bring destinations to life in ways few other excursions can. Boldly chasing thrills, explore coral reefs and soak up the scenery with family during tours that promise adventure at every turn.
Pack your essentials, grab your travel companions and get ready to feel the spray of the sea as you carve across crystal waters. When you plan a cruise with Royal Caribbean, be sure to add a speed boat tour to your itinerary — it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
