Water toys are the leisure equipment carried or towed by a charter boat — jet skis, seabobs, stand-up paddleboards and towable inflatables are the most requested in 2025. Each one calls for a different experience level and type of water, from the jet ski, the most intense, to the towable inflatable, which any age can enjoy under supervision. The right pick depends on the group, not the boat's size.
Table of Contents
- Jet skis: speed on the water
- Seabobs: the underwater scooter
- Boards: stand-up paddle and wakeboard
- Towable inflatables: group fun
- Comparison: which toy to choose
- Safety with water toys
- FAQ
Jet skis: speed on the water
The jet ski, also called a personal watercraft (PWC), is the best-known water toy: an individual or two-person motorized vehicle, ridden standing or seated, that reaches far higher speeds than most other toys on a boat trip. It works best in open, calm water, away from swimmers and other vessels, and is usually arranged either towed behind the main boat or waiting at anchor at the day's stop.
The rider always wears a life jacket and follows Brazilian Navy safety rules for small watercraft, with a crew member or instructor supervising throughout — first-timers get a basic briefing before heading out. Children and teenagers ride as passengers only, never piloting alone.
Seabobs: the underwater scooter
A seabob is an electric underwater scooter held with both hands, used both on the surface and submerged a few meters deep — a cross between a motorized toy and a light diving experience. Unlike a jet ski, it requires no balance or riding position: the user is pulled along by the internal propeller, with speed controlled from the handgrip.
It is quieter and more compact than a jet ski, easy to store on board, and tends to appeal to guests who want the sensation of speed in the water without the noise and footprint of a larger motorized vehicle. Seabobs are a familiar sight on yacht charters in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and Brazilian operators are increasingly offering them too. Use still calls for a life jacket and a quick briefing from the crew before the first run.
Boards: stand-up paddle and wakeboard
Two board-based activities come up often on boat trips:
- Stand-up paddleboard (SUP): a larger, stable board paddled while standing with a single oar — ideal for the calm water of a bay or cove, and it does not need the boat under power. Easy for beginners and a good light workout during a stop.
- Wakeboard: a smaller board, towed by a cable behind the moving boat, requiring more balance and some prior experience — closer to water skiing in physical effort.
SUP works well at any calm-water stop on the route; wakeboarding needs a stretch of open water and a crew prepared to handle the tow safely.
Towable inflatables: group fun
Towable inflatables — the classic banana boat and the round or donut-shaped tubes — are the most accessible water toy on board: anyone wearing a life jacket can join, including children who meet the equipment manufacturer's recommended age and weight. They are pulled by a line behind the boat, at a speed the driver adjusts to the group's profile.
This is the best format for large groups and families spanning several age ranges, since the experience is shared and the intensity can be turned up or down on the spot by adjusting the tow speed.
Comparison: which toy to choose
The table below summarizes each water toy's profile:
| Toy | Experience level | Best for | Ideal water conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski | Beginner to advanced, with briefing | Adults and teens, solo or in pairs | Open, calm water, away from swimmers |
| Seabob | Beginner, no balance required | Adults and teens | Calm water, surface or a few meters deep |
| Stand-up paddleboard | Beginner | All ages with supervision | Bay or cove with still water |
| Wakeboard | Intermediate to advanced | Teens and adults with prior experience | Open water stretch, boat under tow speed |
| Towable inflatable (banana boat) | No experience required | Groups and families, children per minimum weight | Calm water, adjustable tow speed |
Safety with water toys
Three rules apply to any toy carried on board: life jackets at all times, even for strong swimmers; a crew member or instructor watching the activity throughout, never leaving equipment unsupervised; and use restricted to good-visibility hours, avoiding late afternoon or areas with heavy boat traffic.
Guests prone to seasickness should approach the jet ski and wakeboard with caution, since the sharper motion can intensify symptoms — the guide to seasickness: what actually works covers the measures that help before deciding. Water-resistant sunscreen is essential for any extended time on the surface, as detailed in the guide to protecting skin and clothes on a boat trip.
How to arrange it for your charter
Availability of water toys varies by operator and region — markets such as Búzios, Angra dos Reis and the Florianópolis coast in Brazil commonly offer jet skis, inflatables and paddleboards as an add-on to the boat rental, on request and depending on the vessel model. It is worth asking in advance which toys the operator carries, whether the cost is included or charged separately, and the usage policy (time, number of people, age range).
Booking the toy together with the boat, rather than deciding on the day, avoids running into unavailability — jet skis and seabobs, since operators carry fewer units, are the first to sell out on weekends and during high season. For planning the rest of the day around each activity, see the guide to the best times of day for a boat trip.
FAQ
What are boat water toys? They are the leisure equipment used during a boat trip, such as jet skis, seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, wakeboards and towable inflatables. Each requires a different experience level and is usually arranged as an add-on to the boat rental, depending on the operator and the vessel model.
What is a seabob and how does it work? It is an electric underwater scooter held with both hands, used on the surface or submerged a few meters deep. It requires no balance like a jet ski — the internal propeller pulls the user along, with speed controlled from the handgrip. It is quieter and more compact than a jet ski.
Can children use a jet ski or seabob? Children ride as passengers on a jet ski, always with a life jacket and never piloting alone. A seabob usually requires minimum hand strength and size to hold the equipment safely. Towable inflatables and stand-up paddleboards are the better options for younger children, with constant supervision.
What is the difference between a stand-up paddleboard and a wakeboard? A stand-up paddleboard is paddled while standing in still water, without depending on the boat being underway — easier for beginners. A wakeboard is towed by a cable behind the moving boat, requires more balance and some prior experience, and is closer to water skiing in physical effort.
Are water toys already included in the boat rental? It depends on the operator and the region — in many cases they are an add-on charged separately or offered on request, depending on the vessel model. The best approach is to ask on the quote which toys are available, whether there is an extra cost, and the usage policy before confirming the booking.
Is it safe to use a towable inflatable with the whole group? Yes, with a life jacket for everyone and a crew member controlling the tow speed based on the group's profile. It is considered the most accessible water toy, suitable for groups spanning several age ranges, provided children meet the recommended minimum weight.
How do I book a jet ski or seabob in advance? Tell the operator which toys the group wants when booking the boat. Jet skis and seabobs have fewer units available than inflatables and paddleboards, and are the first to sell out on weekends and during high season — booking them together with the boat avoids missing out on the day of the trip.
CTA
Want to add a jet ski, seabob, paddleboard or towable inflatable to your charter? Contact the Voguer team, share your group's profile and chosen destination, and receive boat options with the water toys available in the region. Voguer's superyacht charter arm at voguer.yachts arranges the same toys, plus tenders and dive equipment, on Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries.
Read also: Diving and snorkelling from the boat · Seasickness: what actually works · Protect skin and clothes on a boat trip · The best times of day for a boat trip · Boat rental in Búzios
