For a jet ski rental in Ocean City, MD, bring a swimsuit, a quick-dry shirt or rash guard, water shoes with a heel strap, sunglasses with a strap, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof phone case if you want photos or video. OCA Watersports provides the jet ski, fuel, US Coast Guard life jackets, the safety briefing, and free dock storage for your keys and small items. Leave anything that cannot get wet, salty, or lost in your car.

The 70-minute 6 Mile Ride at OCA is a wet ride. You will get sprayed, you will sit in salt water, and at full throttle the wind is in your face the whole way. Showing up in the right gear is the difference between an incredible morning and an uncomfortable one. Here is the full breakdown of what to bring, what to leave home, what OCA supplies, and the small upgrades that make a meaningful difference.

The 5-Item Essentials List

Bring These 5 Things

  1. Swimsuit (worn under your clothes to the dock)
  2. Quick-dry shirt or rash guard (no cotton)
  3. Water shoes or sandals with a heel strap (no flip-flops)
  4. Sunglasses with a retainer strap (Croakies, Chums, anything with a leash)
  5. Reef-safe sunscreen (apply before you arrive)

If you bring only those five things, you are 95% of the way to a great ride. Everything else is a comfort or convenience upgrade.

What to Wear

Swimsuit

Wear it to the dock under your clothes. There is no good way to change at the launch ramp.

Top Layer

A quick-dry rash guard is the gold standard. It blocks sun, protects your skin from the spray, and dries on the way back to your car. Athletic synthetic shirts work too. Cotton t-shirts are the worst choice because they soak up water, get heavy, and stay cold for hours.

Footwear

Water shoes, Tevas, Chacos, or any sandal with a heel strap. You need shoes that will not fall off when you push the ski off the dock or step onto a sandbar. Flip-flops will be on the bay floor within 10 minutes.

Hat (Optional)

If you wear a hat, it needs a chinstrap. A regular baseball cap will be gone the second you hit the throttle. Most riders skip the hat.

What OCA Provides

  • The jet ski (Sea-Doo GTX, up to 3 riders, 450 lb max)
  • Fuel for the full 70-minute ride
  • US Coast Guard approved life jackets in all sizes (child through adult XXL). You are not allowed on the water without one.
  • Safety briefing at the dock before launch
  • Free dock storage for keys, wallets, dry towels, and small items while you ride
  • A staff member to launch you from the dock so you do not have to deal with a ramp

That covers the must-haves. You do not need to bring a life jacket. You do not need to buy fuel. You do not need to know how to back a trailer.

What to Leave in the Car

  • Cotton clothes. They get heavy, stay wet, and offer no sun protection.
  • Jewelry. Rings, earrings, necklaces, watches you care about. Anything not bolted to your body will end up on the bay floor.
  • Loose hats and visors without chinstraps.
  • Wallets and large bags. Use OCA dock storage instead.
  • Phones without a waterproof case. Salt + impact + saltwater submersion = dead phone, every time.
  • Real cameras. Unless they are fully waterproof and tethered, leave them.
  • White or new clothes. Bay water has minerals and you might pick up a smudge or two.

Smart Upgrades (Worth the Effort)

Waterproof Phone Case with Lanyard

$15-30 on Amazon. Slip the phone in, run the lanyard around your neck, and you can film the whole ride safely. Pictures with wild horses, dolphins, or the OC skyline behind you are the best souvenir from the day. Make sure the case is rated IPX8 or higher.

GoPro on a Chest Mount

If you have one, bring it. Chest mount or a head strap, never just held in your hand. The 6 Mile Ride footage looks great on the wide-angle lens.

Sun Shirt with Long Sleeves (UPF 50)

If you sunburn easily, a long-sleeve UPF 50 sun shirt is better than relying on sunscreen. The combination of full sun and the reflection off the water is intense on the bay.

Towel and Dry Change of Clothes

Leave these in your car for after the ride. You will be wet head to toe walking back to the parking lot. A dry shirt and shorts make the drive home a lot better.

Group and Family Notes

Kids: Minimum age to operate a jet ski at OCA is 16. Younger kids can ride as passengers on a parent's ski if they meet the weight requirements. We have child-sized life jackets and we make sure the fit is right before you leave the dock.

Glasses wearers: Bring a backup pair in your car. The first ride out can fog up regular glasses. Some riders prefer to do the ride without them.

Pregnant or recently injured guests: Jet skiing is high-impact and not recommended. Book a pontoon boat instead. Same waters, same scenery, no pounding.

If you are still deciding between a jet ski and a pontoon, the comparison post will help: Jet Ski vs Pontoon Boat: Which OCA Rental is Right for Your Group?.

Show Up Early

Plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before your scheduled ride time. That gives you time to park, check in, hit the bathroom, complete the safety briefing, and get fitted for a life jacket. The 70-minute clock starts when you are on the water, not when you arrive.

Book Your Ride

OCA Watersports is at 12817 Harbor Rd, Ocean City, MD 21842. Book jet skis online or call 410-629-RIDE (7433). Summer weekends fill up fast, especially morning slots, so reserve early.

Check the deals and coupons page for current promotions before you book.